American artiste Montero Lamar Hill, popularly known as Lil Nas X has released his self-titled track Montero (Call Me By Your Name) as well as its intensely provocative music video, after months of relentless teasing on social media.
“In life, we hide the parts of ourselves we don’t want the world to see,” Lil Nas X says in the voiceover to the video’s intro. “We lock them away. We tell them, ‘No.’ We banish them. But here, we don’t.”
Lil Nas X also published a letter to his 14-year-old self. Read the letter below:
In the visuals for Montero, Lil Nas X proudly shows off queer culture in a setting that exists completely inside of himself. The singer, who came out as gay in 2019, introduces us to the fantasy land of Montero, named after him; where he is free to embody his sexuality as he pleases. The video depicts several Lil Nas X alter-egos in scenes inspired by history and mythology; including a makeout session with an alien version of himself, a Marie Antoinette-inspired stoning, and a lap dance with the Devil.
At first, he resists this part of himself despite being tempted by it. But then he gives into it. In another scene, Lil Nas X is bound and under trial for his sexuality and gender expression. He ends the self-directed video in the most provocative way possible; by literally pole dancing into hell and twerking on the devil.
Lil Nas X leans heavily into the demonization of the LGBT community and goes hard with the metaphors and imagery as a way to fully accept himself in a society that doesn’t accept him.
