<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lil-nas-x">Lil Nas X</a> is facing backlash for an image promoting his newest <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/music">single</a>, “J Christ,” which depicts the rapper being crucified on a cross.
The 24-year-old recording artist announced the song’s upcoming release on X with a still image and a GIF further promoting the song. &#8220;MY NEW SINGLE IS DEDICATED TO THE MAN WHO HAD THE GREATEST COMEBACK OF ALL TIME! J CHRIST JANUARY 12, 2024 00:00 EST BE THERE!&#8221; he wrote. 
Many commenters on the platform speculated the song would be a mockery of the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/christianity">Christian</a> faith and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/jesus-christ">Jesus Christ</a>.
&#8220;Oh gee whiz I’m sure this won’t be as blasphemous as possible,&#8221; conservative author Rachel Wilson <a href="https://twitter.com/Rach4Patriarchy/status/1744436437347410220">replied</a> to the photo.
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Oh gee whiz I’m sure this won’t be as blasphemous as possible 😒 <a href="https://t.co/bJc23uqBUz">https://t.co/bJc23uqBUz</a>
&mdash; Rachel Wilson (@Rach4Patriarchy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rach4Patriarchy/status/1744436437347410220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;This is demonic,&#8221; Christian rapper Bryson Gray <a href="https://twitter.com/RealBrysonGray/status/1744415022430740903">agreed</a>.
&#8220;Singer @LilNasX MOCKS Jesus in a teaser for his new single ‘J Christ’ as he appears in underwear and silver boots in a video clip posted to his X,” former transgender influencer Oli London <a href="https://twitter.com/OliLondonTV/status/1744453573239361984">wrote</a>. “The singer has previously courted outrage for promoting Satanic practices including selling sneakers containing human blood.&#8221;
Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, made headlines in the past for including Satanic imagery in his music videos and selling Satan-themed sneakers. The rapper has since announced his switch to promoting Christianity. 
Many fans were confused in November 2023 when Hill released a music video of a worship song, <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1730039265890078987">asking</a> fans, “Y’all mind if I enter my Christian era?” 
When people asked in the comments if the rapper was just trolling everyone, Hill <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1730075611497205913">replied</a>, “making Christian (sic) music does not mean i can’t s*** d*** no more. the two are not mutually exclusive. i am allowed to get on my knees for multiple reasons.”
When fans called his latest song release sacrilegious, Lil Nas X once again insisted it wasn’t.
&#8220;[T]he crazy thing is nowhere in the picture is a mockery of jesus (sic). Jesus’s image is used throughout history in people’s art all over the world. I’m not making fun of sh**. yall just gotta stop trying to gatekeep a religion that was here before any of us were even born. Stfu,&#8221; he <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1744405262025228674">wrote</a>.
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Later, Hill claimed he was accepted to a Christian college.
“I know twitter hates me right now but i want yall to know im literally about to go to college for biblical studies in the fall. Not everything is a troll! Anyways IM A STUDENT AGAIN! LETS GOOO,” the rapper <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1744865818125443325">wrote</a> alongside a photo of an acceptance letter to the evangelical Christian college Liberty University on Tuesday.
Community Notes added a disclaimer that the letter appeared to be signed by former university president Jerry Falwell, who died in 2007, meaning the letter was almost certainly not legitimate.

Lil Nas X

‘Blasphemous’: Lil Nas X Blasted For Promoting New Song ‘J Christ’ With Image Of Rapper On A Cross

Lil Nas X Blasted For Promoting New Song 'J Christ' With Image Of Rapper On A Cross

Celebrities

Christianity

Entertainment

Jesus Christ

satanic

U.S.

Rapper <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lil-nas-x">Lil Nas X</a> is very upset he wasn’t nominated for a BET Award this year, and he’s not ashamed who knows it.
The 23-year-old performer expressed his displeasure earlier in June after nominations were announced, The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lil-nas-x-blasts-bet-awards-for-not-nominating-him-says-black-gay-artists-fight-to-be-seen">reported</a>, blaming the snub on “homophobia.” Now the “Old Towne Road” composer is doubling down on the sentiment with the release of a video dissing BET for not nominating him in 2022. 
“F*** BET! F*** BET! F** BET!” the rapper sang in a new song and video he shared on Twitter this week, continuing his campaign against the network. The video clip for “Late to the Party” had 1.8 million views as of Thursday.
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FUCK BET! FUCK BET! 🤧 <a href="https://t.co/bnG2UP7Hlo">pic.twitter.com/bnG2UP7Hlo</a>
&mdash; MONTERO (@LilNasX) <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1534276413863256064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Hill, expanded on his feelings in a series of tweets.
“‘industry baby is the 2nd longest running #1 song on the billboard rap charts of all time and didn’t get a single nomination,” Nas tweeted about his single featuring rapper Jack Harlow, one of the tracks the rapper expected to be nominated for. “Industry Baby” was released in 2021.
“this not over no bet award. this is about the bigger problem of homophobia in the black community, y’all can sit and pretend all u want but imma risk it all for us,” Nas wrote in another <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1534281536153042945">tweet</a>.
One <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1534285662668484608">commenter</a> said Lil Nas X already has two Grammys and should be happy with that. But the rapper shot back, 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? am i really tripping.”
The rapper also pointed out how collaborator Jack Harlow was nominated, but he wasn’t. “funny thing is industry baby was the biggest song me &amp; jack released last year in the eligibility period but only one of us got a nomination,” he <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1534623287476555776">wrote</a>. 
These are a follow-up to tweets Lil Nas X sent earlier this month. At first, he was sarcastic. “Thank you bet awards. an outstanding zero nominations again. black excellence!” he shared with the prayer hands emoji and a heart emoji.
He also replied to a fan asking why he thought he deserved the nomination.
“idk maybe 3 of the biggest songs of last year &amp; a critically acclaimed album… i feel like that should’ve helped me a bit,” the rapper replied. He was referring to “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” “Industry Baby,” and “That’s What I Want,” which were all released in 2021. 
BET Network responded to Lil Nas X with a <a href="https://www.bet.com/article/imkf6t/lil-nas-x-bet-awards-2022-nomination-statement">statement</a>.
<div class="article-block article-block-text" data-display-name="GenericText">
“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,&#8221; they wrote.
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&#8220;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.”
</div>
Doja Cat had the most BET Awards nominations this year with six total, followed by Drake and Ari Lennox with four each. The awards show is scheduled for June 26.

