The BET Awards completely snubbed Lil Nas X and he called them out for homophobia and incorporated the snub into promo for his new single. BET responded with a pathetically defensive statement and he shaded them a bit more at a gala he attended. Now, Lil Nas X and his team have revealed more, rather damning info, about how the network treated him before and after his awards show performance last year. You know, the performance they said they cheered the loudest for in their statement. This new info is really not a good look for BET.
Now, the rapper – who was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2020 BET Awards and delivered a viral performance of his song ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ at the 2021 ceremony – has alleged a “painful” history between himself and the organisation.
“My relationship with BET has been painful and strained for quite some time. It didn’t start with this year’s nominations like most people might think,” Lil Nas X told Rolling Stone. “They did let me perform on their show last year, but only after [I gave] assurances that I was not a satanist or devil worshiper, and that my performance would be appropriate for their audience.”
In 2021, prior to the BET Awards, Lil Nas X had attracted controversy around his use of Satanic imagery. That included giving the devil a lapdance in the video for ‘Montero’, and partnering with art collective MSCHF to release modified Nike “Satan shoes” that contained drops of human blood – a lawsuit with Nike was settled later that year.
An anonymous member of the rapper’s team has now alleged that BET expressed hesitancy about Lil Nas performing at the 2021 ceremony, requesting confirmation that he wasn’t a “Satanist or devil worshipper”.
“The response we got [from BET] was, ‘We need to clarify a few things,’” the source told Rolling Stone. “Is he a Satanist? Are there going to be elements of devil worship or satan in the show? I was so taken aback by it.
“When Nas created ‘Montero,’ he knew what he was doing. He wanted to create a queer-pop anthem. He wanted to make a statement based on what he’s heard from people probably his whole life as a gay man,” the team member added. “That statement was very clear to me. But they’ve all missed the message so much that all they see is the devil.”
Lil Nas X and his team also allege that following the performance – which featured the rapper kissing one of his backup dancers – left certain network producers upset. According to Lil Nas X, despite BET’s claim that “no one cheered louder” for the rapper than them, the network “was actually very upset” about the onstage kiss and “vocalized their discontent with multiple members of my team immediately following the performance”.
“It didn’t feel celebratory,” one member of Lil Nas’ team said. “The response I got back was that they felt taken advantage of.”
Another member of the rapper’s team said that a BET producer involved with the performance approached him after Lil Nas’ performance. “Before I could even open my mouth, he looked at me and said, ‘That was really f-cked up.’”
In a statement to Rolling Stone, a BET spokesperson denied Lil Nas and his team’s allegations, saying their “summation of events around [the BET performance] is simply untrue”.
“Since last year’s performance, we have been in touch to work on other projects,” the representative for BET continued. “We are still excited about his previous performances and continue to wish him well. But today, we are focused on culture’s biggest night and delivering history-making moments for fans worldwide.”
“They’ve missed the message so much that all they see is the devil” really says it all. It was always obvious that Lil Nas X was not an actual devil-worshipper, but simply a young artist being provocative and using controversy to his advantage. But it’s like they let their subconscious/unsaid beliefs about being gay to lead to the conclusion that he was actually a Satanist. The fact that he had to give multiple assurances, including that the performance would be “appropriate for the audience” was insane. Such coded language. And the reaction after the performance was very telling. What was messed up about it besides the fact that he kissed a male backup dancer? I half believe BET’s statement that they’ve been in touch to work on other projects — they probably do want to capitalize on his fame and talent for viewers but will continue to nominate mediocrity like Panderman Harlow, whose only work I can name is his unnecessary feature on a Lil Nas X song. Lil Nas X deserves so much better than this treatment. Incidentally, Jackman “made a statement” by wearing a Lil Nas X shirt on the BET red carpet. A hollow gesture for sure, but I guess at least he’s acknowledging the situation is messed up. Anyway, watch the video for Lil Nas X’s new single!
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Photos credit Instar and via Instagram
He’s right it’s all homophobic bs. He’s right to call them out. The treatment of LGBT community is not good in general but in black and brown communities it is appalling. There is just as much prejudice and hatred as in the white community. Radical christofacism reigns.
Wow, imagine being so conservative you think gay people are going to hell, yet not smart enough to grasp when an artist uses that imagery in his gay anthem so somehow ending up believing they’re a satanist. It would almost be comical if it wasn’t so blatantly homophobic.
Right? LOL. Agree with the sentiments here- you should not, and do not have to choose between being a provocative young (or old) artist using controversy to your advantage and being a person speaking up about homophobia or other bigotry you’ve experienced/ witnessed. You can do both. In some ways, those things are often two sides of the same coin. The path he’s chosen doesn’t make him to blame for homophobia directed at him or others in the gay community because everyone is responsible for how they choose to treat people. He’s right to call them out.
Perfect example of why I haven’t watched BET since Donnie Simpson left 😒
100% agree. Donnie Simpson and Sherry Carter.
Omg yes I member in the 90’s staying up late without my mom knowing watching Donnie Simpson in Video Soul.
I’m glad he called BET out on their homophobia. I didn’t know I could like him more than I already did, then he does this. Well done.
What assholes. Homophobic assholes. All the ❤️ For lil nasx.
I didn’t like Nas song and personally, I think his ego is getting out of control. What I really find disturbing is Ezra Miller behavior. I hope that a family member intervenes before someone gets seriously hurt.
Is he holding people hostage that I haven’t heard about? I’m barely hearing about this Ezra Miller guy too.
@Moon, he has a guns in his Vermont home with a young mother and her children. The youngest of her three children put a bullet in her mouth. The child’s father is trying to get his 3 children removed. Ezra has been served with a restraining order from the 12 year old girl he reportedly inappropriately touched. He is also accused of grooming an 18 year old. I will not post the things Ezra has said concerning these incidents. If you read what he has said online, you will understand that he needs help and the people around him need protection.
100% true about Ezra Miller. Lil Nas X doesn’t really have anything in common with him though…
Ummm… why are you thread hijacking a story about homophobia towards Lil NAS X with Ezra Miller and his issues? Literally the only thing they have in common is not being cishet men. Kinda messed up.
So, I am not alone in thinking that Lilnasx seems a little too smug lately. I also reserve the right to withhold judgement towards BET until a later time. I have painfully learned not to go charging in like the Light Brigade to defend entertainers and politicians.
I really appreciate how unapologetic Lil Nas X is at being who he is. He’s seems remarkably confident and authentic, which is lovely to see.
Also, I just love his voice. I feel like there aren’t actually that many baritones or basses in pop or hip hop music, so his stands out for me.
Lil Nas X represents so much of what is good in this country. He is a role model to my queer kids and we love his music so much. 🖤🎶🏳️🌈
How many male black gay singers/rappers can you name? Lil Nas is a pioneer in hip hop which has a long history of hemophilia. It doesn’t surprise me at all that BET snubbed him.