Read this Vox feature and podcast transcript on Lil Nas X and Old Town Road. Make sure you read the whole thing - including the podcast transcript - then answer the following questions:
1) What is the big debate regarding Old Town Road and genre?
The big debate is that people questioned whether old town road was a country song or not. The song was originally on the country chart which boosted the song to a wider audience but was removed shortly after which fueled a debate about what defined country music and who gets to decide.
2) What do you learn about the background of Lil Nas X and Old Town Road from the podcast transcript?
We learn that Lil Nas X is a 20 year old rapper from Atlanta who originally started streaming and uploading music to soundcloud and then released a song in December which is the song which made him viral. He bought the beat as he said it has a country-sounding instrumental feel to it and at home he made the song which reflected his lonely life. The song mirrors his life as he stated that he felt like a lonely cowboy
3) What is the Yeehaw agenda?
The yeehaw agenda started from a women (Bri Malandro) who tweeted about how a lot of black artists have been getting into a country aesthetic.
4) How did the story become a debate about race in America?
The debate originated due to the fact that people though that the song being removed from the country charts was due to the fact that Lil Nas X was black who is charting/dominating a predominantly white music space however Genius reached out and stated that the song was removed due to the fact that the song lacked country elements in it. Moreover, Country has often been over protected meaning black artists have been prevented from entering the scene which can also be seen as a reason to why the debate of race in America started.
5) How does Charlie Harding sum up the whole thing in the final part of the podcast transcript?
He states that there are three components which are musical, commerical and cultural and Old Town Road fits these categories perfectly. He also states that music genres have been blended in with country music.
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?
He made a series of tweets referring to his songs which contained notions of accepting and coming out, moreover in one of the artworks for his new EP a building with rainbow lights and him wearing a cowboy hat also connotated him coming out to his audience/social media.
2) Why does the article describe Old Town Road as 'genre-blurring'?
The article states that Lil Nas X harnessed both hip hop and country sounds and fans, moreover his declaration of his sexuality also touches apon both genres which can be seen as 'genre-blurring'.
3) How has country music demonstrated the social change taking place in American culture and society?
The year 2014 was a big year for LGBTQ news in country music, moreover Ty Herndon became mainstream when he came out in 2014 demonstrating that country music has changed over time and is not what it use to be. Ty Herndons song in 1995 featured altered pronouns as in his song he switched the pronouns from her to his.
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.
disequilibrium: In the beginning where Lil Nas X is being chased by the sheriff and other officers as he stole some money.
Resolution/Equilibrium: This is then resolved when he and BRC eventually escape and find a place to settle in.
disequilibrium: When the homeowner attacks and shoots at Lil Nas X forcing him to run away into a cave/tunnel and escape
Resolution: When he lands on the ground after being transported into the future and meets other black people in a neighbourhood.
Throughout the song there are multiple instances of resolution and disequilibrium which is done on purpose to create tension throughout the song to engage the viewers/listeners.
2) What examples of genre conventions and intertextuality can you find in the video?
The use of costume such as the money bag, cowboy hat and clothing all connote to a western genre, moreover a hybrid genre can be found when the horse is up against a car. This is because it promotes a modern action genre with a western genre clashing together. Some examples of intertextuality would be references to back to the future which is a bit of a stretch however in back to the future the main characters are transported to a western time period whilst in their modern car which is reflected in the song through the horse vs the car racing.
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.
In the first part of the video the money bag is very basic and simple and this is done on purpose to illustrate to the audience that Lil Nas X has robbed a place/somebody and this also creates a link to the western genre. The editing is very abrupt as it pauses for a few seconds on the main characters faces in order to identify them to the audience and this is done on purpose to further connote a western styled video/theme. The use of costume for BRC is also important as it creates meanings of a changed sense of masculinity as he is wearing a pinkish suit which takes a twist on traditional masculine suits presented in other western videos/films. A shot reverse shot is also used during the dance battle of the girl and Lil Nas X and this is used to create a meaning of a lonely cowboy trying to "stand out" and "survive" as he is now battling a girl however this meaning is a bit extreme.
4) How are representations of race and ethnicity constructed in the video?
In this video race is not presented as an important factor as in the end all the members unite to take pictures with Lil Nas X which connotes cultural conviviality suggesting that everyone gets along however this is in contrast to the beginning as the homeowner appears to only target Lil Nas X due to his skin colour and in reference to context at the time people disliked black people and did not perceive them as people at all or as a threat.
5)
What other representations can you find in the video? You may wish to
comment on gender, sexuality or America/American culture.
Gender/sexuality is played on and this can be seen through the choice of clothing as BRC and Lil Nas X both appear to wear suits which offer unique and twisted ideas of masculinity as pink has never been a traditionally masculine colour.
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