Lil Nas X: Difference between revisions
→Discography: replace chart cites so that extra refs are no longer necessary |
Added Section [The Satan Shoe Cotroversy] Tags: Reverted Visual edit |
||
Line 96: | Line 96: | ||
==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
||
In early June 2019, Nas X [[came out]] to his sister and father, and he felt "the universe was signalling him to do so" despite his uncertainty whether his fans would stick by him or not.<ref name=":8" /> On June 30, 2019, the last day of [[Pride Month]], Nas X came out publicly as gay,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/lil-nas-x-comes-out-as-gay/ |title=Lil Nas X Comes Out as Gay |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=July 1, 2019 |publisher=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=July 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rapper-lil-nas-x-seemingly-comes-as-gay-1221935|title=Rapper Lil Nas X Seemingly Comes Out as Gay|last=Nordyke|first=Kimberly|date=June 30, 2019|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> [[Twitter|tweeting]]: "some of y'all already know, some of y'all don't care, some of y'all not gone {{abbr|fwm|fuck with me}} no more. but before this month ends i want y'all to listen closely to [[C7osure (You Like)|c7osure]]. 🌈🤩✨"<ref>{{Cite web|title=nope on Twitter: "some of y'all already know, some of y'all don't care, some of y'all not gone fwm no more. but before this month ends i want y'all to listen closely to c7osure. 🌈🤩✨"|url=https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1145428812404068352|author=Lil Nas X|publisher=Twitter|date=June 30, 2019|access-date=July 4, 2019}}</ref> The tweet confirmed earlier suspicions when he first indicated this in his track "c7osure". ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' noted the song "touches on themes such as coming clean, growing up and embracing one's self".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/lil-nas-x-comes-out-world-pride-day|title=Lil Nas X Comes Out On World Pride Day|date=July 1, 2019|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en|access-date=July 13, 2019}}</ref> The next day he tweeted again, this time highlighting the [[Rainbow flag (LGBT movement)|rainbow-colored]] building on the cover art of [[7 (Lil Nas X EP)|his EP ''7'']], with the caption reading "deadass thought i made it obvious".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/lil-nas-x-comes-out-as-gay/|title=Lil Nas X Comes Out as Gay|website=Pitchfork|access-date=July 2, 2019}}</ref><ref name="USA Today">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/07/02/old-town-road-artist-lil-nas-x-faces-homophobia-after-coming-out/1632790001/|title='Old Town Road' rapper Lil Nas X faces down homophobic comments after coming out|last=Henderson |first=Cydney|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=July 2, 2019}}</ref> He was unambiguous in an interview several days later on ''[[BBC Breakfast]]'', where he stated that he was gay and understands that his sexuality is not readily accepted in the country or rap music communities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.edgemedianetwork.com/entertainment/celebrities//278557|title=Watch: In New Interview, Rapper Lil Nas X Says He's Faced Backlash After Coming Out as Gay|date=July 5, 2019|website=EDGE Media Network|language=en-us|access-date=July 7, 2019}}</ref> The response to the news was mostly positive, but also garnered a large amount of homophobic backlash on social media, to which Nas X also reacted.<ref name="USA Today"/><ref name="CapitalXtra">{{Cite web|url=https://amp.capitalxtra.com/news/lil-nas-x-responds-homophobic-comments-sexuality/|title=Lil Nas X Responds To Homophobic Comments Following Sexuality Announcement|website=amp.capitalxtra.com|access-date=July 4, 2019}}</ref> The backlash also came from the hip hop community, drawing attention to [[homophobia in hip hop culture]].<ref name="CapitalXtra" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Marie |first1=Aurielle |title=Beyond Expectations Lil Nas X Forges a Freer, More Fluid Hip Hop |url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/lil-nas-x-coming-out-challenges-hip-hop |publisher=Bitch Media |access-date=July 12, 2019}}</ref> In January 2020, rapper [[Pastor Troy]] made [[Homophobia|homophobic]] comments on the outfit Nas X wore during the [[Grammy Award]]s, to which Nas X nonchalantly responded: "Damn I look good in that pic on god."<ref>[https://www.vibe.com/2020/01/lil-nas-x-repsonds-to-pastor-troys-homophobic-rant-in-a-very-lil-nas-x-way Lil Nas X Responds To Pastor Troy's Homophobic Rant In A Very Lil Nas X Way] vibe.com, January 30, 2020</ref><ref>[https://www.pride.com/celebrities/2020/1/29/lil-nas-x-shut-down-rappers-homophobic-comments-best-way Lil Nas X Shut Down This Rapper's Homophobic Comments in the Best Way] pride.com, Taylor Henderson, January 29, 2020</ref><ref>[https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/31/lil-nas-x-looked-good-grammys-worry-pastor-troys-homophobic-comments-12159023/ Lil Nas X looked too good at the Grammys to worry about Pastor Troy’s homophobic comments] metro.co.uk, Emma Kelly, January 31, 2020</ref><ref>[https://pagesix.com/2020/01/29/lil-nas-x-responds-to-homophobic-rant-from-rapper-pastor-troy/ Lil Nas X responds to homophobic rant from rapper Pastor Troy]</ref><ref>[https://www.papermag.com/lil-nas-x-pastor-troy-2644970220.html?rebelltitem=12#rebelltitem12 Lil Nas X Responds to Pastor Troy's Homophobic Post]</ref> |
In early June 2019, Nas X [[came out]] to his sister and father, and he felt "the universe was signalling him to do so" despite his uncertainty whether his fans would stick by him or not.<ref name=":8" /> On June 30, 2019, the last day of [[Pride Month]], Nas X came out publicly as gay,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/lil-nas-x-comes-out-as-gay/ |title=Lil Nas X Comes Out as Gay |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=July 1, 2019 |publisher=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=July 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rapper-lil-nas-x-seemingly-comes-as-gay-1221935|title=Rapper Lil Nas X Seemingly Comes Out as Gay|last=Nordyke|first=Kimberly|date=June 30, 2019|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> [[Twitter|tweeting]]: "some of y'all already know, some of y'all don't care, some of y'all not gone {{abbr|fwm|fuck with me}} no more. but before this month ends i want y'all to listen closely to [[C7osure (You Like)|c7osure]]. 🌈🤩✨"<ref>{{Cite web|title=nope on Twitter: "some of y'all already know, some of y'all don't care, some of y'all not gone fwm no more. but before this month ends i want y'all to listen closely to c7osure. 🌈🤩✨"|url=https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1145428812404068352|author=Lil Nas X|publisher=Twitter|date=June 30, 2019|access-date=July 4, 2019}}</ref> The tweet confirmed earlier suspicions when he first indicated this in his track "c7osure". ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' noted the song "touches on themes such as coming clean, growing up and embracing one's self".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/lil-nas-x-comes-out-world-pride-day|title=Lil Nas X Comes Out On World Pride Day|date=July 1, 2019|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en|access-date=July 13, 2019}}</ref> The next day he tweeted again, this time highlighting the [[Rainbow flag (LGBT movement)|rainbow-colored]] building on the cover art of [[7 (Lil Nas X EP)|his EP ''7'']], with the caption reading "deadass thought i made it obvious".