Lil Nas X: Contemporary Afrofuturism and the Controversy it Brings

 Lil Nas X has broken through many boundaries as a Black, queer artist— rising to fame in an era where viral moments construct celebrities regardless of their talent. While his first hit, Old Town Road, later featuring the iconic Billy Ray Cyrus, was popular not only for its meme-ability but for its genuine catchiness (even landing him a well deserved Grammy from the NARAS)— Lil Nas X has exceedingly demonstrated his talent producing hits upon hits since this moment. Aside from his bravery in coming out during the peak of his rise to fame, he has also brought contemporary representation to Afrofuturism by maintaining his aesthetic through his appearance, songs, and the execution of his music videos. Montero (Call Me By Your Name) in particular exuded Afrofuturist themes in a boundary beyond displaying a futuristic society and sound like his previous works, specifically in comparison to Panini. The personal nature of the song, and his first album Montero as a whole, being a tribute to himself allows for deeper Afrofuturism themes to present themselves. Through Call Me By Your Name, Lil Nas X has become a groundbreaking force in Afrofuturism and has certainly become the blueprint in contemporary queer, afrofuturist representation alongside his inspirations like Janelle Monae.

On the topic of Lil Nas X’s inspirations, those that keep up with pop culture news or more specifically, those of us who spend too much time on Twitter, may have noticed the initial backlash the Call Me By Your Name music video garnered. Musician FKA Twigs, another strong force in contemporary Afrofuturism in the Dance/Electronic space, was initially upset by the lack of credit she received for inspiring the music video— specifically the use of pole dancing and the concept of down a pole into hell as she first did in her iconic Cellophane music video. Lil Nas X, being the gem of a person he is, was quick to give FKA Twigs credit where it was due. I recall that he swiftly took accountability through Instagram and posts, noting he, his choreographers, and music video producers alike were inspired by her and never meant to take sole credit for the concept — while also noting their differences. This was all well received by FKA Twigs, and the focus of the music video then shifted to backlash from Americans of the religious sector who couldn't look past their homophobia and the presence of the devil to discover how revolutionary X is to have centered blackness and queerness in the religious space where it is often demonized.