Live Out Loud
It’s rare for an album to receive nearly universal acclaim. It’s even more infrequent for a queer artist, and unheard of for an openly gay black man. Yet, here we are with the gift that is Lil Nas X’s MONTERO.
The artist, who landed on the music scene in 2019 with the chart-topping debut pop-rap-country track “Old Town Road,” chose an unusual path. He leveraged the racism and homophobia rampant in the music industry and society as a whole to his advantage. He used his queerness and his Blackness as his superpower. He became a provocateur by seemingly being himself, and it worked.
When MONTERO debuted in September 2021, Lil Nas X scored three songs on the Billboard top 10. His highest placement, “Industry Baby,” hit No. 2. “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” hit the 9th spot, despite the fact that it was at No. 1 in April. And, “That’s What I Want” came in at No. 10. He’s the only queer artist to achieve this coveted feat.
But, perhaps what makes MONTERO extra special is what’s inside rather than a chart-topping track. Each song exposes a man who is inherently human, and suffers from the many of the same insecurities we all do. He expresses challenges with maintaining mental health, fighting marginalization, and finding love.
Through each deeply melodic track, listeners are exposed to the insecurities of a rising star, as well as his hope for the future. Above all, MONTERO is an album that is a fun, complex, and wildly enjoyable listen.
Lil Nas X also manages to offer an unlikely blueprint for older artists who may be struggling with ageism. At the end of the day, he shows that we are all human, and the authentic lived experience, when coupled with genuine talent, can captivate the world.
