Cultural innovation and narrative synergy in R. Kelly’s Trapped in the Closet

This article analyses the narrative conventions of R. Kelly’s serial “hip-hopera” Trapped in the Closet, exploring the manner in which the artist’s chosen narrative strategies have shaped the generic reading of the series. Specifically, I discuss how Trapped in the Closet re-appropriates the convent...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Alphaville 2012-08 (3), p.64-75
Main Author: Literat, Ioana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
contemporary rhythm and blues music
music lyrics
rhythm and blues as storytelling medium
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Summary:This article analyses the narrative conventions of R. Kelly’s serial “hip-hopera” Trapped in the Closet, exploring the manner in which the artist’s chosen narrative strategies have shaped the generic reading of the series. Specifically, I discuss how Trapped in the Closet re-appropriates the conventions of the soap opera and the music video, to create a wholly original product that both evokes these schematas and simultaneously challenges their traditional narrative norms. Looking at R. Kelly’s chosen promotional strategy, I argue that the convergence of genres and narrative influences, as evident in the series’ content and style, parallels the convergence of media channels—radio, television, internet—that characterised its release and distribution, highlighting the increasing importance of a transmedial approach in the conceptualisation and dissemination of cultural texts.
ISSN:2009-4078
2009-4078
DOI:10.33178/alpha.3.05