Celebrities Visit The SiriusXM Studios In New York City

‘F*** BET’: Lil Nas X Throws Tantrum Over Not Being Nominated For Awards, Network Responds

Lil Nas X Throws Tantrum Over Not Being Nominated For Awards, Network Responds

Music

Music Industry

Rapper Lil Nas X is furious that he wasn’t nominated for any 2022 BET Awards.
The two-time Grammy Award winner, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, expressed his frustration in a string of now-deleted tweets on Wednesday just after the nominations were announced, according to <a href="https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/lil-nas-bet-awards-zero-nominations-twitter-1235079964/">Billboard</a>.
First, he took a sarcastic approach. “Thank you bet awards. an outstanding zero nominations again. black excellence!” he shared with the prayer hands emoji and a heart emoji.
Nas also replied to a fan who was asking why he thought he deserved the nomination.
“idk maybe 3 of the biggest songs of last year &amp; a critically acclaimed album… i feel like that should’ve helped me a bit,” the rapper replied. He was referring to “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” “Industry Baby,” and “That’s What I Want,” which were all released in 2021. The first two topped the Billboard 100 charts for several weeks while the third peaked at number 8, <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10877447/Lil-Nas-X-lets-frustration-receiving-ZERO-BET-Awards-nominations.html">per</a> Daily Mail.
When someone else on social media pointed out how his last few records weren’t hip-hop, Nas replied, “they have a pop category.”
Next, the rapper complained about how black, gay musicians are discriminated against in the industry. “Not even that, doesn’t even have to be me nominated, 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,” he shared to Twitter. 
Doja Cat had the most BET Awards nominations this year with six total, followed by Drake and Ari Lennox with four each.
Meanwhile, Lil Nas X is in the running for other awards. Billboard notes how the 23-year-old performer is expected to accept the Hal David Starlight Award at the 2022 Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on June 16. 
The award is presented each year to “gifted young songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry via their original songs.” Past recipients include Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Halsey, and others.
Lil Nas X was the most-nominated male artist at the 2020 Grammy Awards. The rapper won awards that year for Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. 
He also scored two MTV Video Music Awards for &#8220;Old Town Road&#8221; including Song of the Year, plus the American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Song. Lil Nas X is the first openly gay black performer to <a href="https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2019/11/lil-nas-x-first-gay-person-win-country-music-award/">win</a> a Country Music Association award.
Taraji P. Henson is scheduled to host the 2022 BET Awards on BET starting Sunday, June 26 at 8 PM ET.

2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards ‚Äì Arrivals

Lil Nas X Blasts BET Awards For Not Nominating Him, Says Black Gay Artists ‘Fight To Be Seen’

Lil Nas X Blasts BET Awards For Not Nominating Him, Says Black Gay Artists 'Fight To Be Seen'

