Hip-hop-country is a musical genre. That statement may seem unusual, but it should shock no one. Both country music and hip-hop have roots in folk music and blues – slaps, chants, rhyme, melody, and rhythm are all intrinsic qualities of both genres. It was only a matter of time before these distant cousins joined forces and skyrocketed to massive, worldwide success. In comes… ” Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X.
“Old Town Road ” is a song that was originally made for social media, specifically the platform Tik Tok. It was released in December 2018 for the viral “yeehaw” challenge and eventually picked up steam.
The song isn’t the first hip-hop-country record to gain popularity. Rapper Nelly’s “Over and Over” was met with acclaim when it came out in September 2004. However, ” Old Town Road’s” omnipresence is something we haven’t seen before. The remix with country music legend Billy Ray Cyrus, the star-studded music video, and its # 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 make ” Old Town Road ” a phenomenon.
The song samples “13 Ghosts IV” by Nine-Inch Nails and was produced by Dutch producer, YungKio. Lil Nas X can be heard crooning over 808’s and banjos, “Can’t nobody tell me nothing, you can’t tell me nothing,” before boyishly howling in a higher octave, “I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road “
The song is an instant pop culture classic, anyone, and everyone can like and listen to the song without potentially feeling left out.
On the remix, Billy Ray Cyrus lends his experienced voice and star power. While Lil Nas X sings boyishly, Billy Ray brings more polished and soulful vocals to the record. If you expected Miley’s dad to stick out like a sore thumb, you’ll be disappointed; he actually fits right in. Billy Ray Cyrus’ appearance, in fact, elevates the record by giving it a sense of country music legitimacy.
Lil Nas X, however, shouldn’t be underestimated. The Atlanta native definitely understands song composition. He’s described his fusion of hip-hop and country as deliberate – “If you mix the 2 genres, of course, it’s gon’ get some attention.”
“Old Town Road” is a feel-good classic that will be enjoyed for years to come, yet it isn’t without controversy. Initially, the song charted on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, but was pulled from the Country music charts for not being “country” enough. This isn’t the first time the country music scene has snubbed a successful country song by a mainstream black artist.
Appropriation is a much used and misused word these days. Appropriate: to take exclusive possession of, for one’s own benefit, without authority or right.
Throughout mankind’s existence, cross-cultural pollination of ideas, genes, and music has occurred. Country music’s origins lie in the rural Southern and Midwestern United States. The genre is the child of Southern black, rural folk singing old gospel and blues while playing the banjo (an instrument of West African origin) and hillbilly music; fiddle and banjo playing, yodeling and Scottish/Irish folk songs.
Country music itself is a hybrid genre. It first gained popularity throughout the South and then saw commercial success nationwide in the ’40s and ’50s. Yet despite roots in black culture, the genre’s most successful artists are, to near exclusivity, white singers: Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Carrie Underwood and yes, Billy Ray Cyrus for example.
Appropriate: to take exclusive possession of…
Unfortunately, the dissociation of black people from country isn’t an isolated occurrence in music. Rock ‘n’ roll, for example, has origins in jazz, gospel, and country music. In its earliest days, rock music was often sung by black American women in local bars. Funny enough, at the time, rock ‘n’ roll was seen as “race music” – music by African Americans.
The 1950s would see Rock get defined as a genre. Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Chuck Berry (African American) would have much success with songs like “Maybellene,” yet he wasn’t dubbed the “the King”; no, that was Elvis. Over time, except for a handful of singers, black artists would have a hard time finding success in rock. Today, rock music is seen as “white boy’s music.”
No one should see black musicians singing country as foreign, especially due to its black roots. In fact, “Old Town Road” being so popular to listeners across the globe is an ode to the start of country music – a hybrid sound that became a mainstream American genre.
Origins aside, today, country music has become heavily associated with conservative, white America. These days, black artists like Lil Nas X who find mainstream success in the genre, still get shunned by country music gatekeepers.
That being said, if Lil Nas’s success signals a changing of attitudes by general listeners towards black, country artists, I’m very optimistic about the future of country music. While I still predict that ” Old Town Road” will be snubbed by prestigious music awards like the CMAs, I expect the song to continue to dominate Billboard and playlists all year long.
You’re going to hear it at wedding receptions, the “cool” night clubs and bars downtown and all the summer barbecues. Country music is officially invited back to the cookout.
- Roderick Thomas is an NYC based writer and filmmaker
Instagram – @Hippiebyaccident
Email – rt.roderickthomas@gmail.com
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One Comment
Check out Pat Boone remakes of Little Richard songs. Sad history of black-music-that-is-unacceptable remade to make it acceptable.