Lil Nas X is anticipating the release of his first record, Montero.
The rapper, 22, staged an extravagant pregnancy shoot complete with a belly and flower crown in honor of the upcoming delivery of his “baby” on September 17.
According to Lil Nas X (real name Montero Lamar Hill), who spoke exclusively to PEOPLE, the inspiration for the photo came to him when he first heard Megan Thee Stallion’s rap on his new song “Dolla Sign Slime.”
“Oh my God, this is great,” he exclaims, “so I called my hairdresser immediately.” I responded, “Yeah, this is my baby, huh?” She said, “Wow, this all comes together. Your album. Your baby.” She then said, “You should do a pregnancy shoot.”
He continues, “I was like, ‘You know what? That’s fantastic. So now the whole thing is coming out, and it will be incredible.
The timing of the photographs also couldn’t be better, as Lil Nas X recently published a parody of Drake’s Certified Lover Boy cover art on Instagram on Monday. His version only shows pregnant males instead of pregnant women.
He laughs, “I was like, there’s no way the cosmos is aligning this perfect for this to happen.
Lil Nas X says, “I suppose I am both the mother and the father,” in response to the question of whether the album is in some way an immaculate conception.
But, he continues, “The producers that contributed to it are also like dads. Before reflecting, “Or maybe uncles.”
In lockdown for the majority of the previous year, Montero developed. Lil Nas X claimed last week on Twitter that making this new track was “therapeutic.”
He now claims, “I’ve changed in so many ways. While I can’t control my feelings, I can choose how to react. I’ve learned to let people’s insults slide off my back. “I’ve changed how I handle a lot of situations, how I manage my sadness and anger.”
In addition, Lil Nas X states he learned “to have full faith in myself” while making this album.
He claims he is the only one who truly needs faith in himself. This year, I’ve been able to affirm myself in ways I could not have done two years ago.
The songs on the new album, from the intimate “Sun, Goes Down” to the upbeat “Industry Baby,” depict Lil Nas X’s entire journey to this point, to “places I wish to go from places I’ve been.”
He remarks, “You’re hearing a lot of stuff about me. “I finally discovered a perfect balance between being as authentic as possible inside my music and having a hit song. You are receiving numerous stories. They’re also bop, but they’re about my past and where I want to be in my love life.
On the album, which also contains his previously released hit “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X collaborated with Miley Cyrus on “Am I Dreaming,” Elton John on “One of Me,” and Doja Cat on “Scoop.”
He has a lot of aspirations and plans for his impending “kid,” just like any parent would.
He then declares, “It’s going to happen,” adding, “I hope this record reaches every single corner of the world.”
