Lil Nas X - Old Town Road

 Lil Nas X - Old Town Road: Blog tasks

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?


Discussions about whether it should be considered country or not due to its blending of hip-hop and country elements.


2) What do you learn about the background of Lil Nas X and Old Town Road from the podcast transcript?

From the podcast transcript, you learn that Lil Nas X, originally from Atlanta, Georgia, created "Old Town Road" independently and promoted it through social media before it went viral on TikTok.


3) What is the Yeehaw agenda?

The Yeehaw agenda is a cultural movement celebrating and reclaiming the imagery and aesthetics of cowboy and western culture within black communities.


4) How did the story become a debate about race in America?


Discussions about the boundaries and gatekeeping within music genres, particularly regarding the acceptance of black artists in traditionally white-dominated genres like country music.


5) How does Charlie Harding sum up the whole thing in the final part of the podcast transcript?


Charlie Harding sums up the whole discussion by highlighting how "Old Town Road" challenges genre boundaries and reflects the evolving music consumption and cultural identity.


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 by tweeting "some of y'all already know, some of y'all don't care, some of y'all not gone fwm no more," followed by a rainbow emoji, implying that he is a member of the LGBTQ+ community.


2) Why does the article describe Old Town Road as 'genre-blurring'? 

The article describes "Old Town Road" as 'genre-blurring' because it incorporates elements of both hip-hop and country music, challenging traditional genre boundaries.

3) How has country music demonstrated the social change taking place in American culture and society? 

Country music has demonstrated social change in American culture and society showing different voices and themes, reflecting shifting attitudes towards race, gender, and identity.

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.

2) What examples of genre conventions and intertextuality can you find in the video?

In the "Old Town Road" music video, examples of genre conventions include the use of cowboy imagery and rural settings, while intertextuality is demonstrated through references to classic western films and cowboy culture.

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 "Old Town Road" video, technical elements like camera angles, editing pace, and set design enhance the narrative's cowboy aesthetics.

4) How are representations of race and ethnicity constructed in the video?

In the "Old Town Road" video, representations of race and ethnicity challenge stereotypes by featuring Lil Nas X, a black artist, within traditional western settings, promoting diversity within the genre.

5) What other representations can you find in the video? You may wish to comment on gender, sexuality or America/American culture. 

In the "Old Town Road" video, gender norms are challenged as Lil Nas X combines traditional cowboy imagery with elements like twerking dancers, while also celebrating a mix of urban and rural American culture.

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, Vince Staples, and 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.

  • Intertextuality: Refers to the referencing of other texts or cultural texts, often to create meaning.
  • Mise-en-scène: French term meaning "placing on stage," refers to the arrangement of visual elements within a scene, including set design, lighting, costume, and the positioning of actors.
  • Technical Codes: Refers to the specific techniques or conventions used in film or media production to convey meaning, including camerawork, editing, sound, and special effects.
3) How did Lil Nas X use social media to boost his own popularity and the success of the video?

Lil Nas X uses social media platforms such as TikTok and Twitter to engage fans, share snippets of "Old Town Road," and initiate viral challenges, driving his own popularity and the video's success.

4) Look at the video analysis on page 3. What conventions of the western can be found in the video? 

Conventions of the western genre found in the "Old Town Road" video include cowboy attire, horse riding, saloons, and desert landscapes.

5) How does the video begin? 

The video begins with Lil Nas X riding a horse through a desert landscape, setting the scene and establishing the western theme.

6) What does the factsheet suggest regarding the modern-day part of the video? 

The factsheet suggests that the modern-day idea of the video juxtaposes urban and rural aesthetics, reflecting the song's blend of genres and cultures.

7) How can the video be read as a reinforcement of capitalism and the American dream? 

8) How does the factsheet suggest the video creates a hyperreality? 

The factsheet suggests the video creates a hyperreality by blending traditional western imagery with modern settings and cultural references, blurring the line between fiction and reality.

9) How is masculinity represented in the video? 

Masculinity in the video is represented through traditional cowboy imagery, with Lil Nas X embodying a confident and assertive persona while also challenging gender norms.

10) Look at the final page. What theories are suggested for this CSP and which do you think are the most useful? 

The theories suggested for this CSP include narrative theory, genre theory, and semiotics, with narrative theory being the most useful as it helps analyse the storyline and character development in the music video.

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