In an emotional moment leading up to the launch of his new music video, Lil Nas X, renowned for his chart-topping hit “Old Town Road,” shared a poignant letter addressed to his younger self. The letter coincided with the release of his latest single, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” a title that holds personal significance as it reflects his birth name, Montero Lamar Hill.
In his heartfelt message, shared on Twitter, Lil Nas X begins, “Dear 14-year-old Montero, I wrote a song with our name in it.” He goes on to discuss the struggle with identity and the societal pressures to conform, revealing the promises made to never publicly embrace his true self. “This will open doors for many other queer people to simply exist,” he writes, emphasizing the importance of representation.
Music Video Themes
The music video showcases unapologetic queer themes, featuring stunning visuals that challenge conventional views of Christianity. One of the most talked-about scenes includes Lil Nas X performing a daring lap dance for the devil, which has stirred significant conversation online.
The video opens with a voiceover from Lil Nas X, mirroring the sentiments expressed in his letter: “We hide the parts of ourselves we don’t want the world to see. We lock them away. We tell them ‘no.’ We banish them. But, here? We don’t.” Throughout the video, he embodies both biblical Adam and the serpent, and later, he dramatically descends into hell, arriving via a stripper pole, symbolizing the liberation of his identity.
Addressing Backlash
This bold artistic expression is likely to provoke reactions, particularly from conservative audiences. Lil Nas X addresses potential backlash in his letter, stating, “You see, this is very scary for me, people will be angry, they will say I’m pushing an agenda. But the truth is, I am. The agenda is to make people stay the fuck out of other people’s lives.”