Lil Nas X just gave fans a preview of his new song — and called out the BET Awards for his lack of nominations in the process.
The “Panini” singer posted a video of him shirtless singing along in his car to a new collab with NBA YoungBoy, “Late to Da Party,” on Tuesday. The song already feels like a bop, but the real attention-getter was the opening, in which Lil Nas just repeats “Fuck BET” over and over again.
\u201cFUCK BET! FUCK BET! \ud83e\udd27\u201d— NASARATI (@NASARATI) 1654634977
The bold call out is in reference to the fact that, despite being nominated for five Grammys this year for his album Montero, the rapper received zero nominations whatsoever for this year’s BET Awards, which were announced last week.
The snub had previously caused Lil Nas to tweet and delete his frustrations, rightfully noting that he had “3 of the biggest songs of last year & a critically acclaimed album,” before sharing concern that the oversight had some tinges of homophobia.
“Doesn’t even have to be me nominated,” he wrote. “i just feel like black gay ppl have to fight to be seen in this world and even when we make it to the top mfs try to pretend we are invisible.”
Despite deleting those tweets, something not uncommon for his social media presence, it’s obvious that Lil Nas is still feeling the same way. In subsequent tweets, he suggested that queer men get less respect when they veer outside of “manly” stereotypes, and expressed frustration with homophobia within the Black community in particular.
\u201cthis not over no bet award this is about the bigger problem of homophobia in the black community, y\u2019all can sit and pretend all u want but imma risk it all for us.\u201d— NASARATI (@NASARATI) 1654636198
\u201clove frank and tyler to death but can we admit queer men are more respected when they do less feminine things or am i making that up?\u201d— NASARATI (@NASARATI) 1654646437
\u201cthis is my point exactly how can i get acknowledged by the most acclaimed award show in the world and then not even just 1 nomination from my own people? is that not crazy? am i really tripping\u201d— NASARATI (@NASARATI) 1654637182
BET ultimately responded with a statement saying that no BET employees make up their Voting Academy for the awards, and that they are “passionate advocates for the wonderful diversity that exists within our community.”
Considering Lil Nas was ultimately trying to make a point about something bigger than just BET as a network or as an awards show, not being nominated by the 500 entertainment professionals making up the voting board doesn’t seem like any consolation.
