Contemporary Dutch hip hop is one of the most influential music genres and youth cultures in the Netherlands. Both the music and its surrounding youth culture tell personal and collective histories—stories which echo not only the voices of the artists themselves, but also those of the communities they represent. These stories find a stage and an audience on digital platforms and their popularity is clearly reflected in the Dutch charts. What makes Dutch hip hop so appealing to young people in an era marked by globalization and internationalization? De nieuwe golf (The New Wave) explores the stories Dutch hip hop artists tell and the ways they construct cultural identity through their work. Literary scholar Aafje de Roest examines the performances of Lijpe, SMIB, Abel, Ares, Jacin Trill, Famke Louise, Latifah, Lionstorm, and S10. She demonstrates how each of these artists’ stories offers a distinct reflection on cultural identity: set against a local background yet connected to the world – and always evolving.