The Rhythms of Rebellion: Music in the Political Formation of University Student Activists

This article analyzes the role of music in the political formation of a unique character in the daily life of UNAM: the radical leftist activist student, characterized by their rebellion against the government, the state and capitalism. This research is theoretically based on the concepts of political culture and political formation and has a qualitative approach using life stories of 12 activist students from two UNAM schools. The favorite musical genres of the interviewees are rock, ska, reggae and trova. Music plays a fundamental role in the processes of identification amongst the group and with the causes of their struggle, and it is a process of symbolic exchange fundamental in the construction of its political culture.