The 20-year-old rapper Lil’ Nas X ended Pride month on a bang by seemingly coming out in a few tweets.
In his initial tweet (below), he wrote “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.”
You’ll notice that the tweet ended with a rainbow emoji.
A majority of his fans supported his coming out while a handful said they didn’t care and even fewer expressed disapproval (not that they matter).
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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. ??? pic.twitter.com/O9krBLllqQ
— nope (@LilNasX) June 30, 2019
The lyrics of the song, which appeared on his latest album 7 (released June 21, 2019), go:
True say
I want and I need
To let go
Use my time to be free
It’s like it’s always what you like
It’s always what you like
Why it’s always what you like?
It’s always what you like, huhAin’t no more actin’, man that forecast say I should just let me grow
No more red light for me, baby, only green, I gotta go
Pack my past up in the back, oh, let my future take a hold
This is what I gotta do, can’t be regretting when I’m oldBrand new places I’ll choose and I’ll go, I knowEmbracing this news I behold unfoldingI know, I know, I know it don’t feel like it’s time
But I look back at this moment, I’ll see that I’m fine
I know, I know, I know it don’t feel like it’s time
I set boundaries for myself, it’s time to cross the line
But for those who didn’t decode his first tweet, Lil’ Nas X released a second tweet which detailed a piece of the album’s cover art, showing a rainbow colored skyscraper in the city skyline.
deadass thought i made it obvious pic.twitter.com/HFCbVqBkLM
— nope (@LilNasX) June 30, 2019
Lil’ Nas X made waves earlier this summer by releasing his “Old Town Road” song collaboration with country singer Billy Ray Cyrus and also appearing in a Wrangler’s jeans ad, upsetting some racially biased fans of the Western country clothing brand.
In short, he’s blazing new trails in hip-hop and country and we’re here for it, no matter how he identifies. Welcome to the ranch, pardner!
Cam
The article said…
“also appearing in a Wrangler’s jeans ad, upsetting some racially biased fans of the Western country clothing brand.”
—
Really? “Racially Biased”? How ridiculous has it gotten that media is too terrified to use the word racist when it is appropriate. Wrangler was attacked for having a black guy in the ad. Guess what, that is racist.
Black Pegasus
In other words, he just effectively retired from Rap Music.
Or at the very least his star has diminished somewhat. Ask Frank Ocean, Michael Sam and a host of other Black gay men who decided to come out before their careers had really found a solid ground. I applaud this young man for stepping out of that dark closet, but I hope he’s ready for the subtle and not so subtle change in the fans’ attitudes towards him as a person.
I wish him well.
Chrisk
He’s young. Seems a lack of historical knowledge. Rap is still VERY homophobic and misogynistic.
Donston
Don’t be so cynical. Ocean was never going to be a huge artist based on the type of music he makes. Though yes, being an out man (particularly a black out man) will limit you in some ways. The thing is there’s a decent chance this guy was always going to be a one-hit wonder based off the novelty of his hit song. I actually think coming out may extend his career. Yes, he’ll lose some fans and some will now become indifferent. But it could sustain the media’s interests. At the very least it is somewhat groundbreaking. Though a lot of people already suspected, for a black male hip-hop who is just getting commercial success to be out in any shape or form is a big deal.
Chrisk
Donston
Not sure what your point is since will never really see them as they could’ve been. The fact is that the world is still very homophobic and the Rap world is homophobia on steroids. He just shot himself in the foot.
Gay Veteran
@Black Pegasus Retired? Star diminished? WTF are you talking about? This man has had the #1 song on Billboard Top 100 for the past 12 weeks. You should stop being cynical and takes this as a win for the LGBT community.
Gay Veteran
@Chrisk @Donston The ignorance is just radiating off the both of you. Making it out like the rap community is more homophobic than the rest of the music industry. I bet you believe the black community is more homophobic too. The world is homophobic. There’s homophobia in every genre of music. The good thing is Lil Nas X has already kicked down that door by having the most successful song of the year.
Donston
Um, I actually said that I think he still has a shot of a passable career and that coming out at this moment might have been best for his career. Also, I am black.
Gay Veteran
*Make that the #1 song for 13 weeks. 2 more weeks and he’ll surpass Elton John’s 14 weeks, making his song the longest #1 by a gay artist.
Donston
I mean, let’s congratulate him. And he is a likable guy. But let’s not pretend the dude is particularly talented.
Gay Veteran
Agree to disagree. He’s talented and breaking records.
Brian
That’s never going to change unless more and more people in the genre come out. Very few rap artists have much career longevity anyway, so I don’t think the long term damage will be much different than what would have happened anyway.
This guy came out with something unique and groundbreaking, and it looks like he plans on continuing to play by his own rules. I think it’s fascinating. Maybe he’s the pioneer of what could turn out to be a whole new movement in the industry.
Kangol2
First, congrats and welcome to the out LGBTQIA family, Lil Nas X! Second, how he pulled this off was brilliant. He creates a song that has now dominated the charts for much of the spring and summer, in part by working with a popular veteran musician, Billy Ray Cyrus. Then, for Pride Month, he releases his EP, with numerous clues about who he is in it, but most people miss what’s right in front of them, and then, on the final day of Pride Month, he makes it clear and official: he’s fam. Love it! I wish him the best with whatever he does and wherever his music and interests take him.
boymikefl
He and Billy Ray performed on the BET awards and had the place going mad. We’ll take him. Nice (I’m sure) AND cute. I fancied him, yet didn’t know. YEE HAW! It’s kind of a country/soft rap song. YouTube BET Awards.
boymikefl
Homophobes are a dying breed as are racists. The fights are paying off. Trump’s goons will have to crawl back into their hole located in the rear of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
enlightenone
Lil Nas X, congrats and a thank you for your success and the positive message for gay youth and a positive reflection of us!
jasentylar
He never really said anything conclusive. On the fence about this one. Furthermore, Frank Ocean is wildly successful. Artists love collaborating with him. He has a huge fan base.
Kangol2
I guess some people won’t be happy until he says, “I’m gay. G-A-Y/queer/bi,” etc. His repeated statements and posts about it are pretty clear and conclusive. He hasn’t challenged any of the articles about him coming out as some people who flirt with doing so have. But maybe he’ll take out a billboard for those who still aren’t sure.
Frank Ocean is really talented and a great musician. If I were a musician I’d want to work with him in a heartbeat.