New Books in LGBTQ+ Studies
Chris Molanphy, "Old Town Road" (Duke UP, 2023)
Sep 15, 2023
Author and music analyst, Chris Molanphy, discusses Lil Nas X's song 'Old Town Road' and its impact on pop history. They explore the history and evolution of Billboard charts, the collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus, the debate about race and genre, and the challenges Lil Nas X may face in maintaining his success. They also discuss his coming out as a gay artist and his knack for creating viral music across genres.
48:06
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Old Town Road challenged genre boundaries and sparked discussions about race and genre in the music industry.
- Lil Nas X's strategic use of social media and streaming platforms contributed to the song's record-breaking chart success and cultural impact.
Deep dives
The Story Behind Old Town Road
The author, Chris Malanthi, discusses how he came to write the book about Old Town Road. He explains that he was approached by the curators of the singles series, Emily Lordy and Joshua Clover, who were impressed with his writing on the song and wanted him to turn it into a book. Malanthi, known for his expertise in pop charts and genre, was the ideal person to explore the cultural and historical significance of Old Town Road, which set several chart records. He highlights the song's impact on genre definitions, race in the music industry, and the role of internet virality in the charts.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
