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Lil Nas X: American Rapper
Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He gained widespread recognition with his country rap hit, “Old Town Road,” which held the record for the longest-running number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.1
Breakthrough and Exploration
During the peak of the song’s popularity, Lil Nas X publicly came out as gay. Following this revelation, he released his first EP titled “7,” along with several other successful singles. His debut album, featuring more hit singles, received a Grammy Award nomination, solidifying his presence in the music industry.
Lil Nas X Controversy: Unveiling “J Christ”
Recently, Lil Nas X has faced controversy surrounding his new song, “J Christ.” The song’s cover art, depicting the artist resembling Jesus on the cross, stirred up backlash on social media platforms like Twitter.
Artistic Expression and Intent
Despite the criticism, Lil Nas X maintains that “J Christ” is a dedication to Jesus, whom he hails for having the greatest comeback of all time. He clarified that the song is not intended to offend any religious groups, emphasizing his artistic expression.
Biblical References in New Music Era
With “J Christ,” Lil Nas X incorporates religious imagery into his latest musical endeavor, drawing parallels to biblical references. He hinted at the involvement of a beloved pop star in the song, later revealing that he was referring to God.
Addressing Concerns and Intent Clarification
In response to the controversy surrounding the cover art, Lil Nas X took to social media to clarify his intent. He stated that the image was not meant to mock Jesus and highlighted the historical use of Jesus’s image in art worldwide. According to Lil Nas X, the cover art is not a form of mockery but rather a continuation of the tradition of incorporating religious imagery into art.
Did Lil Nas X Release an Uncensored Version of ‘Industry Baby’ Music Video?
The Claim
On July 28, 2021, rapper Lil Nas X allegedly released a version of the music video for his song “Industry Baby” in which viewers can see him and male dancers performing naked.2
About this Rating
Context: While Lil Nas X claimed to have released an explicit version of the music video, and he indeed uploaded a video to YouTube with the title, “Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – INDUSTRY BABY (Uncensored Video),” those actions were a troll. Nowhere on the internet can one find an official video by the rapper showing him and the dancers performing nude.
Background
On July 28, 2021, Snopes was alerted to a TikTok video posted by rapper Lil Nas X in which he claimed to have released an “uncensored” version of a music video for “Industry Baby,” his single with collaborator Jack Harlow that was released less than one week earlier.
Initial Video Release
The artists had uploaded the initial video to YouTube as part of the song’s debut on July 23. It depicted Lil Nas X playing various roles within America’s criminal justice system, including a scene with male dancers seemingly performing nude. However, the sensitive areas were blurred to create the impression of a PG-rated version.
Misleading Announcement
When Lil Nas X uploaded a selfie-style TikTok video on July 28, suggesting the release of an explicit, unredacted version, fans rushed to YouTube in anticipation. The TikTok video showed him using a hair sponge in the bathroom with the text “SUPRISE!” (sic).
Deceptive YouTube Upload
Despite Lil Nas X’s claim, the second version of the music video titled “Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – INDUSTRY BABY (Uncensored Video)” repeated the initial scenes and appeared to show the dancers naked. However, a “loading” or “rebuffering” symbol then appeared, giving the impression of a technical issue, leaving viewers without the explicit content they expected.
Lil Nas X: A Controversial Journey to Pop Stardom
Lil Nas X, the artist behind the viral hit “Old Town Road,” has recently taken the spotlight as the world’s most controversial pop star. The 21-year-old has faced criticism, accusations of promoting satanism, and even legal challenges, raising questions about how he reached this controversial status.3
 Montero’s Bold Move
Lil Nas X, born Montero Lamar Hill, embarked on a new chapter with the release of his song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” This track celebrated his openly gay identity, a significant departure since his public coming out in July 2019.
The artist accompanied the release with a heartfelt note to his 14-year-old self, emphasizing the personal stakes involved in the new track.
Homophobia and Music Video Controversy
Despite the positive sentiment of Lil Nas X’s coming-out message, the music video for “Montero” stirred controversy. The artist pole-dances down to hell, giving Satan a lap dance, and eventually taking over as the ruler of the underworld. Critics argued that the explicit content was inappropriate, especially given the artist’s young fan base, leading to accusations of neglecting the impact on children.
