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'Transphobia is CLEAR': Fans react to Jack Harlow's performance & nominations over Lil Nas X in BET Awards 2022

One user tweeted saying, 'BET is catering to white racists and anti-Gay Blacks......Shame on you BET.....Shame on you'

BET Awards 2022 came as a big shocker when fans learned that Jack Harlow was nominated for Best New Artist, Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, and Best Song for his “What’s Poppin” remix, while Lil Nas X wasn't even considered. The nominations were announced on Wednesday, June 1. BET has also now announced the list of performers during the award show, with Jack Harlow making the cut and Lil Nas X still nowhere to be found.

The 24-year-old rapper has accomplished a lot in his career, which includes a critically acclaimed Drake feature on his album 'Come Home the Kids Miss You.' Making the BET cut was nothing less than a milestone for the artist but fans are constantly asking the question — 'Where's Lil Nas X?' Once the nominations were announced, the hitmaker explained that his song with Jack Harlow 'Industry Baby' was the biggest track released this year but only one of them got the nominations. Nas X tweeted, "this not over no bet award this is about the bigger problem of homophobia in the black community, y’all can sit and pretend all u want but imma risk it all for us."

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BET, later on, issued an official statement saying, "Unfortunately, this year, [Lil Nas X] was not nominated by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of an esteemed group of nearly 500 entertainment professionals in the fields of music, television, film, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, influencers, and creative arts. No one from BET serves as a member of the Voting Academy. At BET, we are passionate advocates for the wonderful diversity that exists within our community. We are committed to using all of our platforms to provide visibility and inclusion for all of the many intersections of the Black community."

Internet blames BET for preferring a white artist over Lil Nas X

After Nas X got snubbed from the nominations, fans held out hope that he would at least perform. As of now, there hasn't been any official confirmation. Also, it looks sort of impossible considering the 'Call Me When You Want' hitmaker just dissed BET in his upcoming song. One user said, "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." Another user said, "BET Alert......Jack Harlow (white Rapper) is in while Lil Nas X (Gay Black rapper) is out......BET is catering to white racists and anti-Gay Blacks......Shame on you BET.....Shame on you........Patrick."

Another use compared Jack Harlow's nomination with other overlooked artists and said, "BET never nominated “POSE.” Never gave Janet Mock the flowers she deserves or Dominique Jackson or Angelica Ross. They have allowed white folks such as Jack Harlow to grace their spaces before ever recognizing BLACK Trans women and femmes. Their transphobia is blatant and clear." Another user said, "I’m still trying to figure out how Jack Harlow got a nomination instead of Lil Nas X This year for the BET AWARDS…"

This user joked saying, "When Jack Harlow wins Best Male Hip Hop Artists at the BET Awards instead of @LilNasX" with a GIF that face-swapped Adele's face with Harlow's and Beyonce's face with Nas X, thanking her. Another user wrote, "how you gonna nominate mf Jack harlow for a BET (BLACK entertainment tv) award but not lil nas X? during pride month? it’s giving homophobia."