Tag: 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards

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Lil Nas Feels Hurt By BET

Lil Nas X BET Conflict Explained To The Root
Lil Nas X performs at the Jingle Ball concert in Los Angeles. Image source: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio.

Lil Nas X, also known as Montero Lamar Hill, is an American rapper. Nas even just recently did a collaboration with NBA Youngboy.

This is a significant achievement for him and the LGBTQ+ community. Twitter gives rave reviews about the collaboration. Even though many people support him, Lil Nas X also has a conflict with one of the biggest award shows: BET.

Not everyone is happy, though, about Montero’s growth. He recalls how he felt BET dismissed him after his performance at the 2021 BET Awards show. He faced a lot of criticism from the network after. 

Nas then tweeted, saying, “this not over no bet award this is about the bigger problem of homophobia in the black community.” 

Lil Nas felt like his own people don’t support his growth.

Some supporters of his notice the more significant issue at hand. A tweet by @arxhiiie states, “jack harlow getting a bet award before lil nas x (despite jacks first number 1 being a lil nas song) is the perfect analogy for how cishet black ppl will support white ppl before they support other black ppl, just because they’re queer looool.”

Twitter user’s comment regarding the BET awards. Image source: Twitter.

BET’s Side Of The Story

The network has stated that they have tried to reach out to Nas to work with him but haven’t heard a response. Montero’s team has seen firsthand how the network has responded to Lil Nas X in the past. “At some point after Montero got off stage, one of the BET producers came up to me,” one member of his team stated. “Before I could even open my mouth, he looked at me and said, ‘That was really fucked up.”

In his latest collaboration, Nas expresses how he feels about the network when “F*** BET” appears in one of the recent song’s intros. A response from BET on the conflict with Lil Nas X says, “its Voting Academy is made up of “nearly 500 entertainment professionals”. They are stating that voting for Nas is not a personal decision. The network’s attempted to allude to Nas that they don’t have anything against him. However, Nas feels it has to do with a more significant issue of lack of representation for queer individuals within the black community.

At the end of the day, some people will feel like Lil Nas pushes the boundaries of Hip-Hop too far. His style is eccentric and unique. Others think that he is making strides in the industry. Lil Nas isn’t biting his tongue. He is sure to constantly express and voice who he is despite things that have discouraged him.

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Written by Miriah Stacy

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Jack Harlow’s Nomination in BET 2022 outraged Lil Nas X

Lil Nas Jack Harlow Comments On Twitter Come And Go
Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow. Image source: Getty Images.

American rapper from Kentucky Jack Harlow’s nomination as Best Male Hip-Hop artist alongside Drake, Kanye West, Lil Baby, J Cole, and Future for the 2022 BET Awards created quite a stir in the hip-hop industry. Montero Lamar Hill, popularly called Lil Nas X, singer and rapper from Georgia, tweeted on June 1, “thank you bet awards. an outstanding zero nominations again. black excellence!”. 

Harlow’s singles from the album “Montero,” such as “Call Me by Your Name” and “That’s What I Want,” topped the music chart and earned him five nominations at the 2022 Grammy Awards. So, Lil Nas X is flabbergasted with BET Awards nominations by not getting any spots.

Lil Nas X’s Alleged Comment On Jack Harlow As Not-talented

Jack Harlow’s Nomination in BET 2022 outraged Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X at BET Awards 2021. Image source: Getty Images.

The artist bombarded his Twitter account with a series of comments which he deleted later, “idk maybe 3 of the biggest songs of last year & a critically acclaimed album… i feel like that should’ve helped me a bit. What’s more even infuriating about this ordeal is that it postures Jack Harlow as a representation of Black culture. Why are untalented white artists constantly lauded in rap?” Meanwhile, in Lil Nas X’s chart-topping single “Industry Baby,” Jack Harlow appeared as a guest singer.

Jack Harlow’s Racial Identity Interfering With His Musical Career

Jack Harlow debuted in the rap world with “That’s What They All Say,” which sold unexpectedly high in 2020. His single “What’s Poppin” earned him the most sought-after hip-hop artist title, just like Lil Wayne, Big Sean, and other modern black singers or Grammy nominations. He also made the Number two position on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020.

However, his racial identity interposed with his musical talents and so-called appeal in a Black dominated hip-hop culture. Sources said Harlow’s album, “Come Home the Kids Miss You,” faced severe criticisms. But it became Number 3 on the US Billboard 200.

Hip-hop As Forte Of Black Artists

Fans accused white singers of benefitting from promoting Black culture. Hip-hop is essentially a development of Black street artists. However, according to fans, hip-hop music always celebrated white mediocrity. In the 2014 Grammy Awards, the Best Rap Album went to “The Heist” by duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, even though their singles of the album were not outstanding.

Celebrating white musicians in the hip-hop genre had outraged many Black singers. They believe Rap music is the forte of Black artists. The space for white musicians in hip-hop and rap culture is still controversial.

BET Awards 2022 Celebrating Black Excellence

The BET Awards 2022, promoting Black excellence, will be held on June 26 in Los Angeles. The month of June is the appreciation month for African American music. BET Award celebrates black excellence in the entertainment, music, and sports industry. To Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy for BET, “For over two decades, the BET Awards has been home to Black brilliance, talent, and creativity, providing unforgettable cultural moments.

We look forward to raising the bar for BET Awards 2022.”

