Why HipHopHuis Matters? A critical inquiry into identity, space and superdiversity in Rotterdam

HipHopHuis in Rotterdam is explored not merely as a local adaptation of hip-hop, but as a place to negotiate identities and power dynamics of a superdiverse population. This thesis investigates and challenges the concept of superdiversity by studying it as lived experience, and as urban reality and historically built narrative and image of the city. In the interplay between the two, I question whether superdiversity in migration and demography of the population also means cultural and social superdiversity. Because of its global popularity, contested artistic expressions and daring social commentary, hip-hop emerged as a space to rethink the reach of superdiversity, with spatial relations as one way to do so. The other way is that of daily interactions captured through ethnography. HipHopHuis is then a contact space through which people interact, extend their biographies and gain opportunities. Finally, the thesis concludes that HipHopHuis’ identity and belonging negotiation depends on the question if superdiversity equals not only cultural diversity but an understanding of cultural differences.