This weekend on September 17, Lil Nas X dropped his long-awaited album “MONTERO” in lieu of his public pregnancy, scandalous music videos, Satan Shoes, and run-ins with the church. Lil Nas X continues to find himself in front of the public eye due to his identity as a queer black man in the music industry. Despite his flashy marketing, rampant tweets and high fashion, Lil Nas X actually makes some quality music. His hit single “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” put him on the charts after his two year hiatus from “Old Town Road”. “INDUSTRY BABY” featuring Jack Harlow was no different in which Lil Nas X’s catchy tunes and controversial content put him on the charts yet again.
The release of “MONTERO” is a mix of pop, rap, rock and a little bit of R&B. It features big-name artists such as Jack Harlow, Doja Cat, Elton John, Megan Thee Stallion and Miley Cyrus. In my opinion, this album is way better than his 7 EP and is going to be a smash-hit per usual. Lil Nas X portrays his artistic range through his hooks, vocals and lyrics. Songs like “DOLLA SIGN SLIME” and “SCOOP” have the potential to be extremely popular and “DEAD RIGHT NOW” and “DON’T WANT IT” are my personal favorites.
This album is raw and personal, and it really gives you a taste of who Lil Nas X is. He has already dropped the music video for “THATS WHAT I WANT” which resembles a story from his life, and it gives you some insight into growing up as an LGBTQ+ youth. Despite his focus on sex in his previous singles, this album reveals his struggles as a gay man, his navigation through love and his search for happiness in himself. “MONTERO” is a revolutionary album to the LGBTQ+ community because its mainstream content shows the world that queer love is just love. Typically, mainstream songs and artists who depict homosexuality only cover sex and lust while Lil Nas X sings about the need for companionship, love and emotional needs.
Lil Nas X’s growing popularity is evidence to the fact that the world needs more gay representation in the music industry. Although artists like Frank Ocean, Kehlani, Jaden and Tyler, The Creator are openly queer, there has never been an artist like Lil Nas X who has put the LGBTQ+ community on the map. Hopefully he isn’t the last to do it, and more queer artists pave the way for more representation in the mainstream media.