Rodeo - The Fashion of Lil Nas X
By Hannah Schmidt-Rees
There aren’t many black musicians in popular country music and there aren’t many queer musicians in popular hip-hop music. Stumbling upon a banjo driven hip-hop beat for $30on the internet, Lil Nas X saw an opportunity. And thus the now iconic song Old Town Road was born, essentially hurling him into the limelight. Coming out in June 2019, Lil Nas X has broke the industry. One of the biggest musicians in 2019 a queer person of colour, blending genres and breaking both social and musical barriers.
“A lot of walls were taken down by this song, I think a lot of artists out there can look at this and say, ‘Hey man, this is a green light.’”
I’ll admit it, I think Lil Was X is one of the most influential male musicians of our generation. Not only is he a queer person of colour completely killing it in our social-media filled pop culture, he is completely reinventing masculine fashion and masculine expression. So expect this article to be a little more in depth than the others in this musician-plus-fashion mini series.
His experimental fashion is styled by Hodo Musa, a black stylist who is also finding success in the industry through her iconic styling looks.
For his red carpet look at the 2019 MTV VMAs, he partnered with womenswear Christian Cowan to create this amazing Prince-inspired look, which was Cowan’s first ever menswear look. Pairing a lace ruffled shirt with a silver rhinestone-covered nudie suit and silver western-boots, Lil Nas X fused his own signature style with an iconic pop-music icon, who was also known for his gender-breaking fashion. The lace ribbons hanging from the cuffs, the painted nails and the jewellery create a sense of theatricality, combining traditional femininity with a modern twist.
For the 2019 American Music Awards, Lil Nas X stole the stage again by wearing Christopher John Rogers. But not just anything by CJR, a neon green cropped tuxedo with matching rhinestoned zebra-print top with gloves. Oh, and don’t forget the match neon green square-toed platform heels.
And probably his best look yet (I’m my opinion of course), his neon pink bondage-inspired Versace look to the 2019 Grammys. Gianni Versace would be so proud. Continuing with the same silhouette to his previous red carpet looks, Lil Nas X combined a fishnet shirt, bondage harness, a gold-studded leather jacket, pants, cowboy hat, iconic Versace silk-print scarf ‘cuffs’ and steel-capped cuban boots; all of which were bright pink.
“We’re not snobs. It’s not about the biggest designers — we want to work with up-and-coming talent, the underdogs who aren’t getting the recognition they deserve.”
Lil Nas X is making history, especially being a black queer artist in the current music industry and breaking so many records. It takes a lot of confidence to wear the looks that he wears. He combines masculinity and femininity in a was that so perfectly reflects his identity and his rise to fame. He takes his common silhouette, his common aesthetic (cowboy chic? cowboy futurism?) and puts it in a way that reference the past and the future. He combines iconic queer references with his own unique twist. And he’s not afraid for all eyes to be on him as his completely kills the fashion games in some of the most eye-catching, iconic and well put-together looks I’ve ever seen. We need more artists like him, willing to amplify their own identity in their fashion, not being afraid to create a wearable work of art. I don’t know if it’s obvious, but I love Lil Nas X’s fashion and the work of Hodo Musa. He’s one of my fashion inspirations for sure. Say what you want about his music, but his fashion is unforgettable.
Lil Nas X is an artist to look out for in the future. His focus on diversity, self identity and unique creativity with a Generation Z outlook is so refreshing to see and I’m sure his future work will be even better.The 2019 Grammys outfit is the last time Lil Nas X will be seen in a full cowboy look, ending the Old Town Road era. I cannot wait to see what he and Hodo Musa does next.
Favourite looks? Get ready. (There’s a few)
