Words: Alastair James; pictures: Instagram/@lilnasx and @dababy
In a victory for sense over homophobia, Lil Nas X has topped (so to speak) DaBaby as Spotify’s most-streamed male rapper.
The 22-year-old ‘Industry Baby’ rapper has racked up over 52 million streams on the service, while DaBaby is still yet to break that 52 million mark.
Lil Nas X is now the streaming services’ highest-streamed male hip-hop artist, and also the 12th most-listened to artist on the platform, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ariane Grande and Billie Eilish.
“This is insane”
Tweeting his reaction, Lil Nas X said: “this is insane. this is the most i’ve ever had in my career. thank u to everybody listening.”
wow this is insane. this is the most i’ve ever had in my career. thank u to everybody listening. 🤍 https://t.co/JbCmp8QFN3
— nope 👶🏾 (@LilNasX) August 10, 2021
It’s a well-earned achievement for the man whose last two hits ‘Montero *Call Me By Your Name)’ and ‘Industry Baby’ have seen the rapper’s power and influence expand exponentially as an out and proud Black gay man.
The feat also comes following the recent controversy over homophobic and offensive comments made by DaBaby at the Rolling Loud Festival in Miami.
While on stage he told the audience: “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two, three weeks, then put your cellphone light up.”
He also said: “Fellas, if you ain’t sucking d*** in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up.”
The fallout from these horrendous comments saw multiple stars, including collaborator Dua Lipa, distance themselves from him, as well as the retailer BoohooMan. The rapper was also dropped from several music gigs and festivals including Parklife in Manchester.
While the rapper issued two half-apologies before issuing a written statement, that last statement has been deleted from his Instagram with no comment at all.
Lil Nas X’s topping of DaBaby is a sweet victory for the LGBTQ community in the face of such blatant homophobia.
And if you were wondering, which we know you were, it looks like Doja Cat currently holds the title of Spotify’s most-streamed female rapper, with more than 58 million streams. Of course, she is a Boss B***h!
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wow this is insane. this is the most i’ve ever had in my career. thank u to everybody listening. 🤍 https://t.co/JbCmp8QFN3
— nope 👶🏾 (@LilNasX) August 10, 2021