Enterainment

Homophobia

Lil Nas X has been criticized for promoting his songs to a young audience and then releasing music that’s only suitable for adults. The 23-year-old rapper, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, insisted that he was free to change his target audience whenever he wants. Now he’s back to targeting the kids music market by inviting The Wiggles to go on tour with him.
“trying really hard to get the wiggles to coheadline the tour with me. i will keep you guys updated,” Lil Nas X <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1519334819389390850">shared</a> on Twitter late last week.
Hill is kicking off his 14-city “Long Live Montero” tour in September. 
Though the invitation may have been slightly in jest, the official account replied to the rapper’s tweet <a href="https://twitter.com/TheWiggles/status/1519385861338861568">saying</a>, “We’re ready to wiggle with you! 💛💜💙❤️.”
“Old Town Road,” the rapper’s first big hit, was especially popular with a young demographic. That’s why parents were so disheartened when the music video for the song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” featured Lil Nas X sliding down a stripper pole into hell and giving the devil a lap dance.
The singer made huge waves shortly after by releasing limited edition “Satan Shoes,” full of satanic symbolism and imagery. 
“i literally sing about lean &amp; adultery in old town road. u decided to let your child listen. blame yourself,” Nas wrote in <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1376382370283020290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">response</a> to criticism of the song &#8220;Montero&#8221; in 2021. 
Another person <a href="https://twitter.com/MintChipMusic/status/1375641620339687430">tweeted</a>, “The system is targeting kids. Lil Nas X’s fanbase is mostly children. They did the same thing with Miley Cyrus after Hannah Montana.” 
Hill <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1375648580216651781?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">replied</a> to that account as well, saying, “there was no system involved. i made the decision to create the music video. i am an adult. i am not gonna spend my entire career trying to cater to your children. that is your job.”
It’s worth noting that Nas also released a children’s book directed at a much younger audience. “C Is For Country” is a board book released in January 2021. 
According to <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/01/05/953349880/lil-nas-x-says-children-are-his-core-audience-right-now-and-thats-ok#:~:text=Andrew%20Limbong-,Lil%20Nas%20X%20Says%20Children%20Are%20His,Right%20Now%2C%20And%20That's%20OK&amp;text=of%20the%20artist-,Lil%20Nas%20X%2C%20the%20Grammy%2Dwinner%20behind%20%22Old%20Town,book%2C%20C%20Is%20for%20Country.&amp;text=A%20little%20boy%20decked%20out,things%20that%20bring%20him%20joy.">NPR</a>, Lil Nas X wasn’t too concerned about having a very young fan base. &#8220;I&#8217;m well aware that life and careers and everything goes in chapters,&#8221; the rapper <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/01/05/953349880/lil-nas-x-says-children-are-his-core-audience-right-now-and-thats-ok#:~:text=Andrew%20Limbong-,Lil%20Nas%20X%20Says%20Children%20Are%20His,Right%20Now%2C%20And%20That's%20OK&amp;text=of%20the%20artist-,Lil%20Nas%20X%2C%20the%20Grammy%2Dwinner%20behind%20%22Old%20Town,book%2C%20C%20Is%20for%20Country.&amp;text=A%20little%20boy%20decked%20out,things%20that%20bring%20him%20joy.">said</a> at the time. &#8220;That&#8217;s the chapter I&#8217;m in right now and I&#8217;m OK with that.&#8221;
He has also done a virtual concert with Roblox, a game popular with kids, appeared with Elmo, and hosted a surprise concert at an elementary school in 2019. The rapper inviting The Wiggles to go on tour is just the latest in a long line of ploys to attract kids to his fan base.

Lil Nas X and The Wiggles

‘Ready To Wiggle With You’: Lil Nas X Invites The Wiggles To Go On Tour With Him

The Wiggles Say They're Willing To Join Lil Nas X On 'Long Live Montero' Tour In 2022

Children

Grammys performer Lil Nas X got into it on Twitter with Newsmax anchor Greg Kelly. The exchange ended nicely, but for a minute things got a little heated.
It started when the former White House correspondent for Fox News called out Lil Nas X for his very provocative performance at the awards show. It may not have been as over-the-top as that time the “Old Town Road” singer slid down a stripper pole to give Satan a lap dance, however the rapper did get called out for repeatedly grabbing his genitals and even using his microphone as a faux male appendage.
“‘Lil NAS has a BIG PROBLEM (And so does America) — knock yourself out NAS. You’re a little FOOL with zero talent!!!!” Kelly originally <a href="https://twitter.com/gregkellyusa/status/1510926032278331392">tweeted</a>.
Lil Nas, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, ignored a lot of the criticism about the performance that was coming from Twitter followers. He did choose to reply to Kelly, however.
The “Industry Baby” performer <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1511152286621323264">responded</a> by saying, “damn greg all i did was wear a crop top this time,” followed by two crying emojis, insinuating that the news anchor was offended by his outfit.
Kelly didn’t let it go. He clapped back, saying he took issue with the nature of the performance.
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It&#39;s not the shirt NAS&#8212;it was the PUBLIC LEWDNESS. You know there are LAWS about that in certain &quot;jurisdictions&quot;&#8212;but then again you were in VEGAS so who the hell knows. Bottom line: SING AND DANCE but no public self GROPING. DECENCY! <a href="https://t.co/qHSIFPLnpL">https://t.co/qHSIFPLnpL</a>
&mdash; Greg Kelly (@gregkellyusa) <a href="https://twitter.com/gregkellyusa/status/1511156147721576448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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“It&#8217;s not the shirt NAS&#8212;it was the PUBLIC LEWDNESS,” Kelly <a href="https://twitter.com/gregkellyusa/status/1511156147721576448">replied</a> on Twitter. “You know there are LAWS about that in certain &#8220;jurisdictions&#8221;&#8212;but then again you were in VEGAS so who the hell knows. Bottom line: SING AND DANCE but no public self GROPING. DECENCY!”
By this point followers were eager to see how Lil Nas X would respond in this showdown. To his credit, the rapper let it go and apologized to Kelly.
“apologies. have a great night,” Hill shared.
“I didn&#8217;t like the performance,” Kelly replied. “That shouldn&#8217;t have been on prime time television. BUT, I can&#8217;t deny you have real talent. And it&#8217;s not nice to Call anyone a fool! You called me out in a &#8216;good natured&#8217; way. NP. Good luck, continued success, just tone it down a notch Next year!”
Overall, it may have been one of the most civilized exchanges between two people with radically different views that Twitter has ever facilitated. 
Kelly wasn’t the only one who thought the “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” artist was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/twitter-reacts-to-lil-nas-x-putting-on-a-provocative-grammys-performance">unnecessarily vulgar</a> during his Grammys performance. Other Twitter users called out the 22-year-old rapper as well, with one person writing, “I can’t watch @LilNasX grab his d*** anymore on the #GRAMMYs It’s not going anywhere. Just stop!”
“Well we know he has a d*** because he grabbed it like A MILLION times during his performance,” another shared.
Despite all the crotch grabbing, this performance was less shocking than Lil Nas X’s turn on “SNL,” which coincided with the release of his limited edition “Satan shoes.”
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64th Annual GRAMMY Awards – Arrivals

