Lil Nas X has shared a defiant message for his “haters” after reaching number one with his new single, Montero (Call Me By Your Name).
The track, which is a celebration of gay sexuality, has been criticised by conservatives in the US, who have called it “depraved” and “evil”.
But the song has topped the charts in the US and UK, thanks in part to the spotlight his critics have shone on it.
“I hope my haters are sad,” he said in response. “I hope they are crying.”
Referring to the his chances at the prestigious Grammy Awards, he added: “I want your tears to fill my Grammy cup.”
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It is the star’s second number one after Old Town Road, the country-rap crossover that spent a record 19 weeks at the top of the US chart in 2019.
Why is the song so controversial?
Montero has caused a stir with its high-concept video, which sees Lil Nas X descending to hell on a stripper pole and lapdancing for the devil – before killing him, stealing his horns and claiming them for himself.
The 21-year-old simultaneously released a limited edition range of sneakers, dubbed Satan Shoes, which featured a drop of human blood in the sole.
Both the video and the merchandise were condemned by some commentators.
Candace Owens accused the rapper of “keeping black America behind”, while author and former US marine Matthew Betley described the video as a “sick and depraved and an attempt to destroy our society”.
Nike also intervened, filing a trademark infringement claim against the art collective MSCHF, who used modified Nike Air Max 97s to create the Satan Shoes.
How did Lil Nas X react?
The critics played into Lil Nas X’s hands, as he waited by his keyboard with an arsenal of barbed responses.
When the governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem, criticised the Satan sneakers, Lil Nas X replied: “ur a whole governor and u on here tweeting about some damn shoes. do ur job!”
Then the rapper Joyner Lucas suggested the Montero video was unsuitable for children. Lil Nas X shot back: “I literally sing about adultery in old town road. u decided to let your child listen. blame yourself.”
Fox News dedicated a segment to the rapper’s video, so he reposted the clip in celebration. “I thought y’all didn’t like political correctness. what happened?” he added.
Later, he posted a fake apology video on YouTube, which slam-cut into Montero’s infamous lap-dancing scene.
And he issued a separate “censored” version of the music video, which consisted of a single still image of a public toilet, captioned “Montero but ur in the bathroom of hell while lil nas is giving satan a lap dance in the other room”.
In stoking the fires of the trending topic pages, the rapper was drawing on his experience of running a Nicki Minaj “stan” account in his teens.
What makes him special, wrote internet culture analyst Brian Feldman is the “versatility” and the “variety to his approach”.
That approach is “one that can be inherently understood as someone adapting on the fly and deploying different strategies as needed”, he added. “It’s not a brute force approach, or a stubborn one. It’s very canny.”
Is he just baiting the critics?
Absolutely. The furore surrounding Montero is at least partly deliberate.
Lil Nas X’s video is teasing and camp – but it also knows the history of moral panic when musicians mix sexuality and religion, from the backwards messages supposedly hidden in songs by The Beatles and Judas Priest, to Madonna’s Like A Prayer video.
But there’s a serious side to this too.
The rapper says Montero was inspired by a man he met and fell for last summer. In a more reflective moment on Twitter, he wrote: “I spent my entire teenage years hating myself because of the [things] y’all preached would happen to me because i was gay. So i hope u are mad, stay mad, feel the same anger you teach us to have towards ourselves.”
How well has the song done?
In the UK, Montero was streamed 6.8 million times last week – 2.5 million of which were plays of the video. It is the second single to debut at number one this year, after Olivia Rodrigo’s Drivers Licence.
In the US, Montero drew 46.9 million streams and and sold 21,000 downloads. Lil Nas X was in a jubilant mood after finding out – recalling how he’d been branded a one hit wonder after the success of Old Town Road.
“Y’all told a 19 year old who had just escaped the lowest point of his life that he would never have a hit again,” he tweeted.
“You told him to stop while he’s ahead. he could’ve gave up. But 4 multi platinum songs and 2 #1’s later, he’s still here.”
