Music Video: Postcolonial theory

  Wider reading on race and Old Town Road

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

The visual cues associated with what could be classified as western—cowboy hats, cow prints, rhinestones, and fringed suede jackets

2) How did the Yeehaw agenda come about? 

In September 2018, the trend of black pop-culture figures wearing cowboy garb was dubbed the “Yeehaw Agenda” by Bri malandro , a Texas-based pop-culture archivist.

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

Wrangling cattle and the riding, training, and keeping of horses are practices that have been mastered by black Americans since the 1800s, but the impact that African American men and women have had on cowboy culture is not well known.

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

The fashion industry has emphasised the importance of the black cowboy figure by employing this aesthetic on the runway.

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

The ways in which black artists have shaped the sounds of contemporary country music have historically been overshadowed by the emphasis placed on white artists

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

Its singer’s Southern twang is, after all, reminiscent of the twang in the voices of popular country musicians, the track incorporates a banjo, and the video backdrop appropriately matched the aesthetics associated with country music.

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

Black artists have had a hand in the invention and popularisation of genres including, but not limited to, rock and roll, punk, riot grrrl, and electronic music.

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

An act of rebuilding the image of black people in the country genre as they have been overshadowed by white artists.

Applying postcolonial theory to Old Town Road

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

There are many stereotypes of black people in the media however the overall assumption is that most if not all are thugs and have interests only in rap music whereas old town road displays black people as people who can be interested in several things rather than the things only the media shows.

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

Lil nas X looks comfortable in his surroundings and we assume that he is comfortable with himself rather than being torn between two identities.

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.  

The landowner and his daughter in the opening scene suggests a fear of 'the other' - a classic racist trope. Yet there is a black sheriff which subverts traditional stereotypes. 

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

No as there is a black sheriff which would be unusual and doesn't fit the stereotype.

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

bell hook suggested that class, race, gender and sexuality defined your status in society. However, Lil Nas X was black,didn't have much money (if any) and was gay, therefore he should be lowest of the low whereas he came out extremely successful.