Lil Nas X Takes on a Detective Role in New Single ‘Here We Go’
Lil Nas X, also known as Detective Montero, has released a new single titled “Here We Go,” crafted specifically for Eddie Murphy’s upcoming Netflix film, *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F*. The song, which features a fast-paced rhythm and catchy lyrics, sees the rapper on a quest for justice. With lines like “Tell them boys you better hide/ Tell them lay low/ Tell them play it safe cause we don’t play at all/ Tell them boys you better move,” Lil Nas X brings a sense of urgency and determination to the track.
The single was produced by Ojivolta and written by Lil Nas X, Harold Faltermeyer, Raul Cubina, Mark Williams, and Jarrod Morgan. It includes an interpolation of the original “Axel F” theme song from the 1984 *Beverly Hills Cop* film, composed and performed by Faltermeyer. According to a press release, the track is featured multiple times throughout the film and will play over the end credits.
Lil Nas X and Eddie Murphy recently discussed the creation of the song on Instagram. Murphy expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “It’s just exciting to have some new music and have this brother be the one that’s on it.”
*Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F*, set to release on July 3, stars Murphy as Detective Axel Foley, who returns to Beverly Hills to solve a new case. The film also features Taylour Paige, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judge Reinhold, and John Ashton. The official synopsis reveals that after Foley’s daughter’s life is threatened, she and Foley team up with a new partner and old friends Billy Rosewood and John Taggart to uncover a conspiracy.
The journey to this fourth installment has been long and winding. A fourth film was announced in the 1990s but never came to fruition. In the mid-2010s, a movie was planned to shoot in Michigan but was postponed due to an incomplete script. In a 2011 interview with *Rolling Stone*, Murphy explained, “None of the movie scripts were right; it was trying to force this premise. If you have to force something, you shouldn’t be doing it. It was always a rehash of the old thing. It was always wrong.”
Lil Nas X’s single “Here We Go” will be released ahead of the film on June 28 and is already available for pre-save. In honor of the partnership, the 25-year-old rapper posed for a photo with Murphy, which Netflix shared on Instagram. The “Old Town Road” musician reshared the snap on his Story.
The news of the single comes shortly after the streaming platform unveiled the trailer for *Axel F*, directed by Mark Molloy. This film marks the fourth installment in the *Beverly Hills Cop* franchise. Murphy first played the titular Detroit detective Axel Foley in 1984 and last reprised the role in 1994’s *Beverly Hills Cop III*.
In this new film, Murphy’s character must team up with a new partner, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, to protect his daughter, played by Taylour Paige, when her life is threatened. Together, they uncover a conspiracy that puts them all in danger.
“Here We Go” marks Lil Nas X’s first solo release since “Where Do We Go Now?,” which appeared in his 2023 documentary *Long Live Montero*. He also recently collaborated with Camila Cabello on the single “He Knows,” which followed his duet “Tennessee” with Kevin Abstract. The Georgia native hasn’t released an album since his 2021 debut LP *Montero*, which featured the Billboard Hot 100-topping hits “Industry Baby” and “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” The project peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
Lil Nas X is clearly excited about his new creative direction. In a recent Instagram post promoting “Here We Go,” he shared his feelings of positivity, writing, “so excited to release the best song of all time this friday! also sorry I’ve been so scared with my art lately. I’m coming around to myself again. I will make you guys very proud.” The post featured the single’s cover art, which includes a detective’s badge with Lil Nas X’s photo inside.
Camila Cabello, his “He Knows” collaborator, showed her support in the comments, writing, “nature has seasons and so do we. there is no spring without winter. it’s your time to bloom baby!!!”
The single “Here We Go” not only samples the iconic “Axel F” theme but also pays homage to the 2005 hit “Crazy Frog,” which famously sampled the same theme. This blend of nostalgia and modern flair is sure to resonate with both longtime fans of the *Beverly Hills Cop* series and new listeners alike.
As the release date for *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F* approaches, anticipation is building for both the film and Lil Nas X’s new single. With his unique style and undeniable talent, Lil Nas X is set to make a significant impact on the soundtrack and the film itself.
Source: Rolling Stone, Billboard, Netflix