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For RUAN-Badkid.96, music is more than entertainment, it’s a language, a testimony, and a lifelong mission to connect with people through honesty, versatility, and unforgettable sound.
Entertainment Gists
Meet the Man Who Turned Hype Into a Science: Emmy Blaq, Nigeria’s G.O.A.T. of Hype
If you have ever been at a Nigerian event and found yourself on your feet before the main act even stepped on stage, there is a good chance a hype man was responsible. But not just any hype man. Emmy Blaq, born Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chima and raised in Auchi, Edo State, has spent the last few years quietly becoming the most talked-about name in that profession, and the Nigerian press has taken notice. Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian Nigeria, The Nation, and Independent Newspaper have all sat down with him, and every conversation leads back to the same thing: this man does not just make noise; he makes moments.
What makes Emmy Blaq different is the journey behind the energy. Before the stages, the collaborations with Waje on her “Waje 2.0” album, DJ Consequence, and DJ Kaywise on the massively streamed “Joor Party Mix” series, he was repairing generators, cutting hair, and sewing clothes in Auchi. His first professional hype gig happened at a local fast food spot called Valchi, and the crowd response that night changed everything. He told The Nation directly: “My passion for entertainment and desire to make people happy led me into the craft.” Punch also captured his bigger mission when he said that hype men deserve more than what they currently earn, a statement that sparked a real conversation across Nigerian entertainment circles.
With over 1.7 million TikTok followers, 23.6 million TikTok likes, a viral “Wife Material” challenge that landed on Pulse Nigeria’s top ten social media moments of 2021, and an international performance at the Cameroon International Music Festival that Cameroonian media described as electrifying, Emmy Blaq is not building toward something. He is already there. The G.O.A.T. of Hype is not a title he gave himself and hoped would stick. It is one the rooms keep confirming every single time he grabs the mic.
MANAGER PROFILE
Uncle Wisdom is a Lagos-based music executive and visionary leader known for blending structure, strategy, and creativity in artist management. With a background in Mathematics and Statistics from UNICROSS formerly, Cross River University Of Technology. He brings analytical precision into talent development, positioning artists for both creative excellence and commercial success.
CAREER JOURNEY
Began his career in 2017 as an event coordinator for Eksu Olofofo, where he gained foundational experience in live events and audience engagement. By 2018, he transitioned into full-time artist management, driven by a clear goal to build a more structured and results-oriented system within the music industry.
In 2019, Started working as a road manager for Barry Jhay, gaining hands-on experience in touring, logistics, and artist operations, a refined career and mental awareness coach . He was also instrumental behind Barry Jhay’s 2025 sold-out homecoming concert, a key moment that fueled momentum for a successful UK tour, including sold-out shows in London and Birmingham.
PHLOX MGMT
Founded from the ground up, Phlox Mgmt is a forward-thinking management company focused on Career coaching, A&R, artist development, and strategic positioning. The company is built on a clear philosophy:
Develop the sound. Define the brand. Position the artist to win.
Phlox Mgmt has connections with @Roadgod_of Roadgod Agency and connects artists with top-tier producers, engineers, and creatives, ensuring a refined sound and strong market presence. The company continues to grow as a trusted platform for emerging and established talent.
INDUSTRY NETWORK & COLLABORATIONS
Uncle Wisdom has built valuable relationships across the industry, working with and alongside talents such as:
Barry Jhay • Asake • Ceeza Milli • Berri Tiga • Laime • Spellz • and many others
LEADERSHIP APPROACH
John Wisdom operates with a long-term vision, focusing on structure, consistency, and execution. His approach goes beyond traditional management he builds systems around artists that support sustainable growth, strong branding, and global competitiveness.
CONTACT & SOCIALS
Instagram & X: @Johnwisdm @phlox_mgmt
TikTok: @unclewisdom7
Email: phloxentertainment@gmail.com
Phone: 08038448478 | 09015668027
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