The Grammys is music’s biggest night of the year, yet fans and listeners of the nominees were somewhat underwhelmed this year, in more ways than one. The most significant loss was for fans of the iconic Lil Nas X. 

For weeks, Lil Nas X’s debut album “Montero,” released by Columbia Records, had hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Lil Nas X’s album had artists Jack Harlow, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, and even Elton John featured on the album. Even currently, Jack Harlow’s verse in the song “Industry Baby” is drilled into our minds on the ride home from work, school, etc. Before the initial drop on September 7th, 2021, the album gained popularity through Lil Nas X’s Instagram and TikTok posts of him pretending to be pregnant with the album and waiting endlessly for the drop, keeping fans counting down the seconds with anticipation. 

Montero’s first track was the single “Call Me By Your Name,” which gained popularity through its campy music video, which included imagery of devils and hell and appealed greatly to the Gen Z audience. After a pandemic, we all needed that video on a soulful level. Lil Nas X used his platforms and rising fame to hype up the album, even creating a baby registry where people’s donations went towards 16 corporations that helped HIV awareness, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and more. 

After riding the high of fame that the album brought him, Lil Nas X was believed by fans to be a shoo-in for at least one grammy. However, Nas lost to artist Jon Batiste for his album “We Are.” Nas accepted his loss graciously and posted a picture on Instagram with the caption, “let’s try again next year!” 

Even though the Grammys were at the beginning of April, the sting of Nas’s loss of album of the year still hits hard, primarily because, unlike Nas, Jon Batiste never made it onto the Hot 100; he only scored spots on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay. 

Although the Grammys was a disappointment, Nas announced his “Long Live Montero” tour via social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Fans have no doubt our Old Town cowboy will indeed deliver hundreds more killer songs and undoubtedly secure more Grammys.