Welcome to the Evolving Man Project’s “Evolved Man of the Week” profile. Each week we will highlight an individual that embodies what it means to be an evolved person, famous and non-famous individuals alike. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. This week’s honor goes to the rapper and singer, and Georgia native, Lil’ Nas X.
Lil Nas X was the most-nominated male artist at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. He ultimately won awards for Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. “Old Town Road” earned him two MTV Video Music Awards, including Song of the Year and the American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Song; Lil Nas X is also the first openly LGBT Black artist to win a Country Music Association award. Time named him one of the 25 most influential people on the Internet in 2019, and he was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2020. But the rapper’s success hasn’t led him to forget about those less fortunate than him.
In 2021, Lil Nas X found a unique way to raise money for charity: a fake “baby registry.” The rapper pretended to be pregnant and “gave birth” to his debut studio album, “Montero,” in 2021. He created a baby registry during that time but didn’t ask fans to spoil him with gifts. Instead, he encouraged people to donate to 16 important charities that assist underserved and vulnerable communities.
Through this campaign, Lil Nas X raised almost $500,000 that will be distributed through the Gilead COMPASS Initiative, an initiative from Gilead Sciences with the mission of eradicating the AIDS/HIV epidemic in the South.
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state Black people are disproportionately impacted by HIV compared to other demographics. HIV/AIDs programs were not the only organization to get some shine.
Lil Nas X also encouraged fans to donate to The Bail Project, an initiative to end mass incarceration and assist those in need by paying their bail bonds. It’s a national nonprofit created to combat mass incarceration by paying the bail for low-income people through YouTube donations made on his “Industry Baby” video. The collaboration raised more than $59,000 for the organization, which is the title track for the album. And the Cade Foundation, which helps families struggling with infertility, was also a beneficiary of Lil’s Nas X’s fundraising efforts.
Here is the artist Lil’ Nas X, in his own words:
“I’m so thankful to everybody who donated to my baby registry and joined me in helping to transform all of these communities in the South.”
We at the Evolving Man Project wish Lil’ Nas X continued success. He is definitely a trailblazer in the hip-hop community. We are thrilled to see him use his massive platform to support marginalized communities and organizations. Today we honor Lil’ Nas X as our Evolved Man of the Week.
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