Lil Nas X has forfeited his fiery crown, exchanging it for a desk in the CEO suite of Riot Games. His first executive order is creating a nude skin of Udyr.
His second executive order, well… it’s proceeding to drive half the population of League players very unhappy.
Lil Nas X holds to be the “president of League of Legends” for hardly more than 24 hours, and he is already cutting up. No more extended range as the Lord of Hell.
Riot Games knew precisely what it would get when it approached Lil Nas X about this collaboration. The man has been unapologetically horny, irreverent, and vulgar forever. The “Star Walkin'” lyrics by themselves, then, isn’t what should give Riot pause. But the idea of a stadium full of screaming League of Legends fans, many of whom will be non-Black, singing along the n-word is an unforeseen consequence of this partnership that will be both highly hilarious and incredibly cringe.
Naming Lil Nas X “president” of League of Legends is the latest video game-related stunt in the pop star’s career. The collaboration between him and Riot Games is essentially to promote League’s World Championship season that starts on September 29th in Mexico City. For several years now, Riot has partnered with musical artists to perform an original, made-for-LoL song culminating in a flashy performance during the opening ceremony of the grand finals. This year, it’s Lil Nas X’s turn.
In addition to thoroughly owning the League of Legends’ socials, Lil Nas X-ecutive will perform “Star Walkin’,” the theme for this year’s League of Legends World Championship, on November 4th. Roll the clip.
There’s a good chance the lyrics are radio edited into something less incendiary if uttered by the wrong people. Or Riot lets him rock with it, respecting President X’s artistic autonomy. We’ll find out when the song debuts on music streaming platforms on September 23rd.
For those who don’t know, Lil Nas X was the most-nominated male artist at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, where he eventually won awards for Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. “Old Town Road” gained him two MTV Video Music Awards, including the American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Song or Song of the Year. Lil Nas X is the first openly LGBT Black artist to win a Country Music Association award. Time designated him one of the 25 most influential people on the Internet in 2019, and he was called on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2020
Montero Lamar Hill, known by his stage name Lil Nas X, is an American rapper and singer. He grew to reputation by releasing his nation rap single “Old Town Road,” which first achieved viral popularity in early 2019 before ascending music charts internationally and becoming diamond certified by November of that same year.
“Old Town Road” expended 19 weeks atop the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, evolving into the longest-running number-one song since the chart debuted in 1958. In addition, several song remixes were released, the most famous of which featured country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. As “Old Town Road” was atop the Hot 100, Lil Nas X came out as gay, evolving the only artist to do so while having a number-one record.