Lil Nas X has found himself in hot water. Although the rapper has practically made a career off of sparking controversy online (just look at the backlash he received from his Satan shoes and the devil imagery in his music video for single “Montero“), this time, he’s causing harm to the queer community, to which he himself belongs.
Yesterday (March 14), the rapper uploaded a picture of what appeared to be a Black woman to his Twitter page with the caption, “the surgery was a success,” joking that he had undergone gendering affirming surgery. It is unclear if the image posted was of an AI-generated image of himself as a woman or if it was of an actual random woman on the internet who looks like him; either way, fans did not find any humor in the joke calling him out for being insensitive.
Lil Nas X apologizes to the trans community after being accused of mocking transitioning in a now-deleted post. pic.twitter.com/f8mdWEQ4kA
Users weren’t afraid to call him out for it, given that several pieces of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation across the country have been introduced and, in many cases, passed to criminalize gender-affirming medical care for trans people.
Initially feeling wrongfully attacked by users, Lil Nas X brushed their comments off. But now, the musician has taken back to Twitter to apologize.
He wrote, “Apologies to the trans community. I def handled that situation with anger instead of considering why it was not cool. Much love to you guys. Sorry.”
apologies to the trans community i def handled that situation with anger instead of considering why it was not cool. much love to you guys. sorry
As an entertainer that has been constantly attacked and made the butt of several jokes due to his sexual orientation, trans fans are extremely disappointed in Lil Nas X’s behavior.
Lil Nas X is no stranger to controversy. The musician has recently come under fire for a selfie he posted on Twitter. However, the post is now deleted, due to its controversial caption. In the post, Lil Nas X wears a wig along with a form-fitting dress. The artist dons makeup and bears a very feminine style. For the brief period, it was up, people were praising him for his looks. However, his caption led to outrage as it stated: “The surgery was a success.” Heart emojis follow the caption. Many people within the LGBTQIA community are taking offense to Lil Nas’ recent post, as they believe he is mocking the seriousness of gender-reassignment surgery.
Almost immediately after the backlash, Lil Nas X deleted the post and issued an apology. In his apology, he acknowledges that the way he handled the initial backlash was in anger. He states that his anger is not cool and that he has a lot of love for the communities he unwittingly offended. Still, fans are not entirely happy with his apology either. Many people are taking to his social media to talk about how inauthentic his apology seems. And in true Lil Nas X form, he is clapping back at those attacking his sincerity.
Lil Nas X Explains His Handling Of The Situation
apologies to the trans community i def handled that situation with anger instead of considering why it was not cool. much love to you guys. sorry
After Lil Nas X tweeted his apology, a fan spoke up about how they felt about his apology. In response to the fan, Nas simply states: “Girl eat my a**.” His response is also getting him into hot water, as the musician seemingly has a hidden talent: putting his foot in his mouth. Regardless of the outrage, many fans are taking his side. Many believe that the outrage is simply part of the ongoing trend of canceling celebrities. Even members of the LGBT community are chiming in to say that they did not feel offended by the artist’s post.
This is not the first time Lil Nas has stirred the pot by posting pictures of himself, either. Back in 2021, he got a lot of media attention by posting a picture where he was seemingly pregnant. The post was intended as a joke. However, many people felt like he was making light of the seriousness of pregnancy. While it seems like he should have learned his lesson, it appears he can’t help himself from goofing around. Stay tuned to see if he will choose to apologize for his response toward critics.
American rapper, singer, and songwriter Lil Nas X (Montero Lamar Hill) has solidified himself as one of the biggest artists in the world over the past three years. Before his sudden rise to fame, he had dropped out of college to pursue a career in music. At 19 years old, he was working at Six Flags and Zaxby’s, spending all of his spare time curating beats and verses in his room. The Georgia-born icon first blew up off of country rap banger “Old Town Road” in 2019. He would follow-up the hit single with the “7 EP,” before eventually releasing his debut full-length record, ‘Montero,’ in 2021.
Whether it be his fashion or his stage presence, Lil Nas has since proved that he can be alluring as a personality rather than solely for his music. One of the most in-demand touring artists out, his stage presence is up there with the likes of Tyler, the Creator or J Cole. His music videos have stirred up a fair bit of controversy, which usually means you’re doing something right. “Montero (Call Me By Your Name. Growing up on the Internet, the marketing genius has a knack for creating hits. In his short career, he already has over three tracks that have surpassed 1 billion streams.
Approaching 2 years since ‘Montero,’ the flamboyant MC hasn’t teased much about his new project. However, he’s confirmed that it will be releasing in 2023. Responding to fans on Twitter, he said that his new album will “most likely” be out this summer.
Today, we’re diving into the star-powered MC’s most streamed tracks.
Old Town Road- Lil Nas X (Ft. Billy Ray Cyrus)
A unique blend of country and trap, we may never hear as controversial and iconic as chart-topping song as “Old Town Road” ever again. The track lived at the mountain-top of the Billboard charts for a record-breaking 19 weeks, before Billie Eilish would finally dethrone him. Shockingly, “Old Town Road” was the first full song that Lil Nas ever put out. Overplayed throughout 2019 and 2020, the track sounds downright silly today. However, it’s a genuinely fantastic mix of acoustic strings and base-filled 808s.
When you blend the original and remix version, this song alone has amassed over 2 billion streams on Spotify. In fact, Lil Nas created the song with the vision of it being a hit. Purposely architecting the track amongst catchy lyrics, he wanted the track to be inherently ear-catching. Ushering in Billy Ray Cyrus for the first of many oddball remixes, the music video would amass over 1 billion views on YouTube.
Panini
Lil Nas X followed up “Old Town Road” with yet another hit single in the form of “Panini.” Similar to his debut track, it’s a 2-minute cut with a repetitive chorus that’s easy to grasp onto and yell out. Nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 2020 Grammys, the track solidified him as more than a one-hit wonder. Sampling Nirvana’s “In Bloom,” the chorus is an interpolation from the iconic Kurt Cobain.
Lil Nas would later release a remix of the track with DaBaby to capitalize on the virality of the song. “Panini” sees him branch out from his country-rap connotations, shooting for more of a traditional, trendy trap sound. There’s a definite Travis Scott or Drake influence in the production, as hi-hat whistles and a heavy 808 make their way into the mix. Far more synth-driven in comparison to “Old Town Road,” the track would keep fans guessing about what is EP would sound like.
Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
The lead single of Lil Nas X’s rollout for ‘Montero,’ the 2-minute banger features tantalizing chords and Latin undertones. Featuring Flamengo flairs and lush production, it’s a simple but effective track. Featuring sexually explicit homosexual lyrics, Lil Nas is bold about his sexuality. The song has amassed over 1.6 billion streams on Spotify. Tagged along with a boldly queer music video, the song was met with backlash from conservative detractors, who labeled the music video as harmful or immoral. However, they’re only playing into Lil Nas’s purposefully contentious narrative.
The track directly references ‘Call Me By Your Name,’ a 2007 book that was later adapted to the screen in 2017. The film takes the viewer through the complexities of a gay romance in Northern Italy, as the two struggle to open up during a time where homosexuality was largely demonized. The movie’s plot outlines the song’s lyricism, as Lil Nas states “I wanna sell what you’re buying.”
Featuring co-production chops from Kanye West, ‘Industry Baby’ is the hallmark banger off of his most recent album. An expertly crafted rap anthem, the track was nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 2021 Grammys. Sampling orchestral production, there’s a school band feel to the booming horns that kick off the track. A self-proclaimed Nicki Minaj stan, Lil Nas X was ghosted from Nicki Minaj when he reached out for a feature.
While much of the record’s subject matter sees Lil Nas discuss feelings of depression or loneliness that’s only expedited with fame, ‘Industry Baby’ is a fun exception to this. Referencing his Grammy nominations and heavy bank account, Lil Nas and Jack Harlow are flexing from start to finish. Speaking of Harlow, the Louisville-born MC delivered his best feature verse to date on the track. Two hard-working rappers who made it from nothing, the chart-topping track is a triumphant ode to their current fame.
That’s What I Want
Growing up in an era of unforgiving love-pop songs, “That’s What I Want” feels like a direct result of a kid who grew up listening to the latter era of OutKast. Featuring a more traditional pop-rock structure, it’s hard not to reminisce about songs such as “Hey Ya!” amongst romantic guitar strings and swirling synth patterns. Yet another chart-topping song for Lil Nas X, the track made him the first artist to have three tracks simultaneously in the Billboard Top-10.
The track continued to showcase him as a visual icon rather than solely a musical one. Lil Nas falls in love with a boy at a football game before later realizing that’s married. The track narratively contributes to his feelings of isolation that he associates with his homosexuality. The cowboy theme of the video is a direct reference to 2005 film ‘Brokeback Mountain.’ In the film, two gay lovers never unite due to one’s fear of being judged.
Holiday
Intended to fill the gap between his ‘7 EP’ and ‘Montero,’ “Holiday” is a Christmas-themed track that released in November of 2020. Peaking at the 25th ranked track on the Billboard Top 100, the song has since approached 500 million streams on Spotify. A celebratory track, he’s tongue and cheek with multiple hilarious bars. In addition, he continued to be creative on the visual end of things. The music video sees Lil Nas X dressed as a futuristic version of Santa Claus, existing in a cyberpunk Arctic world.
Lil Nas plays around with his songwriting on the track, stating “Hee hee! I’m bad as Michael Jackson” amongst a traditionally structured trap banger. With Tay Keith on production chops, smooth synths and direct drums populate the track. There’s a more melodic, laid-back feel to embrace the holiday aesthetic. It was a simple, but effective track that kept fans satisfied before his full-length project.
Star Walkin’
The most recent single from Lil Nas X, “Star Walkin’” is tagged to the League of Legends brand. There’s a definite overly-glossed, big budget feel to the production on the track. With hints of EDM and drill, it’s an effective banger to cater to his younger audience. The headline track for the League of Legends World Championship, the track has amassed over 250 million streams on Spotify over the past six months.
Lil Nas delivered a live performance of the track back in the November, clothed a slick white and gold outfit. Dancing from verse to chorus, it’s one of his more impressive lives performances to date. In addition, the track highlights Lil Nas’s business savvy and Internet personality. He knows how to capitalize on trends, which will solidify him as an industry-wide name for years to come.
On Monday (Feb. 20), Nas X used his favorite platform Twitter to communicate with his fans about what he’s been up to. Under a fan’s tweet mocking him for his lack of songs released lately, Nas X gave some useful information. First, referring to “Down Souf Hoes,” he said the song got leaked so it did not release. He continued, though, by saying it will likely still land on his upcoming album: “it leaked but it’s still on the album.” Speaking of the album, he also added that it will likely come out in the summer. “most likely summer,” he responded to a fan.
Furthermore, fans then asked Nas X how many song would be on the currently untitled album. To this, he replied that he is still making music so he does not know. “idk i love so many songs plus i’m still in the studio making music so it’s gone be hard to pick,” he replied. Lastly, he spoke on how he approcahes song and album releases. Evident in past singles, Nas X said he likes for each song to have its moment when it comes out. “it’s mostly planning now,” he said. “i could easily just release music but i have to build moments around this shit. i have to go bigger than before!” It appears that Lil Nas X has a clear vision about what he wants out of his next album. So, for fans, all they have to do is sit back and wait just a bit longer. Check out Nas X’s tweets about his album above.
It’s been a year and change since Lil Nas X dropped his debut album, Montero, in late 2021. As for how his sophomore effort is coming along, the rapper decided to open up about that on Twitter today (February 20), answering his followers’ questions about the upcoming project.
A fan asked when the rapper’s next album is coming and he responded, “most likely summer.” Somebody else wondered if the album has any features and Nas was more coy there, replying, “ooooooh.” Another Twitter user asked, “how many tracks confirmed,” and he responded, “idk i love so many songs plus i’m still in the studio making music so it’s gone be hard to pick.”
