Lil Nas X’s Video Is The Most Iconic Thing To Come Out Of 2021 So Far
I still have not recovered from watching the most infamous video of the year that has unnerved many around the world.
Lil Nas X is well known for his flamboyant way of expressing his outgoing nature, but with his new music video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”, he has really outdone himself.
The three minute masterpiece features scenes of biblical imagery that he uses to clap back at the conservative groups in society that constantly reprimand the LGBTQ community for simply being themselves.
The video involves a raunchy ride on a stripper pole from heaven in to the depths of hell, a lap dance on Satan himself and an anal plug being used to kill. As I said, iconic.
As intended the video has sparked international outrage with many claiming that Lil Nas X is ‘cancelled’. However, he is well prepared for the backlash and in fact has taken to twitter to further troll those who are condemning his radical expression of queerness.
He clapped back to his haters in one tweet stating “Y’all love saying we going to hell but get upset when I actually go there lmao.”
Perhaps the explanation behind Lil Nas X’s blasé attitude towards those who are infuriated by his unconventional video is because of the way his community is treated by those very same people.
He cleverly uses religious symbolism such as the Garden of Eden and elements of Greek mythology which can be seen in the inscription on the ‘tree of knowledge’ to recreate a story of his own; a story that queer people can be involved in.
For centuries the Bible and other spiritual ideologies have been read and understood in a very misogynistic manor, and Lil Nas aims to turn this on its head with his very symbolic recreation of a story as old as time.
The Christian right has always taunted the LGBT community with excerpts of the Bible to preach their repugnance towards their way of life, yet often forget the teachings that God loves everybody equally and shows no partiality.
“The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31
Motifs are used to provoke thoughts of self reflection and encourage his audience to see the biblical narrative in a different light.
For instance, the cover art of the music video is his own depiction of Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” where he has taken on the form of both God and Adam which can represent acceptance of his nature and being.
In a way, Lil Nas is showing that he is reflecting on his life and how he thought he would have to hide his true identity to fit other people’s idea of tradition, and this is recognised in the title of the song as he uses his given name “Montero”. It is also shown in his letter to himself that he posted on Instagram to partner with his video:
“I know we promised to never come out publicly, I know we promised to never be “that” type of gay person, I know we promised to die with the secret, but this will open doors for many other queer people to simply exist.”
He acknowledges that his bravery in doing something so controversial will help others as well as make his younger self proud.
He does not restrict his expression of discovery and acceptance to just Christian retellings, as we see elements of Greek mythology intertwined.
An important clip to pick up on is when the shot focuses on the tree of knowledge and the inscription of a Greek phrase from Plato’s ‘Symposium’ begins to illuminate after Lil Nas’ character gives in to the serpents advances.
It translates to: “After the division of the two parts of man, each desiring his other half”.
The passage more specifically comes from Aristophanes’ speech within the text that tells another origin story of mankind where humans were originally bodies stuck together.
It was not only man and woman who were joined, but also woman with woman and man with man. Zeus separated them all in a fit of rage, and after that each pair never stopped longing for one another.
This ancient Greek tale reiterates Lil Nas X’s point that you cannot help who you love or yearn for, and this has been a common principle for a long time.
In light of this, although some may still believe that Lil Nas has went too far in this statement video, in his mind (and the mind of many other queer people) what does he have to lose?
If he is constantly being reminded by the Christian right that his sexuality will mean that he can never be loved or accepted by God as it is the ‘ultimate sin’, then why would he wish to please them or be accepted?
He acknowledges that he is his own person and his sexuality does not define him or need validation from others.
And although Lil Nas is more than happy to put his haters back in their place on twitter, that has not stopped thousands of them from coming for him.
There are many claims that the video for Montero promotes Satanism, as seen from a right-wing pastor who proclaimed his disgust in the video:
However, these claims of a promotion of ‘devil-worshipping’ are farfetched.
Lil Nas X conveys his ideas of acceptance and reflection in a very satirical way, perhaps to get his own back and make up for years of taunting from those who adhere wholeheartedly to this religion or belief and refuse to alter their perspective.
However his video has a large focus on the LGBTQ community, sex workers and a dramatic expression of self and throughout he is only feeding in to the denunciations that are persistently projected on to these groups of people.
He is simply bringing to life the right-winged belief that anybody who belongs to these ‘categories’ will not make it to heaven and be accepted by God.
So why not embrace the fate these arrogant people assign him and give Satan a lap dance, huh?