Written by Chayanika Deka

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Yung Bleu, BET’s Best New Artist, Releases New Music Video

Yung Bleu has teamed up with Davido to deliver a fresh new music video for Bleu’s song “Unforgiving.” The standout track comes off the rapper’s debut album, Moon Boy.

The video was filmed in Lagos, Nigeria, over the summer. The basis of the plot is Yung Bleu growing up and falling in love with his childhood friend. However, what might sound like a broadly used narrative, comes off in an unexpected yet very creative way. All the small, creative details Bleu includes in the video pull that off.

Bleu manages to create organic mix of natural and surreal. As pictured below, everyday settings and attire have some minor, unexpected details to them. Ones you wouldn’t expect to approach in your everyday routine.

Yung Bleu to Release a New Music Video and Receive the Best New Artist Award
Source: YouTube

Futuristic glasses add to the repairman suit, making it look like a supersuit. Furniture levitates around the rappers as they sit in ordinary living spaces, as if they were magicians moving objects with rap wizardry.

Yung Bleu to Release a New Music Video and Receive the Best New Artist Award
Source: YouTube

It almost seems like the camera lens is showing a world through a kids’ eyes. Growing up, real and surreal always mix. A similar feeling is captured in the “Unforgiving” music video.

The various joys of non-surreal life are also there: childhood lifelong friendships, romance, family. The video also doesn’t show any decadent life pleasures (expect maybe owning a space shuttle.) But even though shuttles strive for the glory of discovery and exploration, discovering something more significant, actual astronaut training is the opposite of decadent. This adds to the pattern of both otherworldly and everyday imagery in the music video.

The video’s composition ties together the whole experience. Bright and vivid colors make the setting appear light and sunny. The clip was directed by Dammy Twitch.

BET Calls Yung Bleu The Best New Hip Hop Artist

Less than a day ago, BET awarded Yung Bleu as their 2021 Best New Hip-Hop Artist. So far, 2021 has been a very successful year for Yung Bleu. He released his debut album in July, with features from H.E.R, Kehlani, Moneybagg Yo and many more. The record debuted at #12 on the Billboard 200 and #15 on the Rolling Stone 20. Moon Boy’s “Baddest” feature with Chris Brown and 2 Chainz currently has more than 30 million views on YouTube.

Yung Bleu is also currently touring dozens of cities. Be sure to check if there’s a show in or near your hometown! You won’t want to miss this Moon Boy’s astronomical rise.

Written by Nikita Serdiuk | IG: @nikitasrdk | Twitter: @nktserdiuk

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2021 BET Hip Hop Awards: The Standout Performances

Yesterday’s 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards ceremony was, in the best way possible, a lot. On top of numerous award winners, honored guests, cyphers, and red carpet style,  there were extravagant and memorable performances. Your overview of the standout performances, below. 

Young Thug & Gunna- “Tick Tock,” “Too Easy,” & “Ski”

https://youtu.be/0Vk5s96YAdM

 

Young Thug opened the show with a performance of his latest single, “Tick Tock.” Gunna then joined Thug onstage, performing his collaboration with Future, “Too Easy.” To close their opening set, Thug and Gunna performed  their hit track “Ski” before leaving the stage.

The artists’ performance had a lot of decoration to it, even becoming a little surreal. During “Tick Tock,” there was 8-bit imagery projected around the performers, including skyscraper tops in the background and a massive spider under Young Thug’s feet. For Gunna’s entrance, the imagery changed to a night street view from a moving car. And once “Ski” hit, it even began to snow. The 8-bit imagery showed snowboarders racing down the hill, creating an immersive snowscape for the Atlanta awards ceremony. 

Baby Keem- “Family Ties”

Baby Keem got on the stage to deliver his hit single “Family Ties” with Kendrick Lamar, though Kendrick himself didn’t visit. The song came out in August to enormous support, and currently has 21 million views on YouTube.

Keem’s performance put him at the center of the BET’s stage, with fires burning in the background and dancers clad in black balaclavas and jackets. The bursts of flames felt like an apt metaphor, considering Keem has been on fire now since the hyped release of his new album, The Melodic Blue.

Tobe Nwigwe & Family- “Fye Fye”

https://youtu.be/oRXWyxUETeQ

 

Few words are needed to describe this performance, as it speaks for itself. However, it was compelling, profound, and powerful. Tobe Nwigwe bodied the fiery, political track on being black in America. With a full gospel choir supporting on the chorus, Nwigwe had the whole crowd jumping. And when Fat Nwigwe came out in a full gown and headdress to deliver her own powerful verse, the performance took its place as one of the best of the night. 

Last summer, Tobe Nwigwe also released a “Passing Through” single in honor of the Juneteenth celebration.

Isaiah Rashad with Doechii & Kal Banx- “Wat U Sed” & “From The Garden”

This “rainy” and lightly saddening performance was a personal favorite. It was also the least surreal, since no large-scale decorations or images were used. However, multiple women are dancing in black suits throughout the performance. Rapper Doechii’s performance was very emotional, cementing her as a rising superstar in hip-hop. 

Earlier this year, Isaiah released his “The House is Burning” album to acclaim.

Did we miss any of your favorite performances from last nights BET Awards? Call us out by interacting with us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. We love to hear what you think!

Written by Nikita Serdiuk | IG: @nikitasrdk | Twitter: @nktserdiuk