Lil Nas X, an Atlanta-born rapper and singer-songwriter, has gained widespread recognition for his unique style and infectious music. Born Montero Lamar Hill, he made a name for himself with his country rap track “Old Town Road,” which took off thanks to the popular Yeehaw Challenge on TikTok. While attending Lithia Springs High School, Lil Nas X began promoting his music on Twitter, gradually building a dedicated following. Notably, he also ran a Nicki Minaj fan account called NasMaraj.
In 2018, Lil Nas X uploaded some of his songs to SoundCloud, but it was his release of “Old Town Road” that truly catapulted him into the spotlight. The single initially peaked at number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 but eventually claimed the top spot. The song also made waves on the Hot Country and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, despite being controversially removed by Billboard due to its perceived failure to meet genre-specific requirements.
Throughout his journey, Lil Nas X has found support from veteran artist Billy Ray Cyrus, with whom he has collaborated multiple times. Recently, he even broke Drake’s streaming record in the United States, with his hit “Old Town Road” amassing a staggering 143 million listens in a single week, surpassing the popularity of Drake’s “In My Feelings.” Rumors have also circulated suggesting a possible collaboration between Lil Nas X and Joe Jonas on an exciting musical project.
In June 2019, during Pride Month, Lil Nas X publicly embraced his homosexuality, receiving overwhelming support from his fans and friends. However, he also faced a barrage of homophobic comments from critics who questioned his decision to come out as a gay artist within the traditionally unwelcoming Hip Hop community. Despite the challenges, Lil Nas X’s latest single, “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” soared to the top of many global charts. Nevertheless, the song’s official music video stirred controversy and attracted significant criticism.