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 biggest debate regarding Old Town Road and genre is whether if it’s a country song or no. Audiences who have listened to the songs are asking what is not country about it as well as the idea that they are saying that is it country enough to be part of the billboard country chart.
2) What do you learn about the background of Lil Nas X and Old Town Road from the podcast transcript?
Lil Nas X was a black unknown artist and singer used an independent effort to succeed after he dropped out of college. He only used the internet and social media to produce his music and re-invented a country genre song. He used TikTok and memes to be on social media roll as well as being able to cross over into maintain.
3) What is the Yeehaw agenda?
The Yeehaw agenda is a social movement that started online by online pop culture archivist Bri Malandro. He created an instagram account to celebrate Black cowboy aesthetics in popular culture and reclaim black identity. In a predominantly white genre. It then became a TikTok challenge where people would try and outdo each other dancing to “Old Town Road”
4) How did the story become a debate about race in America?
The story became a debate about race in America through the idea that the billboard removed “Old Town Road” on the country charts because the main singer, Lil Nas, is black as usually cowboys are predominantly white. Audiences criticised the billboard as for their rigid ideas as to who or what qualifies as country enough.
5) How does Charlie Harding sum up the whole thing in the final part of the podcast transcript?
Charlie Harding summed up the whole thing as a meme that was commentary of cowboy culture and black identity reinforcing Gauntlett’s idea that identity is becoming more fluid. Harding also suggested that this isn’t a traditional old country music of a rural community but he called it as the “Internet Generation”.
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?
Lil Nas X announced his sexuality on social media through the use of X/Twitter. He tweeted to audiences to listen carefully to his song, c7osure, where he commented about coming out clean about secrets and accepting oneself. He also said on the app that he thought he had made it obvious as the artwork showed him on a horse riding towards rainbow buildings.
2) Why does the article describe Old Town Road as 'genre-blurring'?
The article described Old Town Road as ‘genre-blurring’ due to the hybridity and blending of country-themed lyrics and a banjo-heavy melody with a modern trap percussion beat.
3) How has country music demonstrated the social change taking place in American culture and society?
Country music was demonstrated the social change taking place in American culture and society by becoming less traditional, where they have come from strict traditionalism to greater diversity and inclusivity. There’s also progressive commentary when it comes to class, gender and ethnicity.
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 narrative features used in the music videos are:
-Todorov's equilibrium, where the equilibrium is when Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus where riding their horses and stopped for a break near a house. The disequilibrium is when the gunshot scene, where Lil Nas had to go through a tunnel. The new equilibrium is when Lil Nas travelled in time where he's safer and at the last scene at the bingo hall. This is where there was a performance and everyone seemed to be partying and joyful.
-Propp's character theory, where the hero could be Lil Nas as he's shown on screen most of the time. Also, Billy Ray Cyrus is his sidekick as he's mostly placed behind Lil Nas.
-Barthes enigma and action codes. The action codes could be the scene where Lil Nas had to go through a tunnel due to the gunshots. Whereas, the enigma codes are when he travelled in time where the audiences might be curious as to how he travelled to the modern world.
2) What examples of genre conventions and intertextuality can you find in the video?
The examples of genre conventions and intertextuality that can be found in this video are western culture, which is reinforce through the use of horses, cowboy hat and costumes, the setting as well as the lyrics. Also, there's intertextuality of country music and hip hop, where we could see in the modern world a female character dancing to a hip hop song. Furthermore, there's intertextuality with other brands such as Marlboro, Wrangler and Gucci. As well as other celebrities such as Chris Rock and Diplo which could be used for star appeal.
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.
Technical codes are used to create meanings in the video through the use of shots and movements that are on slow mo. Also, the typography of the title and both singers name in serif font where it connotes western culture and a cinematic style. In addition, there's a use of freeze frame editing where we could see both Lil Nas and Billy Ray Cyrus's name which could symbolise as the "cast" as it has a film-like style narrative as there's also a dialogue. On this part there's also a whiplash which could also reinforce western culure. The cinematic shots that were used to reach the audiences are crane shots and high angle shots.
The mise-en-scene that were used were the costume, where the characters used a cowboy costume with the iconic cowboy hat, but, these were modernised and they have changed the traditional cowboy styles. This is when they used pink cowboy costumes and jewelries, allowing the idea of western culture to be more diverse and inclusive. These are seen at the very end of the music video when we could see them performing on stage.
4) How are representations of race and ethnicity constructed in the video?
The representations of race and ethnicity constructed in the video are masculinity, which reinforces Gauntlett's idea of masculinity being more fluid. Also, the idea that it is trying to become more inclusive when it comes to race and ethnicity, this is because most cowboys are usually white and in this music video it is shown that the main character is a Black cowboy, allowing it to become a more normalised norm in society.
