A lot of us have probably been exposed to Lil Nas X’s runaway hit “Old Town Road” on Youtube, the news, or maybe on your favorite meme site, but what’s the hype? It seems like a typical rap song with a pretty quintessential beat, but personally, I think the appeal comes with the fact that it has a kind of country beat! I learned of the song through the media and I asked “what’s the appeal?” I think the appeal of the song lies in the fact that it plays on the idea if rap could ever be considered country. I realize and a lot of us have realized a lot of country music is created by predominantly white creators. It’s no secret, it’s just the way it’s been.
Now, I’m not trying to suddenly turn a rap song into a big public issue, but I feel it is important to also acknowledge that certain genres have been historically split based off race and there unsurprisingly has never been a big uprising against it. Take country and rap as two examples. I’m not saying this is necessarily a bad thing, because if people of certain races feel more comfortable and suitable for one style of music then that is fine! What I find so interesting is the fact that Old Town Road took two music genres that are polar opposites to date, and made a song that encompasses both of the appealing aspects of both genres.
I believe everyone should give the song a chance, because although it seems like it is just a meme song at face value, when you look more intently at what the song has done for rap and country, it definitely is refreshing!
Ilhan’s Blog 