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Lil Nas X, the gay country rapper whose single “Old Town Road” recently made Billboard Hot 100 history when it became the longest-running No. 1 song in history, is gracing cover of Time magazine’s August 26 issue.
Lil Nas, who nonchalantly came out on Twitter in last month, joins the ranks of a handful of other LGBTQ notables who have been featured on past covers, including Pete and Chasten Buttigieg and Laverne Cox.
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
Speaking to writer Andrew R. Chow, the 20-year-old singer says he never planned on coming out, fearing fans wouldn’t respond well to a Black queer artist who blends musical genres.
“I know the people who listen to this the most,” Lil Nas explains, “and they’re not accepting of homosexuality.”
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Time reports:
But during Pride Month, something changed for Lil Nas.
“I never would have done that if I wasn’t in a way pushed by the universe,” he says. “In June, I’m seeing Pride flags everywhere and seeing couples holding hands–little stuff like that.”
He first came out to his father and sister earlier in June, and then broke the news on Twitter several weeks later.
Despite his crazy success, the chart-topping artist tells the magazine he still gets anxiety.
“It gets overwhelming,” he explains, adding that sometimes, he just “[shuts down] on everybody. I’m still a loner in a lot of ways.”
But that doesn’t mean he plans on going away anytime soon. Lil Nas is still focused on making music and releasing new material, noting that the industry moves quickly, and even after the runaway success of his breakout single, he “[has] to keep going.”
Watch the music video for “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus below.
Related: Lil Nas X understands why people are reacting badly to his coming out
Kangol2
I’m so happy for and proud of Lil Nas X! I hope he stays grounded, and keeps making his genre-blurring music. His other songs like “Panini” from the LP are dope too.
TrevorRivera1217
I’m so happy for and proud of Lil Nas X! I h….- Nothing to add But i am here not only to discuss this article but I would like to share with you new but really great site for gay singles only. It is still private, but you can find it easy. Just google: “j307XQ2hwzP62BF4ZiAfugu6lu9369866” .
Gay Veteran
Lil Nas X is on the cover of Time Magazine and breaking records. Dyllon Burnside recently confirmed that he’s queer. Pose is wrapping up another successful season. The queer visibility! Queer people of color!
WashDrySpin
YES this is impressive and welcome for gay men of color
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
Well lord, what’s next? Me and a few of the girls down here who sit with me in the amen pew at the First Self-righteous Church in Pascagoula were talking the other day right after the raid over at the chicken plant as to what next was going to be invaded. We thought for sure our music was safe but lo and behold that too ain’t immune. To make it even more thought provoking based on the people listed that covered Time so far we’re running neck and neck with-’em. At this rate “our” only hope is to hope we stay equal. See you girls in church on Sunday.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Am hoping he realizes how important his coming out it…
A Black rapper who is out and proud and it hasn’t affected his career in a negative way is amazing…
Far too many celebs play the game of constantly being photographed with a beard despite having no facial hair and only come out as a last gasp try at publicity at the tail end of their careers…
Good on him!!
Cam
“”Far too many celebs play the game of constantly being photographed with a beard despite having no facial hair and only come out as a last gasp try at publicity at the tail end of their careers…””
—
Well said!
Cam
This is great!
MISTERJETT
i’m not a fan of rap, so i’m not familiar with his work. however, i am a fan of him because of his courage. i wish him nothing but the best.
boymikefl
This young man well, kid, makes me smile. The ghetto, homophobic black “men” (downlow boys), are fuming in their skunk weed bags. This is the only song I have heard. I thought he was country with a splash of hip hop. 1st Hootie now Lil Nas. The brothas should be happy one of theirs (race at least) has made it big (for now at least). The others need to get off the corner and get a J-O-B.
Gay Veteran
This comment was beyond cringe. I will never understand why people troll.
Kangol2
Just stuff it with your racist BS. It’s vomitacious. Get some f*cking help!
curiobi
Why are you here? And I mean that in the cosmic sense. What use are you to the planet if this is all you do? This is a positive story, something good happened, but no, troll can’t let anything good happen without being a useless gaping d ick hole about it.
Get help!
Thad
I must be the last person on earth to hear “Old Town Road.” This week I wondered what all the fuss was about and listened on YouTube. It’s certainly different from anything else out there.
I wonder what else Lil Nas X has for us. I’ve always loved black cowboys – yes, they’ve always been a thing. There’s a museum in Denver for them.
Kangol2
Listen to his LP. He’s got some other cute songs, like the one in which he comes out, “Panini,” and others. Spotify, Last.fm, iTunes, take your pick!
Rex Huskey
he looks like frederica wilson. get a hat that fits for god’s sake