Lil Nas X, the artist who made Old Town Road, has a new song, and its setting the music industry ablaze. His new piece is called Montero (Call me by your name), and it’s about Lil Nas falling in love with a man who doesn’t realize he’s gay, and helping him come out and loving him. The song is raunchy and rough but what people are really talking about is the music video. The video shows Lil Nas dying, appearing to be going to heaven but instead he descends to hell on a gigantic pole, eventually giving the devil a lap dance.

It is clear to see why people don’t like this video. First of all, it goes against the protestant/anglican culture that views bad morals and damnation as the ultimate penalty for a life of sin, as well as romanticizing the idea of going to hell. These people, however, are missing the message and why this song is so impactful and beautiful. This is the most culturally significant song, in my opinion, since Ke$ha wrote Prayin when Me Too was happening. This song is changing the way gays think about the church, and how the hurtful words of loved ones saying they are going to hell are now null and void. 

The music video’s message is simple: Lil Nas would gladly go to hell if it means he can be comfortable with his sexuality. This message is powerful enough in the context it is to uproot the fear of hell from many people’s minds. Already, many LGBTQ+ people have gone on places like tik tok and instagram and copied Lil Nas’ video in either a joking or a supportive way, but even these whimsical videos are taking chips away at the fear that christians have of gays. If they understand that they can go to hell and they’re fine with it, then perhaps the ability to stay tried and true to themselves and their morals is more important than their sexual orientation. 

Lil Nas is only 21, and he is certainly not going anywhere. This song is only two minutes and sixteen seconds long but its impact feels like it will be felt for years. It is as much a gay pride song as I Will Survive or YMCA. It is a paradigm shift, one closer to a 180 than a 360.