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/lil-nas-x-comes-out-as-gay/|title=Lil Nas X Comes Out as Gay|website=Pitchfork|access-date=July 2, 2019}}</ref><ref name="USA Today">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/07/02/old-town-road-artist-lil-nas-x-faces-homophobia-after-coming-out/1632790001/|title='Old Town Road' rapper Lil Nas X faces down homophobic comments after coming out|last=Henderson |first=Cydney|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=July 2, 2019}}</ref> He was unambiguous in an interview several days later on ''[[BBC Breakfast]]'', where he stated that he was gay and understands that his sexuality is not readily accepted in the country or rap music communities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.edgemedianetwork.com/entertainment/celebrities//278557|title=Watch: In New Interview, Rapper Lil Nas X Says He's Faced Backlash After Coming Out as Gay|date=July 5, 2019|website=EDGE Media Network|language=en-us|access-date=July 7, 2019}}</ref> The response to the news was mostly positive, but also garnered a large amount of homophobic backlash on social media, to which Nas X also reacted.<ref name="USA Today"/><ref name="CapitalXtra">{{Cite web|url=https://amp.capitalxtra.com/news/lil-nas-x-responds-homophobic-comments-sexuality/|title=Lil Nas X Responds To Homophobic Comments Following Sexuality Announcement|website=amp.capitalxtra.com|access-date=July 4, 2019}}</ref> The backlash also came from the hip hop community, drawing attention to [[homophobia in hip hop culture]].<ref name="CapitalXtra" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Marie |first1=Aurielle |title=Beyond Expectations Lil Nas X Forges a Freer, More Fluid Hip Hop |url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/lil-nas-x-coming-out-challenges-hip-hop |publisher=Bitch Media |access-date=July 12, 2019}}</ref> In January 2020, rapper [[Pastor Troy]] made [[Homophobia|homophobic]] comments on the outfit Nas X wore during the [[Grammy Award]]s, to which Nas X nonchalantly responded: "Damn I look good in that pic on god."<ref>[https://www.vibe.com/2020/01/lil-nas-x-repsonds-to-pastor-troys-homophobic-rant-in-a-very-lil-nas-x-way Lil Nas X Responds To Pastor Troy's Homophobic Rant In A Very Lil Nas X Way] vibe.com, January 30, 2020</ref><ref>[https://www.pride.com/celebrities/2020/1/29/lil-nas-x-shut-down-rappers-homophobic-comments-best-way Lil Nas X Shut Down This Rapper's Homophobic Comments in the Best Way] pride.com, Taylor Henderson, January 29, 2020</ref><ref>[https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/31/lil-nas-x-looked-good-grammys-worry-pastor-troys-homophobic-comments-12159023/ Lil Nas X looked too good at the Grammys to worry about Pastor Troy’s homophobic comments] metro.co.uk, Emma Kelly, January 31, 2020</ref><ref>[https://pagesix.com/2020/01/29/lil-nas-x-responds-to-homophobic-rant-from-rapper-pastor-troy/ Lil Nas X responds to homophobic rant from rapper Pastor Troy]</ref><ref>[https://www.papermag.com/lil-nas-x-pastor-troy-2644970220.html?rebelltitem=12#rebelltitem12 Lil Nas X Responds to Pastor Troy's Homophobic Post]</ref> |
||
= The "Satan Shoe" Controversy = |
|||
In March 2021, Lil Nas X launched a pair of black and red sneakers named "Satan Shoes". The collaboration between New York based art collective [[MSCHF]] and Lil Nas X used [[Nike Air Max 97]]'s and featured a bronze [[pentagram]], an [[Cross of Saint Peter|inverted cross]] and a drop of real human blood.Only 666 pairs were made with a price tag of $1,018.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Nike Sues Over Unauthorized ‘Satan Shoes’|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/28/style/nike-satan-shoes-lil-Nas-x.html}}</ref> |
|||
[[Nike]] denied any relations<ref>{{Cite news|title=Nike denies involvement with Lil Nas X 'Satan Shoes' containing human blood|work=NBC News|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/nike-denies-involvement-lil-nas-x-satan-shoes-containing-human-n1262280}}</ref> with Lil Nas X or MSCF and confirmed that they neither designed or released nor endorsed the Satan shoes. On March 29,2021, Nike sued<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lil Nas X, Nike Deal Ducks Tension Between Speech, Trademark|url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/satan-shoes-deal-leaves-hazy-line-between-brand-artist-rights|url-status=live}}</ref> MSCHF’s bid to sell 666 black Air Max 97s featuring internet posts mistakenly excoriating Nike for endorsing satanism. Nike further alleged trademark infringement and dilution by tarnishment and sought compensatory, statutory and punitive damages, plus disgorgement of profits in an amount to be determined by the court. |
|||
Nike's complaint<ref>{{Cite news|title=Lil Nas X's Satan Shoes sales temporarily blocked after Nike sues MSCHF for trademark infringement|work=USA today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/03/29/satan-shoes-lil-nas-x-responds-outraged-critics-controversy/7042411002/}}</ref> explicitly stated that the material alterations included: |
|||
# referring to the shoe as the Satan Shoe, adding red ink and human blood to the midsole, adding red embroidered satanic-themed detailing, adding a bronze pentagram to the laces, and adding a new sock liner. |
|||
# that confirmed evidences of significant confusion and dilution occurred in the marketplace, including calls to boycott Nike in response to the launch of MSCHF’s Satan Shoes based on the mistaken belief that Nike had authorized or approved this product. |
|||
Lil Nas X's responded to the controversy<ref>{{Cite news|title=Lil Nas X Responds To The Ongoing NIKE "Satan Shoes" Row With A Meme|work=Republic world|url=https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/music/lil-nas-x-responds-to-the-ongoing-nike-satan-shoes-row-with-a-meme-check-out.html}}</ref> by means of a [[meme]] featuring [[Squidward]] from the [[Nickelodeon]] cartoon [[SpongeBob SquarePants|Spongebob Squarepants]]. The meme saw the severely bandaged character holding a mug out of his cardboard box home, implying that a continuous feud would prove to be a financial burden on him. |
|||
On April 6,2021, a U.S. District Court in New York approved <ref>{{Cite news|title=Nike wins court battle against Lil Nas X, ‘Satan shoes’ sales blocked|work=Fox 8|url=https://fox8.com/news/nike-wins-court-battle-against-lil-nas-x-satan-shoes-sales-blocked/}}</ref>Nike‘s request for a temporary restraining order against Lil Nas X and MSCHF. |
|||
The 665 shoes<ref>{{Cite news|title=Nike ends lawsuit over Lil Nas X ‘Satan Shoes,’ which will be recalled|work=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/08/nike-settles-lawsuit-against-maker-of-lil-nas-x-satan-shoes-.html}}</ref> shipped to customers were recalled<ref>{{Cite news|title=Satan Shoes' to be recalled as Nike agrees to settle lawsuit|work=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56684773}}</ref> as part of a settlement between Nike and MSCHF. |
|||
==Bibliography== |
==Bibliography== |
Revision as of 17:38, 20 May 2021
Lil Nas X | |
---|---|
![]() Hill at the American Music Awards in November 2019 | |
