Rapper Lil Nas X criticized comedian Dave Chappelle after Chappelle, in his new Netflix special The Dreamer, took aim at the queer rapper, referring to him as "the gayest n***** that ever lived."
Chappelle said:
“That n***** stood up in front of the whole class [and said] ‘I want to be the gayest n***** that ever lived."
“I want to do a music video, slide down a stripper pole, all the way to the depths of hell and suck the devil’s d**k at 10 o’clock on BET while all the kids are awake and can see me."
Chappelle's criticisms were the latest to be directed at Lil Nas X's debut album Montero, which featured satanic imagery.
Montero was a smash hit both critically and commercially, having received nominations at last year's Grammy Awards for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Music Video, while the song "Industry Baby" was nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
The album's title track, also the lead single, sparked controversy due to its music video featuring Lil Nas X—who is openly bisexual—in devilish makeup and a storyline that traversed from a paradise-like setting to an Alighieri-inspired hell, where the rapper engaged in a provocative dance with a demon.
Lil Nas X swiftly responded to Chappelle's comments on X, formerly Twitter, emphasizing that the reference was outdated, stating:
"yall gotta let call me by your name go, me and the devil broke up 3 years ago. yall acting like children of divorce."
You can see his post below.
Many joined the rapper in criticizing Chappelle—who has in recent years faced backlash from the LGBTQ+ community for his remarks about transgender people—for his comments about Lil Nas X.
Lil Nas X has always been outspoken.
The rapper—a bastion of LGBTQ+ representation in his industry—notably criticized the BET Awards for "homophobia in the Black community" after Montero failed to receive a single nomination ahead of last year's awards ceremony.
Writing on X, he said the lack of recognition was an indication of "the bigger problem of homophobia in the Black community," suggesting he would not stand for those who "sit and pretend" the problem does not exist.
The rapper's response came amid the controversy over Montero's title track, sparking a conversation about the merit of the BET Awards, which has historically aimed to celebrate the Black community in music, acting, sports and other fields of entertainment.
