After cryptic tweets suggesting his queer identity, 20-year-old rapper Lil Nas X was finally asked point-blank by the media whether he’s gay or what. He is gay, and he says the homophobic backlash isn’t getting to him because he used to be similarly negative online.
Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty, co-hosts of BBC’s Breakfast program, chatted with Lil Nas X this morning. In their talk, the rapper said he was gay and added “I don’t have anything to hide.”
He said:
“I kinda revealed it, y’know? That I am gay. It was just something that I was never just [revealing] ever, just like taking to the grave or something. But it was like, I don’t want to just, live my entire life, especially how I just got to where I am, not doing what I want to do. And I also, I feel like, opening doors for more people who… that they feel more comfortable pretty much. Especially within the hip-hop and country community… [homosexuality] is not really accepted in either, so…”
When asked about the homophobic backlash to his coming out, he said, “I’m already getting it. Learning the internet over the past couple of years, so it’s I used to be that person being negative. I’m not angry or anything, y’know, because I understand how they want that reaction. But I’m just going to joke back with them.”
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When Munchetty asks “how big of a deal” his coming out was, they missed a key point on why his coming out was such a big fuggin’ deal. But here it is:
His December 2018 song “Old Town Road” — which mixes rap and country music with fellow musician Billy Ray Cyrus — recently broke records as the longest running number one hip-hop song in history, dominating the charts for 13 consecutive weeks.
He’s currently the most successful hip-hop musician in the industry, and for a genre that isn’t know for its homo-friendliness, that’s a big deal.
Here’s his BBC Breakfast interview:
Rex Huskey
we’re queer, we’re here
michel_banen
Good for him ! It should be the music that counts.
Kangol2
Lil Nas X, congrats again on coming out and stick to your dreams and plans. Also, I hope he doesnt ever lose that laser-sharp wit he has, because it’s one of the best weapons against online homophobia (along with blocking idiots). Most of the people raging against him are struggling with same-sexual fears and desires themselves, so I hope he doesn’t ever forget that.
ladyboy_between_sheets
there are a few rappers on the down low..ilow.. I use to do music and was always attracting both sexes. Especially when hair down.. And there was an audition for a mtv commercial here and i created a skit as part of audition and trans woman actress. was there along with one rapper and a singer and had the trans as a stage prop and started backing it up and was dropping it like its hot and low and behold my pants fell down and i didn’t have on any underwear.. Ic(trans) said i had a nice ass.. And ended up crossing paths in bathroom.. And we kissed invited to suite later on that night.. And also called the rapper pulled up beside me and gave me his business card said he wanted to work with me to give him a call.. And i split my night at local studio but not doing any music then at sweet with ts.. And i was flying out like every other month it seemed to Atlanta.. Nyc.. Chicago everywhere.. And going to big partys.. And some reason i had this big ol crush on ru Paul and i met her. It was actually her party at somewhere downtown and a family member was there. Ru paul was serving drinks.. I was drunk and making passes and her fam like bodygaurd escorted me away.. But to later come find me to inform me i had two admirers and i could either choose the trans or straight acting masculine guy.. I like both.. But i couldn’t resist and chose trans and left with her in style i felt like i was a prize and went to private home which was rather nice and had had sex.. And twice lol…
Gay Veteran
Funny that you’d single out the rap community for it’s homophobia and not country music. The rap community has several successful gay artist like Tyler The Creator, Frank Ocean, Young M.A., Kevin Abstract, and Cupcakke… to name a few. Not to mention rappers like Lil Uzi Vert and Jaden Smith playing with gender norms.
Kangol2
And don’t forget cis-straight rappers like Young Thug, A$AP Rocky, Kid Cudi, Yung Joc, and CeeLo, all of whom have sported dresses, skirts or kilts, and/or women’s blouses, or Andre3000, who has worn women’s wigs and androgynous jumpsuits, as well as other out gay/bi/queer rappers like Le1f, who’s been featured on Queerty more than once, I think, Kaytranada, Mykki Blanco, iLoveMakonnen, and Chance the Rapper’s little brother Taylor Bennett, to name just a few more.