Born | Montero Lamar Hill April 9, 1999 Lithia Springs, Georgia, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Education | Lithia Springs High School University of West Georgia |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2018–present |
Awards | Full list |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instrument | Vocals |
Labels | Columbia |
Website | lilnasx |
Montero Lamar Hill (born April 9, 1999), known by his stage name Lil Nas X (/nɑːz/ NAHZ), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and media personality. He rose to prominence with the release of his country rap single "Old Town Road", which first achieved viral popularity in early 2019 before climbing music charts internationally and becoming diamond certified by November of that same year.[a]
"Old Town Road" spent 19 weeks atop the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the longest-running number-one song since the chart debuted in 1958.[4] Several remixes of the song were released, the most popular of which featured country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. Nas X came out as gay while "Old Town Road" was atop the Hot 100, becoming the only artist to do so while having a number-one record.[5] Following the success of "Old Town Road", Nas X released his debut extended play, titled 7, which spawned two further singles, with "Panini" peaking at number five and "Rodeo" peaking at number 22 on the Hot 100. His forthcoming debut studio album, Montero, is preceded by the singles "Holiday" and the chart-topping "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)".
Nas X was the most-nominated male artist at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards,[6] where 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; Nas X is also the first openly LGBTQ Black artist to win a Country Music Association award.[7] Time named him as one of the 25 most influential people on the Internet in 2019,[8] and he was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2020.[9]
Early life and education
Montero Lamar Hill was born in Lithia Springs, Georgia,[10] a small city outside Atlanta, on April 9, 1999.[11] He was named after the Mitsubishi Montero.[12] His parents divorced when he was six,[13] and he settled in the Bankhead Courts housing project with his mother and grandmother. Three years later, he moved in with his father, a gospel singer,[13] north of the city in Austell, Georgia. Although initially reluctant to leave, he later regarded it as an important decision: "There's so much shit going on in Atlanta—if I would have stayed there, I would have fallen in with the wrong crowd."[14] He started "using the Internet heavily right around the time when memes started to become their own form of entertainment"; about when he was thirteen.[15]
He spent much of his teenage years alone, and turned to the Internet, "particularly Twitter, creating memes that showed his disarming wit and pop-culture savvy."[13] His teenage years also saw him struggling with his coming out to himself as being gay; he prayed that it was just a phase,[16][17] but around sixteen or seventeen he came to accept it.[18] He began playing trumpet in the fourth grade and was first chair by his junior high years, but quit out of fear of looking uncool.[19]
He attended Lithia Springs High School and graduated in 2017.[20] He attended the University of West Georgia for one year before dropping out to pursue a musical career. During this time, he stayed with his sister and supported himself with jobs at Zaxby's restaurants and the Six Flags Over Georgia theme park.[14] In September 2019 he revisited his high school to perform a surprise concert.[21]
Career
2015–2017: Internet personality
Hill said he began to isolate himself from "outside-of-class activities" during his teenage years. He spent large amounts of time online in hopes of building a following as an internet personality to promote his work, but was unsure what to focus on creatively. In a Rolling Stone interview he stated, "I was doing Facebook comedy videos, then I moved over to Instagram, and then I hopped on Twitter ... where I really was a master. That was the first place where I could go viral."[22] As of February 2021, Lil Nas X has: 5.6 million followers on Twitter; 6.5 million followers on Instagram; "5.2 million subscribers on YouTube, and over 44 million monthly listeners on Spotify."[23] He posted short-format comedy videos on Facebook and Vine.[14]
During this period, he reportedly created and ran Nicki Minaj fan accounts on Twitter, including one called "@NasMaraj", according to a New York Magazine investigation.[24][25] In 2017, this account gained attention for its flash fiction-style interactive "scenario threads" popularized on Twitter using dashboard app TweetDeck.[26][27][24] The investigation linked @NasMaraj to the practice of "Tweetdecking", or using multiple accounts in collaboration to artificially make certain tweets go viral. The @NasMaraj account was suspended by Twitter due to "violating spam policies".[24] After the suspension of @NasMaraj, New York Magazine's investigation concluded that he subsequently opened a new account with handle "@NasMarai", and that his current Twitter account at the time was a repurposed version of that "@NasMarai" account with a changed handle.[24] After media reports linked Nas X to the Minaj fan accounts, he called the reports a "misunderstanding", effectively denying having run the accounts.[28][29] However, in May 2020, Lil Nas X admitted, in a tweet, to being a fan of Minaj. He explained why he initially denied it, stating that if people knew he was a fan of hers, they would think he was gay: "People will assume if you had an entire fan page dedicated to nicki u are gay. and the rap/music industry ain't exactly built or accepting of gay men yet". On June 17, 2020, Minaj responded to Nas, tweeting "It was a bit of a sting when you denied being a barb, but I understand. Congratulations on building up your confidence to speak your truth". Lil Nas apologized to Minaj, saying he "felt so bad, hoping u wouldn't see my denial".[30]
In late 2019, Lil Nas X landed on music as a path to success, and started writing and recording songs in his closet.[13] He adopted the name Lil Nas X, which is a tribute to the rapper Nas.[31] In late October 2018, he ran across the music that would be "Old Town Road".[13]
2018–2019: Breakthrough with "Old Town Road" and 7
On December 3, 2018, Nas X released the country rap song "Old Town Road".[b] He bought the beat for the song anonymously on an online store from Dutch producer YoungKio for $30;[44] it samples Nine Inch Nails' track "34 Ghosts IV" from their sixth studio album Ghosts I–IV (2008).[45] He recorded at a "humble" Atlanta studio, CinCoYo, on their "$20 Tuesdays" taking less than an hour.[46] Nas X began creating memes to promote "Old Town Road" before it was picked up by short-form video social media TikTok users.[11] TikTok encourages its 500 million global users to "endless imitation," with videos generating copies usually using the same music; the "app’s frantic churn of content ...acts as a potent incubator for viral music hits."[47] Nas X estimated he made about a hundred memes to promote it;[13] the song went viral in early 2019 due to the #Yeehaw Challenge meme on TikTok. Millions of users posted videos of themselves dressed as a wrangler or cowgirl, with most #yeehaw videos using the song for their soundtrack; as of July 2019, they have been seen more than 67 million times.[11] Another core audience tied to social media is children who are hidden in the statistics of adult listeners.[48] Quartz.com says the song certainly owes part of its success to the demographic, and notes they are attracted to the song being repetitive, easy to sing along to, and using lyrics about riding horses and tractors, which children can relate to.[48] It debuted at number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, later climbing to number one.[49][50] The track also debuted on the Hot Country Songs chart at number 19 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at number 36.[51] After an "intense bidding war", Nas X signed with Columbia Records in March 2019.[11] Billboard controversially removed the song from the Hot Country songs chart in March 2019 telling Rolling Stone:
