Music Video: Postcolonial theory

 

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

The visual cues are cow prints, cowboy hats and fringed suede jackets.

2) How did the Yeehaw agenda come about? 

This agenda came in roughly around September 2018.

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

People did not realise that 25 percent of cowboys were black and mostly stereotyped cowboys with white culture.

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

The aesthetic is starting to get popular and is more commonly wore now in fashion.

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

This contains all the elements of a country song however is still said to not embrace all the aspects of today's country music.

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

The setting at the beginning of the video in the desert, the banjo and the costumes.

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

    The genres are rock and roll and electronic music.

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

The people who want to maintain/ evaluate the standard of the country genre.

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?

The main character is a black cowboy riding on the horse through the desert which goes against the common stereotype since white people will be mainly filling this role. We can also see that Lil Nas X has a bag of money (possibly stolen) which reinforces the stereotype that black people are criminals. We also hear Billy say "don't worry you are with me now" which reinforces the idea that white people are saviours and black people are the endangered.

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

The video showcases the black community more rather than a stereotyped one.

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 entertainer role is given to Chris Rock.

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

Sense of danger due to the Lil Nas X stealing money and also humourous due to Chris Rock making jokes at the beginning and end.

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

The sheriff is black is subverts the normal stereotypes and the land owner is trying to protect his home from "the other".