Why Lil Nas' 'Montero' Promo Has Fans Talking

Less than a week after rapper Lil Nas X's earth-shattering performance of his single "Industry Baby" at the 2021 MTV Video Music awards moved many to declare him the undisputed king of this year's event — a claim also evidenced by his trophy for video of the year — the 22-year-old hip-hop artist seems to keep riding his wave of success at the very crown with his new album debut. On September 17, the rapper officially dropped his latest full-length album, "Montero," with an announcement complete with antics that fans and followers have come to expect, with a video promo featuring the performer literally giving birth to his first debut studio album.

As the New York Post reported shortly following the official "Montero" drop, the promo trailer featured Lil Nas X on a gurney, being rushed through hospital halls as various medical professionals comment that he is "having a baby." After calming Lil Nas X down — and after the camera reveals him in a gown with a pregnant belly — the attendants assist him in giving birth to a vinyl album. Taking it in his arms, he caresses "Montero," while noting "it's already Grammy-nominated."

Keeping in mind Lil Nas X's penchant for tongue-in-cheek controversy, it's no surprise the "Montero" promo quickly made the round on social media, prompting major responses from Internet denizens and the blue checkmark set. So, has the reaction been positive or negative? Read on to find out more.

Considering Lil Nas X's seemingly unflapping popularity, the visionary queer music icon's promo post announcing the "Montero" release was by and large met with fanfare — some of which came from the likes of corporate tastemakers. 

Per the New York Post, the Instagram account for MTV welcomed the announcement by commenting "[I'm] a proud uncle," while the MTV Twitter account posted "welcome to the world" on their main. Other users also hopped on the "baby" shtick as well, with one fan referring to the album in similar language. "HE'S HERE AND HE'S PERFECT," the follower tweeted. 

Birthing imagery and metaphors aside, the promo vid also made the rounds for what appeared to be a one-line callout. As the New York Post noted, the video featured one stand-by medical worker noting they "could see the baby" during the rapper's birthing scene — to which Lil Nas X and the rest of the midwifery cohort respond with "da baby?" Per the Post, the rejoinder is a reference to hip-hop musician DaBaby, who generated headlines this year over a litany of homophobic behavior. (Taking Lil Nas X's reputation as a groundbreaking LGBTQ artist of color into account, the shade at DaBaby isn't entirely unexpected, though whether DaBaby will respond to it remains to be seen.)