Editor's Note: At Gent’s Post, we strive to bring you exciting new content and features, fueled by thought provoking, relentless, and stigma breaking stories. Which is why we couldn’t be more excited and proud to present our inaugural fall/winter 2022 cover story, featuring none other than today’s trailblazing queer icon, Lil Nas X, who is the embodiment of pushing boundaries and the redefinition of modern masculinity.
As much as we’ll always love the 90s tracks of our youth, the reality is that rap and hip-hop culture has long been associated with a masculine ideology that has, at times, perpetuated the objectification of women, homophobia, and violence.
But times are changing, aren’t they, and it’s a handful of young artists that are driving change. From Frank Ocean coming out as bisexual in 2012, to Young Thug wearing a dress on his album cover in 2016, the hip-hop world is shifting with the times and ushering in a new era of masculinity through the celebration of queer culture. At the front of this squad is superstar rapper Lil Nas X, who through his music, encourages the younger generation to be open, express themselves, and rethink stigmas and stereotypes.
Everything from his lyrics, to his style, the openly gay 23-year-old Black American musician, embodies the redefinition of modern masculinity. Paving the way for the world, let alone the hip-hop world, to continue to dispel traditional notions of masculinity.
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From overnight success to quick changemaker…
From famously sleeping on his sister’s floor, to becoming an internationally celebrated icon in less than a year, with his 2019 smash hit, country rap single “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X’s rise has been nothing but meteoric.
But, unlike other artists who reveal their sexuality years after they’ve become household names, the multi-Grammy Award winner came out as gay at the height of his popularity, following the success of “Old Town Road.” On June 30, 2019, he Tweeted on the last day of American Pride Month. “Some of ya’ll already know, some of ya’ll don’t care, some of ya’ll not gone fwm no more. But before this month ends I want ya’ll to listen closely to Closure.”
In doing so, Lil Nas X became the only artist to come out while having a number one record. The celebrated song spent 19 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the longest-running number-one song since the chart began back in 1958. Solidifying its success, Lil Nas X was the most-nominated male artist at the 62Nd Annual Grammy Awards, where he won awards for Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. He was also the first openly LGBT Black artist to win a Country Music Association Award, in November 2019.
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In the years since the song achieved viral popularity and topped music charts, Lil Nas X’s 2021 debut studio album Montero – which he announced on social media where he famously appeared pregnant – has also been met with raving success. It includes the chart-topping singles “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” and “Industry Baby” which was followed up with a nomination for Album of the Year at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.
The 2021-released music video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” flamboyantly celebrates gay culture and Lil Nas X’s sexual orientation through his costume choice – a rhinestone-covered bodysuit, thigh-high boots, and colourful wigs – and through reimaginations of Christian imagery. The video was as much of a hit as the song was – and at a time when anti-trans legislation was introduced south of the border, nonetheless.
With his career momentum – and strong social media presence – Lil Nas X’s fame continues to rise. After weeks of teasing and online chatter, he and rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again have recently partnered to release their highly anticipated single “Late To Da Party” via Columbia Records. With YoungBoy Never Broke Again currently on house arrest, Lil Nas X put his famous meme-making mastery and video editing to create the song’s official video. He also is on his first-ever, and sold-out, tour which officially kicked off this past September in Detroit. Produced by Live Nation, the Long Live Montero tour will make stops across North America and Europe this fall and serve to celebrate the massive success of Montero.
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Redefining both hip-hop culture and gender norms in fashion…
Lil Nas X has become just as well-known for his passion for fashion as for his music. If there’s ever a question that we’re moving further in the direction of genderless and sustainable fashion, one only needs to look at the celebration of his style. Lil Nas X shamelessly rocks over-the-top wigs, flamboyant nail art, colourful suits, dramatic lip colours, and bold face makeup.
Not long after he shot to fame, Lil Nas X partnered with designer Christian Cowan for the creation of a gender fluid fashion collection for spring 2021. The progressive line delivered important messaging on matters like Black and trans rights, yet offered a fun and lively aesthetic. Furthermore, Lil Nas X also partnered with famed makeup artist James Charles to create a video whereby Charles created a work-of-art makeup job on the rapper..
Most recently on the collaboration front, Lil Nas X made his debut as the newest face of Coach earlier this fall. In September, the House debuted Stuart Vevers’ Spring 2023 collection with a runway show in New York City. As part of the presentation, the House also unveiled Lil Nas X as a new global ambassador for Coach in his first-ever runway appearance. The first ambassador to be announced within the House’s new chapter of Expressive Luxury and its vision of inspiring confidence in the next generation, Lil Nas X will continue to bring to life the House’s legacy of innovation and courageous self-expression through campaigns, collections, and more.
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In October, Coach unveiled the short film titled “Courage to Be Real,” starring Lil Nas X and directed by Toronto-born Petra Collins. The new campaign film features Lil Nas X’s latest single, “Star Walkin,” and reinforces Coach’s mission to embrace all aspects of who you are with confidence. This will continue to be brought to life through future campaigns, introduced in part by the brand’s evolved Expressive Luxury positioning.
The relentless voice of queer culture…
The fact that Lil Nas X has managed to solidify his status as a famed queer hip-hop artist along with the quick rise of his star reveals a collective embrace of change both within the music industry and among consumers. While he’s faced backlash from everyone including fellow rappers to politicians and religious groups, he has forever changed the hip-hop world and will continue to do so. And if anyone tries to stand in his way, we can be sure we’ll hear from the outspoken artist loud and clear.
Credits
Words by Erin Davis, directed by and in collaboration with Steven Branco and Samir Mourani. Photography courtesy of Sony Entertainment Canada and Coach, and respective photographers credited accordingly. Art by Steven Branco. Special thank you to the Sony Entertainment Canada, Coach and Jane Gil PR teams for their support.
