Lil Nas X is truly an icon. In the past year, he’s explored his sexuality and in January 2023 came out as “a little bisexual.” He was also briefly the President of Riot Games to promote his track “Star Walkin’”, which was written for the League of Legends World Championships. Oh and he also threw a house party that led to a $1 million lawsuit from his landlord.
Lil Nas X doesn’t have much of a dating history, not when compared to a number of people we typically cover here at HotNewHipHop. However, rumors have recently circulated about a romantic connection between him and fellow musician Pinkpantheress. Pinkpantheress recently bagged her first major chart appearance featuring on Ice Spice’s “Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2”. This largely stems from a picture of the pair of them kissing. However, you can always count on Lil Nas X to a top-tier response to such an image.
The picture, posted by multiple accounts on Friday night, shows Pinkpantheress and Lil Nas X sharing a quick kiss. Users also posted other pictures from the night. This of course led to wild speculation across social media and gossip outlets. In fairness, it is very good evidence to link the two of them. They have been seen linking up a few times during 2023 already, going back as far as February. Nas posted a picture of the pair of them on February 28 to Instagram. However, the pair are yet to link up musically.
However, Lil Nas X had the full story, which he explained via his Twitter account. “she had food on her lip ! I was getting it off !” The response has been like 45,000 times since he posted it on Saturday morning. The comments are, of course, a mess. There’s memes, jokes, support, and just a fun little splash of outright homophobia. Neither Lil Nas nor Pinkpantheress has outright confirmed that the pair are dating and Lil Nas’ explanation is pretty convincing. Do you think they make a good couple? If they do confirm their relationship, be sure to check back at HotNewHipHop for all the details.
I think it’s safe to say Jack Harlow is having a great week. The new trailer for White Men Can’t Jump, in which he stars, looks great, and he’s more than a comedic match in the teaser for Dave that came out yesterday. So, even having Beavis & Butt-Head, those icons of the ’90s counter-culture hating on probably can’t bring him down.
In the recently rebooted show, which is now streaming on Paramount +, the two foul-mouthed slackers bestow Harlow with their trademark snark as they watch the video for Lil Nas X’s “Industry Baby.” “This video’s, like, really groundbreaking because Jack Harlow’s not in it,” Butt-Head intones, just before Harlow hits the screen for his oft-remarked-upon guest verse. “Euuugh, nevermind.”
In another episode, the duo also regards Audrey Nuna‘s “Comic Sans” video, which Harlow also guests in. “If Jack Harlow was tattooing me,” Butt-Head jokes, “I’d have him tattoo ‘Jack Harlow sucks.’” Well, you know what they say: All publicity is good publicity.
Despite B&B‘s harsh judgment, it looks very much like the world’s going to be getting all the Jack Harlow it can handle. In addition to working on his third album, Jack’s also landed his next movie role alongside Matt Damon and continues to see his music reach new milestones. I wrote this earlier today, but it’s a bad week for Harlow haters.
Watch the first episode of Beavis & Butt-Head above. The show will stream weekly on Paramount +.
Lil Nas X celebrated his 24th birthday last Sunday, April 9, by posting a Playboy-inspired photo featuring him as “Batty Boy,” a Jamaican Patois slur weaponized against gay men. Even someone as confident and empowered as Lil Nas X has to repeatedly defend his sexuality against homophobic trolls. He’s keenly aware of the uphill battle his community faces.
It’s unsurprising, then, that he took a tweet about “Sun Goes Down” hitting No. 1 on the iTunes chart in Saudi Arabia as an opportunity to tweet a supportive message to his LGBTQ+ fans in the country, where queer people are criminalized (as summarized by Human Dignity Trust).