I’m glad that Lil Nas X made it clear that country music is no champion of out gay/bi/trans/queer people either.
poundmetoo
@ kang big eye roll here, your brain must hurt from all that virtue signaling nonsense.
Donston
Well, country music never claimed him or “Old Town Road” anyways. When country stations didn’t want to play that song and didn’t want to accept the song on the country charts it was the “black community” that stuck for him. Now, some of those people feel betrayed or bamboozled. Furthermore, none of those artists you mentioned have music that has been anywhere near as omnipresent, chart successful and a part of the zeitgeist as his hit song. Finally, being a bit “queer” is different than flat-out saying you’re “gay” or being very upfront and unabashed about having passions, affections, romantic interests/preferences towards guys. On the country side, it’s pretty hard to turn them into villains because so many country fans have already shown indifference or disrespect to him and his song. Let someone who is seen as an actual “country music star” come out and we’d have a different situation.
Sustaining a career will mostly come down to whether he has more catchy songs, though I’ve never felt he was here to stay.
Gay Veteran
@poundmetoo and @Donston
The point I’m making is Queerty and other gay outlets continue to paint the hip hop community aka the black community in this hyper-homophobic light when the genre is more accepting than country music. Country music still struggles with racism and homophobia. I named current chart topping gay artist… can’t do the same with country music.
Donston
From a consumer standpoint, hip-hop isn’t really “black music” any longer. It’s the most popular genre in the world. It’s become so omnipresent and varied. Therefore, of course, it’s not going to be difficult to find examples of “queerdom” in the genre. However, when it comes to the people on social media who attacked/dismissed Lil Nas X when he came out, the majority were black males. That’s because he was initially supported by the black community and his song was most popular with black males. I couldn’t care less about the country music crowd. Besides, country music doesn’t have anywhere near the widespread cultural weight or popularity that it used to. And Lil Nas X nor his hit song were ever embraced by most country music fans. But yes, when it comes to racism, a lack of anything resembling “gay representation”, toxic traditionalism, racism, etc- country music is clearly worse. We’re having a couple of different conversations.
Kangol2
@poundmetoo, and your head, what exists of it, must hurt from always having nothing in it but Breitbartian/right-wing claptrap like “virtue signaling,” etc. Admit that you don’t know a damned thing about hip hop and be done with it.
Gay Veteran
@Donston
Hip Hop will always be a black genre, white people consuming out culture doesn’t change anything. If you want to say the majority of the hate is coming from black people, I can counter and say the majority of the support is coming from black people as well and considering Lil Nas X is getting more support than hate… Still the media is wrong to single out the hip hop community, it’s a microaggression against the black community.
ladyboy_between_sheets
Damn how crazy i was just mentioning to someone bout encountering a rapper who didn’t wanna reveal name publicly and u just did lol. It must be meant to be spoke on.. I didn’t know he was gay i knew he was different and creative and was here doing some recording for tech lol.. I use to be irresistible.. And still am lol jk a lil older but i am wanting to start a naughty desires or experience short stories or open forum to share hidden desires and taboo encounters.. Cuz some may find what ive experience is what leads me as i keep things untold for so long. Now i think im coming out and don’t care anymore if they judge me.. I have been fortunate to damn near live the life i once dreamed in a manor i wouldn’t have thought. And i don’t judge and i as my ex use to call those that dont see color gender or relation as an issue. She molested as a child as i was.. But i was that weird by far not sick.. Sometimes or most i didn’t want to participate but i made it up in my mind that i dare to be different and a rebel and will take pride in it.. And like the fact i know what it feels like to be with both sexes.. And enjoy both.. But have been committed
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Good on him!
Am guessing the vast majority of those who like his stuff will continue to do so. Rendering the vile, hating smcubags spewing hatred moot….
jcoberkrom
Boy! He’s milking this!
chi eg
Yah thank god he’s milking it and saving lives while you’re doing nothing with your little, meaningless existence. Have a great day 🙂
Rock-N-RollHS
@ chi eg Saving lives! Lol.
