Lil Nas X drops NSFW, Brokeback Mountain-inspired music video and it might just be his best yet
Lil Nas X. (YouTube)
Lil Nas X has released what might be his queerest music video yet – and it’s inspired by Brokeback Mountain.
The singer-rapper dropped the music video for “That’s What I Want” just as his hotly-anticipated debut album Montero finally landed on streaming platforms.
The new music video kicks off with Lil Nas X, dressed in pink football gear, falling from the sky in the middle of a match. He immediately catches the eye of one of the football players, and the pair exchange knowing glances.
In the next scene, Lil Nas and the football player meet in the locker room, where passionate kissing leads to a sultry (and safe) sex scene in the shower.
The music video then cuts to a sexy camping scene, with both Lil Nas and his on-screen boyfriend wearing cowboy hats in a subtle nod to Brokeback Mountain.
But Lil Nas X’s heart is ultimately broken when he turns up to his boyfriend’s house only to discover that he’s married to a woman – and they even have a son together.
Billy Porter hands Lil Nas X’s jilted bride an electric guitar in awe-inspiring music video
The video ends with Lil Nas X drinking to cope with his loss before he slips into an alcohol-fuelled dream where he is a jilted bride.
The incredible scene sees Lil Nas walking down the aisle in an enormous wedding dress, complete with a dramatic veil.
At the altar, Pose star Billy Porter hands him an electric guitar, before Lil Nas X unleashes a rousing, mascara-laden plea for love.
Needless to say, the powerful music video quickly stormed through the internet – and Lil Nas X was widely praised for being unafraid to put his sexuality at the centre of his music.
https://twitter.com/greysunflower_X/status/1438718915790704642
no bc I’m abt to cry the mv for that’s what I want is so accurate and it’s nice being seen @LilNasX ily pic.twitter.com/7d1hIODcNL
— dev🕷️ (@freminettt) September 17, 2021
Me after watching “That’s What I Want” #MONTERO | @LilNasX pic.twitter.com/BUq4RJbnAg— ᴍx. ɢᴀʀʏ 🇵🇸 (@thegaryfuqua) September 17, 2021
These are some screen grabs of my favourite moments from @LilNasX “that’s what I want” – this song & video are fun, catchy, beautiful, sad, and more.
Yes to queer representation. Yes to gay representation. Yes to Black queer representation. Yes yes yes !
THAT’S WHAT I WANT pic.twitter.com/3X6s9WbBbP— hailie☭ (@HailieTattrie) September 17, 2021
wow. i really saw myself in lil nas x tonight more than ever. the “that’s what i want” video just really hit me in my heart. i feel like all of us queer Black people—especially queer Black men—have been there. oooooh that fucked me up. 🥺— blue (@fraybomb) September 17, 2021
God Lil Nas X That's what I want video got me crying in my bedsheets at 5 am in the morning wondering why I don't deserve love 😭😭😭❤️❤️
— 𝕮𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖞𝖊𝖗𝖊🎨✨ (@_chinnyi) September 17, 2021
The incredible music video is just Lil Nas X’s latest attempt to bring queerness to the masses.
The trailblazing rapper and singer first hit the big time in 2019 with his song “Old Town Road”, which broke streaming records and topped charts across the world.
Since then, his career has gone from strength to strength. Earlier this year, he blew fans away with the music video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” – which sparked controversy among conservatives over a scene that saw Lil Nas giving Satan a lap dance.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting Lil Nas X’s debut album for some time – and Montero finally arrived on streaming platforms on Friday (17 September).
Lil Nas X in That’s What I Want. (YouTube)
The album – which is already winning rave reviews – features collaborations with Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, Elton John, Doja Cat and many others.
In the lead-up to the release of Montero, Lil Nas proved that he has mastered the art of marketing with what might be the best (and certainly the most innovative) album rollout in recent times.
