Lil Nas X is making waves once again, and this time, he’s doing it in a big way. Beginning on March 10, the Grammy-winning rapper and singer has been dropping a new single each day, marking a bold and vibrant new chapter in his musical journey. His releases so far, including “DREAMBOY,” “BIG DUMMY!,” “SWISH,” and “RIGHT THERE,” are all part of a series that signals the beginning of an exciting new era—one heavily influenced by a Barbie-inspired aesthetic, with an emphasis on the color pink.
The latest release, “HOTBOX,” arrived on March 14, continuing the trend with yet another magenta-hued visual that ties into the colorful, playful vibe Lil Nas X has embraced for this phase. The track is a groovy pop-rap cut, exploring themes of sensuality and flirtation with lines like, “you be the carpet, I’ll be the vacuum.” The song draws clear influences from musical icons Pharrell and OutKast, combining a smooth, funky beat with Lil Nas X’s signature wit and charisma. Many fans have dubbed it the best single of the bunch, thanks to its catchy rhythm and cheeky lyrics.
The accompanying music video for “HOTBOX” maintains the playful, Barbie-inspired visual theme, offering a peek into Lil Nas X’s own version of a Ken playhouse. The video features a world drenched in pink, including a pink pool, pink boxing ring, and even a pink rave setting. This consistent use of the color and Barbie aesthetics feels like a statement in itself, pushing the boundaries of what we’ve seen from the artist so far.
Director Elias Talbot, who worked with Lil Nas X as a cinematographer on previous projects, shared his vision for the video with The FADER in an exclusive email interview. “I wanted to lean into the simplicity of a white backdrop and really allow for his personality to shine through and not be overshadowed,” Talbot explained. “Originally Montero was inspired by these pink elements, and I was able to create a narrative based on that inspiration.”
The video’s location is just as unique as the visuals. Talbot revealed that the team chose Vilnius, Lithuania, as the shoot location. “We scoured for the best location to shoot this piece, and we landed on Vilnius… of all places!” Talbot said. “The crew and whole team there was beyond phenomenal. I’ve shot all over the world, and I was blown away by the professionalism and artistry that this whole crew brought to our vision.” It’s clear that the location and its creative execution played a big part in bringing this fun, quirky vision to life.
While Lil Nas X has yet to announce a full project, the daily singles suggest that something bigger may be on the horizon. Fans are eagerly anticipating the possibility of a full-length album or perhaps an EP, with the last few days marking an exciting and visually striking introduction to this new era of his music. The artist’s commitment to releasing fresh content daily has fans buzzing with anticipation, wondering what’s next in this colorful, audacious journey.
For now, Lil Nas X continues to make waves with his bold aesthetic choices and his ability to capture the zeitgeist with every release. His unique blend of humor, confidence, and genre-blending music ensures that each new song keeps listeners engaged, entertained, and eagerly awaiting what’s coming next.
You can watch the video for “HOTBOX” and listen to the previously released tracks “DREAMBOY,” “BIG DUMMY!,” “SWISH,” and “RIGHT THERE” now, as Lil Nas X pushes boundaries and keeps fans on their toes with his daring new era.
With the momentum he’s built over the past few days, it’s safe to say Lil Nas X is just getting started. Fans can expect even more surprises, bold aesthetics, and catchy tunes as he continues to define his space in the music world.
