Lil Nas X is the Master of this Moment
“In life, we hide the parts of ourselves that we don’t want the world to see. We lock them away. We tell them no. We banish them. But here? We don’t. Welcome to Montero.” -Lil Nas X
In the beginning, there was quarantine, Lil Nas X, and a creative mission to begin working on new music. In an interview with Genius the rapper said he began writing the song at the very start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he rented out an Airbnb to begin work on his upcoming album. In the process of writing and recording, Lil Nas X says, he was invited to visit a friend's new house when he realized, "'Oh I like this guy a lot,' and I started writing the song the next day."
The song and accompanying music video have a lot of significance for the industry, as it strives to normalize same-gender attraction in hip hop, which has a complicated history with homophobia. Since the release of his new single, music video, and limited edition sneaker, Lil Nas X has been destroying the internet (at least certain corners of LGBTQ+/music Twitter I often hangout in) and it’s clear to see he’s been rehearsing for it.
Lil Nas X has spent months visualizing and preparing, to now successfully be executing one of the most virtuosic displays of clap backs I’ve ever been witness to, stirring the pot to cook up some absolutely delicious drama.
But this is more than just a regular Twitter feud. Unlike some rappers who might exchange cryptic digs directed at one another online and in diss tracks, Lil Nas X has the moral high ground against ELECTED OFFICIALS like Governor Kristi Noem (R-South Dekota) who decided it was more useful to weigh in on a pair of sneakers instead of, say, take care of business in the state of South Dekota.
Lil Nas X, in my humble opinion, maintains one of the most righteous Twitter accounts in the midst of the satanic panic he’s cooked up following the release and rollout of the music video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”. Filled with subversive biblical imagery, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” repurposes biblical scenes weaponized against LGBTQ+ people.
It’s kind of wild to me that Satanic imagery still gets a certain type of cultural warrior so riled up because it’s pretty tame compared to what the video could have been. I think it’s mostly because Lil Nas X is an out and proud gay Black man. Then again, my board game hobby of Dungeons & Dragons used to be taboo so who really knows at this point?
Back to the music video at hand. If you haven’t watched it yet, do it now.
Watched it? Great!
Lil Nas X giving Satan a lapdance was kinda hot, not gonna lie. Is that blasphemy? Maybe! But that’s ok because Brother Jed said I’d be going to hell anyways.
Now for a breakdown of the music video itself!
As Lil Nas X explains in the opening monologue of the music video (and in more detail during this reaction/interview video with YouTuber Zach Campbell) the story takes place in the imaginary world of Montero. Montero, in addition to being the name of the song, is also Lil Nas X’s real name. A pastel colored pastoral scene, the world of Montero is a clear reference to the Garden of Eden. After all, the Garden is mentioned in the lyrics too: “If Eve ain't in your garden, you know that you can”. Lil Nas X portrays a variation of Adam and the Serpent. No Eve in sight.
Next, the music video cuts to Lil Nas X in chains during a type of trial, or judgement. Surrounded by a jeering crowd, the prisoner is the only character wearing pink, while everyone else wears a shade of blue. It fulfills my Bridgerton fantasy with a sort of Rococo costume direction.
It also draws from ball culture, the Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ subculture that originated in NYC, and rehashes what at first glance looks like a biblical scene into a representation of the ridicule and humiliation marginalized people face just for being themselves.
The music video continues with Lil Nas X flying upwards, as if ascending to heaven. Before he’d get all the way there, the camera cuts to his fist where an impossibly-long computer-generated stripper pole materializes in his hand. Thus begins the incredibly sexy descent into Hell.
Only using a stunt double in a few of the shots, Lil Nas X actually spent weeks in pole dancing classes to train for this sequence while the titular chorus “Call me by your name” rings out. I’m still impressed at the amount of work the animators and digital artists did to create the CGI hellscape. I’m also amazed at the athleticism and coordination to even pull off the Satanic lap dance, not to mention the creativity to develop and execute the concept in the first place.
Finally we get to the music video’s dramatic conclusion. The lap dance is what lots of the talking heads freaked out about in the video, but it’s what comes at the very end that speaks most to me. Lil Nas X places his hand on Satan’s neck. A finger strays down Satan’s chest. And then SNAP! Lil Nas X breaks Satan’s neck, killing him instantly as the rapper pulls the horns from his head and wears them himself as a crown.
Lil Nas X’s eyes glow red as wings sprout from his back. Lil Nas X has claimed Satan’s power and is the new King of Hell. The symbolism is intense, empowering, and inspiring. Whatever you do in life, be the best at what you do. If they say you’re going to Hell, then it’s time to WERK. Be the master of your own destiny.