 Satan Shoes and Backlash
Stay tuned for updates as we have them. pic.twitter.com/CuRJ9TEUqe
— Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) March 29, 2021
In tandem with the song release, Lil Nas X introduced “Satan Shoes” in collaboration with MSCHF, featuring modified Nike Air Max 97s containing a drop of human blood. Priced at $1,018, the shoes sold out in under a minute, sparking further backlash. Critics, including Republican Governor Kristi Noem, condemned the shoes as promoting devil worship, escalating the controversy.
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Lil Nas X’s Response
Facing the criticism, Lil Nas X responded in a typical internet-savvy manner, trolling the backlash through a faux apology on YouTube and addressing Governor Noem directly on Twitter. He remained unapologetic about the song’s message, highlighting the impact of societal prejudice on his teenage years as a gay individual.4
 Controversy’s Impact on Popularity
Contrary to the backlash, Lil Nas X’s “Montero” video became the highest trending music video on YouTube, amassing over 37 million views. The single also secured the position of the #1 new song on Spotify globally, showcasing that, in the realm of pop culture, controversy often translates into heightened popularity.
Nike’s Legal Response
While controversy may have bolstered Lil Nas X’s popularity, it also attracted legal consequences. Nike announced its decision to sue over the “Satan Shoes,” disassociating itself from the product and seeking damages. This legal move, however, did not seem to faze Lil Nas X, who continues to find inspiration for memes amid the ongoing controversies.
Nike’s Lawsuit Against MSCHF Over “Satan Shoes”
Nike took legal action on Monday by filing a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against MSCHF, the company responsible for the release of controversial customized sneakers in collaboration with rapper Lil Nas X.
 Collaborative Release of “Satan Shoes”
Lil Nas X, known for his hit “Old Town Road,” collaborated with MSCHF to launch “Satan Shoes” on Monday. The modified Nike Air Max 97s featured a pentagram pendant and a reference to Luke 10:18, a Bible verse about Satan’s fall from heaven.
 Controversial Features and Limited Release
The sneakers, priced at $1,018, gained notoriety for containing a drop of human blood inside the sole, drawn from members of the MSCHF team. Despite the controversy, all 666 pairs sold out shortly after their release.
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Nike’s Legal Response and Brand Control
Nike’s lawsuit, targeting MSCHF and not Lil Nas X directly, aims to assert control over its brand. The legal action was prompted by public confusion, with many mistakenly believing Nike was associated with the controversial shoes.
 Denial of Association with Satan Shoes
Nike, in a statement, reiterated its lack of affiliation with the Satan Shoes. The lawsuit argues that Nike needs to clarify its non-involvement to prevent confusion and dilution of its brand.
Marketplace Confusion and Dilution
The legal document highlights evidence of marketplace confusion and dilution, including calls to boycott Nike due to the mistaken belief that the company endorsed or approved MSCHF’s product.
Response from Lil Nas X and MSCHF
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Both Lil Nas X and MSCHF responded to the lawsuit and the controversy surrounding the “Satan Shoes.”
Lil Nas X’s Twitter Reaction
Lil Nas X responded to the lawsuit with a tweet featuring a clip from “SpongeBob SquarePants,” suggesting his initial announcement was meant in jest.
MSCHF’s Silence on Legal Matters
MSCHF did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit, leaving their stance on the legal matters undisclosed.
Connection to Lil Nas X’s Latest Music Release
The release of the “Satan Shoes” coincided with the launch of Lil Nas X’s latest single, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” and its provocative music video.
 Video Themes and Controversial Imagery
The music video depicts Lil Nas X being seduced out of what seems to be the Garden of Eden, descending into hell, and giving the devil a lap dance, adding another layer of controversy to the overall narrative.
Lil Nas X’s Apology Video
In response to the backlash, Lil Nas X released a YouTube video titled “Lil Nas X Apologizes for Satan Shoe,” featuring him holding the sneaker but humorously avoiding a direct apology by cutting to the controversial lap dance scene from his music video “Montero.”
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