All US Number 1s From 2021 Ranked Worst To Best
2. Industry Baby - Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow
As stated in the entry for Montero, 2021 was a huge year for Lil Nas X. His debut studio album was a criticial and commercial success, spawning not one, but two number-one singles.
If the music video for Montero basically made the song, the one for Industry Baby certainly does a lot to help, but this track could have no visuals whatsoever and still slap hard enough to leave a handprint on your cheek. It is a monster of a song, with an epic horn beat, a brilliant appearance by Jack Harlow, and a tremendous chorus that makes anyone who listens feel like they are king of the world. Fitting, since this is the first number one song and video since the King's Jailhouse Rock to feature cell inmates in a homoerotic context.
On that note, the impact that Lil Nas X has had as the first openly gay, chart-topping rapper is indelible, though not outshined by his talent. No other rapper is doing it like Lil Nas, and this song is a testament to that. This is not how you play the game. This is how you change it.