‘Damn Greg All I Did Was Wear A Crop Top’: Lil Nas X Exchanges Words With Conservative Host On Twitter

It would be more surprising if Lil Nas X performed a non-sexual song at this point. The 22-year-old rapper put on a provocative, explicit performance at the 2022 Grammy Awards that had even some of the most progressive fans saying it was a little too over the top.
Chief among their complaints was how often the singer, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, kept grabbing his crotch while singing “Industry Baby” with Jack Harlow at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
At one point during the performance, Lil Nas X even put the microphone below his hips and swung it around in a circle, clearly substituting the mic for a male appendage. Harlow made similar movements during the song, but it was Hill who got most of the attention.
Not all fans were amused by the rapper’s antics, however. 
“I can’t watch @LilNasX grab his d*** anymore on the #GRAMMYs It’s not going anywhere. Just stop!” one Twitter user <a href="https://twitter.com/kaylameester/status/1510780708121419780?s=21">wrote</a>.
“Well we know he has a d*** because he grabbed it like A MILLION times during his performance,” another <a href="https://twitter.com/jeancaylor/status/1510780785682530316?s=21">shared</a>.
“New drinking game,” someone else <a href="https://twitter.com/lust4lifeshawn/status/1510781249408876551?s=21">joked</a>. “Watch Lil Nas’s #GRAMMYs  performance and take a drink every time he grabs his d***. Seriously what’s going on down there? Got an itch or he literally can’t keep his hands [off] it?”
Lil Nas X was nominated for five Grammy awards, including &#8220;Song of the Year&#8221; and &#8220;Album of the Year.&#8221; He arrived at the event in a suit studded in pearls and diamonds plus platform shoes. He did not take home any trophies Sunday night.
“I’m either gonna win a Grammy, go to a club, get drunk, and have sex with a random stranger or lose each Grammy, go to a club, get drunk, and have sex with a random stranger,” the rapper tweeted.
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i’m either gonna win a grammy, go to a club, get drunk, and have sex with a random stranger or lose each grammy, go to a club, get drunk, and have sex with a random stranger
&mdash; MONTERO (@LilNasX) <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1510747665251790853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Fans were pointing out that the “Montero” singer may have been paying tribute to Michael Jackson, who was also known for focusing attention on his genitalia during musical performances.
It’s not the first time Lil Nas X put on a shocking show. 
During the 46th season finale of “Saturday Night Live,” the singer performed a version of “Montero (Call Me By Your Name) that featured him shimmying down a stripper pole to Hell to give Satan a lap dance, The Daily Wire originally <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/snl-ratings-hit-record-low-as-lil-nas-x-performs-satanic-song-on-season-finale">reported</a>. This graphic performance was done in combination with the release of his hyped “Satan shoes,” which featured a pentagram, the number 666, and real drops of human blood. 
The original music video for “Montero” had more than 25 million views and the “Satan shoes” sold out in minutes, however, the audience for the “SNL” finale and Lil Nas X’s live performance was lackluster. 
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Twitter Reacts To Lil Nas X Putting On A Provocative Grammys Performance

