Lil Nas X’s country-trap single “Old Town Road' has helped cast a light on black Western culture, with its lyrics celebrating boots, cowboy hats and horses. But the history of African American cowboys and cowgirls isn't new.
USA TODAYLOS ANGELES -- Sitting on top of an enormous bucking bull, Ky-Manee Hardy says he has"all of the power in the world." The only thing preventing him from soaring through the air is his right-handed grip on a bull rope and his knees straddling the animal's torso.
But the history of African American cowboys and cowgirls in the United States isn't new. They make up a diverse community thriving in cities and towns from coast to coast. And these days, they, like so many other Americans, have cheered the 20-year-old musician's ascent and sung along to his anthem. Flemons said he hopes more African American artists continue to embrace black culture's Western and Southern roots. He pointed to singer Solange Knowles, whose most recent album,"When I Get Home," is an ode to her home state of Texas. The LP was released alongside a 33-minute film that features vignettes of black cowboys.
“Freed slaves had no money to buy farms,” Hardaway said. “Many stayed in the South and became sharecroppers or tenant farmers. Many young, ex-slave men opted to go to Texas and work on ranches. Soon, the cattle business spread throughout the West.”During the late 19th century,"cowboy” was a widely used, sometimes pejorative term, according to the 2006 book"The Cowboy Way: An Exploration of History and Culture," edited by American historian Paul H.
In some cases, film studios cast white actors in the roles of historic black figures. For example, the television series “The Lone Ranger” is based on the life of Bass Reeves, a former slave and the first black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi. “We see ourselves as a feeder ground,” Cunningham said. “We create a venue for the black cowboys and cowgirls to sharpen their skills, and then they have an opportunity to go and perform in the other, larger rodeo associations across the world.”
Cleo Hearn became the first African American man to win a national calf-roping event with his 1970 victory at the Denver National Western.Wefus Tyus, 52, a black cowboy from Damascus, Arkansas, has competed professionally in rodeos on the weekend for 22 years. He said that, where he's from,"there's very few black cowboys" and sometimes, he was attacked for his passion.
The sometimes isolating nature of the mostly-white rodeo scene is part of what makes the Bill Pickett Invitational such a special place for many black cowboys and cowgirls. During the recent competitions in Los Angeles, promoters concluded the grand entry — a rodeo's opening ceremony, of sorts — by blasting"Old Town Road" on the arena's loudspeakers.
In 1985, Kelly brought members of her organization to ride in a Bill Pickett rodeo in Washington, D.C. Having always been the only local group of black equestrians in Hartford, the weekend was an reaffirming experience, she said.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Breaks Billboard Record For Longest No. 1 In HistoryLil Nas X is riding his horse right into the history books with "Old TownRoad," breaking the record for the longest-running streak at the top spot onthe Billboard Hot 100 chart
Read more »
Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Is Now the Longest-Running Billboard No. 1Beating out 'Despacito.'
Read more »
Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' dethrones 'Despacito' with new chart recordLil Nas X's country-trap smash 'Old Town Road' is now the longest-running No. 1 in Billboard's Hot 100 chart history.
Read more »
Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' breaks record set by 'One Sweet Day,' 'Despacito'Given the success of his collaboration with Lil Nas X for 'Old Town Road,' Billy Ray Cyrus said he's rethinking retirement.
Read more »
Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Breaks Record With 17th Week Atop Billboard Hot 100Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road,' featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, claims one of the most prized records in the Billboard Hot 100's 60-year history as it spends an unprecedented 17th week at No. 1.
Read more »