The moving video statement marks the Grammy Award-winner’s first major update since last August, when a mental health episode culminated in an arrest in Los Angeles. In April, a judge allowed the 27-year-old musician, real name Montero Hill, to enter a mental health diversion programme instead of facing criminal charges, noting that his behavior had been entirely aberrant from his normal conduct.
Speaking directly to his followers on Instagram, Hill acknowledged that his diagnosis was long overdue. “I feel like I had known for like the past few years, but I didn’t want to admit to it because I didn’t want to have to take medication and, I don’t know, have people think different of me,” he admitted, explaining that he previously felt his identity already posed enough societal hurdles. “I mean, I’m already black and gay, like, damn, God,” he joked. “Gay, bipolar, like I’m living life on extreme hard mode.”
“But on a serious note, I’m doing much better, I’m feeling better, I’m creating freely, and there’s less fear in my heart. I’m just smelling the roses,” the Atlanta-raised artist continued, appearing healthy as he addressed the camera.
The global superstar, who rose to fame with his record-breaking diamond hit “Old Town Road” before cementing his status as a queer pop icon with tracks like “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” indicated that he isn’t rushing back into the intense spotlight immediately. However, he promised his audience that his creative output hasn’t stalled during his recovery.
“I’ve been doing music for seven years now. I wanted to let you guys know there is new music on the way,” Lil Nas X teased toward the end of the clip, before thanking his fanbase for their unwavering loyalty throughout his hiatus. “We’ve been through so much together. Thank you guys for holding me down. I love you and all I want to do is continue to try to make you proud and make myself proud.”
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