Conservatives have had quite a year. After a few months of still trying to wrap their head around two women glorifying their sex and speaking about their vulva, in Cardi B’s and Megan Thee Stallion’s WAP- Lil Nas X releases Montero. Montero covers homophobia, Satanism, and lap dancing. As the definition of Notable points out this is something that is remarkable. Montero is certainly that- remarkable in terms of its synonyms of bizarre, eye-catching, and striking.
It’s been over a year since Lil Nas X was taken into the arms of Billy Ray Cyrus, by getting on the remix of Old Town Road. The stroke of the guitar chords intertwined with the trap beat that ultimately actually landed him a permanent seat in the pop world.
Montero showcased similar sound aesthetics with the stroke of the guitar chords, and a hip hop pop beat, but the cowboy hat may be off for good. Nas X even starts the music video playing the guitar, one of his staple accessories, during the “ Old Town Road “ phase. Seems like he still can’t seem to get too far away from the country boy persona. Which very well could be a bad thing — especially when it came to this song.
Montero is certainly not for the younger audience, nonetheless was Old Town Road. With the simple lyrics, repetitiveness, and imagery of riding on a horse and a tractor, it’s no surprise that it caught the ears of kids. There was also a kidz bop version released — which songs that already have clean lyrics don’t usually get a remake. It was never meant to be for kids.
The self entitled song debuted this past friday and has quickly gained attraction with nearly 40 million views. He uses his name to double as a make believe land, that is similar to the Garden of Eden, where everyone can be free, nobody has to hide their secrets, and they won’t be told no. Lil Nas X poses as Adam finds himself at judgement day, where he ascends to heaven but it isn’t successful because he is drawn to hell where he uses his sexuality to dismantle judgement day.
After coming out during pride month of 2019, Lil Nas X has become a huge advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Now openly gay, Lil Nas X brings the conversation of Religion on and sexuality to the lyrics and screens with his newest release. Lil Nas X knows the range of his platform and has taken that to his advantage to speak out on behalf of the Queer community — even down to the videos high quality. I would say in respect to the COVID guidelines, Nas X played every character within the video- including a satan character that he encounters and exudes his inner Megan Thee Stallion by seducing it with a lap dance then later snaps its neck. Queer identity at this level of fame is rare, because Hip Hop and Queer hip-hop remains separate but it does seem to be doing better. Hip-Hop has been on quite a turning point of inclusivity for black men exploring things outside of the masculinity norms- within mainstream music. Young Thug, who has been known to break the barriers of masculinity, released an Album cover with him on the cover in a dress. There are several artists in the LGBTQ+ community but lil Nas X is at the top. Frank ocean revealed that his song “Thinkin About You” was about a same-sex love. But with Frank Ocean’s casual music drop here and there it didn’t take the world by storm such as this. Old Town road was Lil Nas X’s 3:10 to Yuma now he’s sliding down a pole to hell.
Apart from the release of this, Lil Nas X wrote an open-letter to his 14-year old self that he published on Youtube in regards to the video.
“Dear 14-year-old Montero, I wrote a song with our name in it,” Nas wrote in the message. “It’s about a guy I met last summer. I know we promised to never come out publicly, I know we promised to never be ‘that’ type of gay person, I know we promised to die with the secret, but this will open doors for many other queer people to simply exist. You see this is very scary for me, people will be angry, they will say I’m pushing an agenda. But the truth is, I am. The agenda to make people stay the fuck out of other people’s lives and stop dictating who they should be. Sending you love from the future. — LNX.”
This, as well as the lyrics, gave the single a more down-to-earth feel and made it understandable for not only those of the LGBTQ+ community but also those not in it. “Montero’’ music video will be talked about for a while, but if things don’t stir up controversy will those controversial subjects of the matter ever be talked about.
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