Lil Nas X brought his latest music video to life on the VMAs stage.
The Montero singer showed out with his energetic performance of his latest single, "Industry Baby," featuring Jack Harlow. Nas X began the performance in old-school VMA fashion, entering the stadium floor with an all-Black marching band wearing pink uniforms.
After making his way to the set, an all-pink version of the video's Montero State Prison, the star stripped down to pink pants to perform the twerk-heavy choreography along with his many backup dancers.
Harlow brought his swagger to his performance, rapping his verse solo while clad in a shiny black short sleeve jumpsuit.
Nas X also performed the music video's infamous shower scene, while wearing just a pair of pink bedazzled briefs. He ended the performance with the chorus of his hit single "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)," with all of his dancers grinding as he sang.
The rapper, born Montero Lamar Hill, has given several jaw-dropping performances of "Montero" this year, including accidentally splitting his pants on Saturday Night Live and kissing a male backup dancer at the BET Awards. The 22-year-old is not afraid to start a conversation with his music (or to clap back at his Twitter trolls).
The "Old Town Road" singer revealed the artwork and setlist for his much-anticipated debut album Montero earlier this month. Nas X tapped multiple heavy hitters for his features, including Megan thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, and Elton John.
Nas X opened up about the upcoming record in his Variety cover interview, saying that the record will be "much more personal" and "much more cohesive" than his 2019 "7 EP." He also spoke on his overlying strategy for performances.
“I’m always trying to give people a show, you know?” he says, “while also pointing out the flaws in society. I have a goal in my head for where I want to be, but my entire life and career has been just going in and winging it. Some things work really well and some don’t work at all, and a lot of them are very much last minute — like, I planned the BET kiss literally a day or two before it happened. I just use anything that comes at me to my advantage, even things that others may see as a disadvantage.”
Quinci LeGardye is an LA-based freelance writer who covers culture, politics, and mental health through a Black feminist lens. When she isn’t writing or checking Twitter, she’s probably watching the latest K-drama or giving a concert performance in her car.
