“He’s been able to break down cultural barriers as well as pre-existing notions of musical genres,” Ron Perry, the chairman & CEO of Columbia Records, Lil Nas’ label, tells TIME. All this has the people who usually make money off stars like Lil Nas X questioning long-held assumptions about who consumes what, how and when. More and more in recent years, hip-hop has been merging with country, a genre long associated with white conservatism. As streaming and social media have democratized pathways to success, hip-hop–once an outlet for disenfranchised people of color–has become the dominant sound of popular music. The fact that Lil Nas has risen so far and so fast testifies not only to his skill, but also to the erosion of the systems that for generations kept artists like him on the sidelines. There aren’t many queer black stars in American culture, point-blank. There aren’t many black stars in country music there aren’t many queer stars in hip-hop. Although “MONTERO” has just been birthed, the album signals impeccable growth and longevity for Lil Nas X.Yet even from his perch at the top of the charts, Lil Nas is still an outlier. Though the instrumentations range in hip-hop, rock, pop and R&B influences, Lil Nas X’s crisp vocals are a constant. The album bestows a more insightful understanding to Lil Nas X, granting listeners a journey through his highs and lows.Īnything that involves Lil Nas X is sure to possess a creative flair like never before and “MONTERO” is no different. When he questions “Could I be wrong? / Was everybody right about me?” on “TALES OF DOMINICA,” Lil Nas X verbalizes the self-doubt anyone with an opposition has faced. His lyrics “ S tuck in this world where there’s so much to prove / E very win gives you more room to lose” offer a striking summary of feeling scared to fail. “VOID” can be interpreted as a reflective note-to-self as Lil Nas X details his anxieties over stardom. The second half of the album strays away from Lil Nas X’s classic upbeats, instead depicting a more personal side to the artist. With i nstant classics packed with pride, Lil Nas X proves himself a queer icon who also hails from within the queer community. In it, he declares, “ N eed a boy who can cuddle with me all night,” among other wishes for a partner. One such example is his latest track to get the music video treatment, “THAT’S WHAT I WANT, ” which centers on his desires for a lover. For Lil Nas X, there’s no reading between the lines with his music : his sexuality commands at the forefront. Lil Nas X unabashedly centers his homosexuality prominently within his music, a subject that has rarely been championed within rap. The album cooks up a range of emotions with its key ingredient of authenticity. Rather, Lil Nas X is a groundbreaking artist with “MONTERO, ” serving to cement this status. However, with a Grammy-winning EP and the record – smashing hit “Old Town Road” in his discography, Lil Nas X is far from the typical singer in their album debut era. The lineup is an impressive feat, especially for a debut album. Closer “AM I DREAMING” offers a melancholic duet in which Cyrus and Lil Nas X’s voices blend for a soothing listen. On the standout song “SCOOP,” Doja rides the rhythm with ease and playful lyricism, sure to leave listeners wishing for a longer verse. Doja Cat, Elton John, Megan Thee Stallion and Miley Cyrus all contribute their classic sparks to ignite their respective tracks. In addition to Harlow, the album boasts big-name collaborations. The aforementioned pregnancy has just been the latest in Lil Nas X’s clear aptitude for capturing an audience’s attention. Jack Harlow)” packed a punch with a queer, quality video to match. While his second single “SUN GOES DOWN” hinted at the album’s more intimate themes, “INDUSTRY BABY(feat. He faced a lawsuit from Nike, a wardrobe malfunction during his Saturday Night Live performance and homophobic shock for his BET Awards Show kiss, yet he never lost steam. Its video, which featured Lil Nas X giving a lap dance to Satan, sent the public into a frenzy. The debut single “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” set the album’s precedent with its embrace of queerness and inviting dance beat. To discuss the album without mentioning its promotional cycle would be a disservice to Lil Nas X’s unforgettable year. Lil Nas X has shed his recent baby bump following the birth of his debut album, “MONTERO.” The 15-track album is brimming with hits that annihilate any lingering “ o ne h it w onder” speculations.
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