“High Horse: The Black Cowboy,” a new docuseries executive produced by Jordan Peele and his Monkeypaw Productions that is now streaming on Peacock, highlights who it says are the first American cowboys – Black men.
Texas-bred hip-hop duo UGK glared confidently into the camera atop stallions in the music video for their fan-favorite song “Wood Wheel.” The visuals reflected the expertise of the legendary Houston-area music act: blending tales of big city hustling with charming Texas cowboy culture.
“This is not Black people trying to assimilate with this country Western lifestyle. Black people across this country – East Coast to West Coast – have been prevalent in this space for years,” said Bun B, who, with partner Pimp C, became pillars of southern hip-hop, creating hits to help it become today’s current dominant rap genre.
Bun, an ambassador for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the first and only Black male hip-hop headliner in its history, shares his experiences in “High Horse: The Black Cowboy,” a new docuseries executive produced by Jordan Peele and his Monkeypaw Productions. The project highlights who it says are the first American cowboys – Black men – and attempts to refute America’s mythology and pop culture image of those in tall boots and Stetson hats.
“Being a Black performer at this 90-plus year concert series has been amazing for me, but it’s also given me a deeper perspective of understanding the Black cowboys’ place in American history,” Bun told The Associated Press. “It’s really energized me to try to fill this void of confusion where people who are somewhat aware typically will have a distorted view.”‘Who erased the Black cowboy?’
Directed by Jason Perez and streaming on Peacock, the three-part docuseries is an extension of Peele’s 2022 blockbuster film “Nope.” Starring Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer, the movie follows siblings who operate the only Black-owned horse ranch in California, training horses for Hollywood productions.