"When determining genres, a few factors are examined, but first and foremost is a musical composition. While "Old Town Road" incorporates references to country and cowboy imagery, it does not embrace enough elements of today's country music to chart in its current version.[52]
In Robert Christgau's opinion, "Taking 'Old Town Road' off the country chart strikes me as racist pure and simple, because country radio remains racist regardless of the Darius Ruckers and Kane Browns it makes room for."[53] Another Billboard spokesperson told Genius, "Billboard's decision to take the song off of the country chart had absolutely nothing to do with the race of the artist."[52] Despite being removed from the main Country Songs chart, the song charted on Billboard's Country Airplay chart, debuting at 53,[54] and peaking at 50.[55] In response, Sony Music Nashville CEO Randy Goodman told Billboard that his team started testing the song in some country radio markets, adding "it would be negligent not to look at it".[54] In May 2019, the issues of racism in country music culture came up again when Wrangler announced its Lil Nas X collection, and some consumers threatened a boycott.[56] Media outlets also noted that the song brings attention to the historic cultural erasure of African-Americans from both country music and the American frontier era.[57][58][59][60]
Country music star Billy Ray Cyrus supported "Old Town Road",[61] and became the featured vocalist in an April 2019 remix, the first of several.[62][c] That same month, Nas X broke Drake's record for the most U.S. streams in one week with 143 million streams for the week ending April 11, surpassing Drake's "In My Feelings", which had 116.2 million streams in a week in July 2018;[67] as of August 2019 it has streamed over a billion plays on Spotify alone.[13] In May 2019, the video was released and as of August 2019, has over 370 million views.[64][23] NBC News's Michael Arceneaux wrote:
In the social media age, Lil Nas X is arguably the first micro-platform crossover star.[68]
Nas X released his debut extended play, titled 7, on June 21, 2019.[69][70] The EP debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart.[71] On June 23, 2019, Nas X performed with Cyrus at the 2019 BET Awards.[72] On June 30, Nas X made his international debut at the largest greenfield festival in the world, the U.K.’s annual Glastonbury Festival, when he and Billy Ray Cyrus made a surprise appearance and joined Miley Cyrus for the song, before performing his new single "Panini" solo in a set seen nationally on BBC.[73] On the same day, Nas X became one of the most visible Black queer male singers when he came out as gay.[74] This was especially significant for an artist in the country and hip hop genres, both of which emphasize machismo and "historically snubbed queer artists".[74][d] Black queer male artists in hip hop having mainstream acceptance arguably started in 2012 with Frank Ocean’s coming out just before Channel Orange was released.[74][75][76][e] Rolling Stone premiered the Rolling Stone Top 100 in early July with three Nas X songs: "Rodeo" with Cardi B at number nine; "Panini" at four; and "Old Town Road" as the first-ever number-one song on the chart.[78][f]
2020–present: Montero
On July 7, 2020, Lil Nas X revealed that his upcoming debut album was "almost finished". He also stated that he was working on a mixtape, and invited producers to submit their beats for his new music.[79] On July 10, he teased the release of a new song titled "Call Me by Your Name", posting a snippet of it online.[80][81] On November 8, 2020, he announced a new single, "Holiday", which was released on November 13.[82] On Roblox, a virtual concert was held to promote Nas X's single, with Lil Nas X-related items in the game's avatar shop.[83] The single debuted at 37 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the song's music video accumulated tens of millions of views within the first several weeks of release.
In January 2021, he released a children's book, C is for Country.[84] The following month, he again previewed the song, "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" in a Super Bowl LV commercial.[85] The song was officially released on March 26, 2021, along with an accompanying music video.[86] On the same day, Nas X revealed that his debut album would be named Montero, and that it would be released in mid-2021.[87] The video prompted strong reactions. The song was seen by many as a valuable expression of queerness, though prominent conservative and Christian figures accused Hill of sacrilege and devil worship.[88][89] In March 2021, MSCHF, the maker of Lil Nas X's custom-made Satan Shoes, which were used in the video, was sued by the Nike Corporation in the Eastern District of New York for alleged trademark infringement.[90] Nike won the lawsuit which resulted in a temporary restraining order against the sale of the shoes.[91]
Public recognition
In July 2019, Time named him one of the 25 most influential people on the Internet for his "global impact on social media", and "overall ability to drive news".[92] In late July 2019, the MTV Video Music Award (VMA) nominations were announced, with Nas X receiving eight.[93][g] He performed "Panini", an "ode to the cartoon rabbit of the same name from Cartoon Network's Chowder", with a troupe of "Tron-inflected dancers" at the 2019 MTV VMAs,[94] where he also won two awards: Song of the Year, for which he is the first LGBTQ person to do so;[95] and the video's Calmatic for Best Direction.[96] He was nominated for five fan-chosen 2019 Teen Choice Awards, winning Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song for the Cyrus remix of "Old Town Road".[97][h] "Old Town Road" is also the YouTube top song of the summer in the U.S. and over fifty other countries and territories; it is also their second top global song of the summer.[99] Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ remix also won the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards collaboration category, CMA Music Event of the Year; Nas X is the first out gay man to ever be nominated for a CMA award, and the only openly LGBTQ person to win.[100][101][7] Vox noted the Event Award is not a part of the CMA televised celebration, and they snubbed Nas X from bigger appropriate categories.[102] The "Old Town Road" remix with Cyrus has been nominated for a People's Choice Award for Song of 2019, Nas X was also nominated for "Male Artist of 2019" at the 45th People's Choice Awards.[103] In October, at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards Nas X, with Cyrus, won for Best Collab/Duo or Group, and Single of the Year.[104][105][i] In November 2019, Nas X won the American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Song, he was nominated for four others including three for "Old Town Road" featuring Billy Ray Cyrus.[j][106] In November 2019, Nas X was nominated for six Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Best New Artist, and eventually won Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.[107] Lil Nas X's success caused him to become the first person of color and the first openly gay performer to be listed by Forbes in its annual Highest-Paid Country Acts List.[108][109]