“to my gays [sic] fans from saudi arabia reading this, i hope this song is getting you through whatever you’re going through and i hope someday soon the laws against us change and you can be free in your own home,” Lil Nas X wrote.
to my gays fans from saudi arabia reading this, i hope this song is getting you through whatever you’re going through and i hope someday soon the laws against us change and you can be free in your own home. https://t.co/Cn7j2FMdM3
A song about repressing you’re sexuality out of fears of being attacked and ridiculed for it goes #1 in a country where it’s illegal to be gay…what a world we live inhttps://t.co/dP3gBJ7cWo
— Really Fxcking Tired Viking (@HeathenVikingr) April 12, 2023
“Sun Goes Down” is housed on Montero, Lil Nas X’s debut studio album from September 2021. The track chronicles suicidal ideation (“I don’t want a life / Send me a gun, and I’ll see the sun”) and a struggle to accept himself (“These gay thoughts would always haunt me / I prayed God would take it from me”). The first verse ends with Lil Nas X appreciative of the self-love he has now and recognizing that not everybody gets there: “I’m happy that it all worked out for me / I’ma make my fans so proud of me.”
The “Sun Goes Down” video from May 2021 encouraged viewers to donate to the non-profit What’s In The Mirror and promised Gilead COMPASS Initiative would match donations up to $25,000.
Woah Vicky’s gone through a whole transformation since she initially emerged but she’s still annoying as ever. The viral star catapulted into the limelight through her odd antics, which eventually captured the attention of the hip-hop community. It didn’t take long for her to fade away. However, she appears to be back in the headlines, specifically due to her take on artists like Lil Nas X and Lil Uzi vert, who she believes need Jesus now more than ever.
Vicky recently appeared on the We In Miami podcast when the host brought up the two artists. The viral star claimed both artists “need Jesus” while alleging that they both “sold their souls.” However, she later dived into a supposed anecdote about Lil Nas X that proves he’s pushing an agenda. “I got a few friends that went to school with him and they said he was never gay,” she claimed. “So I know for a fact that what he’s doing, it’s ‘cause like they told him, ‘Like, you gotta do this now.’” When the host asked her if she thinks Lil Nas X lied about his sexuality, she agreed. “Ain’t nobody really gay, in Jesus name, Amen,” Vicky said.
Woah Vicky continued to claim that Lil Nas X lied to propel his rap career. She explained that he successfully pushed an agenda that would take him to the top of the charts. However, she also said that the rest of the music industry is “demonic.” Ultimately, Lil Nas X chimed in on the matter with a nod to Dave Chappelle. “Who gives af what Ja Rule thinks at a time like this,” he wrote. So far, Vicky hasn’t responded back to him.
Both Lil Uzi Vert and Lil Nas X have used Satanic imagery in the past. Lil Nas X performed a lap dance on the Devil at the BET Awards during a show-stopping rendition of “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” Most recently, Lil Uzi Vert found himself in hot water when he said he rapped, “I make a City Girl believe in Satan” at Rolling Loud. Uzi later explained that he wasn’t actually being serious when he mentioned the devil but rather, intended to convey the message that his girlfriend would do whatever he asks her to do.
Okay, folks, this is not a drill. The Muppets Mayhem series is finally coming to Disney+, and when I say “everybody is in it,” I really mean EVERYBODY IS IN IT.
Muppets media is well-known for its hilarious cameos — who doesn’t love the Muppets? — but this musical film, which follows the house/jam band Dr. Teeth And The Electric Mayhem as they try to record their first album after 40 years, has all the justification it needs to pack in the guest stars like fans at a Phish concert.
You want musicians? Series stars Lilly Singh and Tahj Mowry (as a pair of record execs) pair up the band with EDM stars DeadMau5 and Zedd, while an in-film documentary clip features Chris Stapleton, Lil Nas X, and Tommy Lee paying homage to the fictional band and even crediting them with their influence.
Weird Al makes an appearance in the clip above, as do Cheech and Chong. Kesha shows up. Not only does Morgan Freeman show up, but he also does so rocking a bright blue wig and matching fedora! There’s even a Grease/Anchorman-style Stan gang war after Dr. Teeth accidentally upsets the Beyhive AND the Swifties at the same time (have mercy on his soul, Jesus)!
