Social support network in Latin American hip-hop: connection and solidarity from the experiences of hiphoppas immigrants in the city of Concepción, Chile

Abstract

The article examines social support networks in the context of Latin American immigration in Chile, with a specific focus on those formed within the realm of hip-hop. The concept of a social support network in immigration refers to the social and emotional ties that immigrants maintain with their places of origin, transit, or settlement, which may also translate into forms of assistance related to relocation and integration into certain urban areas. The experiences of Latin American hip-hop artists (both male and female) who reside in or have passed through the city of Concepción highlight various acts of solidarity carried out by fellow artists, facilitating their immigration processes. This case study offers an alternative perspective on how such social networks are formed, suggesting that musical cultures can also serve as a means of connecting people to support immigrants.