Ken Burns, who produced the PBS documentary Country Music, noted,
"Well, to me, Lil Nas X is my mic drop moment. We spend eight episodes and sixteen and a half hours talking about the fact that country music has never been one thing. ... And there's a huge African American influence, and it permeates throughout the whole story. ... And here we are in a new modern age that we’re not touching, with all these classic, binary arguments about Billboard not listing ['Old Town Road'] on the country chart, and it turns out to be not just the No. 1 country hit but the No. 1 single, period, and it’s by a black gay rapper! ... It just is proving that all of those cycles that we have been reporting on across the decades—all of the tensions in country music of race, class, poverty, gender, creativity versus commerce, geography—are still going on."[110]
"Panini" was released as Nas X's second single through Columbia Records in June 2019.[111][112] It is named after the fictional cabbit of the same name in the animated television series Chowder,[113] and does not refer to the sandwich of the same name. In mid-September 2019 "Panini" had its first remix released with rapper DaBaby.[114]
In early July 2019, "Old Town Road" achieved its 13th week at the top spot on the Billboard 100, becoming the first hip hop song to do so.[115][k] It is also the first song to sell ten million copies while in the top spot.[64][115] On its fifteenth week at the top, Nas X became the first openly gay artist to have a song last as long, beating out Elton John’s 1997 Double A-Side—where both sides of the record are promoted as hits, "Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something About the Way You Look Tonight".[5] At nineteen weeks at number one, Nas X holds the record for the most weeks since the chart was first introduced in 1958.[4][l] As of August 2019[update], the song has also charted nineteen weeks atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart;[4] beating a three-way tie record.[117][m] At nineteen weeks at the top of the Hot Rap Songs chart the song has also beaten a three-way tie.[4][n] By November 2019, the song was Diamond Certified, moving a combined sales and streaming ten million units.[121]
Public image
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Lil_Nas_X_back_stage_at_the_MTV_Video_Music_Awards_2019.jpg/150px-Lil_Nas_X_back_stage_at_the_MTV_Video_Music_Awards_2019.jpg)
Nas X has been noted for his public fashions; in July 2019, Vogue noted Nas X as a "master" at giving the cowboy aesthetic a glam look in his appearances and on Instagram.[123] His stylist, Hodo Musa, says he aims for items that are "electric, playful, colorful, and futuristic."[122] For his on-stage look at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards he wore a cowboy motif cherry-red Nudie suit.[124] Wrangler, which is mentioned in the "Old Town Road" lyrics, has consistently sold out of Nas X co-branded fashions.[125]
For the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards Nas X wore several outfits including a head-to-toe couture fuschia Versace suit with a pink harness which took 700 hours to construct.[126]
In July 2020, Lil Nas X modelled in a trailer video for a new skin-care line by Rihanna's Fenty Beauty.[127]
Personal life
In early June 2019, Nas X came out to his sister and father, and he felt "the universe was signalling him to do so" despite his uncertainty whether his fans would stick by him or not.[13] On June 30, 2019, the last day of Pride Month, Nas X came out publicly as gay,[128][129] tweeting: "some of y'all already know, some of y'all don't care, some of y'all not gone fwm no more. but before this month ends i want y'all to listen closely to c7osure. 🌈🤩✨"[130] The tweet confirmed earlier suspicions when he first indicated this in his track "c7osure". Rolling Stone noted the song "touches on themes such as coming clean, growing up and embracing one's self".[131] The next day he tweeted again, this time highlighting the rainbow-colored building on the cover art of his EP 7, with the caption reading "deadass thought i made it obvious".[132][133] He was unambiguous in an interview several days later on BBC Breakfast, where he stated that he was gay and understands that his sexuality is not readily accepted in the country or rap music communities.[134] The response to the news was mostly positive, but also garnered a large amount of homophobic backlash on social media, to which Nas X also reacted.[133][135] The backlash also came from the hip hop community, drawing attention to homophobia in hip hop culture.[135][136] In January 2020, rapper Pastor Troy made homophobic comments on the outfit Nas X wore during the Grammy Awards, to which Nas X nonchalantly responded: "Damn I look good in that pic on god."[137][138][139][140][141]
The "Satan Shoe" Controversy
In March 2021, Lil Nas X launched a pair of black and red sneakers named "Satan Shoes". The collaboration between New York based art collective MSCHF and Lil Nas X used Nike Air Max 97's and featured a bronze pentagram, an inverted cross and a drop of real human blood.Only 666 pairs were made with a price tag of $1,018.[142]
Nike denied any relations[143] with Lil Nas X or MSCF and confirmed that they neither designed or released nor endorsed the Satan shoes. On March 29,2021, Nike sued[144] MSCHF’s bid to sell 666 black Air Max 97s featuring internet posts mistakenly excoriating Nike for endorsing satanism. Nike further alleged trademark infringement and dilution by tarnishment and sought compensatory, statutory and punitive damages, plus disgorgement of profits in an amount to be determined by the court.
Nike's complaint[145] explicitly stated that the material alterations included:
- referring to the shoe as the Satan Shoe, adding red ink and human blood to the midsole, adding red embroidered satanic-themed detailing, adding a bronze pentagram to the laces, and adding a new sock liner.
- that confirmed evidences of significant confusion and dilution occurred in the marketplace, including calls to boycott Nike in response to the launch of MSCHF’s Satan Shoes based on the mistaken belief that Nike had authorized or approved this product.
Lil Nas X's responded to the controversy[146] by means of a meme featuring Squidward from the Nickelodeon cartoon Spongebob Squarepants. The meme saw the severely bandaged character holding a mug out of his cardboard box home, implying that a continuous feud would prove to be a financial burden on him.
On April 6,2021, a U.S. District Court in New York approved [147]Nike‘s request for a temporary restraining order against Lil Nas X and MSCHF.
The 665 shoes[148] shipped to customers were recalled[149] as part of a settlement between Nike and MSCHF.
