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. Her Instagram account, also called @theyeehawagenda, functions as both an archive and celebration of black cowboy aesthetics in popular culture. It’s a treasure trove: You can find anyone from Beyoncé in her Destiny’s Child days wearing a cowboy hat to Bernie Mac in a bolo tie.
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. During the Civil War, Texas slaveowners left cattle wrangling up to the black slaves they purchased while the slaveowners fought in battle. After the war ended, many slaves had become expert cowhands, and roughly 25 percent of cowboys were black.
4) How has the black cowboy aesthetic been reflected by the fashion industry?
Over the past few years, their popularity has surged to the point that Pyer Moss—a label that prominently presented western-inspired looks in its fall/winter 2018 runway show—featured the Compton Cowboys in the look book for their fall 2018 collaboration with Reebok.
5) Read the section on Lil Nas X and Old Town Road. What does it suggest about race and the country music community?
hen there’s the curious case of Lil Nas X. When the 20-year-old rapper released his song “Old Town Road” along with a music video set to scenes from Red Dead Redemption 2, a Western action-adventure video game, it was initially memed on TikTok, but the track climbed toward the top of the Hot Country Billboard chart, and landed at number 19. When Billboard decided to remove the song, insisting that it “does not embrace enough elements of today’s country music” for it to be considered part of the genre, the Internet revolted, with many contending that the erasure of the song from the country charts reveals a problem with race in the country music community. But really, what about the musical composition of “Old Town Road” disqualifies it from being a country song? 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. Besides, Lil Nas X is not the first rapper to make a countrified hip-hop song. Nelly, UGK, and Outkast have all tossed their 10-gallon hats into the ring.
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. Besides, Lil Nas X is not the first rapper to make a countrified hip-hop song.
7) What genres of music does the article suggest have been shaped by black influences?
Just as black artists have had a hand in the invention and popularization of genres including, but not limited to, rock and roll, punk, riot grrrl, and electronic music, 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. For example, a musician like Ray Charles may be more commonly associated with the blues or soul, but he was one of the few black artists who achieved crossover success and made major contributions to American country music in the 1960s.
8) In your opinion, what do you think has been the driving force behind the Yeehaw movement?
As the real-life black cowboys have gone unsung in history, contemporary pop culture icons seem determined to put an end to the excision. The act of dressing like a cowboy, highlighting the impact black artists have had on country music, and flooding the Internet with decidedly black western imagery is a form of paying homage to this nearly forgotten community and a mode of archiving it so that it won’t be forgotten in the future. As Maladro posited last fall, “the Yeehaw Agenda is in full effect,” and it shows no sign of stopping any time soon.
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?
Stuart Halls outline of the 3 characteristics in American media. In Old town road music video the entertainer/clown which is represented by Chris Rock making funny comments which would make the audience laugh and make him a humorous character.
As the real-life black cowboys have gone unsung in history, contemporary pop culture icons seem determined to put an end to the excision. The act of dressing like a cowboy, highlighting the impact black artists have had on country music, and flooding the Internet with decidedly black western imagery is a form of paying homage to this nearly forgotten community and a mode of archiving it so that it won’t be forgotten in the future. A
2) How could you argue that the Old Town Road video challenges Gilroy's theory of double consciousness?
Lil Nas X confidently self expresses himself and shows his own identity, this is seen by the acting, costuming etc (mise en scene). This challenges Gilroys idea of a Black individuals not belonging and not expressing themselves.
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.
His representations and media towards race shows that are white dominated ethnic minority This is backed up in old town Road video when in the beginning there is a scene which Lil Nas X were being shot at by two white people. this therefore, may show that Western culture in media of predominantly white. Furthermore, who is outlined Black characteristics in American media is seen as Chris Rock is the entertainer and clown.
4) Are there any examples of Alvarado's theory of black stereotypes in the Old Town Road video? Why/why not?
exotic- The pink costume
humorous-Chris Rock
5) How does Lil Nas X provide a compelling case study for bell hooks's theory of intersectionality?
Lil Nas X is an openly gay black artist. He has a unique perspective on the Intersectionality of race and sexuality. He challenges this idea of into sexual identity. This is as he challenges the stereotypes and is black and gay.
Comments
Post a Comment