Date of Award
Spring 5-12-2021
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Communication and Digital Studies
Department Chair or Program Director
Rao, Anand
First Advisor
Crosby, Emily
Major or Concentration
Communication and Digital Studies
Abstract
Lil Nas X is a gay, Black artist who is succeeding across multiple genres. His first number one hit was a mix of country and trap, including elements of black culture. The second was a mix of hip hop and pop, showcasing elements of queer culture. Lil Nas X is a special case study because he is a Black queer man succeeding in the mainstream. Using ideological criticism I identify that Black pride and gay pride are driving him in his work and public persona. His success pushes against dominant ideologies and forces people who consume mainstream content to acknowledge experiences they may not have been confronted with before. While Lil Nas X is not the first artist to address Black or queer themes in their work he is the first to do so with such a large platform. His work will have lasting impacts on the communities he represents.
Keywords: Lil Nas X, ideology, Black pride, gay pride, pop, hip hop, country, music
Recommended Citation
Swope, Julianne Stella, "Black, Gay, and Unapologetic: How Lil Nas X Is Bringing The Out Group In" (2021). Student Research Submissions. 383.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/383