On Sunday night the BET Awards aired, and pop star Lil Nas X’s name was nowhere to
be found on the nomination list that had been announced earlier this month. The same day as the release of the listing, Nas posted a now deleted tweet that read “thank you bet awards. an
outstanding zero nominations again. black excellence!” In the past few weeks, Nas has been
trolling BET awards, teasing a new song called “Late to Da Party” that has a derogatory chant that discredits BET awards.
It may seem that Nas is overreacting or making a big deal out of not being nominated for
a subjective award. While it is true that his ego is strong with this situation, it’s not as simple as
just not being nominated. Nas’s dismay stems from claims that this omission was partially due to his overt queerness, which is particularly rare for pop singers, especially Black singers. He wrote in a deleted tweet: “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.”
BET’s response to this was a tweet reading that BET “loves Lil Nas X” and that the
nomination is made up of “nearly 500 entertainment professionals … No one from BET serves as a member of the Voting Academy.”
It is crucial to point out that Nas has been nominated for two BET awards in the past,
performed in the ceremony, and ever since his release of “Old Town Road” Lil Nas X has received massive amounts of support from fans and other celebrities.
However, he has also been faced with homophobia from online trolls and other celebrities.
His flamboyant appearance received criticism from other members of the LGBTQ community for being too “in your face” about his sexuality.
This particular award matters greatly to Lil Nas X. The feeling of being dismissed or
shunned by his Black peers in a predominantly white industry is especially upsetting for Nas.
When a Twitter user pointed out his Grammy’s award, Nas responded saying “this 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?”
Award shows are faulty measurements of talent or artistry; they mostly exist to feed
celebrity egos. However, the lack of that recognition can hit hard, especially when it highlights
preexistent industry inequities.
be found on the nomination list that had been announced earlier this month. The same day as the release of the listing, Nas posted a now deleted tweet that read “thank you bet awards. an
outstanding zero nominations again. black excellence!” In the past few weeks, Nas has been
trolling BET awards, teasing a new song called “Late to Da Party” that has a derogatory chant that discredits BET awards.
It may seem that Nas is overreacting or making a big deal out of not being nominated for
a subjective award. While it is true that his ego is strong with this situation, it’s not as simple as
just not being nominated. Nas’s dismay stems from claims that this omission was partially due to his overt queerness, which is particularly rare for pop singers, especially Black singers. He wrote in a deleted tweet: “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.”
BET’s response to this was a tweet reading that BET “loves Lil Nas X” and that the
nomination is made up of “nearly 500 entertainment professionals … No one from BET serves as a member of the Voting Academy.”
It is crucial to point out that Nas has been nominated for two BET awards in the past,
performed in the ceremony, and ever since his release of “Old Town Road” Lil Nas X has received massive amounts of support from fans and other celebrities.
However, he has also been faced with homophobia from online trolls and other celebrities.
His flamboyant appearance received criticism from other members of the LGBTQ community for being too “in your face” about his sexuality.
This particular award matters greatly to Lil Nas X. The feeling of being dismissed or
shunned by his Black peers in a predominantly white industry is especially upsetting for Nas.
When a Twitter user pointed out his Grammy’s award, Nas responded saying “this 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?”
Award shows are faulty measurements of talent or artistry; they mostly exist to feed
celebrity egos. However, the lack of that recognition can hit hard, especially when it highlights
preexistent industry inequities.
