Lil Nas X, Meet Big Nas: Check Out the Monstrous Video for “Rodeo”

Thursday, Lil Nas X shared a video for his 7 EP track “Rodeo.” The track, which originally featured a guest verse from Cardi B, was remixed for the music video and now includes a guest verse from Lil Nas X’s namesake Nas.

The video (dir. Bradley & Pablo) very obviously channels Michael Jackson’s legendary video for “Thriller,” starting with the young rapper’s attack at the hands of a leather-clad vampire. The video then plays on the track’s woozy, outlaw sound as Lil Nas X transforms more and more rapidly into his beastly form and meets a group of fellow vampires at a grocery store. The video provides some of Lil Nas X’s best looks to date, including a spiky black latex jumpsuit (assumedly by NYC designer Bcalla, given his signature spiky looks and previous collaborations with Lil Nas X) and club-kid-ready combat platforms.

Once Nas (the older one) comes in, the genre completely changes from ‘80s horror to ‘90s sci-fi. Nas is seemingly dressed as Laurence Fishburne’s character Morpheus from The Matrix, complete with red and blue pill offerings for his younger counterpart, exclaiming, “Nas X and Big Nas, this shit ride!”

Just last week, Lil Nas X took home the Grammys for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video for “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. Paste assistant music editor Lizzie Manno named Lil Nas X’s Grammys performance one of the best of that night. Check out who else made the best of list (and the ones that really kinda flopped), and watch the “Rodeo” video below.