this Vox feature and podcast transcript on Lil Nas X and Old Town Road.
1) What is the big debate regarding Old Town Road and genre?
The debate on whether 'Old Town Road' should be classified as country music.
2) What do you learn about the background of Lil Nas X and Old Town Road from the podcast transcript?
Lil Nas X (real name : Montero Hill) is a 20 year old rapper from Atlanta who started on soundcloud.For the construction of 'Old Town Road 'he bought a beat that had this sort of country-sounding instrumental to it. And he said he was living at home feeling very lonely, feeling like a lonely cowboy, and he decided to pair that feeling with this sort of twangy beat that he bought.
3) What is the Yeehaw agenda?
The yee haw agenda : how a lot of black artists are getting interested in sort of the country aesthetic.
4) How did the story become a debate about race in America?
Because black artists did not match the identity of typical artists in the cowboy genre which caused debates involving the Yeehaw agenda.
5) How does Charlie Harding sum up the whole thing in the final part of the podcast transcript?
He demonstrates the history of different genres then shows examples of artists to display his ideas then he concedes with the display of meme culture.
Now read this Salon feature on Lil Nas X and LGBTQ+ identity. Answer the following questions:
1) How did Lil Nas X announce his sexuality on social media?
While on Instagram last night, Nas wrote: “just cause I'm gay don't mean I'm gay.” Later, a fan asked Lil Nas X to admit that his announcement was a joke to which he responded: “I'm gay as a joke.”
2) Why does the article describe Old Town Road as 'genre-blurring'?
As a genre-blurring artist whose breakthrough hit harnessed both hip hop and country sounds and fans, Lil Nas X's public declaration of his sexuality touches both genres. On the country side of the industry, LGBTQ visibility and celebration has come a long way in recent years.
3) How has country music demonstrated the social change taking place in American culture and society?
Country music had historically been selective but over time during a social change it has become more open .
Old Town Road textual analysis
Watch the video again and answer the following questions. Use your notes from our in-class analysis to help you:
1) How is the narrative features used in the music video? Apply narrative theory here.
There is a equilibrium with the Lil Nas X deciding to take some rest however they are struck with a disequilbirum when Lil nas X is being chased and shot at but he finds a new equilibrium when he goes through a portal and lands in 2019. Lil Nas X is seen as the hero and his horse is seen as the helper , the villian is the man who shot at him.
2) What examples of genre conventions and intertextuality can you find in the video?
Intertextuality could be the music video referring to the video game Red dead redemption. There is demonstrations of the western genre.
3) How are technical codes used to create meanings in the video? Analyse camerawork, editing and mise-en-scene and make specific reference to moments in the video.
Slow cuts between dramatic long shots and close ups of intense stares, high-key lighting of exterior shots, and guitar strings punctuating the scenes.
4) How are representations of race and ethnicity constructed in the video?
Black people are represented as not welcomed in part of the opening scene when Lil NAS X says "last time they weren’t too welcoming to outsiders" , which demonstrates that he is not fully apart of the cowboy community. However when Lil NAS X lands in 2019 all of the people are black but he is still seen as not-welcomed due to the reactions he gets and the shock he sparks within people which is demonstrated though vocal and facial expressions.
5) What other representations can you find in the video? You may wish to comment on gender, sexuality or America/American culture.
Lil NAS X was deemed as part of the LGBT community however there was no discrimination to him from the american culture.
Old Town Road Media Factsheet
Finally, read Media Factsheet #262 - Old Town Road. You'll need to log in to Google using your Greenford Google account to access this. Read the factsheet and answer the following questions:
1) Who are the celebrities that appear in cameos in the video?
Comedians Chris Rock and Haha Davis, rappers Vince Staples and Rico Nasty, songwriter Jozzy, producer Youngkio, and DJ Diplo.
2) Choose three of the key terms defined on the first page of the factsheet and write the definitions here. Focus on terms you are unfamiliar with.
Archetypal- A representation that is very typical of a person, place or thing.
Cultural Myth- Deeper ideologies that have been shaped through cultural coding through
Mytheme- Small units of narrative in cultural products; such as theme, character and action, the study of which can reveal the dominant ideas and values of culture.
3) How did Lil Nas X use social media to boost his own popularity and the success of the video?
Lil Nas X had a clear understanding of social media’s role in marketing and promotion of stars even before he released his own music. By trafficking in memes, viral threads, engagement bait, and Nicki Minaj stanning, he was able to create a six-digit follower base on Twitter, a process that is known a tweetdecking. This account served as a springboard to release Old Town Road.
4) Look at the video analysis on page 3. What conventions of the western can be found in the video?
Riding on horses in the dessert. Chases and Gunshots.
5) How does the video begin?
LIL NAS X on a fast trotting horse followed by celebrity cameos including Chris Rock who makes a comedic comment about the high pace of LIL NAS X.
6) What does the factsheet suggest regarding the modern-day part of the video?
That it is a different type of masculinity compared to the ideal romanticised masculinity which would've been common in the western genre decades ago. The material goods such as the Maserati demonstrate ideal lifestyles for today.
7) How can the video be read as a reinforcement of capitalism and the American dream?
Due to the material goods being the idea of what people dream for when aiming to achieve their ambition.
8) How does the factsheet suggest the video creates a hyperreality?
The video ends with Lil Nas hugging a little white Bingo playing, line-dancing old lady, subverting the negative stereotype of the threatening black man as well as suggesting that outsiders should not be feared. This culminates in a message which constructs a hyperreality of inclusivity and community above fear and violence.
9) How is masculinity represented in the video?
Traditional masculinity is massively subverted due to the action of the male figures in the show such as them dancing.
10) Look at the final page. What theories are suggested for this CSP and which do you think are the most useful?
Judith Butler’s theory effectively to the video as it draws
attention to the performative nature of gender. Stereotypical
feminine gender codes, such as the pink suits and flowers,
highlight that “the inner truth is a fabrication.” Lil Nas X and Billy
Ray Cyrus do not “perform” like conventional cowboys.
David Gauntlett’s identity theory would argue that more
varied and nuanced representations of masculinity offer
audiences more identity models to follow. Plus, marginalised
representations of gay, black country, and rap artists getting
mainstream exposure and being accepted could pave the way
for more artists from these groups.
Paul Gilroy’s idea of double-consciousness could be applied
through the idea that Lil Nas X has openly stated he’s struggled
with his own sexuality and Christian background, as well as
being a black artist trying to break out in the white-centric genre
of country and western music. Furthermore, sub-genre concept
of hybridity in music create through African American influence
is clear in how Lil Nas X is forging a type of country music.
Stuart Hall’s concept of transcoding stereotypes could
be useful ad Lil Nas X subverts the aggressive black male
stereotype, especially in regard to the violent, misogynistic,
homophobic rap star.
Comments
Post a Comment