‘Gonna head on down to Oak Tree Road’ – Lil Nas X parody pays homage to NJ’s South Asian community

"Oak Tree Road" is a parody of the Lil Nas X song "Old Town Road" and celebrates the South Asian culture of Central New Jersey.

News 12 Staff

Mar 6, 2020, 1:59 AM

Updated 1,519 days ago

Share:

“Yeah, I’m gonna head on down to Oak Tree Road. I’m gonna learn about my culture, yo.” Those are the opening lyrics to “Oak Tree Road,” a song and music video parody of Lil Nas X’s hit “Old Town Road.”
Oak Tree Road in Middlesex County stretches through Edison and the Iselin section of Woodbridge. It has become the center of central New Jersey’s booming South Asian community. Oak Tree Road was once called “America’s liveliest Little India” by the New York Times due to the culture, food and retail shops along the roadway.
The “Oak Tree Road” music video stars well-known Indian American actor Omi Vaidya, who grew up in California. It features him dancing, singing and eating his way through the neighborhood as he gets in touch with his culture.
The video was co-directed by Priyanka Shah, along with fellow New Jersey native Heerak Shah
“The response has been amazing,” Priyanka says.
The directors say that the inspiration for the video came from the heart and from their experience growing up in New Jersey.
“I think there’s a lot of millennials that are just saying, ‘Wow, I resonate with this video so much. This is my childhood,’” Priyanka says. “Any time I’ve wanted to experience India outside of India within the states, it’s always been, ‘Hey mom, hey dad, hey friends. Let’s go to Oak Tree Road.’”
The “Oak Tree Road” video was posted on YouTube on Jan. 26 and has over 84,000 views.


More from News 12
2:12
Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

2:31
Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

2:32
Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

1:53
Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:29
Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

0:44
Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

0:22
Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments