This profile is number seven in Queerty’s Out For Good series, recognizing those who came out to make a difference this year. The series runs through National Coming Out Day October 11.
Name: Lil Nas X, 20
Bio: Lil Nas X–birthname Montero Lamar Hill–grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. The son of a gospel singer, music played an important role in his young life. He played trumpet in grade school before finding his true love: rap. Then he began producing short comedy videos via Twitter and Instagram before releasing his first song: the country-rap ballad “Old Town Road.”
The song became a viral sensation in mid-2019 and led to the release of Lil Nas X’s first album 7. By August 2019, he’d become one of the most successful hip-hop artists, having scored eight MTV VMA nominations and taking home Song Of the Year. “Old Town Road” spent 19 weeks on the Billboard Hip-Hop Chart.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Related: From Lil’ Nas X to Lena Waithe, Black gays are having a moment of pure joy. And it’s about time.
Coming Out: Nas also made history in June 2019 by coming out in Pride Tweets. He’d already come out to family earlier that month.
“some of y’all already know, some of y’all don’t care, some of y’all not gone fwm no more. but before this month ends i want y’all to listen closely to c7osure,” Nas said in the tweet, referring to a song on his album about accepting oneself. To make himself absolutely clear, Nas then discussed his sexuality in a BBC interview as well as the homophobic backlash he received from some fans.
Making a Difference: That X came out at all is a milestone in and of itself: He’s become the only recording star in history to come out while having a number one record on the charts. He dealt with a good deal of homophobic backlash. Yet he says he has no regrets because he came out in part to highlight homophobia within the country music and hip-hop communities.
“I was like, I don’t want to just live my entire life, especially how I got to where I’m at, just not doing what I want to do,” he said of coming out. “I feel like opening the doors for more people. It’s not really accepted in either [the country music or the rap community].”
Nas added: “I’m not angry or anything…I understand how they want that reaction but I’m just going to joke back with them.”
Discover more
Those who came out to make a difference
Bob LaBlah
Nas, this is just a little advice from an old queen. Once upon a time there was a very popular group called The Temptations. In the 1960’s they had hit after hit after hit and PACKED houses around the world. In 1970 they had a hit called Ball of Confusion. It had a nice beat and had a social message in it regarding the times of that era. Unfortunately for them after that song nearly every song they made has a social message in it. Their popularity and sales began to decline and within two years so did their audience. The places they sang were no where near as large as they were nor were the crowds that came to see them. People loved their old hits but tired of being preached to. Coming out was a courageous thing to do after your hit with Billy Ray Cyrus and its acceptance from both sides of the aisle but be mindful of your audiences and their tolerance for being preached to. Don’t find out the hard way that in many cases neither side of that aisle differ from the other regarding social messages. I sometimes wonder if Colin Kapernick wishes he had rethought his actions now that the phone is no longer ringing and he has to rely on his savings to pay for that mansion, its upkeep and first class tickets and hotels. Love you and keep those hits a’comin.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
I love this guy!!
It comes out at the top of his game when his star is rising as opposed to most of the celebrities who come out after that star has crashed and burned he’s an amazing role model. Especially for Black Gay kids who see rampant homophobia in rap and hip Hop culture
1 hour ago Reply
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
HEY QUEERTY, HOWS ABOUT YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE BOTS THAT INFECT EVERY THREAD AND FIX YOUR FCUKING MODERATION SYSTEM THAT CONSTANTLY FLAGS REGULAR REAL LIVE POSTERS???
1 hour ago Reply
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Rex Huskey
shut up idiot. you are such a disgrace to anyone who calls himself a co*cksuc*ker!
Curtispsf
@ Rex Huskey And you are JUST an ordinary disgrace, dog-boy.