Lil Nas X has responded to wide criticisms of him kissing a male dancer during his performance at the 2021 BET Awards on Sunday.

The rapper, who donned an elaborate gown to walk the carpet, paid homage to Michael Jackson’s “Remember The Time” music video during his Egyptian-themed performance of his single, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).”

While his performance received instant buzz due to the homage paid to Michael Jackson’s iconic song, “Remember The Time,” it also received praise and notable attention due to the steamy kiss he shared with one of his male dancers.

The kiss drew audible cheers and a massive amount of applause from the audience and even earned the rapper a standing ovation—but, when one social media user criticized the “Old Town Road” musician for his production, Lil Nas X immediately fired back.

In response to a critic who tweeted at him, “DON’T USE AFRICAN CULTURE FOR S–TS LIKE THIS!!!! RESPECT OUR ANCESTORS,” the rapper wrote, “Y’all really like to pretend homosexuality didn’t exist in African culture.”