Grammys

Politico — the media outlet of choice for many Washington, D.C., denizens — has decided to honor rapper Lil Nas X as one of the 40 most influential people in race and culture for the year 2021 because the budding artist gave Satan a lap dance during one of his music videos. He also sold Lucifer-inspired shoes, which were made to look as if they were drenched in human blood. The outlet claimed these actions helped advance liberal causes by &#8220;owning&#8221; conservatives.
According to the outlet, a group of a dozen Politico editors <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/11/about-the-recast-power-list-race-identity-politics-00014800">compiled</a> the list over a period spanning several months and featured &#8220;rigorous&#8221; categories for selection. Editors had to defend their selections based on the following gauntlet:
<ul class="story-text__list ">
<li>Did the nominee have actionable influence? Did their statement, work or action lead to a measurable change?</li>
<li>Did that change happen between 2021 and 2022?</li>
<li>Was the nominee a disrupter of some status quo?</li>
<li>Is the nominee politically outspoken?</li>
<li>And broadly: Do we have a good balance of people? Do they represent the biggest political issues of 2021?</li>
</ul>
That led to a list of 40 people, <a href="https://www.politico.com/interactives/2022/influential-people-on-race-and-politics-list/">which included</a> names like Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Attorney General of New York Letitia James, and dozens of people ranging from &#8220;strategists to politicians, activists to influencers&#8221; who have &#8220;undeniably impacted the intersection of race, politics and policy.&#8221;
Possibly as part of a reverse psychological effort to dispel the notion that D.C. and the nation&#8217;s elite are run by Satan-worshipping weirdos, Lil Nas X was featured on this list for &#8220;the lap dance that launched a thousand angry tweets.&#8221;
&#8220;In the campy video for his single, ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name),’ Lil Nas X, an out-and-proud singer/rapper, famously descended into the depths of hell to twerk with the devil,&#8221; Politico wrote.
&#8220;Then came the special edition Satan sneakers embedded with a drop of human blood. Outrage predictably ensued, most notably from the right, ending with the Atlanta native jousting on Twitter with South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a potential 2024 GOP presidential hopeful,&#8221; the outlet added.
As for why that was so momentous, Politico claimed that it was somehow a benefit for liberals because it used conservatives&#8217; own tactics against them:
<blockquote>In 2021, Lil Nas X, who once said he stayed away from politics because it depressed him, dove headfirst into the political arena, driving the conversation about race and sexual identity and flipping the conservative culture wars/owning the libs playbook. “I definitely want to be more involved [in politics],” he told “The View.” “I know I have a platform and I have influence over what people see and hear and think about everything that’s going on … There are conversations that have to be had.”</blockquote>
Exactly what kind of &#8220;conversations&#8221; he meant and how the Devil fits into them remains unclear.
The outlet should also be reminded that Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, is not the first progressive activist to dedicate his work to Satan. In his largely influential book, “Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals,&#8221; community organizer Saul Alinsky also used Lucifer as the vessel upon which to advance his agenda. Alinsky, hero of folks like twice-failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama, and alleged domestic terrorist Bill Ayers, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/248390-lest-we-forget-at-least-an-over-the-shoulder-acknowledgment-to-the">penned an epigraph</a> to &#8220;Rules for Radicals,&#8221; which read:
<blockquote>Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins — or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer.</blockquote>
In light of that, and the fact that Politico appears to see the rapper&#8217;s homage as some sort of liberal victory, perhaps readers should take the D.C. news website of choice at their word that promoting Satan fits in line with the progressive agenda.
The views expressed in this piece are the author&#8217;s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
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Politico Honors Rapper Lil Nas X For Giving Satan A Lap Dance With Top 40 Influential People Award

Politico

Former President Barack Obama has been sharing lists of his favorite songs and movies for years now. These annual roundups always include a varied mix of genres and styles, with newer releases representing at least part of the playlists. Many are from obscure artists that few people have heard of.
And 2021 is no different. This year, Obama <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1471865356557893639">shared</a> his roundup of hits, which was heavy on indie pop. But one of the more eyebrow-raising additions to that list is the controversial Lil Nas X song, “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”.
The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/snl-ratings-hit-record-low-as-lil-nas-x-performs-satanic-song-on-season-finale">originally reported</a> that Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, aggressively used demonic imagery to advertise the new song when it was released earlier in 2021. He also promoted a line of 666 pairs of &#8220;Satan Shoes,&#8221; limited-edition altered Nike shoes to coincide with the music video, which featured the 22-year-old rapper giving Satan a lap dance. Later, Nike sued the shoe’s creators and confirmed they had no affiliation with the product. 
Meanwhile, Lil Nas X delivered an over-the-top live performance of “Montero” on the season finale of SNL in May that failed to draw a large audience despite a fairly shocking wardrobe malfunction. The singer split his pants right in the crotch while he was performing the song and riding a stripper pole. 
Besides the Satanic-themed “Montero” song, Obama has been listening to songs by Lizzo, Mitski, and Carlile. He wrote on Twitter, “I&#8217;ve always enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music, so it’s no surprise that I listened to a little bit of everything this year. I hope you find a new artist or song to add to your own playlist.”
His complete playlist for 2021 is as follows: 
Mitski: “The Only Heartbreaker”
The War on Drugs: “I Don’t Live Here Anymore” [ft. Lucius]
Mdou Moctar: “Tala Tannam”
Adia Victoria: “Magnolia Blues”
Durand Jones &amp; The Indications / Aaron Frazer: “Witchoo”
Esperanza Spalding: “Formwela 10”
Brandi Carlile: “Broken Horses”
Genesis Owusu: “Gold Chains”
Little Simz: “Woman” [ft. Cleo Sol]
Farruko: “Pepas”
Spice: “Go Down Deh” [ft. Shaggy and Sean Paul]
Jon Batiste: “Freedom”
Wye Oak: “Its Way With Me”
Nas: “Nobody” [ft. Ms. Lauryn Hill]
Allison Russell: “Nightflyer”
Lil Nas X: “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”
Yotuel / Gente de Zona / Descemer Bueno: “Patria y Vida” [ft. Maykel Osorbo and El Funky]
Tammy Lakkis: “Notice”
Teddy Afro: “Armash”
Courtney Barnett: “Write a List of Things to Look Forward To”
Aventura / Bad Bunny: “Volví”
Isaiah Rashad: “Headshots (4r da Locals)”
Yebba: “Boomerang”
Mo3 / Morray: “In My Blood”
Yendry: “Ya”
Lizzo / Cardi B: “Rumors”
Parquet Courts: “Walking at Downtown Pace”
Obama recommends books, movies, and music to his 130 million Twitter followers annually. In the past, the former president has been questioned for sharing music suggestions that contain vulgar rap lyrics rife with swear words that seemingly encourage violence and harmful treatment toward women. 
Critics argued that promoting music with this type of messaging does not line up with Obama’s claims of being a self-described feminist.

