Lil Nas X Reportedly Declined to Collaborate With Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg
Written by SOURCE on July 26, 2019
Over the past several months, Lil Nas X has released a steady stream of “Old Town Road” remixes that have featured everyone from Billy Ray Cyrus and Young Thug to Diplo and Mason Ramsey. But despite what his discography might suggest, it appears the genre-fusing artist won’t collaborate with just anybody—not even a 2020 presidential candidate.
On Thursday night, Lil Nas X performed at Buzzfeed’s variety show Internet Live, which included appearances by YouTube celebrities, Broadway stars, as well as members of the Jersey Shore cast. According to the Daily Beast, event organizers had also floated the idea of having Pete Buttigieg make an appearance via video and recite a few lines from Lil Nas X’s hit single. The outlet described the proposed cameo as “some form of a collaboration with the surging pop star.” Though the idea would’ve undoubtedly made headlines, Lil Nas X reportedly shot it down.
Per the Daily Beast:
The singer was not opposed to Buttigieg personally, sources said, but instead told BuzzFeed News that he did not want to be seen as endorsing a particular candidate in the race.
As a result, the sources said, the idea was dropped and Buttigieg did not participate in the event.
Months after breaking into the mainstream, Lil Nas X shared a World Pride Day post in which he came out as gay. Buttigieg—the openly gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana—was one of the many people who applauded the artist for his bravery and “standing in his truth.”