Bibliography
- C Is for Country (2021)[150]
Filmography
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | Dave | Upcoming role | Episode: "TBA" |
Saturday Night Live | Himself | Musical guest (1 episode) |
Discography
Lil Nas X discography | |
---|---|
Studio albums | 1 |
EPs | 1 |
Singles | 6 |
Mixtapes | 1 |
Studio albums
Title | Details |
---|---|
Montero |
|
Mixtapes
Title | Details |
---|---|
Nasarati |
|
Extended plays
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Pure sales | Certifications | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [153] |
AUS [154] |
AUT [155] |
CAN [156] |
DEN [157] |
FRA [158] |
IRE [159] |
NZ [160] |
SWE [161] |
UK [162] | ||||
7 |
|
2 | 5 | 53 | 1 | 9 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 23 |
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Certifications | Album | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [169] |
US R&B /HH [170] |
AUS [154] |
CAN [171] |
FRA [158] |
IRE [159] |
NOR [172] |
NZ [160] |
SWI [173] |
UK [162] | |||||
"Old Town Road" (solo or remix featuring Billy Ray Cyrus) |
2018 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | ||
"Panini" | 2019 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 8 | 93 | 18 | 26 | 14 | 43 | 21 | |||
"Rodeo" (with Cardi B or Nas) |
2020 | 22 | 12 | 72 | 44 | 111 | 35 | — | —[A] | 82 | 55 | |||
"Holiday" | 37 | 12 | 42 | 27 | 70 | 18 | 10 | —[B] | 26 | 23 | Montero | |||
"Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" | 2021 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |||
"Sun Goes Down"[185] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Other charted songs
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Bub. [186] |
US RS [187] |
US Rock [188] |
NZ Hot [189] | |||
"F9mily (You & Me)" (with Travis Barker) |
2019 | — | 97 | 6 | 34 | 7 |
"Kick It" | — | — | — | 33 | ||
"Bring U Down" (featuring Ryan Tedder) |
— | — | 7 | — | ||
"C7osure (You Like)" | 14 | — | — | 27 | ||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart |
Awards and nominations
See also
- LGBT culture in New York City
- List of LGBTQ New Yorkers
- List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones
- List of artists who reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100
- List of most-streamed artists on Spotify
Notes
- ^ Diamond Certified is moving ten million certified units – streaming and sales combined.
- ^ "Old Town Road" has been variously described by publications as a country rap,[32][33][34][35] country,[36][37][38] trap,[39][40][41] or Southern hip hop song.[42] Nas X stated that he regards it as a "country trap" song.[43]
- ^ The single's second official remix, "Old Town Road (Diplo Remix)", was released on April 29, 2019, featuring additional production by American DJ Diplo.[63] Mid-July 2019, an official remix of "Old Town Road" was released adding rapper Young Thug, and yodeler Mason Ramsey, to Billy Ray Cyrus.[64] In late July 2019, another remix called "Seoul Town Road" was released featuring South Korean rapper RM of the boyband BTS.[65] Billboard counts all the versions of the song in the same total.[66]
- ^ Rap is full of gay slurs like "sus", "No homo", and "Pause" using "queerness as a punchline".[74]
- ^ Other notable Black queer men gaining mainstream acceptance before Nas X include: Tyler, the Creator; ILoveMakonnen; Brockhampton frontman Kevin Abstract; and Steve Lacy.[74] Black queer women artists have been accepted more readily;[74] while the queer hip hop movement goes back to the 1990s.[77]
- ^ The Rolling Stone Top 100 tracks "the most popular songs of the week in the United States"; ranked by combining streams and sales, omitting radio plays.[78]
- ^ His nominations were for "Old Town Road": Song of the Year, Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Hip Hop, Best Direction, Best Editing and Best Art Direction.[93] He is also up for the Best New Artist trophy.[93]
- ^ Nas X was nominated for both "Choice Male Artist", and "Choice Breakout Artist"; "Old Town Road" was up for "Choice Song: Male Artist"; while the remix with Billy Ray Cyrus was also up for "Choice Collaboration".[98]
- ^ Nas X was also nominated for ‘Best New Hip-Hop Artist’.[104]
- ^ Nas X was also nominated for: New Artist of the Year; and “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus for Collaboration of the Year, Favorite Pop/Rock Song, and Favorite Music Video.
- ^ It surpassed three hip hop songs that were tied at twelve weeks each: "Lose Yourself" by Eminem (2002), "Boom Boom Pow" by The Black Eyed Peas (2009), and "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth (2015).[115] On its fourteenth week at the top, it was the tenth single to ever reach the mark, with Billboard noting all but two of the previous singles had been nominated for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.[116]
- ^ Nas X beat two songs tied at sixteen weeks for the longest time to do so; "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and R&B group Boyz II Men (1995–96); and "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber (2017).
- ^ On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart: at nineteen weeks it beats the three songs at eighteen weeks:
- "The Honeydripper (Parts 1 & 2)" (1945) by Joe Liggins and His Honeydrippers,[118]
- "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" (1946) by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five,[118] and
- "One Dance" (2016) by Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla.[119]
- ^ Three songs were tied at eighteen weeks each: “Hot Boyz" by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott featuring Lil' Mo, Nas, Eve and Q-Tip (1999–2000); "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX (2014); and "Hotline Bling" by Drake (2015–16).[120]
- ^ "Rodeo" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number six on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[181]
- ^ "Holiday" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 10 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[182]
References
- ^ a b c d Yeung, Neil. "Lil Nas X Bio". AllMusic. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (August 26, 2019). "VMAs: Lil Nas X Channels Robotic Future During "Panini" Performance". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ Jamieson, Brii (June 12, 2019). "Travis Barker Has Written A Song With Viral Country Rap Artist Lil Nas X". Rock Sound. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Lil Nas X hit Old Town Road makes Billboard charts history". Associated Press. August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
- ^ a b Thompson, Paul (July 17, 2019). "Lil Nas X Is Strategically Closing in on History". Vulture. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- ^ Warner, Denise (November 20, 2019). "2020 Grammy Nominees: The Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ a b Bollinger, Alex (November 14, 2019). "Lil Nas X is the first openly gay black artist to win a Country Music Award". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ "The 25 Most Influential People on the Internet". Time. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
- ^ Greenburg, Zack O'Malley. "Lil Nas X, Normani, Maluma And The 30 Under 30 Music Class Of 2020". Forbes. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
- ^ Najja Parker. ""I'm not angry": Lil Nas X addresses those who bullied him for coming out". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Chow, Andrew R. (April 5, 2019). "Lil Nas X Talks 'Old Town Road' and the Billboard Controversy." Time. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- ^ Lil Nas X Details Where His Birth Name Came From — and the Origin of His Stage Moniker Nicholas Rice, People magazine
