Lil Nas X has hit out at the BET Awards on his new single Late to Da Party. Featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again, the track sees the Grammy Award-winning rapper take aim at the network after he received zero nominations for their upcoming 2022 ceremony. “Fuck BET (Yeah) / Fuck BET (Yeah / Fuck BET (Yeah, Yeah)” he chants at the start and end, while the music video (and single cover) shows Lil Nas X urinating on a BET Award.
In a Star Wars-inspired teaser promoting the music video, Lil Nas X shared a direct message for BET, which reads: “NBA YOUNGBOY is on house arrest, trapped on the isolated planet HATU. “The Brutal Empire of Terror (BET) has betrayed LIL NAS X, turning their back on him after using him for clout.” It continues: “With the music industry in turmoil, the galaxy is looking for a hero.
NAS must use the ancient power of r EDITING to free YB and defeat the evil BET before time runs out…” On 1 June, the BET Awards – which celebrates African-American artists in music, acting, sports and other fields of entertainment – announced their 2022 nominations, which included stars such as Doja Cat, Drake and Chloe X Halle.
Despite having two of the most commercially successful tracks of 2021 with MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) and the Jack Harlow-assisted Industry Baby, both of which topped the Billboard Hot 100, Lil Nas X was snubbed. “Thank you, BET awards.