Lil Nas X Pens Letter To 14-Year-Old Self About Coming Out: "People Will Be Angry"

BY Erika Marie 4.2K Views
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He reflected on how he'd promised himself as a teen that he would never come out publicly.

On the heels of the release of his latest single "MONTERO (Call  Me By Your Name)," Lil Nas X took time to reflect on his journey. During the height of his "Old Town Road" crazy back in 2019, Lil Nas X took a risk and decided to share with the world that he's gay. The response to his revelation was divided, especially in the Rap community, and since that time, Lil Nas X has navigated the reactions from both the public and people in his personal life. He's spoken out about sharing his sexuality with a global audience filled with critics and more recently, he penned a letter to his 14-year-old self about why he broke his own vow of silence.

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"I wrote a song with our name in it," wrote Lil Nas X. "It's about a guy i met last summer. i know we promised to never come out publicly, i know we promised to never be 'that' type of gay person, i know we promised to die with the secret, but this will open doors for many other queer people to simply exist. you see this is very scary for me, people will be angry, they will say i'm pushing an agenda. but the truth is, i am."

"The agenda to make people stay the f*ck out of other people's lives and stop dictating who they should be," the rapper continued. "Sending you love from the future." Have you seen the music video for "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) yet? Check out Lil Nas X's post and a few reactions below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.