Minaj has responded by praising his confidence
The rapper only admitted to being a Barb after publicly coming out as gay.
A Barb, in case you didn't know, is what Nicki Minaj's followers call themselves. And it turns out that Lil Nas X was afraid of admitting to being one, in case people thought that he was gay.
Lil Nas X came out as gay a number of months following the release of his debut track with Billy Ray Cyrus, 'Old Town Road' in 2019.
Now however, the young rapper has said that he was scared to reveal he liked Nicki Minaj's music in case it was a giveaway of his sexuality. Making a recent proposition to Minaj, he asked if she was up for a collaboration on a track that he's been working on. He tweeted: "I have this song I want you on and was wondering..."
i have this song i want u on and was wondering.... pic.twitter.com/zR4qa4SKV7
— nope (@LilNasX) June 17, 2020
To which a fan replied and asked him why he hadn't come out as a Barb before this.
He replied: "I didn’t want people to know I was gay".
i didn’t want people to know i was gay tbh
— nope (@LilNasX) June 17, 2020
Speaking of his reasoning behind his past decision to keep quiet, he explained that his opinion on the current rap and music industry is one which "ain’t exactly built or accepting of gay men yet".
it don’t but people will assume if you had an entire fan page dedicated to nicki u are gay. and the rap/music industry ain’t exactly built or accepting of gay men yet.
— nope (@LilNasX) June 17, 2020
However, Nicki Minaj has noticed the onslaught of fan outrage towards Lil Nas X, and has wished the rapper well for speaking how he really feels. She said: "It was a bit of a sting when you denied being a barb, but I understand. Congratulations on building up your confidence to speak your truth."
the generous queen, i love u. and i’m sorry i did that in a time where u were already getting so much bandwagon hate. i felt so bad, hoping u wouldn’t see my denial. i was just so afraid of people finding out about me and losing everything before i even got a chance. pic.twitter.com/3kgJctDJt1
— nope (@LilNasX) June 17, 2020
So, alls well that ends well - but we wonder if that collaboration is still on the cards?