Lil Nas X has been a highly controversial figure since the beginning of his musical career back in early 2019. Check out this blog below from FluentRadio partner and Chicagoland journalist Maria D. Garcia on what Lil Nas X music has done for pop culture. LEt us know your thoughts and if you would like to be a FluentRadio content creator or contributor, contact us today ~ Laydie Fluent
Montero Lamar Hill or more known by his stage name of Lil Nas X, has gained traction ever since his song Old Town Road made its debut in 2019. This song, which featured Billy Ray Cyrus earned him a place on Billboards Hot 100 coming in at 100 for 17 weeks back in 2019. Not to mention, Montero (Call Me By Your Name) that came out early in 2021. It gained attention (mostly negative) due to the contents of the video.
But the real question is: what is Lil Nas X music doing to pop culture?
To answer this question, one must analyze the contents of his videos and the deeper meaning behind his lyrics.
In Old Town Road, the music video finds Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X running from the authorities that is set in the wild west and then they are transported in present time via a cave.
“You know, I’m done, done, done” and right after he says, “yeah, I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road, ride ‘till I can’t no more.”
The first part of the lyrics might hint that singer is done doing things a certain way. The second part hints about an old car.
When combined, these lyrics seem to really say “I am done listening and doing things your way, so I am taking my old car and driving it until I can’t any longer.”
The next set of lyrics, “I got the horses in the back, horse tack is attached, hat is matte black got the boots that’s black to match,” tells the listener that he is reaping his rewards since going out on his own.
The next set of lyrics is straight forward: “You can’t tell me nothing”
With the next set of lyrics, “riding on a tractor, lean all in my bladder, cheated on my baby” tells the listener the consequences of becoming famous.
What Lil Nas X does is tell society that when one is becoming more mainstream in pop culture, following your dreams, and reaping the rewards are attainable if you just believe in yourself. (Hence the rehashed usage of “can’t tell me nothing”) If you do, one will achieve the status of a typical rock star. That being said, Montero (Call Me By Your Name) says something a little different. Ever since Lil Nas X came out in 2019, he has a been a fierce supporter of the LGBQT community. The music video of Montero shows how gay people are viewed and even mocks that view.
The video is essentially a recreation of Adam and Eve’s encounter with the serpent, being judged for his actions and then being sent to hell. The Adam and Eve story entails that both are sinners since they took a bit of the forbidden fruit. Not to mention, there is also a common religious view that people who are gay go straight to hell. And Lil Nas X does just that. But with style. While going to hell, he does so via stripper hole in knee length heels and seduces Satan, eventually taking his place. With all this in mind, Montero tells the listener that one should not be ashamed of who they are, but rather embrace it. What Lil Nas X does is that he tells pop culture is that he is here to stay and that he is proud of who he is. More importantly, he subtly tells pop culture that it should not matter what anyone says or thinks of you. He straightforwardly tells pop culture that is okay to be different. It is okay to ignore what people views are about you. What matters is that you stay true to yourself.
Posted By : Laydie Fluent
Written by : Maria D. Garcia (FluentRadio contributor)
IG: @ddayana143
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