The True Meaning Behind Dead Right Now By Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X is quickly rising to icon status as one of music's biggest stars today. The singer-rapper just earned five Grammy nominations for his internet-breaking hit "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" as well as his debut album, "Montero." Nas, who is openly gay, is known for pushing boundaries and creating controversy by way of self-expression. From giving Satan a lap dance in the "Call Me By Your Name" music video to announcing his debut album via a "pregnancy" announcement, Lil Nas X is unapologetically himself.

The young hip-hop innovator has been praised by industry giants for what the rising star has done with his career. "He's pushing the boundaries of urban music by wholeheartedly embracing his sexuality and visually projecting that celebration out into the world," music legend Elton John said of Nas to Variety.

While Lil Nas X's self-love is on full display on many fun-loving songs off his debut album "Montero," the musician also gets personal on other tracks. On his single "That's What I Want," the musician divulges his feelings of loneliness and longing for a romantic partner. Nas' song "Dead Right Now" also dives deep into the superstar's personal life — and the track's true meaning may surprise listeners.

On "Dead Right Now," Lil Nas X exposes the people that came out of the woodwork on his rise to fame. "You know, you never used to call / Keep it that way now," Nas sings of fake supporters and haters, continuing: "I'll treat you like you're dead right now."

Continuing to address his adversity, Nas takes the personal song even further by singing about his turbulent relationship with his mother. "My mama told me that she love me, don't believe her / When she get drunk, she hit me up, man, with a fever," Nas reveals on the song about his mother's struggle with addiction. The rapper calls his mother a "deceiver" when she claims to get clean from substances.

In the wake of a video of Lil Nas X's mom panhandling, fans criticized Nas for supposedly not doing enough to help her, per Atlanta Black Star. The outlet reported Nas hit back at his critics in a now-deleted tweet, sharing: "I've cried myself to sleep feeling guilty because nothing I tried would help my mom."

Lil Nas X also sings about his father on "Dead Right Now." After Nas dropped out of college to pursue his music career, he reveals on the track that his father wasn't always supportive of him chasing his dreams. "Left school, then my dad and I had a face-to-face in Atlanta / He said, 'It's one in a million chance, son,' I told him, 'Daddy, I am that one,'" Lil Nas X sings.

A profile by The New York Times revealed that the musician and his father have worked to rebuild their relationship and are close now. "Despite what people say @lilnasx is the greatest kid a parent can be BLESSED with," Nas' dad Robert Stafford said in an Instagram post praising his son. According to Distractify, Lil Nas X privately came out as gay to his dad and siblings before making his announcement to the rest of the world in 2019.

Nas' support system has gotten him through tough times. The rapper revealed on TikTok he has struggled with depression and hardships throughout his life. The The Trevor Project recently named the rapper as the organization's Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year for speaking openly about his unique mental health challenges as Black, gay male artist. "If using my voice and expressing myself in my music can help even one kid out there who feels alone, then it was all worth it," the rapper said of the title in a statement (via Forbes).