This master thesis concerns itself with the development of male roles and masculinities in the Danish society and in Danish hip-hop music. Danish hip-hop music was the object of great criticism in the beginning of the new millennium, due to the rough language and the presence of sexism and stereotypical gender roles in the texts. In connection to this criticism, the Danish rapper Niarn stated that Danish hip-hop was no more than a reflection of the surrounding society, and if anyone had a problem with the discourse of the texts, it was not the texts that had to be changed, but the society. This argument became known as the realism-argument. No longer than five-six years ago, Danish hip-hop, once again, received criticism, but this time for the increasing presence of whining in the texts. Therefore, with the inspiration from Niarns realism-argument, this master thesis concerns itself with the connection between the male roles and masculinities that are expressed in Danish hip-hop and the gender roles and masculinities that are dominant in the Danish society. Has any development and change happened in the Danish society the last twenty years, to cause this change in Danish hip-hop, and is it at all fair to say that the discourse in Danish hip-hop reflects the surrounding society?

Both the study of male roles and masculinities in the Danish society the past twenty years, and the discursive analysis of male roles and masculinities in Danish hip-hop music, showed that especially one word can characterize the development that has occurred in both areas: diversity. Male roles and masculinities have become more diverse in the last twenty years, and various male roles have been accepted into the Danish society. On the basis of this observation, this master thesis shows, how Danish hip-hop music can be perceived as a reflection of the surrounding society.