Lil Nas X Reveals The Real Reason He Turned Down A Taylor Swift Collaboration

Lil Nas X is one of the biggest young performers in the world. Thanks to his popular singles like "Call Me By Your Name" and "Old Town Road," the Georgia native has skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard charts on several occasions.

He's also collaborated with many big-name artists, including Billy Ray Cyrus and Jack Harlow. However, there's one global superstar he turned down the chance to work with, and her name is Taylor Swift.

During an interview with E! News, Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, revealed he almost had the chance to make headlines again with a collaboration with Swift. However, according to him, he just couldn't find his groove.

"We were working on something," he said before explaining the "Lavender Haze" singer asked him to "try a verse" on one of her tracks. "But I couldn't catch a vibe for it, so it didn't happen."

Despite that, though, Lil Nas X admitted he's "proud" of Swift, who is arguably one of the most famous faces in the music industry right now. He even praised the 35-year-old for her latest full-length project, "The Tortured Poets Department," which was released in April 2024.

“I love the album. She’s been doing her thing. She’s at the very tippety top. I’m thankful that she even considered me," he said.

The "Industry Baby" singer didn't stop there, though. He teased that should a collab between them ever come to fruition, music listeners should be ready for "global" domination.

"Tay-tay and Nassy," he joked.

Lil Nas X dropped his second studio album, "Dreamboy," on March 28, 20225. The project features eight songs, including the singles "Need Dat Boy," "Hotbox," and "Lean on My Body."

Although some of the singer's music has rubbed people the wrong way in the past, in this era, Lil Nas X is ready to be "carefree."

“It’s gonna be fun. I’ve always been the girl to rile everybody up. I don’t want to do that this time. I want to have fun," he admitted.

Swift isn't the only pop diva from whom Lil Nas X turned down an invite. In October 2022, the Grammy-winner revealed Beyoncé invited him to a party for her critically acclaimed seventh studio album, "RENAISSANCE." However, he had to leave the "Single Ladies" singer in his rearview because of his prior work commitments.

"I think it was on the day of one of the shows, and I was like, 'do I completely leave my fans stranded and don't come to the show to see Beyoncé or not,' but you know I couldn't," he explained. "Some time, though, for sure."

The 25-year-old praised Beyoncé for her project, which has been described as a love letter to the LGBTQ+ community. Lil Nas X admitted that the songs, specifically "CHURCH GIRL" and "HEATED," made him feel "liberated."

He continued: "The overall idea of this super duper pop legend, not even this music legend in general, going into this direction that's not really mainstream at all. I think that's just so big of her. It's liberating."

After his successful first studio album, "Montero," Lil Nas X began partnering with various companies, such as M&M's, and a nonprofit organization called Sing For Hope.

According to the Sing For Hope website, the company strives to bring "hope, healing, and connection" to "community spaces" worldwide, including "hospitals, schools, care facilities, and refugee camps."

"I think my favorite thing about this partnership is that I get to work with a brand that's as legendary as M&Ms and knowing that it also has a cause helping spread music and inspire through connection," Lil Nas explained.

In 2022, the "That's What I Want" singer made waves after he called out the BET Awards for receiving zero nominations despite having chart-topping songs and a No. 2 album.

"thank you bet awards, an outstanding zero nominations again. Black excellence [grateful hands and white heart emoji]," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

After his comment, users challenged him, saying his style of music wasn't meant for the BET Awards. However, Lil Nas X clapped back, correcting his detractors with facts.

He wrote: "no offense but u are literally of caucasian persuasion and trying to school me on an award show i've watched my entire childhood + it's not the hip hop awards + they have a pop category + ratio."