Lil Nas X Was Thankfully Not Shy Last Night During the BET Awards

Lil Nas X capped off Pride Month with a captivating performance of his hit song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” on the BET Awards last night.

In a nod to Michael Jackson’s iconic “Remember the Time” video, Lil Nas X, clad in skimpy Egyptian-inspired attire, made LGBTQ+ history by ending his performance by sharing a passionate kiss with one of his dancers. The representation of blatantly gay, Black on Black love and lust made waves throughout the internet, leaving fans in awe.

On the last day of #pride 2021 @LilNasX got on the #BETAwards stage and kissed another guy.

If you grew up Black and gay, you know how major this is.

I live for this kid.

— It’s Brandon, B*tch. (@beingbrandonlee) June 28, 2021

“If you grew up Black and gay, you know how major this is,” tweeted one fan. “I live for this kid.”

Another fan, Diddy, himself, said much of the same.

Lil Nas X did that!! Be fearless!!! 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

— LOVE (@Diddy) June 28, 2021

“Lil Nas X did that,” the artist former known as Puff Daddy wrote. “Be fearless!”

Lil’ Nas X, who has a knack for causing controversy, garnered something of a massive anti-LGBTQ+ response to the video for “Montero,” which depicts the 22-year-old artist sliding down to hell on a stripper pole before giving a lap dance to Satan.

y’all really like to pretend homosexuality didn’t exist in african culture https://t.co/mGmah0CbP9

— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) June 28, 2021

A pro at pushing the envelope, Lil’ Nas X clapped back to critics of the BET performance. When another Twitter user lashed out by saying, “Don’t use African culture for shits like this. Respect our ancestors,” Lil’ Nas X quickly clapped back.

“Y’all really like to pretend homosexuality didn’t exist in African culture,” he tweeted.

“Montero” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Lil Nas X’s second chart topper following the gigantic success of his debut single, “Old Town Road.” “Montero” was certified platinum in the U.S. and also topped the charts in Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal and the U.K.