5) What other representations can you find in the video? You may wish to comment on gender, sexuality or America/American culture.
Other reprsentations could be about sexuality where they subvert traditional stereotypes by using pink outfits which is reinforcing Lil Nas's identity of being gay. Also, the American culture is showcased here which is linked to American dream. This is because Lil Nas was an unknown singer where he became famous just because of social media which also helped him to spread his music to a mainstream audience (rugs to riches).
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?
The celebrities that appear in cameras in the video are comedians Chris Rock and Haha David, rappers Vince Staples and Rico Nasty, songwriter r 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 connotations over time
Mytheme - small units of narrative in cultural products; such as theme, character and action, the study of which we 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 use social media to boost his own popularity and success of the video by firstly using a username that says "nasminaj" where there’s a huge fandom for Nicki Minaj. He also had knowledge about social media and how he it is used for marketing and promotion of stars. In addition, he also used social media 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?
Cowboys, Country, and Consumption – setting and location Old Town Road’s “country trap” lyrical and audio codes are linked to the video’s use of codes and conventions from the western genre. The video is a camp black western, complete with a hick hoe-down, car vs. horse showdowns and most importantly a stranger riding into town. The exposition of the video starts in media res (in the middle of action) and shows Lil Nas X riding through rugged countryside of the outback being chased by the sheriff and his deputies. Furthermore, the setting at the start shows a traditional western setting where it’s deserted and rocky and the idea that there’s not much houses around. In addition, Bank robberies and hostage situations were also conventional and this opening scene intertextualises these elements to create a meaning of promise and adventure but also to represent the character as someone who is willing to take risks.
5) How does the video begin?
The video begins with a cinematic narrative where the characters have a dialogue. Also, at the start there was a slow-mo and a freeze screen where there’s a use of text to show Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X’s name which kind of acts as a cast name. They also showed the title in serif font and bold capital letters at the start which kind of reinforces the western values and a cinematic style music video.
6) What does the factsheet suggest regarding the modern-day part of the video?
About the modern-day part of the video, it is suggested as a hyperreality of The American Dream, a cultural myth that states everyone should have equal access and opportunities, especially when it comes to success. Furthermore, there’s also a montage of images to reinforce conspicuous consumption of material goods. The Maserati car, the dollar sign, diamonds, rhinestones, the Super Mall, flashy suits and high-end sunglasses connote the capitalist nature of America. Furthermore, the material riches can be seen as mytheme; Vladimir Propp noted that the hero would often be given riches and wealth as a reward for his labours, he called this transfiguration.
7) How can the video be read as a reinforcement of capitalism and the American dream?
The video can be read as a reinforcement of capitalism and the American dream as through the narrative there’s a use of narrative acceleration and also the celebration of luxury. This is shown when they had a race with the horse and the sports car where both are reflecting luxury. Linking to this, the lyrics also mentioned Gucci and Porsche. These reflect capitalism due to the idea through mytheme; Vladimir Propp, where the hero would often be give riches and wealth as a reward for his labours. Furthermore, it links to American dream due to it stating that everyone have equal access and opportunities especially when it comes to success.
8) How does the factsheet suggest the video creates a hyperreality?
The factsheet suggest that the video creates a hyperreality when 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. Also, the idea that the main character in this music video is Lil Nas and how is cowboy shows the subvertion of the idea that a typical western cowboy is usually white.
9) How is masculinity represented in the video?
Masculinity is represented in the video through the representations of the cowboy style, where it’s traditionally depicted as self-reliant, macho, touch and often self-sacrificing. They are usually romanticised and seen with women. However, in this music video both Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas were wearing a costume of a stereotypical feminine dress code. The typical hypermasculine of cowboys were feminised by using pink colours and jewels subverting the traditional western cowboy dress code. This is further subverted through the use of black cowboy, Lil Nas, who is also gay.
10) Look at the final page. What theories are suggested for this CSP and which do you think are the most useful?
The theories that were suggested for this CSP are Schatz (argued that there are two genres, genre of order and integration), Butler (performative nature of gender), Gauntlett (identity theory), Gilroy (double-consciousness), Stuart Hall (transcoding).
I think the most useful theories are Gauntlett’s and Stuart Hall’s theory this is because they are both suggesting that gender isn’t stationary and the idea that typical stereotypes of genders can be changed.
A/A* extension tasks
This suggests that the traditional media products can be changed to a more modernised culture. This is because if the audience did like the idea of traditional media products having intertextuality of the modern culture they are more likely to share it around and would support the media products. Therefore, the change in traditional media products would be more popular and easier to get accepted as a norm or normalised value in the post modern generation. This leads to the idea that the original value of those cultures would have less audiences as audiences are more likely to be introduced to the new culture.
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