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, to name a few—are certainly not limited to the likes of Kacey Musgraves or John Wayne. 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.
2) How did the Yeehaw agenda come about?
the Yeehaw Agenda is sprawling, meaning it extends beyond the zones of Fashion Week. Solange, a Houston native, dropped her anticipated fourth studio album, When I Get Home, in early 2019, and the accompanying visuals were decidedly western. Then 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.
3) Why has it been suggested that the black cowboy has been 'erased from American culture'?
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.
4) How has the black cowboy aesthetic been reflected by the fashion industry?
he 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.
5) Read the section on Lil Nas X and Old Town Road. What does it suggest about race and 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?
The props the use of the words wrangler the word old town road and the use of horses guns cow boy hats and Billy Ray Cirrus the icon of country music.
7) What genres of music does the article suggest have been shaped by black influences?
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?
Black people want to have a say in their culture in western society. They want to push and show how they were portrayed and how some of them don't even know they had black cowboys.
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?
It subverts the stereotype by having a black man on a horse and starring in a western music video. Black stereotype are also reinforce by having luxury items such as a doge and they also mention Compton which is homed to NWA a famous Black group.
2) How could you argue that the Old Town Road video challenges Gilroy's theory of double consciousness?
The ideology of black people being part of a different culture.
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.
He does this by mixing country and rap which juxtaposes each other which subverts the typical stereotype of black people music which is normally rap hip hop and trap.
4) Are there any examples of Alvarado's theory of black stereotypes in the Old Town Road video? Why/why not?
Chris rock being the comedian/clown.
5) How does Lil Nas X provide a compelling case study for bell hooks's theory of intersectionality?
Lil nas x exploring the country music which broke the internet and created a whole new perspective on country and black music and showed how they can both be crossed effortless.
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