Opinion: Lil Nas X Has A Right To Be Mad
BET just released the 2022 BET Awards nominations and Lil Nas X is nowhere on the list, while the white rapper Jack Harlow is up for Best Male Hip Hop Artist.
Lil Nas X is arguably the biggest star of the last three years. Between having a 16-time platinum-selling record, the longest running number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 and the most talked about music video of the last half decade, it’s safe to say that he IS the moment.
Even BET has recognized his positioning in recent times, nominating him for an award in 2020 and having him perform in 2021, causing one of the most talked-about moments of the award ceremony when he passionately kissed his male background dancer at the end of the performance. Lil Nas X has continued to rise since then, releasing a critically and commercially successful debut album Montero in 2021. Instead of acknowledging that success, BET opted to nominate the white guy whose monumental rise began with a feature on Lil Nas X’s third Billboard Hot 100 number one song, “Industry Baby.”
This is no disrespect to Jack Harlow either. He’s had a phenomenal year and none of this is technically his fault, but it’s hard to see the snubbing of one of the biggest artists–let alone one of the biggest Black queer artists– as anything but a slap in the face.
Lil Nas X said as much on Twitter when he called out BET’s snubs. “[H]ow can [I] get acknowledged by the most acclaimed award show in the world [the Grammys] and then not even just 1 nomination from my own people? [I]s that not crazy?”
When others responded that BET has celebrated queer artists Frank Ocean and Tyler the Creator, he shared, “Can we admit queer men are more respected when they do less feminine things or am [I] making that up?”
funny thing is industry baby was the biggest song me & jack released last year in the eligibility period but only one of us got a nomination https://t.co/3DUkngGnXN
— MONTERO (@LilNasX) June 8, 2022
It’s a tale we know too well and is indicative of the way the majority of the mainstream Black community sees Black Queer people: You’re unworthy unless you tone down the “gay shit.”
Even as he was being gaslit with Twitter responses pointing to a myriad of nonsensical reasons for why he was not being celebrated at BET, Lil Nas X stood firm.
“[T]his not over no [BET] award this is about the bigger problem of homophobia in the [B]lack community, y’all can sit and pretend all u want but imma risk it all for us,” he Tweeted.
There is a well-documented culture of homophobia and queerphobia in Black mainstream spaces. BET and Viacom were hit with a lawsuit from trans media personality B. Scott in 2013 for workplace discrimination after B. Scott was told that they weren’t dressed “masculine” enough to host the red carpet at the 2013 BET Awards and was forced to change their clothes. Scott ended up settling out of court and is now the host of BET’s Twenties After Show with B. Scott.
In 2020, the NAACP Image Awards (also aired on BET) received backlash for nominating Meghan McCain, who has openly spewed anti-Black sentiments on The View, instead of recognizing any of the five Black and brown trans stars of the historic FX series Pose. The NAACP has also awarded actress Gina Rodriguez multiple NAACP Image awards despite her usage of the N-word online in 2019. Morning radio show The Breakfast Club has a long history of mistreating multiple Black queer guests, as does podcaster Joe Budden, whose latest offense is the abominations that he called “questions” that he asked sexually fluid rapper Isaiah Rashad during their sit down interview. Black mainstream platforms have consistently proven to be unsafe places for the Black LGBTQ community.
At the root of homophobia is white supremacy and when mainstream Black platforms deny Black queer people access to these spaces, they are upholding that racist framework. Allowing white and non Black people— especially those who have been anti-Black— to permeate spaces meant to uplift Black folks, creates a false sense of proximity to whiteness. Homophobia, much like racism, is a learned behavior, not an instinctive one. The idea that being queer is “wrong” comes from generations of instilling those beliefs in our ancestors through white interpretations of Christianity which were then passed down for generations in the Black community. Homophobia is so deeply ingrained in our community that we’ve completely forgotten the fact that it wasn’t an African belief to begin with. This is why its pervasiveness is so confusing.