You can check out the trailer above and catch all episodes of the series on Disney+ beginning May 10.
In a new video, Lil Uzi Vert recently displayed a new tattoo of an inverted crucifix on his tongue. Fans believe the inverted cross is satanic or demonic, however, the upside-down cross has a different historical origin. Philadelphia rapper Lil Uzi Vert has gotten a new tattoo of a black inverted crucifix on his tongue […]
Lil Nas X turned 24 over the weekend (on Sunday, April 9), and to celebrate, he set up a racy, Playboy-inspired photoshoot that saw him embracing his inner femme and reproducing the magazine’s January 1986 Cover Girls cover. The rest of the photos Nas posted to Instagram see him perusing the pages of his custom issue with a mischievous grin.
Nas, decked out in bunny ears — which served a double purpose, considering Sunday was also Easter — stockings, and heels, lounges on a silk sheet surrounded by old Playboy magazines. A header reads Batty Boy, which is a pejorative term for gay men in Jamaican Patois; leave it to Nas to reclaim a slur in a way guaranteed to set off those most likely to use it.
The “Industry Baby” rapper has been having a lot off fun challenging critics of his queer identity lately. In March, he clapped back at a troll who accused him of only pretending to be gay for engagement, while earlier this month, he joked that he would indeed be reverting to heterosexuality after finding out Saweetie called him her celebrity crush.
Still, it’s clear from his birthday photos he isn’t really switching up for anyone and remains committed to living out loud, regardless of what the haters have to say.
Trap music’s evolution started as a classification of hip-hop music. The subgenre’s inception begins in the early 2000s. Over the years, trap music has constantly evolved. It is quickly becoming one of the most popular genres in the world. Incidentally, artists like T.I., Gucci Mane, and Lil Wayne are paving the way for the next generation of trap artists.
Altogether, the evolution of trap is a fascinating journey. Without a doubt, each artist adds their own unique spin to the genre. From T.I.’s early hits like “Rubber Band Man” to Lil Nas X’s groundbreaking fusion of country and rap on “Old Town Road,” the genre continues to push boundaries and challenge traditional notions of what hip-hop can be.
Defining Trap Music
Trap music began in the South, specifically in Atlanta, Georgia, in the late 1990s. However, the sound branched out all across the US. This subgenre has a unique sound known for its heavy use of 808 drum machines. Trap also includes synthesizers and dark, fierce lyrics. The music often represents the harsh realities of inner-city life. The term “trap” refers to the places where drugs are sold and consumed, and the songs often reflect the violence and desperation that comes with that lifestyle.
Early Creators of Trap Music
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 23: Recording artists Young Jeezy (L) and T.I. attend T.I.’s Birthday Celebration at the Hiro Ballroom on September 23, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)
The early creators of trap music include artists like T.I., Jeezy, and Gucci Mane. T.I.’s 2003 album Trap Muzik features heavy use of the 808 drum machine and dark, aggressive lyrics about the drug trade and the struggles of life. Jeezy’s 2005 album Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 is another early instance of trap music, featuring hard-hitting beats and lyrics about the drug game and the hustle.
Gucci Mane also plays a role in the evolution of trap music. His 2005 mixtape Trap Houseis impactful in popularizing the genre. The mixtape mirrors other trap records of the time sonically with its styling and darker production choices. Most importantly, Gucci’s influence on the genre can still be felt today, with many modern trap artists citing him as an inspiration. The early pioneers of trap music helped define the genre and establish its signature sound. They paved the way for future generations of trap artists, who would go on to take the genre in new and exciting directions.
The Influence Of Future
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – MARCH 17: Rapper Future performs during “On Big Party Tour” at FLA Live Arena on March 17, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Undeniably, Future took trap music to new heights in the 2010s. The rapper’s unique use of autotune and melodic hooks is distinguishable from other trap artists. Future’s 2015 album DS2 is widely regarded as a classic in the genre and features some of his popular songs, including “Where Ya At” and “Jumpman” featuring Drake. He continues to dominate in the space, making him a leader in the evolving culture that has introduced a new generation of trap artists.