Obama and Lil Nas X

Barack Obama’s 2021 Playlist Includes Lil Nas X Controversial Satan-Themed Song

Barack Obama

You can lead audiences to a half-dressed, aging pop star, but you can’t make them watch.
That’s the lesson MTV has to be taking from this year’s Video Music Awards, which clocked their lowest ratings on record despite a surprise appearance from Madonna wearing a one-piece leather thong bustier and fishnets.
The 63-year-old’s fellow celebrities showered her with accolades for the cameo.
Actor Laverne Cox <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTv0oNyAOP1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">posted</a> an image of Madge to Instagram with the caption, “Madonna was a huge inspiration to me growing up. I had Madonna posters on my walls in high school and college … Strong empowered women have always inspired me. The VMA opening with Madonna was beautiful tonight.”
Comedian Billy Eichner replied to Madonna’s own <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTvkcKErskt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">post</a> commemorating her appearance with a series of heart emojis. And singer-songwriter Sarah Hudson commented, “F***ing queen.”
But average Americans were evidently less impressed. While the moment went viral on social media, the actual viewership for the show proved once again that Twitter is not real life. The ratings for this year’s VMAs plunged 17% in the key demo of adults between 18 and 49 from 2020 and hit an all-time low in viewers of all ages.
Though ViacomCBS, MTV’s parent network, claims the show increased “reach,” it didn’t specify how it arrived at this conclusion as its numbers are based on a proprietary metric derived from a combination of Nielsen ratings and internal digital data that the company calls “Total Minutes Consumed” (TMC).
While several entertainment outlets like <a href="https://www.thewrap.com/vmas-ratings-down-7-percent-mtv/">The Wrap</a> and <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2021-vmas-tv-ratings-1235013422/">The Hollywood Reporter</a> have been reporting ViacomCBS’s PR claims, at present, no external, independent data is available to back up their claims.
Traditional ratings, however, leave no doubt that viewership for the VMAs once again hit bottom, drawing only 900,000 viewers for the live run of the show. It marked the first time in MTV&#8217;s history that fewer than one million people tuned in to its flagship awards program. For comparison, the VMAs drew nearly 10 million viewers in 2015 and more than 11 million in 2010.
Neither Madonna, nor the much younger acts following in her controversial footsteps, like Lil Nas X, were able to arrest the downward trajectory the show has been on for years.
MTV can take comfort that it’s not alone in its award show troubles.
As The Daily Wire has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/oscars-ratings-crumble-nearly-60-to-record-low-as-stars-bash-law-enforcement">reported</a>, the Oscars also hit a new bottom in 2021, plummeting nearly 60% from the already record-low ratings the show posted in 2020. The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/grammy-ratings-hit-lowest-of-low-only-8-8m-tune-in-vs-19m-last-year">2021 Grammys</a>, too, reached a record low, bringing in nearly 10 million fewer viewers than the year before.
A <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/18/business/media/academy-awards-tv-ratings-audience.html">New York Times</a> story on the Oscars quoted one producer who admitted that celebrities sounding off on politics has likely played a role in audience disinterest. “Increasingly,” the Times reported, “the ceremonies are less about entertainment honors and more about progressive politics, which inevitably annoys those in the audience who disagree. One recent producer of the Oscars, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential metrics, said minute-by-minute post-show ratings analysis indicated that ‘vast swaths’ of people turned off their televisions when celebrities started to opine on politics.&#8221;
Time will tell whether the Emmys, which air Sunday night on CBS, will suffer a similar fate.

