Lil Nas X turned in one of the best performances at last night’s BET Awards in Los Angeles, managing to once again break the internet in the process.
The 22-year-old rapper did a live version of his number one hit, ‘MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)’. The performance had an Egyptian theme, with Lil Nax X singing live and surrounded by a group of toned, male dancers.
The performance culminated in him not lap dancing the devil (like he infamously did in the video), but grabbing one of the dancers and passionately kissing him.
You can watch the whole routine below. The kiss comes right at the end.
The performer had little time for some people criticizing the performance.
y’all really like to pretend homosexuality didn’t exist in african culture https://t.co/mGmah0CbP9
— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) June 28, 2021
Related: Lil Nas X gives all the details on his SNL wardrobe malfunction
Lil Nas X has already prompted plenty of comments on social media for turning up on the red carpet earlier in the evening wearing a silver, Cinderella-like gown by Italian designer and artist Andrea Grossi.
View this post on Instagram
He then changed and showed off another look: an extravagant white floral pantsuit.
yup pic.twitter.com/RH0S8ou0CY
— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) June 27, 2021
Also grabbing headlines at the awards was Cardi B. She revealed during her performance with Migos that she’s pregnant with her second child. Cardi is married to the Migos member, Offset, and the two already have a daughter.
Although one of the evening’s highlights, Lil Nas X was not nominated for any of the awards. Chris Brown scooped the best ‘Male R&B/pop artist’ and Lil Baby took the award for ‘Male hip-hop artist’.
Cardi B’s collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion, ‘WAP’ was honored for ‘Best Collaboration’ and ‘Video of the Year’. Queen Latifah picked up a Lifetime Achievement Award. You can check out all the winners and nominees here.
Related: If you think Lil Nas X is turning your child gay, you need to read this tweet
Mister P
God bless Lil Nas X.
Kenny C
This young man gives me so much joy. And yes! two spirited people and queerness is all through out indigenous African culture and spirituality. Queerness did not become taboo until the continent was colonized and Islam and Christianity was thrust upon them. This is controversial but its my experience. I love blackness and my community but I have experienced more homophobia in the black community than I’ve experienced racism in any other community….And that’s saying A LOT!
Donston
I do love how apologetically “queer” and homo-erotic/homo-romantic Lil Nas X has quickly become, no matter the audience. I am tired of the “respectability” and “try to fit in with the ‘straights” politics. He even makes some out folks uncomfortable and forces some to reveal their shame, internalized phobias, toxic masculinity, inferiority complexes, biases. Love to see it.
Kangol2
The outfits, the performance, the onstage male-male kiss (probably the first in the history of the BET Awards), the unapologetic gayness and Blackness and queerness, the joy in his music but also the depth, all of it deserves praise. This time he managed to set the Hoteps off too. Keep doing it, Lil Nas X!
Donston
I remain unenthused by his music and his vocals. But he does know how to put on a show. And he (and his team) have calculated things perfectly. The only way he was gonna sustain popularity post “coming out” was to be as unapologetic as any supposedly “straight” performer. He’s also done a good job at keeping to the black aesthetics and appeal. So, no one can accuse him of selling out. This is how you play the game. It’s a blueprint for future entertainers.
Kangol2
Donston, I hear you on his music and vocals. Given the state of pop music singing across the board these days, I cut him some slack, but I also have to say, I genuine enjoy his voice and his approach to song-making, and that’s before we get to the performance/video aspect of it. I actually liked listening to “Panini” and “Holiday” (more so than “Rodeo”), and think “Sun Goes Down” is a really beautiful song, one of his best. He’s definitely more than a one-hit wonder, though what a hit “Old Town Road” was!
Fahd
Must be the best all male production number I have ever seen. He seems to be the right talent at the right place at the right time. I think he deserves a Vegas residency myself. I’d make a special trip.
Cam
Love an unapologetically out success story in the entertainment industry.
MISTERJETT
he’s delightful. i would have kissed the dancer on the other side, though.
SexySagi
It could be that the dancer he kissed is involved with him intimately
BoomerMyles
Good for him. Shake it up!
Toofie
Just love his give no Fs attitude!
Leash
You’re doing amazing sweetie!