Lil Nas X Spent the Weekend Trolling Christians, Nike, & Justin Bieber

It's only been four days since Grammy-winning rapper Lil Nas X dropped his new song "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" and the outrage is only just ramping up. 

In the music video, we find X in the Garden of Eden being tempted by a physical manifestation of sin, a snake with his own face. The two proceed to kiss, representing X exploring his homosexuality. He's kicked out of the garden and escorted to a trial where he is stoned to death. X at first ascends to heaven but when a stripper pole appears, he instead chooses to ride it down into the depths of hell where he meets Satan, grinds on him, kills him, then steals his horns. 

The Christian imagery is thick, referencing the religion's judgemental attitude toward homosexuality. Many LGBTQ+ people grew up learning to loathe that part of themselves, an identity they cannot change. X is challenging that. "Y’all love saying we going to hell but get upset when I actually go there lmao," he tweeted.

Instead of denying who he is, the 21-year-old rapper seems to say that if being gay is enough to send him to hell, he's going to have fun on the way down. He'd rather be himself in hell than suppress it and go to heaven.

On top of that, the song is just deliciously horny, referencing the 2017 gay romance film Call Me by Your name and boasting lyrics like "Shoot a child in his mouth while I'm riding." 

It's easy to see why Conservatives aren't happy. 

The troll that he is, X spent the weekend clapping back at naysayers:

It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, since X was trolling the internet as a Barb well before "Old Town Road" became a massive hit.

In another hilarious move, sportswear brand Nike had to release a statement to distance itself from the rapper. In the music video, the devil dons a pair of "Satan Shoes," black Nike Air Max 97s with a pentagram pendant, a Luke 10:18 inscription, and even containing a drop of human blood. When Lil Nas X revealed that he was selling them, many people (fans and outraged conservatives alike) assumed it was a collaboration with Nike. 

The sporting goods brand quickly cleared up that rumor. "We do not have a relationship with Little Nas X or MSCHF," Nike said in a statement. "Nike did not design or release these shoes and we do not endorse them."

X then released an "apology" video:

666 pairs of the Satan Shoes went on sale this morning for $1,018 and sold out in minutes.

And earlier today, X even took a swing at Justin Bieber, referencing the pop star's awkward plea for Beliebers to stream his single "Yummy" last year. 

Don't get too worked up, Bieber fans. "I love Justin, this ain’t hate. It’s promo baby," X tweeted.

We can't wait to see how this turns out! Stream "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" in the meantime.