These days, unless you’ve been hiding out under a rock, you’ve undoubtedly heard about Georgia rapper/singer Lil Nas X’s meteoric rise. It’s safe to say that he’s been featured in the media constantly thanks to the release of his debut studio album Montero, stellar BET and VMA performances, charity work, joke pregnancy photos, and dressing up as royal royalty for the 2021 Met Gala.
Although Lil Nas X is still fairly new to the music industry, his latest album has given him enough material for us to compile a legitimate Top 10 list. Here is our ranking after listening to Montero and his earlier works!
No.10 – “Panini”
The track’s low bass tones, powerful techno synths, and trap accompaniment are some of our favorites, despite the song’s possibly straightforward lyrics. Also, be sure to watch Lil Nas X’s music video for “Panini” if you like sci-fi or the Blade Runner films.
No.9 – “HOLIDAY”
No.8 – “Rodeo (feat. Cardi B)”
Cardi B made an impactful cameo on the original version of this song during the second verse. For Lil Nas, the “Rodeo” remix was a fulfillment of a dream. Nas, the Queens MC, who is honored by his name, appeared on it. The two performed their version live at the 2020 Grammy Awards before making it available for streaming a few hours later.
No.7 – “Old Town Road (Remix)”
Given that “Old Town Road” is the song that helped make Lil Nas X famous, it hurts us to move it down the list. However, we had to consider his new musical direction and his recent efforts to establish himself as a more “serious” artist. The “Old Town Road” era is something Lil Nas is actively attempting to move away from, as he joked about during his Montero Show skit.
But it would be a sin not to mention this enormously popular tune. What more can we add to what has already been stated about “Old Town Road”? Lil Nas X worked on the Nine Inch Nails-inspired beat in a modest Atlanta studio after purchasing it from Dutch producer YoungKio for $30. The song then gained popularity on Twitter after that. next, TikTok. then all around the planet. Billy Ray Cyrus eventually became aware of it, and together they created a Grammy-winning version.
Since it was controversially removed from the Billboard country charts in 2019, “Old Town Road” has provoked discussions concerning unusual genre crossovers. Despite the tragedy, this song just achieved 15x Platinum status (becoming the first track to do so) and has held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the longest time ever since the chart’s inception in 1958.
No.6 – “SCOOP (feat. Doja Cat)”
The very first Montero song on our top ten list! The song “SCOOP” features a catchy chorus and discusses Lil Nas X’s desire to always be in the news spotlight as well as his desire to maintain perfect physical condition. Lil Nas also mentions picking up or scooping up someone to play around with.
Doja Cat appears as a guest on “SCOOP,” where she also discusses how her commitment to performance has given her a strong, attractive body. Lil Nas X also makes reference to his 2018 Soundcloud debut mixtape NASARATI, and around the time he teased this song, he rapped about his homosexuality for the first time since his 2019 song “C7osure (You Like)” with the line “I ain’t talkin’ firearms when I ask where your d—k at”
No.5 – “TALES OF DOMINICA”
Lil Nas X’s emotive vocals are accompanied by gorgeous instrumental strumming on “TALES OF DOMINICA.” It’s a vulnerable, introspective song about unhappy families, low points, and the hopelessness one may experience under difficult circumstances.
It deepens an already personal debut and is one of Lil Nas X’s more sincere songs. We adore the song’s lyrics, “I’ve been living on an island made from faith,” and the line, “Can’t go running back to home, I can’t face her face,” really hits home given that Lil Nas had to leave his mother when he was a young boy. When he was 9 years old, after his parents’ divorce and his mother’s addiction was deemed a problem, he moved with his dad from his mother and grandma’s house to Austell, Georgia.
No.4 – “THAT’S WHAT I WANT”
“THAT’S WHAT I WANT” is an upbeat song about Lil Nas X’s longing for love that became well-known thanks to a recently released music video that was released shortly after Montero’s release. Though the song’s sentiments may seem simple in its lyrics, they are anything but. Lil Nas X is also making a remark about how hookup culture and the COVID-19 pandemic have made it more difficult for people to have fulfilling relationships these days with the phrase “you know it’s harder to find in these times.”
In addition, the sensual Brokeback Mountain-inspired music video has given this song extra oomph within Lil Nas’s history. In addition to Lil Nas X seemingly falling from the sky like a meteor, the video has a football game with players wearing hot pink uniforms, Lil Nas wearing a stunning bridal gown, and Billy Porter from Pose making an unexpected appearance.
No.3 – “SUN GOES DOWN”
In addition to the song’s emotional content (and how simple it is to cry to), “SUN GOES DOWN” has a lovely guitar melody, serene vocals, and a strategically placed percussion rhythm that have won our hearts. It is designed for casual listening and nearly has an indie feel. Can we also talk about the sad but endearing song video? We’re very pleased that Lil Nas’ story has a happy conclusion.
No.2 – “INDUSTRY BABY (feat. Jack Harlow)”
Furthermore, “INDUSTRY BABY” recently gave a performance at the 2021 VMAs, where it enthralled the audience with its energetic dance moves, hot pink costumes, and live marching band. The winners should take this one!
No.1 – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”
Psychedelic voice transitions, soothing guitar strums, handclaps, flamenco tones, and electropop trap are all mixed together in “MONTERO’s” composition. It’s a song that can be analyzed as well as merely something to dance to, with simple lyrics that make parallels to biblical stories and Andre Aciman’s homosexual romance novel Call Me By Your Name. It’s a literary club anthem!
Finally, the title of “MONTERO” is noteworthy. The real Lil Nas X is Montero Lamar Hill. Using his name as the song’s title could be interpreted as a declaration of pride in who he is. After all, Lil Nas X declared he would be releasing his debut studio album as soon as this song was out. The rest is now in the past!
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