Lil Nas X reportedly refused to collaborate with Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg for a rendition of “Old Town Road” at a live variety show in New York on Thursday.
According to the Daily Beast, the rapper performed at a BuzzFeed event called “Internet Live,” which featured several internet celebrities and some of the cast from “Jersey Shore.”
BuzzFeed tried to get Buttigieg to appear at the event through a video where he would sing the lyrics to “Old Town Road” in collaboration with Lil Nas X, but the rapper decided against the idea because he did not want to seem like he was aligning himself with a particular presidential candidate.
The South Bend, Indiana, mayor ended up not appearing at the event.
Buttigieg has stated before that he is a fan of Lil Nas X and welcomed his decision to come out as openly gay.
“As a fan, I’m thrilled and inspired to see him standing in his truth as a member of the LGBTQ community,” Buttigieg, who is also gay, tweeted. “Welcome to the family!”
.@LilNasX has gone from viral sensation to groundbreaking musician. As a fan, I’m thrilled and inspired to see him standing in his truth as a member of the LGBTQ community. Welcome to the family! #pride https://t.co/H81iXxCII6
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) July 3, 2019
This week, “Old Town Road” tied the record for the longest streak as a No. 1 single in Billboard Hot 100 history at 16 weeks.
