Lil Nas X had been teasing a song called "Call Me By Your Name" since last summer, playing snippets on TikTok videos. The complete song, now called "Montero" (which is Nas X's first name), has finally been released but that's not what has gotten people buzzing.
It is the music video for the song that has stirred up plenty of controversy with it's provocative use of Biblical symbolism. This has raised the ire of several right-wing commentators, claiming that the homoerotic imagery will cause harm to their precious children. But the openly queer, twenty-one year old artist has pushed back, stating he's not catering to kids and what's presented in this video won't hurt anybody.
As for the video (directed by Lil Nas X and Tanu Muino), we first see Lil Nas X (playing all the characters) in a futuristic Garden of Eden cavorting with a male serpent before moving on to a him being imprisoned, dressed in a modern, French neoclassical style, and then executed. Next we see Nas X ascending to heaven before grabbing a stripper pole (with an obvious nod to FKA Twigs' video for "Cellophane") and dropping to the depths of Hell. Nas X confronts Satan, giving him a lusty lap dance, with the video ending with a new Lord of the Underworld. It's been a little while since a pop artist has gotten under the skin of religious groups, especially an out-and-proud gay performer. But Lil Nas X has stated he mainly hopes his video will inspire other queer artists to express themselves, openly and honestly. And I agree wholeheartedly that is absolutely important.
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