Music Video: Postcolonial theory

 Read this W Magazine deep dive on the Yeehaw agenda and answer the following questions: 

1) What are the visual cues the article lists as linked to the western genre? 

One visual clue would be the western styled clothing such as cowboy hats, cow prints, Rhine stones and fringed suede jackets.

2) How did the Yeehaw agenda come about? 

The YeeHaw agenda came about when black people started to represent western culture and to prove the fact that roughly 25% of cowboys were black however this is a figure not presented in most western films or prints.

3) Why has it been suggested that the black cowboy has been 'erased from American culture'? 

The article states that roughly 25% of cowboys were black and that during the civil war Texas slave owners left cattle wrangling up to the black slaves they purchased while the slave owners fought in battle. This meant that many slaves had become expert cowhands.

4) How has the black cowboy aesthetic been reflected by the fashion industry?

The cowboy aesthetic has been emphasised in order to shake up the homogeneous couture landscape, This has happened due to the inclusion of cowboy hats and chaps.

5) Read the section on Lil Nas X and Old Town Road. What does it suggest about race and the country music community?

The section reveals that country music is a genre which is dominated by white people and when black people join the genre some people feel as if black people are invading their space. This can be linked to the fear of others or othering.

6) What elements of the song and music video are suggested to be authentically country and western?

Propos such as banjo drums, hats, clothing and the backdrop appropriately match the aesthetics which are linked to country music and these elements can be seen everywhere.

7) What genres of music does the article suggest have been shaped by black influences? 

Rock and roll, electronic music, hip hop and some elements of Ska.

8) In your opinion, what do you think has been the driving force behind the Yeehaw movement? 

The silencing of black people joining the country genre has led to the driving force behind the Yeehaw movement as people just wish to be seen as equal.

Applying postcolonial theory to Old Town Road

Revise the postcolonial theories we have studied and apply them to the Old Town Road music video: 

1) How does the Old Town Road music video both reinforce and challenge black stereotypes in the media?

In the end of the song Lil Nas X can be seen as a hero as he unites all the people together and dances with the people and takes pictures with them, this links to the theory of racial conviviality. However, he could also be portrayed as the villain as in the beginning he is seen running away with a bag of money illustrating that he may have robbed something or someone.

2) How could you argue that the Old Town Road video challenges Gilroy's theory of double consciousness?

Lil Nas X creates his own identity by mixing country with hip hop/rap to create his own ideologies. This challenges the theory of double consciousness as he is not confused about his identity.

3) How does Lil Nas X and Old Town Road provide an example of Hall's theory of race representations? Alternatively, you could argue against this if you prefer.  

Lil Nas X can be seen as an outsider/ someone who does not belong in a certain area which can be seen in the beginning where he is being shot and targeted by the homeowner and then later on being chased by the sheriff.

4) Are there any examples of Alvarado's theory of black stereotypes in the Old Town Road video? Why/why not?

The common stereotypes of black people can be seen in the old town road official music video through the use of a humorous actor such as Chris Rock and another black stereotype can be seen through Lil Nas X as he is presented as someone who is possibly dangerous. 

5) How does Lil Nas X provide a compelling case study for bell hooks's theory of intersectionality?

Othering can be seen through the father and daughter in the beginning however this is subverted later on as the sheriff himself is black which subverts black stereotypes. Moreover rather than being oppressed Lil Nas X ends up being liked by the white people at the end.