After shutting down the MET Gala in his first appearance decked in gold and winning the VMA for Video of the Year (“MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X has proven himself to be unstoppable. Now, the rapper has finally given birth to his first baby, the long-awaited debut album Montero.
The project was promoted with parody billboards across several cities, a sketch daytime talk show, and even a pregnancy. It features 17 tracks with a number of big collaborations, such as Elton John, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion and Jack Harlow. Jack Harlow is featured only the previously released, No. 2 Billboard Hot 100 song “Industry Baby.”
Watch the video for “Industry Baby” here.
Montero is a genre-fusing, energetic project wherein Lil Nas X opens up about the experiences of remaining true to oneself. This is especially powerful in a world where being a gay Black man often comes with criticism from the entertainment industry. This is especially true when it comes to hip-hop. It is in this project where the more vulnerable side of the artist is unveiled, and his confidence shine brightly.
“Creating this album has been therapy for me,” he wrote in a Twitter statement after announcing the album back in August. “I’ve learned to let go of trying to control people’s perception of who I am, what I can do, and where I will be. I’ve realized the only opinion of me that really matters is my own.”
Along with the album, Lil Nas X released the music video for “That’s What I Want”, directed by Stillz. It features a steamy football romance and references the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain. It has with a cameo from former ESSENCE cover star Billy Porter.
Listen to Lil Nas X’s debut EP Montero on streaming platforms. Watch the NSFW music video for “That’s What I Want” below.
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