- ^ a b c d e f g h Chow, Andrew R. (August 15, 2019). "'It Feels Like I'm Chosen to Do This.' Inside the Record-Breaking Rise of Lil Nas X". Time. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
- ^ a b c Eels, Josh (May 20, 2019). "Lil Nas X: Inside the Rise of a Hip-Hop Cowboy". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- ^ Carmichael, Rodney (April 10, 2019). "Wrangler On His Booty: Lil Nas X On The Making And The Magic Of 'Old Town Road'". National Public Radio. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
- ^ Towle, Andy (September 30, 2019). "Lil Nas X Says He Prayed as a Teen That His Gay Inclinations Were Just a Phase: WATCH". Towleroad News. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
- ^ King, Gayle (September 30, 2019). "Lil Nas X opens up about the difficulties of coming out: "We still have a long way to go"". CBS News. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ King, Gayle (October 1, 2019). "Lil Nas X on the origins of "Old Town Road": "The line just comes to me"". CBS News. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Goes Undercover on Reddit, Twitter and Instagram". GQ. November 20, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
- ^ Daniel, Ron (April 11, 2019). "Lithia grad Lil Nas X has top song in America". Douglas County Sentinel. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ Naumann, Ryan (September 10, 2019). "Lil Nas X Drops By His Old High School To Give Surprise Concert". The Blast. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
- ^ Nilles, Billy (August 2, 2019). "Why Lil Nas X Breaking Records Is Such a Big Deal". E! Online. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
- ^ a b Sloan, Elizabeth (August 26, 2019). "Lil Nas X's Real Name Is Montero Lamar Hill". Heavy. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Feldman, Brian (April 5, 2019). "Before 'Old Town Road,' Lil Nas X Was a Tweetdecker". New York Magazine. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
- ^ Reinstein, Julia (April 5, 2019). "Lil Nas X Used To Be A Tweetdecker". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ N/A, Mix (July 10, 2017). "One cryptic storyteller is using Twitter to craft thrilling interactive fiction". The Next Web. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ Hill, Montero (August 4, 2017). "nasmaraj (u/nasmaraj) – Reddit". Reddit. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ "Wrangler On His Booty: Lil Nas X On The Making And The Magic Of 'Old Town Road'". NPR.org. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Nas X on His Connection to Nicki Minaj Stan Account: 'It's Like a Big Misunderstanding'". Complex. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ Curto, Justin (June 10, 2020). "Nicki Minaj Congratulates Lil Nas X on Coming Out As a Barb". Vulture. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
- ^ Prahl, Amanda (July 2, 2019). "His Name Pays Tribute to a Famous Rapper". PopSugar. Group Nine Media. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
- ^ Leight, Elias. "'Old Town Road' by Lil Nas X Is Officially the Number One Song in America". Rolling Stone. Penske Business Media. Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Ivie, Devon. "Billboard Defends Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Removal from the Country Charts". Vulture. New York Media. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon. "Lil Nas X's Smash Makes Country Wonder If Rap Is Friend or Foe. Again". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ Ashrawi, Sama'an. "Before 'Old Town Road': The Evolution of Country Rap Tunes". Complex. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ Manns, Keydra. "Was Billboard Wrong to Pull 'Old Town Road' from the Country Chart?". New Jersey On-Line. Advance Local. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Richards, Chris. "'Old Town Road' Is a Smash. Will It Mutate into 'Baby Shark'?". The Washington Post. Nash Holdings. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Zemler, Emily. "Watch Lil Nas X Perform 'Old Town Road' on Desus and Mero". Rolling Stone. Penske Business Media. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ Gillespie, Katherine. "This Billy Ray Cyrus Remix of 'Old Town Road' Slaps". PAPER Magazine. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Spanos, Brittany. "Song You Need to Know: Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, 'Old Town Road (Remix)'". Rolling Stone. Penske Business Media. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Butler, Bethonie. "Billboard Tried to Fit 'Old Town Road' into a Neat Box. But That's Not How We Listen to Music Anyway". The Washington Post. Nash Holdings. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ Luckerson, Victor. "Lil Nas X and the Costume of Country Rap". The Ringer. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Yoo, Noah. "Billboard Removes Lil Nas X's Viral Song 'Old Town Road' from Country Chart". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ Pamela Engel (May 31, 2019). "Lil Nas X's country-trap hit 'Old Town Road' samples a Nine Inch Nails song — and the band might have a claim to some of the royalties". Retrieved June 24, 2019.
- ^ Cirisano, Tatiana (March 22, 2019). "'Old Town Road' Rapper Lil Nas X Signs to Columbia Records". Billboard. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ^ King, Gayle (September 30, 2019). "Lil Nas X takes Gayle King inside the studio where he recorded "Old Town Road"". CBS News. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ Zhang, Cat (November 13, 2019). "The Anatomy of a TikTok Hit". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- ^ a b Kopf, Dan. "One secret to Old Town Road's record-breaking success? Kids are obsessed with it". Quartzy. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
- ^ Kellner, Xander. "Spurred by a TikTok Meme, Lil Nas X Scores First Billboard Hot 100 Hit With 'Old Town Road'". Billboard.
- ^ Trust, Gary (April 8, 2019). "Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" Leaps to No. 1 on the Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ Cirisano, Tatiana. "Labels Sparring Over Rapper Lil Nas X As 'Old Town Road' Rakes In Streams: Exclusive". Billboard.
- ^ a b Nast, Condé. "Billboard Removes Lil Nas X's Viral Song "Old Town Road" from Country Chart". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (June 18, 2019). "Xgau Sez". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- ^ a b "Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Debuts on Country Airplay Chart, Driven by Morning Show Spins". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ "Country Radio Music Chart". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ Nittle, Nadra (June 5, 2019). "Lil Nas X isn't an anomaly — black people have always been a part of country music". Vox. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
- ^ Sheffield, Rob (July 19, 2019). "The 'Old Town Road' Goes on Forever". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
- ^ Ruckus, Jake Iverson (July 18, 2019). "Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" highlights the forgotten Black history of country music". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
- ^ Weber, Jered (July 30, 2019). "The real 'Old Town Road': Lil Nas X highlights black cowboy culture across US". USA TODAY. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- ^ Smith, Jordan-Marie (August 2, 2019). "Tracing Country Music's Roots Back to 17th-Century Slave Ships". The Washington Post.
