Grammy-winning artist Lil Nas X, known as Montero Lamar Hill, continues to be a trailblazing force in the world of music and LGBTQ+ advocacy. The celebrated artist recently unveiled the inspiration behind his latest documentary, “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero,” highlighting the crucial need for Black queer youth to recognize their role in elevating the world to greater heights.
Lil Nas X, who publicly came out as gay in 2019, has firmly established himself as a queer icon. Beyond his musical prowess, the 24-year-old rapper fearlessly confronts homophobia online, champions gay rights, and unapologetically integrates celebrations of queer sexuality into his music, videos, and live performances.
The feature-length documentary delves into Lil Nas X’s world tour, “Long Live Montero,” which took place at the end of 2022. It explores pivotal moments such as the meteoric rise to fame ignited by his viral sensation “Old Town Road” and the creative process behind his critically acclaimed debut album, “Montero.” The documentary also offers an intimate look into his personal life, including his journey in helping his younger brother come to terms with his bisexuality.
In an interview with Variety, Lil Nas X expressed his heartfelt aspiration for the documentary to positively impact the representation of queer Black individuals. He stated, “I know in my lifetime, while I’m here, I’m going to do my best to make the ceiling unreachable to where we can go as Black queer people. And I mean unreachable as, like, it can go above and beyond. I feel like we live in a generation where Black queer people really control culture, and they’re helping really take the world to the next level. And I think that’s going to have an effect on our youth watching us.”
Lil Nas X’s commitment to drawing inspiration from LGBTQ+ artists who paved the way is evident in his work, with a special nod to rock ‘n’ roll icon Little Richard. The co-director of the documentary, Zac Manuel, emphasized that staying true to oneself and paying homage to those who have come before are central themes in the film. Lil Nas X’s transparency about his identity and his journey toward self-discovery provide a powerful narrative backbone, reflecting not only his status as an artist but also his role within a continuum of Black queer artists and performers who have left an indelible mark.
“Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” promises to be an inspiring testament to the power of self-discovery, representation, and the unwavering spirit of Black queer individuals. While the documentary’s release dates are yet to be announced for the UK, its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival signifies a groundbreaking addition to the cultural conversation surrounding LGBTQ+ advocacy and the music industry.