The Crossover Successes Of Post Malone & Lil Nas X
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: Lil Nas X, winner of Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Old Town Road (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus)” and Album of the Year for his EP, 7 poses in the press room during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
Post Malone and Lil Nas X are two artists who achieve crossover success with their trap-influenced music. Malone’s distinctive blend of hip-hop, rock, and pop has made him one of the most famous artists in the world. All you need to hear is the opening beats of “Rockstar” and “Congratulations” to recognize the singer’s hits. Lil Nas X’s viral sensation “Old Town Road” also helped him achieve mainstream success and become one of the most talked-about artists. Both have helped sonically shift trap music to new audiences and solidify its place in pop culture.
Impact & Legacy of Trap Music
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 29: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Lil Baby and Young Thug perform onstage during Lil Baby & Friends concert to promote the new release of Lil Baby’s new album “Street Gossip” at Coca-Cola Roxy on November 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Since it solidified its foundation in the early 2000s, trap music has become a staple in the mainstream. The genre’s influence is seen in popular music and culture, from fashion to dance. In recent years, trap music has become increasingly popular in Latin America, with artists like Bad Bunny and J Balvin incorporating trap elements. Additionally, artists like Young Thug, Travis Scott, Gunna, Lil Baby, Migos, Playboi Carti, 2 Chainz, 21 Savage, Migos, and far more are thriving in the trap scene, marking themselves as icons.
Despite its widespread popularity, trap has faced criticism, much like drill has. Some argue that the genre’s lyrics promote violence, drug use, and misogyny. Others have accused trap artists of perpetuating negative stereotypes about Black culture. However, defenders of the genre argue that trap music provides a voice for marginalized communities and reflects the realities of life in metropolitan areas. They also note that trap is evolving, with newer artists incorporating more positive messages into their pieces.
The final episode of James Corden’s late-night show is quickly approaching, which unfortunately means no more of our favourite segment – Carpool Karaoke. Earlier this month we saw the English entertainer and Bad Bunny travel around Los Angeles, and we know that Kim Kardashian is due to appear on an upcoming show. Between those two, though, it was Lil Nas X who took his turn adventuring, chatting, and singing with the jolly host.
Aside from singing along to some of his favourite songs, the Atlanta native also got candid about his love life with Corden. “I used to use Raya,” Lil Nas confirmed, referencing the popular celebrity dating app. “I think I stopped using Raya… It just like, fell off for me and I just started to meet people in person. And Raya is just very famous, everyone’s famous on there. I’ve met quite a few famous guys. I think I’ve come to know that I don’t like dating famous people,” he later added.
Lil Nas X Sings His Heart Out on Carpool Karaoke
When the host pressed the singer for juicy details, asking if any of his prior dates have been on Carpool Karaoke, the “Old Town Road” hitmaker confirmed, “For sure.” To this, Corden quipped, “Is it Michael Bublé?” causing Lil Nas to respond, “I’m not going to tell you… Michael Bublé?! … Yeah, yeah. You caught me. Could you imagine? Michael Bublé is gay?” Of course, the Canadian icon is straight (and married with three children), but as the foreigner pointed out, “He’s hot and he’s got a hell of a voice.”
As Complex notes, the MONTERO artist has mostly kept his love life away from the spotlight, aside from his romance with Yai Ariza. The performer previously starred in Lil Nas X’s “That’s What I Want” music video, which caused a major stir online at the time. Elsewhere in the news, the 23-year-old jokingly dissed 50 Cent on Twitter over the weekend, earning him plenty of laughs from followers on social media. Read what he had to say to trolls comparing him to the G-Unit artist here, and check back later for more pop culture news updates.
(@HeathenVikingr) 
