Directed by Tanu Muino & Lil Nas X

Creative Director & Stylist Hodo Musa

Produced by UnderWater Content

Choreographer Kelly Yvonne

Last week, Lil Nas X released the music video for his new song “MONTERO” and it immediately went to #1 video on youtube. People have been pouring in their love for this new visual, but of course, there’s been heavy backlash as well. So much to the point where the infamous “Satanic Panic” has resurfaced along with more conspiracy theories and supposed New World Order agendas.

The video – to summarize, we are set in a beautiful, otherworldly garden with Nas and he is taken away by a serpent like being where he is then brought to a judgment trial and then ultimately ends up in a version/idea of hell. He dances for Satan before he kills him and takes the throne. *if you haven’t watched the video I promise you its a billion times more exciting and captivating then how I just described it*

The issue – So, obviously we already can assume which group of people have the biggest problem with this and why. There’s slight biblical related imagery mixed in with some erotica, drag and a 36 mile long pole that Nas uses to flawlessly slide his way into the depths (which he ACTUALLY learned how to pole dance for months before this video and that alone is incredible). Another issue people are pressing is that kids will become influenced by this. Since his pop off song “Old Town Road” was crazed among the younger generation, parents are assuming this video will deter them of their precious innocence and lead them down a vile road of mayhem. Of course, the memes, posts, debates have been in full effect since the video dropped so I’m sure anyone who get’s online already knows what I’m talking about.

My opinion – I’ll give it from a few perspectives:

-As an artist, I thought the entire thing was brilliant. The creativity, talent and skill behind it from the whole team was absolutely cosmic and visually I thought it was a masterpiece. The concept itself, I honestly don’t think it was the most “pearl clutching” piece of work that has ever been made, nor do I think its “evil” in any sense. There’s other pieces I’ve seen from different creators where they’re reenacting baby sacrifices, rape, sexualizing children and just all sorts of horrendous scenes that I can’t even begin to understand who in their right mind would be okay actually producing; Lil Nas X video was FAR from anything like that. It was more his own idea of the story of falling from paradise and taking control, so I’m assuming anyway. I think anything that remotely has biblical references in it people will be quick to say it’s demonic without taking the time to actually dissect what they’re watching. Nas has stated how hard him and his team have worked on this project for months and it really shows as well as definitely paid off.

-On a personal view, I grew up in the christian church and as an adult have since adapted my own personal faith and perspective of life. I’ve met the most humble and selfless people as well as the most judgmental and vindictive, all in the christian community. I personally have experienced being kicked out of a church for being bisexual ( I now identify as pansexual for anyone who cares) while I was in a relationship with an ex girlfriend, as well as being unwelcome by a majority of my family. I have been told I am going to hell for reasons A through Z, by relatives even. Don’t get me wrong, theres terrible people everywhere, but I have been targeted for my race, my sexual orientation, my gender, and my life choices the most from the christian community. Even when I’m in a relationship with a man, I’ve been ridiculed for living with my partner because we’re not married. Do I think there’s real evil and darkness in the world, yes of course. Do I think that evil tries continuously to destroy all of us on deep and surface levels, without a doubt. I think there are definitely monsters roaming around, both in and out of all religions and faiths and political parties, etc. What I can’t tolerate is the hypocrisy of a group of people claiming their life has been disrespected and mocked when they fail to realize they have contributed to the same, if not more serious, type of energy to others. Lil Nas X has opened up numerous times about how he would get bullied and harassed for being gay, mostly from religious zealots. Now, he’s finally in the position to be who he really is and he does his own response to such a vague portion of religion, and people are losing their minds. Religious groups have caused suicides, genocides, mass terror, systemic barriers for others outside and unwelcome. They have relentlessly targeted the LGBTQ+, non-binary, BIPOC, women’s rights, trans rights, trying to destroy our progress and force us into a way of life that only seems correct to them. Even within the church (and I say this regarding all religions, not just christianity) there’s so much corruption and disfunction that to this day its members are refusing to expose, reform and correct.

Saying that, I am so grateful for the beautiful people I have met of all different types of beliefs who truly embody the human to human connection, understanding and acceptance of those that are different from them. This does not mean we should all just ignore terrible things because we need to love everyone equally, but in-fact if someone is hurting others and/or themselves it should be our responsibility to try and stop it as part of the Collective. Lil Nas X is not the anti-christ but he is one of the many people who have been traumatized by the homophobic and bigotry centered agenda and he is one of the few who are brave enough to stand against it in his own way. Lastly, him nor any other artist or celebrity are responsible for raising your children. He is not sponsored by PBS, he is not on Radio Disney, he is not hosting his own children’s show and even if he was, it still resides as the parents job to raise their children. It’s weird for parents and guardians to try and put the weight of “influencing” their kids onto these spotlit individuals when ultimately it’s their own sole purpose and priority as being their parents and guardians to do so. What they should be more concerned about are the people who are in those roles who are around your kids everyday who might not be the safest for them, such as their babysitters, their relatives, their school teachers, youth pastors, scout and camp leaders, coaches. How many children have suffered some form of abuse and manipulation from all of these?! I have, and statistics show millions of others. We should stop pretending to live in a different reality where “people on TV” are negatively influencing your child and not the everyday people who you chose to put your child around, or to try and deny the neglect you’re inflecting by not wanting to fully step up and take responsibility of how your child turns out. What you believe and how you treat others is the biggest inspiration for your young ones to either want to be just like you or nothing like you at all, not a music video.

Lil Nas X and Team, I want to say congratulations for all of your hard work, you deserve all the best success, admiration and recognition.