Lil Nas X’s New Music Video Makes it a Perfect Gay Anthem

Warning: The following article contains images, a video, and social media posts that may not be suitable for all audiences. Reader Discretion is Advised.

I’ll admit, other than seeing several of his music videos and seeing red carpet looks/performances, I wasn’t initially all that familiar with Lil Nas X. I know he’s an openly gay musician of color, and I’ve followed him for a short time due to his attitude and personality. He’s outspoken, bold when he wants to be, and I respect that.

It is also interesting to see him being criticized for owning his sexuality, similarly to Cardi B or Nicki Minaj. Now, I bring up those two specifically because in recent years they’ve been given a lot of criticism for their sexually explicit music and music videos. This occurs despite the fact that heterosexual male musicians have been talking about sex with women, and showcasing scantily clad women in music videos, for longer than I have been alive.

Think about that for a moment. How many heterosexual male musicians do you know of that have been criticized for sexually explicit music or music videos? I can’t think of any, can you? Yet Nicki, Cardi B, and other female artists have been criticized for years because of…well, in my mind misogyny.

How does this relate to Lil Nas X you ask? Well, homophobia for starters. His latest music video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” has gained some controversy since the music video dropped. There are multiple reasons, but these very same reasons are why they are so important.

The song itself discusses Nas X being involved with a man who still is closeted. Specifically, a situation where he refuses to have a secretive relationship with the man, with lyrics stating, “You live in the dark boy, I cannot pretend”. Further lyrics explain that while he won’t be a secret, they can still have sex from time to time.

“Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” is a song about living freely and authentically. It is a fantastic song for the LGBT community, even if it is coated in a sexually explicit backdrop of an illicit “friends with benefits” relationship.

However, the controversy (and fun) doesn’t end there. The music video itself takes the themes of the song and juxtaposes them in a biblically-infused tale, that starts with Nas X in a garden paradise. He is seduced by a serpent-like version of himself, then is taken before a pristine court. After an experience with an angelic figure, he falls to hell via a stripper pole and makes his way to rendezvous with a devil-esque figure.

By the end of the video, Nas X takes the devil figure’s crown, growing black wings. Now, many people (judging by the comment section) have praised this video for its message, while others have missed the point of it entirely, being too focused on the sexual nature of some of the elements of the video. So, I want to break down the genius of this and discuss two things.

satanic imagery is so common in modern culture, it makes you wonder why people are disproportionately losing their minds when lil nas x shows it 🤔🧐 pic.twitter.com/lYdkt2R6VZ

— ★ elyse ★ (@stardustyx) March 30, 2021

Firstly, musicians have been referencing biblical events for decades, almost as long as men have been dancing with scantily clad women and talking about champagne. Secondly, what Lil Nas X does with the biblical references is a brilliant reinforcement of the song’s message.

Throughout the whole music video, he defies judgmental influences. These are clearly referencing people who are homophobic, bigoted, or both. He chooses to live an authentic life, out of the closet, and free from caring about what judgmental people think of him. At the end of the video, he makes a decision to fall to hell rather than ascend to heaven, essentially stating that he would rather have people believe he is going to hell for being gay than living a lie and lie his way into heaven as a closeted “straight” man.

i spent my entire teenage years hating myself because of the shit y’all preached would happen to me because i was gay. so i hope u are mad, stay mad, feel the same anger you teach us to have towards ourselves.

— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) March 27, 2021

He outright rejects the judgment of people who do not uphold the “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” argument and instead asserts himself as unapologetically open. His usurping of the devil-esque figure’s crown and throne simply is a conclusion of this. He is owning his own power, his confidence, and his truth.

There are dozens of biblical references within the music video as well. If you can look past some of it, you can actually see a commentary on the concept of Original Sin, Eden, and other interesting interpretations. Whether people agree with it or not, religious metaphors and imagery are highly effective.

pic.twitter.com/F8EE7pGVS8

— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) March 26, 2021

It is also important to note that this song’s message is meant to inspire people in the LGBT community. Lil Nas X’s name is Montero, and he mentioned on social media that he wanted this song to inspire people to live their truth. Considering how many adults in the LGBT community struggle with religion, and abiding by the teachings they were raised in while being true to themselves, it feels timely and important.

Also, I’ve seen people criticizing artists like Lil Nas X, Cardi B, and Nicki Minaj for “Corrupting the youth.” To that, I say where are the parents? My parents knew what music I listened to, and if there was something they objected to then they used their authority as parents. It is not an artist’s job to sanitize things for your child or teen. In fact, they create music for adults, not children.

there was no system involved. i made the decision to create the music video. i am an adult. i am not gonna spend my entire career trying to cater to your children. that is your job. https://t.co/SzjjYe2tf4

— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) March 27, 2021

If little Tommy hears “Call Me By Your Name” on the radio while you’re in the car, then why are you listening to it in the car with your kid around? If they see the video on YouTube, why don’t you have parental controls in place? Also, are you allowing them to play Grand Theft Auto, or listen to artists like Eminem, Lil Wayne, or Kanye?

Then where is the double standard here? Is it because it isn’t a heterosexual man talking about women’s curves, butts, and breasts? If that’s the case, then you need to examine how you look at people in the LGBT community when they create things. The world is full of different types of people, and songs like this are just as important to the LGBT community as songs like “WAP” and “God is a Woman” are for sex-positive women.

Personally, I think we should be supporting more creations like this. Openly gay musicians (especially musicians of color) aren’t as plentiful as they should be in the mainstream. Supporting content like this and encouraging it, leads to a more inclusive tomorrow in the music industry, so what’s not to like?

Also, in case you forgot, drawing attention to something tends to make people look at it. So, clutching your pearls and talking about it “corrupting the youth” drives traffic. You’re helping promote it whether that’s your intention or not. Good job!