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Consuming the Vibe: Race, Gender, and the Politics of Swedish Dancehall

Rodriguez Fuentes, Irene LU (2026) SIMZ21 20261
Master of Science in Social Studies of Gender
Abstract
This research examines the racial and gendered dynamics of dancehall culture in Sweden, focusing on how participation in a transnational Black cultural practice shapes relationships between white women and racialized women within predominantly female dance spaces. Originating in Jamaica, dancehall has expanded globally, becoming both a site of cultural expression and a commodified transnational practice. While dancehall is often framed as empowering and liberatory, this study investigates how racialized hierarchies, notions of authenticity, and unequal power relations continue to structure
participation within the Swedish dancehall community. Drawing on Black Feminist
Theory, the commodification of Black culture, raced-gendered... (More)
This research examines the racial and gendered dynamics of dancehall culture in Sweden, focusing on how participation in a transnational Black cultural practice shapes relationships between white women and racialized women within predominantly female dance spaces. Originating in Jamaica, dancehall has expanded globally, becoming both a site of cultural expression and a commodified transnational practice. While dancehall is often framed as empowering and liberatory, this study investigates how racialized hierarchies, notions of authenticity, and unequal power relations continue to structure
participation within the Swedish dancehall community. Drawing on Black Feminist
Theory, the commodification of Black culture, raced-gendered stereotypes, and the
concept of colorblind ideology, the study explores how Blackness is consumed, negotiated, and embodied in dancehall spaces. The research adopts a qualitative multi-method approach combining semi-structured interviews, ethnography and autoethnography to examine collective dynamics and lived experiences in the Swedish dancehall community. The findings suggest that Swedish dancehall spaces simultaneously function as sites of community, pleasure and self-expression, while also reproducing racialized forms of exclusion and commodification. Particular attention is given to how Black cultural practices are legitimized, aestheticized, and consumed within predominantly white spaces, as well as how racialized women navigate visibility, authenticity, and belonging within these environments. By linking embodied cultural practices to broader social and political structures, this research contributes to discussions on race, gender, transnationalism, and cultural appropriation. (Less)
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author
Rodriguez Fuentes, Irene LU
supervisor
organization
course
SIMZ21 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Dancehall, Commodification, Blackness, White Privilege, Power, Racial Colorblindness, Sweden
language
English
id
9245332
date added to LUP
2026-06-29 12:45:59
date last changed
2026-06-29 12:45:59
@misc{9245332,
  abstract     = {{This research examines the racial and gendered dynamics of dancehall culture in Sweden, focusing on how participation in a transnational Black cultural practice shapes relationships between white women and racialized women within predominantly female dance spaces. Originating in Jamaica, dancehall has expanded globally, becoming both a site of cultural expression and a commodified transnational practice. While dancehall is often framed as empowering and liberatory, this study investigates how racialized hierarchies, notions of authenticity, and unequal power relations continue to structure
participation within the Swedish dancehall community. Drawing on Black Feminist
Theory, the commodification of Black culture, raced-gendered stereotypes, and the
concept of colorblind ideology, the study explores how Blackness is consumed, negotiated, and embodied in dancehall spaces. The research adopts a qualitative multi-method approach combining semi-structured interviews, ethnography and autoethnography to examine collective dynamics and lived experiences in the Swedish dancehall community. The findings suggest that Swedish dancehall spaces simultaneously function as sites of community, pleasure and self-expression, while also reproducing racialized forms of exclusion and commodification. Particular attention is given to how Black cultural practices are legitimized, aestheticized, and consumed within predominantly white spaces, as well as how racialized women navigate visibility, authenticity, and belonging within these environments. By linking embodied cultural practices to broader social and political structures, this research contributes to discussions on race, gender, transnationalism, and cultural appropriation.}},
  author       = {{Rodriguez Fuentes, Irene}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Consuming the Vibe: Race, Gender, and the Politics of Swedish Dancehall}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}