Lil Nas X’s ‘Montero’ Makes a Splash on the Charts

Following the September 17 release of his debut album, Montero, it looks like Lil Nas X’s winning streak is set to continue.

The album debuted at Number 2 on the Billboard 200, behind Drake’s Certified Lover Boy, though the record also snagged 11 songs on the Hot 100. Even more impressive, Lil Nas X landed three of the songs in the Top 10: “Industry Baby” returned to the Number 2 spot where it first peaked in August; “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” hit the ninth spot, though it previously went to the top spot back in April; and “That’s What I Want” came in at No. 10. Lil Nas X is likely the only openly gay artist to have three Top 10 songs chart simultaneously, which is already a rare achievement only belonging to a handful of musicians.

Prior to this week, Lil Nas X charted seven total Hot 100 entries, dating back to another Billboard record, when “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, Lil Nas X’s breakthrough track, hit the number one spot and stayed there for 19 weeks. Another eight debuts from the new record more than doubles his career count to 15 total, charted Hot 100 songs.

All of the album’s features made it to the Hot 100: “Scoop” featuring Doja Cat ranked 42nd; “Dolla Sign Slime” with Megan Thee Stallion ranked 47th; “One of Me” featuring Elton John took the 88th spot, and “Am I Dreaming” featuring Miley Cyrus squeezed into the chart at 97th.

Lil Nas X tweeted a response to the success of Montero, joking, “Wow I just became the first one-hit wonder of all time to have 11 songs on Billboard all at once.”

Though this is the most successful Lil Nas X has ever been, he still receives his fair share of hate and homophobia as an out, queer artist. After his appearance donning a lavender dress at this year’s VMA’s and subsequently thanking the gay agenda, one Twitter user posted a meme comparing “Rappers Then,” with a picture of 2Pac in a white suit, to “Rapper Now,” with a picture of Nas in the lavender dress he wore to the ceremony.

“can y’all please stop spreading this! spread this one instead, it’s a much better angle.” Nas joked, including an updated meme with the same text and a higher resolution photo of himself in the dress at a new angle.

can y’all please stop spreading this! spread this one instead, it’s a much better angle. https://t.co/YMgu7q1J1u pic.twitter.com/ZNdKwgwpOC

— MONTERO ???? (@LilNasX) September 27, 2021

Congratulations to Lil Nas X on the success of Montero!

Photo courtesy of Lil Nas X