There’s nothing like good old fashion controversy to get the media buzzing and no one understands that better than Lil Nas X.
The 21-year-old gained massive success after his debut single, “Old Town Road”, but has been making headlines in recent weeks over his newest music video Montero (Call me by your name). The spicy visual features Lil Nas X in the garden of Eden making out with the serpent, who has a striking resemblance to himself. Actually the entire video is filled with different versions of X. That’s not even the part that has everyone’s panties in a bunch.
As he ventures from the garden to Ancient Greece, towards the end of the video, Lil Nas X appears to fall from grace into the depths of hell with the assistance of a stripper pole, a full lace braided wig and thigh high boots. Here’s the kicker, as he lands he gives Satan...yes Satan, a steamy lap dance and rides him till he can’t no more. He then kills Satan, rips off his horns and places them on his head like a crown, becoming the beast.
Along with the video’s release, Lil Nas X , whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, shared a heartfelt message to his fans and younger self by posting an open letter addressed to “14 year old Montero”. Within the message he says “this will open the doors for many other queer people to simply exist. ”YouTube had a field day with this. The video currently sits at 133 Million views and for good reason. Countless reviews deep dive into the video to decode its meaning. Some argue that it’s an artistic expression of X’s internal struggle with his sexuality and embracing who he is with a middle finger to his conservative critics while others claim it is confirmation of the illuminati New World Order attempting to indoctrinate your children to serve Lucifer. After all , Lil Nas X is supposed to be their role model, right?
Of course it was only a matter of time before he clapped back to defend himself. He responded, “there was no system involved. I made the decision to create the music video. I am an adult. I am not gonna spend my entire career catering to your children. That is your job.” He further explains, “ I spent my entire teenage years hating myself because of the sh*t y'all preached would happen to me because i was gay. So I hope you are mad, stay mad, feel the same anger you teach us to have towards ourselves."
You would think that’s the end of that, but wait there’s more! To add insult to injury, the singer promoted “the Satan shoes”. A Brooklyn company called MSCHF customized 666 pairs of NIKE Air Max 97 sneakers which features a bronze inverted pentagram charm on the front, a drop of blood from its employees and the inscription that reads “Luke 10:18”
Which is a reference to the scripture that says “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” Each pair costs $1,018 and sold out in less than a minute last month.
Shortly after the shoes were released Nike filed a lawsuit. “MSCHF altered these shoes without Nike’s authorization,” Nike said in a statement. “Nike had nothing to do with the Satan Shoes.
Was this a brilliant marketing strategy for the controversial music video? Was it blasphemy or satire? Well, that’s the industry for ya.
