Lil Nas X’s blockbuster song about gay sexuality was nominated for three Grammy Awards on Tuesday, catapulting LGBTQ themes to the pinnacle of musical achievement.
The controversial song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” is nominated for song of the year, record of the year, and best music video at the 64th Grammy Awards, which will be held in Los Angeles on Jan. 31.
Its title is a play on the homosexual romance novel “Call Me By Your Name,” which was adapted into a film in 2017. But the song’s lyrics are more about lust than love, with phrases like “romantic talking? You don’t even have to try, and “I’m not fazed, only here to sin.”
In the music video for the song, Lil Nas X is seduced out of what appears to be the Garden of Eden, falls into hell and gives the devil a lap dance.
Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, celebrated his nominations and thanked his fans in a string of Twitter posts.
don’t have to win a single award, truly thankful for all the insight this year has brought me. and thankful for the journey. love u guys 😭🤍
— MONTERO 🦋 (@LilNasX) November 23, 2021
He received five major music award nominations in total, including album of the year for his debut studio album, “Montero,” which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
He won two of the six Grammy Awards he was nominated for last year, including best music video for his smash hit “Old Town Road (Remix).”
.@LilNasX’s nominations at 2022 #GRAMMYs :
🏆 Best Melodic Rap Performance
• Industry Baby🏆 Song Of The Year
• Montero (Call Me By Your Name)🏆 Album Of The Year
• Montero🏆 Record Of The Year
• Montero (Call Me By Your Name)🏆 Best Music Video
• Montero (CMBYN) pic.twitter.com/Iagg2ptYEE
— Lil Nas X Charts (@ChartLilNasX) November 23, 2021
The rapper’s nominations were hailed as ground-breaking by LGBTQ activists.
In a statement released Tuesday, GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis stated, “Lil Nas X continues to open doors for more LGBTQ inclusion in rap and hip-hop, which will certainly inspire and empower a new generation of musicians to embrace their uniqueness and individuality.”
Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, pop diva Halsey, and singer-songwriter Arlo Parks are among the LGBTQ artists who garnered Grammy nominations on Tuesday.
