In a recent interview on 101 TKO Radio, Hip Hop researcher Kim Dankoor discussed her work on the role of strip club dancers in the music industry.
Dankoor, who is also a lecturer at Utrecht University, explained that her research focuses on how dancers can influence the success of artists by deciding which songs to dance to. Dankoor noted that strip club dancers in Atlanta, known for its vibrant Hip Hop scene, have a significant impact on the music industry. She explained that dancers often act as “Street gatekeepers,” deciding which songs to dance to, and thereby giving artists more exposure and potential for success.
Dankoor also highlighted the importance of recognizing the contributions of strip club dancers to Hip Hop culture. She emphasized that dancers play a vital role in breaking records and shaping the sound of Hip Hop music.
The interview on 101 TKO Radio’s “KINGS OF THE NIGHTLIFE!”, also featured a discussion on the challenges faced by strip club dancers, including the potential impact on their mental health. Dankoor expressed her hope that future research will explore ways to improve the working environment for dancers and ensure their well-being.
In addition to her research on strip club dancers, Dankoor also discussed her work on Hip Hop feminism and her efforts to promote inclusivity in Dutch representation of Europeanness.
Other panelists in the discussion, comedian Ron the D, mentioned that he had visited a strip club in Atlanta called “The Flame” and commented on the high parking fees. His presence as a comedian added a humorous element to the discussion and helped to create a lively and engaging atmosphere.
Ron the D also said, strippers had to pay DJs to get their desired songs played during their performances, and that this practice was common in cash-free strip clubs, where strippers pay to dance and tip out the DJs and other staff.
Hip Hop Professor Kim Dankoor
Kim Dankoor is a cultural and media studies expert who has contributed to Hip Hop culture through her research and by sharing her findings with students. Her research focuses on how commercial rap music videos influence young people’s perceptions of gender, physical appearance and mate desirability. Her work is based on social comparison and self discrepancy theories, and she aims to understand how young people compare themselves to the ideals they see in commercial rap music videos and how this affects their self image. Dankoor has appeared on Dutch and American television and radio shows to share her views on Hip Hop and pop culture.
For example, her study Dripped Too Hard? Commercial Rap Music and Perceived Masculinity examines how Black adolescent men in the US and the Netherlands perceived masculinity and rap music and how this relates to their self-evaluations. Other examples include:
- Rap music use and sexual initiation
Research suggests that early adolescence rap music use can significantly impact sexual initiation in late adolescents, in part due to perceived peer sexual behavior.
- Gender stereotypes
Research suggests that preferences for Hip Hop and hard house music are positively associated with gender stereotypes, while preferences for classical music are negatively associated.
- Misogyny and rap music
Research suggests that derogatory lyrics in rap music can negatively impact how society views women and how women view themselves, and these perceptions can influence younger generations.
Dankoor has also participated in qualitative research projects that involve Hip Hop archives and interviews with experts. For example, as part of the NWO-funded project representing Europe, Dankoor and Jonathan Donken visited Hip Hop archives at Harvard, Cornell, and the University of Massachusetts, as well as other Hip Hop institutions. The project’s goal is to make Dutch representations of Europeanness more inclusive, and Hip Hop is one of the themes.
Dankoor believes that studying Hip Hop can help people become more aware of how media messages are constructed. She has shared her findings with students at Erasmus University Rotterdam’s Art and Culture Department.
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