A Level Media - Old Town Road by Lil Nas X

Summary

This guide explores the media language and representation in Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' music video, particularly relevant for AQA A-level media studies students. The video combines elements of spaghetti westerns with a modern twist, featuring an all-black cast in powerful roles, challenging traditional genre norms. It cleverly uses cinematic techniques and genre signifiers to create a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The video also includes humor, celebrity cameos, and a mix of country and rap elements, reflecting on social issues and offering a post-modern commentary on music and media representation.

Takeaways

• 🎥 'Old Town Road' by Lil Nas X is analyzed through the lens of media language and representation, particularly relevant for AQA A-level media studies students starting from 2024.
• 🌟 The video employs cinematic techniques like wipe edits and freeze frames, reminiscent of old-fashioned movies, to create a narrative feel.
• 🔍 The video is heavily influenced by the 'spaghetti western' genre, indicated by the use of serif fonts, sepia color palette, and establishing shots of grassy plains and cowboys.
• 👤 The characters in the video subvert traditional western roles by being black, which was unconventional for the genre historically dominated by white actors.
• 🤣 The video uses humor and irony, such as the juxtaposition of 'everything's going to be alright' with a gunshot, to challenge and play with societal norms.
• 🎭 The video features celebrity cameos, including Chris Rock and Billy Ray Cyrus, which broadens its appeal and incorporates fans of different genres.
• 🏁 The narrative includes elements of race and power, with black sheriffs and other authoritative figures challenging historical racial dynamics.
• 👶 The video contrasts traditional gender roles by portraying women as victims or background characters, while men are central and dominant.
• 🚗 The video's setting and activities, such as racing cars and playing bingo, are used to create a comedic and surreal atmosphere.
• 🌈 Lil Nas X's representation as a gay man in the video challenges conventional portrayals of masculinity in both rap and country music genres.
• 🔄 The video is described as postmodern, blending genres and incorporating intertextual references to movies and music, including a sample from Nine Inch Nails.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video guide on 'Old Town Road' by Lil Nas X?

The video guide focuses on media language and representation, particularly relevant for students studying AQA A-level media studies as it is one of the set texts from 2024 onwards.

How does the video use cinematic techniques to create a narrative?

The video uses wipe edits from black, title displays, and logos to create a film-like narrative, along with establishing shots and genre signifiers that are reminiscent of the Western genre.

What genre is 'Old Town Road' associated with and how is this represented in the video?

The video associates 'Old Town Road' with the Western genre, specifically the sub-genre of spaghetti western, using elements such as the color palette, font style, and imagery of cowboys and horse riders.

How does the video subvert traditional representations found in spaghetti westerns?

The video subverts traditional representations by casting black actors in lead roles, which was unconventional for spaghetti westerns and the historical period they often depict.

What role does Chris Rock play in the video and how does his presence impact the audience?

Chris Rock, a recognizable figure, plays a character in the video, adding a sense of comedy due to his fame in comedic movies.

How does the collaboration between Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus contribute to the video's appeal?

The collaboration brings together fans of different genres - rap/hip-hop from Lil Nas X and country and western from Billy Ray Cyrus, broadening the audience and adding humor and novelty to the video.

What is the significance of the scene where Billy Ray Cyrus's character says 'you should be fine'?

The scene adds humor by juxtaposing the reassuring phrase with the sound of a gunshot, playing on the irony that things are not actually going to be alright.

How does the video use the concept of time travel to create a sense of otherness for Lil Nas X's character?

The video contrasts modern attire and activities, like a basketball, with Lil Nas X's old-fashioned Western clothing, making him appear out of place and 'othered' in the modern setting.

What does the video suggest about the role of women in the narrative?

Women in the video are portrayed as background characters, either as victims or not playing significant roles, which is quite conventional for certain music genres.

How does the video's representation of masculinity differ from traditional expectations?

The video presents a masculine representation that is both powerful and flamboyant, challenging traditional views of masculinity, especially when considering Lil Nas X's real-life identity as a gay man.

What controversy surrounded the song's classification on the Billboard charts and how did the video respond?

The song was removed from the country and western chart on the Billboard for not being 'country enough', which some perceived as homophobia or racism. The video then overemphasizes country and western signifiers as an ironic response to this controversy.