Background and cultural contexts
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 was about what genre “Old Town Road” belongs to. Some people said it’s country, others said it’s rap, and it got removed from the country charts which caused arguments.
2) What do you learn about the background of Lil Nas X and Old Town Road from the podcast transcript?
From the podcast, you learn Lil Nas X was a young artist who promoted the song online, especially on TikTok, and it blew up really fast. He didn’t have a traditional music industry background.
3) What is the Yeehaw agenda?
The “Yeehaw agenda” is about more Black artists and fans getting involved in country culture and showing that country music isn’t just for one group of people.
4) How did the story become a debate about race in America?
It became about race because people felt the song was treated differently because Lil Nas X is Black, and that country music has a history of excluding Black artists
5) How does Charlie Harding sum up the whole thing in the final part of the podcast transcript?
Charlie Harding basically says the whole situation shows how music genres are not clear rules anymore, and “Old Town Road” proves how the internet is changing music and 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?
He came out on Twitter by telling fans to listen to his song and hinted in the lyrics that he is gay
2) Why does the article describe Old Town Road as 'genre-blurring'?
He came out on Twitter by telling fans to listen to his song and hinted in the lyrics that he is gay
3) How has country music demonstrated the social change taking place in American culture and society?
It shows social change because country music is becoming more open to different kinds of people, including LGBTQ+ artists.
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 are narrative features used in the music video? Apply narrative theory here.
The video tells a clear story. Lil Nas X starts in the Old West, then gets chased and suddenly appears in modern-day America. This follows a basic narrative with a beginning (cowboy life), disruption (being chased), and a new situation (modern world).
2) What examples of genre conventions and intertextuality can you find in the video?
It uses country and western ideas like cowboys, horses, and guns, but mixes them with rap culture. There are references to cowboy movies and also modern culture, like cars and city life.
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.
Camerawork includes tracking shots when riding horses and close-ups during funny moments. Editing is fast when the story changes from the past to the present. Mise-en-scene includes cowboy outfits, hats, and horses at the start, then modern clothes and settings later, showing the contrast.
4) How are representations of race and ethnicity constructed in the video?
The video shows Black cowboys, which challenges the usual idea that cowboys are white. It presents Black people as part of both the past and present.
5) What other representations can you find in the video? You may wish to comment on gender, sexuality or America/American culture.
t also shows ideas about American culture, mixing old western traditions with modern life. There are also playful ideas about masculinity, as the characters act confident but also humorous.
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?
Chris Rock, Diplo and Vince Staples appear in the video.
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.
Hybridity means mixing different genres together. Intertextuality means referencing other media texts. Hyperreality means showing a fake or ideal version of reality.
3) How did Lil Nas X use social media to boost his own popularity and the success of the video?
He used Twitter, memes and TikTok to make the song go viral and gain popularity.
4) Look at the video analysis on page 3. What conventions of the western can be found in the video?
The video uses western conventions like cowboys, horses, a sheriff, guns and a desert setting.
5) How does the video begin?
The video begins in the middle of action with him riding a horse and being chased.
6) What does the factsheet suggest regarding the modern-day part of the video?
The modern-day part is shown as friendly and welcoming, with people accepting him and no danger.
7) How can the video be read as a reinforcement of capitalism and the American dream?
The video shows wealth like money, cars and expensive items to suggest success and the American Dream.
8) How does the factsheet suggest the video creates a hyperreality?
It creates hyperreality by showing an unrealistic and perfect version of life.
9) How is masculinity represented in the video?
Masculinity is shown as more playful and less traditional, with bright clothes and less tough behaviour.
10) Look at the final page. What theories are suggested for this CSP and which do you think are the most useful?
The theories include Butler, Gauntlett, Gilroy and Hall, and Butler and Hall are the most useful.
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