Lil Nas X says he hopes his 'haters are sad' after his new song 'Montero' launches to the top of the charts
"Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" by Lil Nas X has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, overcoming criticism from parents and backlash from conservative politicians.
The new song is the 1,120th No. 1 song in Billboard history, and just the 50th in history to arrive in the chart's top position.
"Montero" is Lil Nas X's second No. 1 song, after his record-breaking smash hit "Old Town Road."
The rapper-slash-singer reacted to the achievement on Twitter, celebrating his escape from being labeled a "one-hit wonder."
"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," Lil Nas X wrote. "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. thank you to my team and my fans! ily."
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. 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. thank you to my team and my fans! ily ???????? https://t.co/cW0UiXjJOk
— nope ???? (@LilNasX) April 5, 2021
The 21-year-old star also tweeted a "SpongeBob SquarePants" meme, writing cheekily, "me after getting a song about gay sex to the top of the billboard charts."
He added: "SUCK MY DICK! LETS GOOOO!!" and "LETS GO GAY AGENDA!!!!"
me after getting a song about gay sex to the top of the billboard charts pic.twitter.com/UJK5HpDCOA
— nope ???? (@LilNasX) April 5, 2021
SUCK MY DICK! LETS GOOOO!!
— nope ???? (@LilNasX) April 5, 2021
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME NUMBER 1 SONG IN THE WORLD AHHHHHH
— nope ???? (@LilNasX) April 5, 2021
LETS GO GAY AGENDA!!!!
— nope ???? (@LilNasX) April 5, 2021
"i hope my haters are sad," he wrote in an additional tweet. "i hope they are crying. i want your tears to fill my grammy cup."
i hope my haters are sad. i hope they are crying. i want your tears to fill my grammy cup. ????????
— nope ???? (@LilNasX) April 5, 2021
The song overcame a wave of backlash that was largely sparked by the music video, which shows Lil Nas X riding a stripper pole down to hell and giving Satan a lap dance. At the end, he kills the devil and takes his crown.
He also released a sneaker collaboration with MSCHF known as "Satan Shoes," which were said to each contain a drop of human blood.
As Insider's Canela López reported, the controversy even elicited a response from South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.
"our kids are being told that this kind of product is, not only okay, it's 'exclusive.' But do you know what's more exclusive? Their God-given eternal soul," Noem wrote on Twitter.
"We are in a fight for the soul of our nation," she continued. "We need to fight hard. And we need to fight smart. We have to win."
The promotional push for "Montero" was also criticized by Candace Owens, a right-wing media personality, and Kaitlin Bennett, better known online as the Kent State "gun girl," as well as commentators on Fox News.
Lil Nas X, never one to shy away from media attention, responded to most criticisms with characteristic wit and sarcasm.
He regularly sent out funny tweets about getting sued by Nike (the company is suing MSCHF, the maker of the Satan Shoes), and reposted TikTok memes about his descent into hell.
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