This belief in heteronormativity is in every fabric of our community, our discourse, our award shows and our platforms, despite the Black community claiming to be making attempts at dismantling white supremacy by building and servicing our own. To be homophobic is to simultaneously be anti-Black. To prioritize white and non-Black people over Black queer people is anti-Black.
Still, Lil Nas X is taking the controversy and turning it into dollar signs for himself. In response to the snub, the star has released a snippet of a BET diss track with rapper NBA Youngboy, aptly titled “Late to Da Party”: “Everything I do, bitch right or wrong, gon’ make a profit,” he raps.
BET responded to the snub backlash in a statement: “We love Lil Nas X. He was nominated for a Best New Artist BET Award in 2020, and we proudly showcased his extraordinary talent and creativity on the show twice: he performed “Old Town Road” with Billy Ray Cyrus at “BET Awards” 2019 and his “BET Awards” 2021 performance was a highlight of our show. No one cheered louder that night than BET.
“Unfortunately, this year, he was not nominated by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of an esteemed group of nearly 500 entertainment professionals in the fields of music, television, film, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, influencers, and creative arts. No one from BET serves as a member of the Voting Academy.”
Black queer folks are no longer seeking out the acceptance of the mainstream Black community and Black platforms. And while we're still being blocked from accessing some spaces in a large capacity, we still have the talent and the capabilities to make shit shake. As Lil Nas X has shown, despite the disrespect, Black queer people will continue taking up space, whether they give it to us willingly or we have to snatch it from homophobic hands.
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Pablo the Don is a guest writer.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Curate The Vibes With These Black-Owned Candles For Every Mood
Black women of the 90s and early 2000s had incense, and Black women of today are fully embracing our luxury candle era. Candles have become just as important as our perfume selections, and as a luxury candle connoisseur, I keep all of my favorites in stock in my storage closet.
Whether you’re moving out for the first time and want to try new scents or looking to set the mood for a self-care day or sexy evening, consider these Black-owned candle brands to curate the vibe you’re looking for.
If You’re Feeling Bad & Bougie
The Original Candle
If you’re the bougie friend of the group, this candle is for you. Hanifa has become a staple luxury brand; with celebs like Tracee Ellis Ross, Jennifer Hudson, Naomi Campbell, and Danielle Brooks seen in her designs, they have become everyone's favorite brand. They recently launched their first candle, The Original. The candle is infused with notes of mandarin, orange blossom, caramel, sandalwood, jasmine sambac, and vanilla.
When Wash Day Comes...
"Wash Day" Candle
Cavo
Need some inspiration to get up and section that hair so you can get to washing? Not to worry. This pineapple, mango coconut milk, and sugar candle will have your house smelling as good as your favorite conditioner.
Wellness Girl Necessity
Sunday in Brooklyn Candle
If you’re a girl who loves clean scents that clear the energy in your home and feel like the best Sunday you ever had, you need this candle. Infused with wild basil and lemongrass, it’s guaranteed to help you find your zen.
For Sunday Brunch If You’re Hosting
Champagne Showers
Champagne Showers is the perfect candle for a birthday celebration, Sunday brunch night in, or toast to your next big win! The candle includes a blend of bright bergamot, peach fizz, and creamy woods. It’s a bubbly fragrance that’s as sophisticated as our girl, Jackie Aina.
After You Listen To SZA
"After A Good Cry" Candle
Cavo
Let the tears flow, and let the healing begin. This rainwater, lavender, vanilla, and bean and bourbon candle is just what the doctor ordered if you’re getting over a breakup. But once you’re done crying, just remember you're worthy of much more, okay?
For The Lover Girl Era
"Love" Luxury Candle
If you’re done crying and have found the one you’ve been waiting for, let this candle burn as warm as your love for your new boo. Harlem Candle Co.'s "Love" fragrance represents a dramatic, romantic theme with both masculine and feminine accords melding beautifully together, infused with crisp apple and watery green notes.
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