2021 MTV Video Music Awards – Show

Ratings For VMAs Featuring Scantily Clad Madonna And Lil Nas X Hit All-Time Low

Madonna

Ratings

Rapper Lil Nas X, also known as Montero Lamar Hill, showed up to the 2021 BET Awards on Sunday wearing a dress that likens the Catholic Church to Nazism.
Hill, who made headlines in March for rolling out a limited edition pair of custom Nike sneakers featuring satanic imagery and a drop of human blood, &#8220;first turned heads in a billowing gown that featured a plunging neckline, a corset-like bodice and an over-the-top bottom half,&#8221; according to <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1282410/lil-nas-x-just-made-two-major-fashion-statements-at-the-2021-bet-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">E! Online</a>.
&#8220;As for the fabulous creation, it had a unique print that wrapped around the design. To complete his look, the 22-year-old star wore a matching blazer and dainty jewelry pieces,&#8221; the outlet continued.
As Popsugar reported, Hill&#8217;s &#8220;blue-and-white gown — created by <a class="track-outbound" href="https://www.instagram.com/andreagrossi___/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga-category="internal click" data-ga-label="https://www.instagram.com/andreagrossi___/?hl=en" data-ga-action="body text link">Andrea Grossi</a>, a young graduate from Polimoda Fashion Institute in Florence — has a print that you&#8217;ve got to zoom in on to get the message, in case the voluminous silhouette didn&#8217;t suggest he was making a statement.&#8221;
Grossi explained that the dress he designed, which is part of a project called &#8220;Welcome to DeusLand,&#8221; was intended to liken the Catholic Church to Nazism. &#8220;DeusLand&#8221; is an apparent play on &#8220;Deus,&#8221; the Latin word for God, and &#8220;Deutschland,&#8221; the German name for Germany. As Grossi <a href="https://www.notjustalabel.com/andrea-grossi" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">explained</a>:
<blockquote>Through an artwork I notice and describe the “Occident’s Chaos” with parallelism between Nazism and church, ideologies that have led the populations for a long time in wrong way. What is our ideology today? I tried to combine technology and craftmanship [sic], thanks to the support of leather goods companies located in Tuscany and Umbria, which have put their tradition and quality at my disposal, that [I] have combined with techniques such as laser cutting, embossing, bonding to create modern and innovative manipulation.</blockquote>
In addition to his satanic sneakers, Hill got attention for a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6swmTBVI83k" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">music video</a> that depicts him giving a lap dance to Satan. As The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rapper-lil-nas-x-rolls-out-line-of-bloody-satan-shoes-to-coincide-with-new-song-about-demonic-sex" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a>:
<blockquote>Hill’s infernal footwear coincides with the release of the graphic new music video for his new song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” which trended at the top of YouTube with more than 25 million views as of Sunday afternoon. <a href="http://holrmagazine.com/the-powerful-meanings-lil-nas-xs-video-for-montero-cmbyn-holds-for-queer-audiences/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Replete with biblical and occult imagery</a>, the video depicts Hill being sexually seduced in the Garden of Eden by Satan in serpentine form, after which the camera cuts to the forbidden Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, made famous for its role in the Book of Genesis and the fall of man.
Etched into the tree’s bark is an ancient Greek quote from Plato’s “<a href="http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0173%3Atext%3DSym.%3Apage%3D191" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Symposium</a>” that translates: “Now when our first form had been cut in two, each half in longing for its fellow would come to it again.” The passage is a reference to ancient pagan views of dualism and sexuality that taught humans were originally male, female, and androgynous, and that homosexuality is an attempt to recover one’s primal nature.</blockquote>
Hill&#8217;s sneakers, of which only 666 pairs were made, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lil-nas-x-satan-shoes-sell-out-in-seconds" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sold out</a> within seconds. A U.S. District Court <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nike-wins-first-legal-battle-against-lil-nas-x-satan-shoes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">approved</a> Nike’s restraining order request against the company that collaborated with him on them, however, effectively blocking the further sale of the hellish shoes.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rapper-lil-nas-x-rolls-out-line-of-bloody-satan-shoes-to-coincide-with-new-song-about-demonic-sex" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rapper Lil Nas X Rolls Out Line Of Bloody ‘Satan Shoes’ To Coincide With New Song About Demonic Sex</a>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 27: Lil Nas X attends the BET Awards 2021 at Microsoft Theater on June 27, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Lil Nas X Shows Up To BET Awards Wearing Dress Drawing ‘Parallelism’ Between Catholic Church And Nazism

Catholicism

Nazis

Occult

Looks like Satan doesn’t sell after all.
The 46th season finale of Saturday Night Live featured host Ana Taylor-Joy and a series of tearful goodbyes from long-time cast members Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, Aidy Bryant, and Pete Davidson that left the entertainment industry wondering if they may be departing the show for good. But the big draw was supposed to be Lil Nas X performing his hit song, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).”
As The Daily Wire previously<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rapper-lil-nas-x-rolls-out-line-of-bloody-satan-shoes-to-coincide-with-new-song-about-demonic-sex"> reported</a>, the 22-year-old rapper, whose given name is Montero Lamar Hill, has been marketing the single with heavy demonic imagery. His video for the tune depicted him traveling to Hell to give Lucifer a lap dance, and he promoted its debut by rolling out a line of limited-edition Nike sneakers that prominently featured a pentagram, the number 666, and real drops of human blood. The shoes have no affiliation with Nike, which <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nike-sues-over-lil-nas-x-satan-shoes">has sued the creators,</a> arguing that people have been mistakenly believing that Nike was affiliated with the product.
Both ploys seemed to deliver the shock value intended as the video racked up 25 million YouTube views in less than a day and the shoes sold out in under a minute. But now it seems audiences may have seen enough of Nas’ antics.
Trade publication<a href="https://deadline.com/2021/05/saturday-night-live-ratings-season-46-finale-anya-taylor-joy-lil-nas-x-1234762611/"> Deadline</a> reports that Nas’ SNL outing failed to attract many viewers, with the episode drawing a 3.5 household Live+Same Day and 1.5 in the key adults 18-49 demographic. Those numbers tied it with the previous week’s episode, hosted by comedian Keegan Michael Key, for the lowest ratings of the season.
That’s a marked drop off from two weeks earlier when the show<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/snl-ratings-soar-following-elon-musk-appearance"> scored</a> one of its highest-rated nights with host Elon Musk and musical guest Miley Cyrus.
Low interest didn’t stop Nas’ musical performance from making headlines, however. While surrounded by gyrating shirtless, leather-clad male dancers licking various body parts, the star experienced a wardrobe malfunction. As Nas dropped into splits sliding down a stripper pole, the crotch of his pants ripped — an event that dominated entertainment news on Sunday.
<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2021/05/23/snl-lil-nas-x-rips-pants-montero-call-me-name/5231858001/">USA Today</a> reported on the moment with the headline, “Lil Nas X rips his pants onstage at &#8216;SNL,&#8217; but it was still &#8216;my favorite night of my career&#8217;,” referring to the singer’s tweets following the performance.<a href="https://www.vulture.com/2021/05/watch-lil-nas-x-rips-his-pants-on-live-snl-performance.html"> Vulture</a> blared, “Lil Nas X Served Sex and Comedy When He Ripped His Pants on SNL.” And<a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/05/saturday-night-live-season-46-finale-recap-anya-taylor-joy-lil-nas-x"> Vanity Fair</a> reported that when the rapper went to “make love to a stripper pole” the “crotch of his pants surrendered.” Complimenting his dance routine as “memorable,” the outlet also said Nas “deserved to be remembered for the shine of his lipstick and the work he’s clearly put in at the gym.”
Yet more proof that what interests the media and what interests average viewers at home are often very different.
This article has been updated to include information about Nike&#8217;s lawsuit over the &#8220;satan&#8221; shoes. 
The views expressed in this opinion piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Saturday Night Live – Season 46

