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Rapper and practical joker Lil Nas X celebrated the release of his new album Montero this week with the release of a new video and a series of billboards offering financial compensation to gay people.
Really.
The ad campaign, posted at various spots around Los Angeles, depicts Lil Nas X as a personal injury lawyer, advertising his services and firm.
“Are you single, lonely and miserable?” one billboard reads. “You may be entitled to financial compensation!” Lil Nas X stands alongside the caption in an elaborate wig and Little Richard-type suit, just over a web address that leads to his official album release site.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Related: Lil Nas X’s new video features locker room sex scene and Brokeback Mountain homage
“Gay?” another billboard reads. “You may be entitled to financial compensation.” A bespectacled Lil Nas X wears a suit alongside the caption, which also features the web address for his album site.
“Do you miss the real America?” a third billboard asked. “You may be entitled to financial compensation.”
Lil Nas X himself posted the billboards to his Instagram account, which attracted the praise of his fans. At the time of this writing, the post has received more than 1.5 million likes.
This is hardly the first time Lil Nas X has used humor as a means to promote his work. Earlier this month, he released several photographs depicting him as pregnant to hype his forthcoming album. In July, he also trolled followers by claiming he’d come out as straight in a video, only to cut to footage of him breaking wind at the camera. Then, of course, there are his actual videos which show him dancing naked alongside other men, or his live TV performances, where he kisses other men on stage.
What’s not to love?
Kangol2
In addition to immense talent and an original mind he has a great sense of humor and wit.
Fibre
First, don’t get me wrong I love Lil Nas X. It’s ok that he’s not scared to show his pride.
That being said,
I’ve often noticed he likes to confront and tease his haters. If he continues to push homophobes it might provoke them to strike back. In the States there’s a lot of intolerant disturbed psychos.
Robothedestroyer
Indeed. He does like to poke that bear and one day he may take to too far. I would be devastated if some red neck with a semi automatic decided to put an end to his shenanigans… for the children of course.
Chip
It could provoke them to strike back at any of us they can get to because they can’t get to him. Trolling or doing this on your own social media platforms is one thing. The homophobes and psychos have to seek it out But throwing it out on billboards is another thing where the all crazies can see it and pass it daily and have it stew until suddenly like that poor man in Jersey who was almost beaten to death by a scumbag who just thought he was gay
We shouldn’t have to hide and live in secret but as some one else said “poking the bear” could be dangerous for us all who can’t afford security detail. There are too many unstable homophobic people we, not him, have to physically interact with daily.
Seth
You either stand against the boot heel or you lie beneath it. I’m grateful for all that stand against it.
Gnarfield
Oh come on. You can’t live your life in fear. I applaud Lil’ Nas X for standing up to his haters and not giving a f*ck what his critics say. He is the queer icon we need! Innovative, fearless and unapologetic. I am proud to have him on our team. And he can poke my bare any day.
Vince
The effed up closet cases are the one’s you have to fear the most and this isn’t what’s driving them over the edge.
not_you
Did you see the one that said, “Are you a concern troll? You may be entitled to compensation.”
All of the criticisms you make of Lil Nas X, the scenarios you imagine, are things he’s well aware of. Why do you think he speaks up so loudly in so many ways? Because art is powerful, a powerful way to respond to bullies.
We have Pride Parades, that Ru Paul guy has about 10000 spinoffs, and probably more drag queens than people enlisted in the National Guard. I don’t think the time to be shrinking violets is now, now is the time to shout louder, and for the people who are comfortable with subdued and quiet queerness, who would prefer not to be noticed… to be noticed.
My life is hypervisibility, every time I leave the house… I cannot tone it down and be who I am. Are we really supposed to assimilate into heteronormative society? Or can we live and represent, show people that our lives range from flamboyant sociopolitical artist-activist to subdued math professors who just wants to get home to their partner’s mostaccioli after grading mid-terms.People are taught to hate and all the reasons underpinning that haterd are pretty nonsensical. Not hiding who we are, what gives us life is incredibly dangerous. But silence is something that kills, quickly or slowly.
whateverokok
Your life is hypervisibility all the time? Vein much? Did you know that your personality and who are comes through in the little small things without you having to hide? And without you having to SASHAY down the street like it’s a drag queen runway? Our true selves are not measured by how we present ourselves to the world. And our true selves are not measured by the one person we love for ever and ever. or by how much c—k we can take in a day.
For we love more than one person and more than one of the TWO genders. Love comes in so many forms that to define it by one and saying this is who I AM, Love it or leave, not only hinders ourselves from experiencing life as it should be but also hinders those around us from seeing who we really are. So, here’s a thought. How about putting away that megaphone and letting your personality do the talking. Not your sexuality.
missvamp
agree with robothedestroyer. if some nutbag decided to lynch him- that would be horrific. i hope he has a good security team.
Mack
And you know they would try the “gay defense”. But unfortunately you can’t fix stupid and there are a lot of stupid backward people out there.
Joshua333
This is purely amazing. I adore him and his work.
Openminded
Heck, forget his great gay promotion. I love that he is also pointing out how ridiculous it is these days that there are lawyers claiming they can get you compensation (translation:$$$$) for just about anything you want. No wonder all our insurance rates are so ridiculously high.
I don’t really care for Lil, but on this, he’s great.
BluePlatinumRose
LNX is hysterically FUNNY ! A true business man who knows marketing and advertising — Kudos. He is an updated version of Little Richard from the previous century. Looking at the whole big picture, it is very clear what he is doing. He is building an acting reel for Hollywood. Perfect for comedic big movie roles like Chris Tucker or a sitcom like Will Smith. LNX always makes me laugh; and this world at this time needs more laughter.
whateverokok
he has as much business sense as a drunken clam digger. The dude will be gone in 5 years and in 10 we’ll all be going Lil’ who? He’s the next Flo Rida. Give me a break. He ain’t even selling his album. So, how’s he gonna make money if he doesn’t sell records? Idiot. A fool and his money are soon parted. Except he has none. Don’t quit your day job slinging fries.