In response to another tweet, he explained, “it’s mostly planning now. i could easily just release music but i have to build moments around this sh*t. i have to go bigger than before!” Someone asked if he plans to drop a new single soon and he replied, “is tour soon?”
it’s mostly planning now. i could easily just release music but i have to build moments around this shit. i have to go bigger than before!
Elsewhere, when it comes to “sad songs,” Nas noted, “i didn’t make many of those i been too happy lately.” He also confirmed that his leaked song “Down Souf Hoes” is currently still set to be on the upcoming album.
i didn’t make many of those i been too happy lately
Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “Industry Baby” has proven itself quite a success. The pair’s 2021 single is now the most streamed song in the 2020s, dethroning Drake and Future’s 2020 smash hit “Life is Good.” The track, which appeared on Lil Nas’s debut album, Montero, debuted at No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 before finally reaching the top spot a few months later and earning the duo a Grammy nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
.@LilNasX and @jackharlow’s “INDUSTRY BABY” is now the #1 most on-demand streamed song released in the 2020s in the US, surpassing @1future and @Drake’s “Life Is Good,” Chart Data reported.
Don’t worry, though, Drake’s commercial success isn’t ending anytime soon. Earlier this month, the Toronto rap star surpassed 75 billion streams on Spotify— he’s the first artist in the streaming platform’s history. The “Rich Flex” rapper also won big at the 2023 Grammys despite not submitting any music, earning himself four nominations, including one for best melodic rap performance, that he won for his guest appearance on Future’s No.1 hit, “Wait for U,” which also features vocals from Nigerian singer Tems. The chart-topping single appears on Future’s album, I Never Liked You.
In 2019, Drake was named one of the most streamed artists of the decade, alongside other commercial juggernauts like Eminem and Ed Sheeran. It seems like no matter what he does, Drake can’t stop winning.
Jack Harlow is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Rule breaker Lil Nas X has been named in a hefty lawsuit over a house party he threw in Hollywood. Along with the “Old Town Road” singer is DJ Zedd, who allegedly brought his mixing skills to the party. The rager ended up hosting almost 1,000 guests despite clear lease rules against throwing big parties. Daniel Fitzgerald, the landlord who rented out the Hollywood Hills Mansion to Nas-X” class=”text-word” target=”_blank” >Lil Nas X in 2022, is now suing both the rapper and DJ over property damages.
According to KTLA, Fitzgerald claimed to have made his no-party rule clear when the rapper initially signed the lease. Breaking the rules resulted in damages worth over $25,000, not to mention an additional $40,000 in extensive repairs. Needless to say, Fitzgerald is not happy with the choices of his tenant, and now suffers from the aftermath of the rager. Meanwhile, both Lil Nas X and Zedd allegedly were paid $250,000 each for throwing the party. Fitzgerald is also after the sponsors and promoters of the party and is pursuing $1 million in total compensation.
Lil Nas X’s Wild Party Gone Wrong
Lil Nas X is currently touring across North America and Europe for his ‘Long Live Montero’ tour. The set list includes some of his biggest hits including “Panini”, “Sun Goes Down”, and of course, “Old Town Road.” He’s also performing his newest single, “‘Star Walking’ (League of Legends World Anthem),” which is inspired by his League of Legends presidency. While it may seem unlikely that both Zedd and Lil Nas X would find themselves in this predicament, the duo shares a common love for video games. Plus, they both are extraordinarily talented top-charting artists with Grammys under their accolades.
Although neither of the defendants have made any comments on the lawsuit, it’s safe to assume that they are continuing on with life unfazed. Both Lil Nas X and Zedd will be performing in top festivals this year, and the German-Russian DJ has just sold his house for over $18 million. As for Fitzgerald, it’s unclear whether he will receive the entirety of his compensation. Fitzgerald owns several other properties in the area, so let’s just hope he has better tenants next time!
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