Description
Book SynopsisWith Barack Obama, Ben Carson, Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump as case studies,
Tracks on the Trail: Popular Music, Race, and the US Presidency sheds light on the factors that motivate candidates and constituents alike to articulate race through music on the campaign trail.
Trade Review"Tracks on the Trail is a virtuosic exploration of the relationship between race, music, and our understanding of the (re)presentation(s) of power within the realm of the public discourse surrounding the US presidency. This book not only theorizes race, but looks at how it has made a direct impact in the everyday lives of individuals (of all races) within the US context. As such, this book is perfectly positioned to speak to the musicologies in a wholly unique way. At the same time, it eschews overly complicated musical discussions and jargon in favor of language that is approachable for those outside of music, as well. It is a consummate example of public musicology." - Charles D. Carson, University of Texas at Austin
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"Tracks on the Trail explores the changing nature of political engagement through a tangential analysis of how the emergence of social media and streaming platforms widened possibilities of garnering new constituents for political candidates. It is a timely study of the ways in which music has been engaged as a means of projecting identity, policy, and ideology during presidential campaigns and administrations." - Tammy Kernodle, Miami University in Ohio
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction: Tracks on the Trail: Popular Music, Race, and the US Presidency
- Chapter One: Keepin’ It Real (Respectable): Barack Obama’s Music Strategy and the Formation of Presidential Identity
- Chapter Two: Anatomy of a Campaign Launch: Heal, Inspire, Revive, Erase with Ben Carson
- Chapter Three: Kamala Harris Rap Genius?
- Chapter Four: Girls “Make America Great”: Singing the White Stuff for Donald Trump
- Chapter Five: Settling the Score: Pop Songs, Protest, and Punishment
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
