Lil Nas X accused of copying album artwork

Lil Nas X is facing allegations of plagiarism for his new album Dreamboy, with accusations that he failed to properly credit the original artwork creator.

Sega Bodega, a dance artist, highlighted the striking similarities between the album cover for Dreamboy and the artwork for his own single Angel on My Shoulder released in 2021.

Both images feature the musicians sitting in front of a vintage desktop computer in a dimly-lit room with wood paneling, while a tall figure made of white light looms behind them.

“Not even trying to put a spin on it is where I’m like yeesh,” Bodega wrote. “Anyway stream Angel on my shoulder.”

The Old Town Road singer’s fans subsequently pointed out that Lil Nas had acknowledged the similarities himself on Instagram Stories by sharing the Angel on My Shoulder artwork and calling it a “ref” for his album cover.

When one fan told Bodega on X he was “ungrateful” and Lil Nas should “remove (his) credit”, the dance musician replied, “(I) can’t tell if this is a very good joke or not cause that’s literally what he did ahahah there is no credit (sic).”

He explained that he didn’t consider Lil Nas’ post to be a sufficient credit as photos on Instagram Stories “disappear in 24 hours forever” and the singer didn’t name him or the Angel on My Shoulder artwork photographer Aidan Zamiri.

He added, “‘Be grateful!’ You lot sound insane.”

Lil Nas X will release Light Again, the next single from Dreamboy, on Friday.