SNL Ratings Hit Record Low As Lil Nas X Performs ‘Satanic’ Song On Season Finale

Saturday Night Live

A U.S. District Court on Wednesday approved Nike&#8217;s restraining order request against a company that collaborated with rapper Lil Nas X to create so-called &#8220;Satan Shoes&#8221; by redesigning Nike Air Max 97s. The order effectively blocks the further sale of the hellish sneakers, for now.
&#8220;The order, issued by the Eastern District of New York, states that the Brooklyn-based agency cannot fulfill any orders,&#8221; CBS News <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nike-restraining-order-lawsuit-lil-nas-x-mschf-satan-shoes/">reported</a>. The restraining order was approved after 665 pairs of the kicks, priced at a hefty $1,018, sold out Monday in just one minute.
&#8220;Nike filed a trademark infringement and dilution complaint against MSCHF today related to the Satan Shoes,&#8221; Nike <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nike-restraining-order-lawsuit-lil-nas-x-mschf-satan-shoes/">said</a> in a statement released Thursday. &#8220;We don&#8217;t have any further details to share on pending legal matters. However, we can tell you we do not have a relationship with Lil Nas X or MSCHF. The Satan Shoes were produced without Nike&#8217;s approval or authorization, and Nike is in no way connected with this project.&#8221;
The satanic sneakers include one drop of human blood mixed within, and there are only 666 pairs available for purchase, staying inline with the hellish theme. It is planned that the remaining unsold pair is to go to a fan via a giveaway.
In a lawsuit filed by Nike, the apparel brand argues that the shoes are &#8220;likely to cause confusion and dilution and create an erroneous association between MSCHF&#8217;s products and Nike,&#8221; claiming that there&#8217;s &#8220;already evidence of significant confusion and dilution occurring in the marketplace, including calls to boycott Nike in response to the launch of MSCHF&#8217;s Satan Shoes based on the mistaken belief that Nike has authorized or approved this product.&#8221;
&#8220;As a direct and proximate result of MSCHF&#8217;s wrongful acts, Nike has suffered, continues to suffer, and/or is likely to suffer damage to its trademarks, business reputation, and goodwill that money cannot compensate,&#8221; the suit continues. &#8220;Unless enjoined, MSCHF will continue to use Nike&#8217;s Asserted Marks and/or confusingly similar marks and will cause irreparable damage to Nike for which Nike has no adequate remedy at law.&#8221;
Indeed, the confusion sparked a fact-check this weekend from liberal site Snopes, which included a statement from Nike quickly distancing themselves from the sneakers.
“Nike did not release nor design these shoes,” a spokesperson for the company told Snopes via email.
Nas, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, acknowledged in January that his core audience is children, according to an interview with <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/01/05/953349880/lil-nas-x-says-children-are-his-core-audience-right-now-and-thats-ok" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NPR</a>. “Before releasing his Satan Shoes, Hill appeared with Elmo on ‘Sesame Street’ and wrote a children’s book called ‘C Is For Country,&#8217;” <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rapper-lil-nas-x-rolls-out-line-of-bloody-satan-shoes-to-coincide-with-new-song-about-demonic-sex">The Daily Wire</a> highlighted Sunday.
The &#8220;Old Town Road&#8221; singer is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/knowles-taking-lil-nas-x-and-satan-seriously">KNOWLES: Taking Lil Nas X (And Satan) Seriously</a>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/candace-owens-rips-lil-nas-xs-satan-shoes-nobody-has-the-courage-to-tell-black-america-the-truth">Candace Owens Rips Lil Nas X’s ‘Satan Shoes’: ‘Nobody Has The Courage To Tell Black America The Truth’</a>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rapper-lil-nas-x-rolls-out-line-of-bloody-satan-shoes-to-coincide-with-new-song-about-demonic-sex">Rapper Lil Nas X Rolls Out Line Of Bloody ‘Satan Shoes’ To Coincide With New Song About Demonic Sex</a>

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