Target Grade- C 

Paper 1- D (38 marks) I need 5 more marks to secure a C (42) 

Questions 4 & 7 need working on. 

Steve Neale’s summary of genre theory includes consideration of ideas such as sub-genre, hybridity and “genre as cultural category”. 

How valid are Neales ideas when analyzing media products? You should refer to the music video Close Study Product – Old town road. 

Sub-Genre- A subdivision of a genre of literature, music, film, online or other media. 

For this case, when analyzing Old Town Road by Lil Nas X, I can see how it fits into both country and rap sub-genres. The song itself is a blend of these two musical styles, combining the country twang of its instrumentation with rap-style rhythms and lyrics. The music video further emphasizes this sub-genre blend, showcasing both rural and urban imagery, bridging the gap between country culture and hip-hop. By mixing elements from both genres, Old Town Road appeals to fans of both country and rap music, illustrating how sub-genres can help attract and maintain diverse audiences. 

Hybridity – genres evolve and change over time, incorporating new elements and ideas. 

Old Town Road is an example of this as the song blends country and hip-hop, a mix that has not been widely seen in mainstream music before, making it a hybrid product. The music video visually reinforces this hybridity through its cross-genre aesthetics: cowboy hats, horses, and western landscapes merge with urban settings, neon lights, and streetwear. This hybrid nature challenges traditional genre boundaries and highlights the evolving nature of music genres in the digital age, where genres are increasingly fluid and interconnected. 

Genre as a cultural category – refers to how genres are not fixed but are shaped by cultural trends, societal expectations, and the time in which they are produced. 

Old Town Road was released during a time when genre blending was becoming more common, especially through platforms like TikTok, which allowed songs to gain popularity across multiple musical communities. The song’s success demonstrates how genre as a cultural category has evolved: what might have once been considered two distinct genres (country and rap) is now perceived as part of a more fluid, hybridized music culture. The music video also plays into this cultural shift, with its references to both contemporary youth culture (through rap elements) and traditional American themes (through country references), reflecting the intersection of various cultural identities. 

Neale’s ideas are valid when analyzing media products like Old Town Road. The song and its music video exemplify how genres are not fixed entities but can be shaped and capable of reflecting larger cultural movements.