Black Pegasus
His album is still doing well on the charts. He has 2 songs charting in the Top Ten…
chi eg
He’s a beautiful, successful young man and I’m thrilled he’s stepped up. He is literally saving lives – not to mention he looks hot in chaps 😉
poundmetoo
Saving lives? How so?
azjeff17
He’s saving lives by being famous and open about being gay. Young LGBTQ people that may be contemplating suicide because of their fears of rejection can look up to him and know anyone can come out and it’s not the end of the world.
Kangol2
@poundmetoo, he’s saving lives by showing other young people, especially but not only young Black gay/LGBTQ people that it’s OK to be gay/bi/LGBTQ in the face of this society’s homophobia. You know, something you apparently have no clue about. Did you even celebrate LGBTQ Pride last month? Do you ever openly fight for the equality and rights of other LGBTQ people? Then again, you’re here, so at least you’re no completely impervious to learning.
IWantAFullBeard
1) The song is just awful. I truly thought it was a parody when I first heard it.
2) Good for him. His sexuality shouldn’t matter but he is helping others who look up to him.
Number 2 certainly outdoes Number 1.
Gay Veteran
Well the song is 3x Platinum so clearly you’re in the minority.
IWantAFullBeard
And what? You are gay, so you are also in the minority.
Rock-N-RollHS
@ Gay Veteran Certification of records is not nearly what it used to be, not with youtube and spotify. A song can sell crap but as long as the same tribes are playing it over and over and over, it goes up the charts.
Gay Veteran
@Rock-N-RollHS
Troll go away.
scotty
well, he is a cutie.
ladyboy_between_sheets
I think so too.. And bet he’s well endowed.. I didn’t care much for beforehand but do think hes sexual chocolate..
Rock-N-RollHS
Hip hop sucks
Aidanf
I’m proud of the LGBTQ community for their bravery in standing up to those members of the African-American community that are homophobic, and openly so, often cloaking their hatred as religious beliefs.
The media is absolutely justified in criticizing those rap and hip hop artists who use terrible homophobic slurs in their “art.”
If a gay white male ever sang the equivalent sort of prejudiced remarks about African-Americans, his career would be finished.
The LGBTQ is not afraid to stand up to anyone who attacks them, even if it isn’t politically correct to push back on the black community.
Please don’t be confused.
It is some of the African-American artists and their supporters, fans, and non-apologists who are attacking the LGBTQ community and not the other way around.
Sorry, that spin won’t work here.
Gay Veteran
I will never understand you trolls. Just felt like attacking black people today?
What hurts our community the most is white politicians working against us with legislation. BTW Intersection is a thing.
chi eg
I love all the hatred that shows up here whenever a person of color comes out. Trump is in the White House because you guys were too chicken shit to convince the women in your lives to give a shit about your future. I know how MY mother (and 94% like her) voted. But you’ll keep spinning about intolerance in the African American community or black violence (when over 100 million white folks killed each other in your wars in the last century). Blah blah blah
Kangol2
+1000
ladyboy_between_sheets
Gay veteran i take it u were enlisted.. What were u in? And i like that.. So many in family served.. My first experience as of 18 was with a navy recruiter.. I tend to somehow as did growing up.. Attract males just as much if not more.. And often they show up on doorstep…i actually wasn’t 18 yet .. Was 17.. And he came over everyday to talk to me.. He was good looking and i sinced his eye contact. And he came over while showering. And i put on basketball shorts that were too big and i had to hold em up. I told him i apologize forget he was coming and reached to shake his hand and my shorts fell to the floor. And i knew and he complimented my body. Teeth eyes. I told him he could come upstairs with to talk cuz it may take me a few minutes it was dark and i just went for it i fell back on the bed like i had a lot on my mind he was hesitant but i popped one leg up on bed so they could be kinda spread and sending an invitation.. And he wasted to time.. Climbed on top and we were going at it and i began to realize i like the feel of a man warm body and shaft grinding on mine and i explore femine side