- ^ Cyrus, Billy Ray (April 3, 2019). ".@LilNasX Been watching everything going on with OTR. When I got thrown off the charts, Waylon Jennings said to me "Take this as a compliment" means you're doing something great! Only Outlaws are outlawed. Welcome to the club!". @billyraycyrus. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- ^ Sisario, Ben (April 5, 2019). "Lil Nas X Added Billy Ray Cyrus to 'Old Town Road.' Is It Country Enough for Billboard Now?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
- ^ Angela Stefano (April 29, 2019). "Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus + Diplo Reveal Another 'Old Town Road' Remix at Stagecoach 2019 [WATCH]". The Boot. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ a b c France, Lisa Resper (July 12, 2019). "Lil Nas X blesses us with a new 'Old Town Road' remix". CNN Entertainment. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^ France, Lisa Respers (July 25, 2019). "Lil Nas X and RM of BTS drop new 'Old Town Road' remix". CNN. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
- ^ Roberts, Randall. "Lil Nas X and Billie Eilish enlist array of stars in all-out race for No. 1". latimes.com. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" Breaks Drake's Streaming Record!". Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
- ^ Arceneaux, Michael (July 14, 2019). "Lil Nas X showed Billboard and his critics that they can't tell him nothin'". NBC News. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Nas X on Instagram: '"7" the EP! next month. 🤩'". Instagram. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Nas X: 7 EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- ^ a b Caulfield, Keith (June 30, 2019). "The Raconteurs Land First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Help Us Stranger'". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ BETNetworks (June 23, 2019), Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus Bring The Old Town Road To The BET Awards Live! | BET Awards 2019, retrieved June 24, 2019
- ^ Arcand, Rob (June 30, 2019). "Watch Miley Cyrus Bring Out Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus to Play "Old Town Road" at Glastonbury". Spin. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f Kennedy, Gerrick D. (July 31, 2019). "Lil Nas X came out, but has hip-hop? A macho culture faces a crossroads". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- ^ Russell Simmons (July 4, 2012). "The Courage of Frank Ocean Just Changed The Game!". Global Grind. Archived from the original on July 1, 2013.
- ^ Mora, Maria (September 3, 2019). "Is Hip Hop on Its Way To Becoming Queer-Friendly?". Hypebae. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ "Homo Hop is dead, Queer hip hop is the real deal" Archived March 17, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. 429 Magazine, March 11, 2013.
- ^ a b "RS Charts: Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Is Number One on Rolling Stone Top 100 Chart". Rolling Stone. July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ Clarke, Patrick (July 7, 2020). "Lil Nas X says new album is "almost finished" and that he's also working on a mixtape". NME. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
- ^ Rania, Aniftos (July 10, 2020). "Lil Nas X Teases Fiery New Song 'Call Me By Your Name'". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
- ^ "need call me by your name artwork". July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020 – via Lil Nas X on Twitter (confirmed account).
- ^ Minsker, Evan (November 8, 2020). "Watch Lil Nas X announce his new single "Holiday"". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
- ^ Kastrenakes, Jacob (November 10, 2020). "Lil Nas X brings Old Town Road to Roblox with an elaborate virtual concert". The Verge. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ https://www.npr.org/2021/01/05/953349880/lil-nas-x-says-children-are-his-core-audience-right-now-and-thats-ok
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (February 2, 2021). "Lil Nas X Previews New Song 'Montero (Call Me by Your Name)' in 2021 Super Bowl Ad: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Lap Dances in Hell, Gets Seduced in Garden of Eden in Trippy 'Montero' Video". Billboard. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- ^ ""Montero" The Album Drops This Summer!". Twitter. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X on His Provocative New Video for "Montero"". Time. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- ^ Dessem, Matthew (March 29, 2021). "Conservatives Are Enraged at Lil Nas X and His "Satan Shoes"". Slate Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- ^ Brian Pietsch (March 28, 2021). "Nike Sues Over Unauthorized 'Satan Shoes'". The New York Times. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
Nike is suing MSCHF, a small Brooklyn-based company, over its sale of 666 pairs of altered Nike Air Max 97s as "Satan Shoes" in collaboration with the rapper Lil Nas X.
- ^ "Nike wins lawsuit over 'Satan Shoes' with human blood". BBC News. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ Bruner, Raisa (July 16, 2019). "The 25 Most Influential People on the Internet". Time. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- ^ a b c Liptak, Carena (July 23, 2019). "Lil Nas X Picks Up Eight MTV Video Music Awards Nominations". The Boot. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
- ^ Grady, Constance; Abad-Santos, Alex (August 28, 2019). "Watch: the 6 best performances from this year's VMAs". Vox. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
- ^ Yang, Nico (August 27, 2019). "Lil Nas X Is First LGBTQ+ Musician to Win 'Song of the Year' at VMAs". Out. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
- ^ Grein, Paul (August 28, 2019). "Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross & More People Who Probably Never Expected to Get a CMA Nomination". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
- ^ Clarendon, Dan (August 11, 2019). "Teen Choice Awards 2019: Complete List of Winners and Nominees". Us Weekly. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ^ "'Avengers,' 'Riverdale' and Lil Nas X lead Teen Choice Awards nominations". CNN. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ^ Tingley, Anna (August 26, 2019). "Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Is YouTube's Song of the Summer in the U.S. – but Not the World". Variety. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
- ^ Strauss, Mathew (August 28, 2019). "Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" Nominated at CMA Awards 2019". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
- ^ Bollinger, Alex (August 29, 2019). "Lil Nas X is the first gay man to get a Country Music Award nomination". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
- ^ Frank, Allegra (August 30, 2019). "Lil Nas X's lone CMAs nod is faint praise from country music's biggest award show". Vox. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ Whitaker, Sterling (September 5, 2019). "2019 People's Choice Awards Nominees Include Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus + More". Taste of Country. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
- ^ a b Dennis, Ryan (September 12, 2019). "Cardi B leads nominations for BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta". WXIA. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ^ Casey, Jim (October 9, 2019). "Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus Win Two BET Hip Hop Awards for "Old Town Road"". Nash Country Daily. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
- ^ Mizoguchi, Karen (November 25, 2019). "American Music Awards 2019: See the Full List of Winners". People. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- ^ "Montero Lamar Hill". GRAMMY.com. November 26, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Greenburg, Zack O'Malley (November 13, 2019). "Highest-Paid Country Acts 2019: Lil Nas X Debuts; Luke Bryan Tops List". Forbes. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
- ^ Telusma, Blue (December 3, 2019). "Lil Nax X' is first openly gay Black man to make Forbes' Highest Paid Country Acts list". theGrio. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
- ^ Willman, Chris (September 15, 2019). "Ken Burns on 'Country Music' and Why Merle, Hank, Dwight, Loretta and Lil Nas X Matter". Variety. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (June 20, 2019). "Lil Nas X Releases 'Panini' Ahead of New EP '7'". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ Williams, Aaron (June 20, 2019). "Lil Nas X Contemplates The Price Of Fame On 'Panini' From His Upcoming Debut EP". Uproxx. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ Trammell, Kendall. "Lil Nas X's new song just made the panini far greater than a sandwich". CNN. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (September 13, 2018). "Lil Nas X and DaBaby Share New "Panini" Remix". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ^ a b c Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Tops Hot 100 For 13th Week; Mendes & Cabello's 'Senorita' No. 2 | Billboard
- ^ Grein, Paul (July 8, 2019). "With 14 Weeks Atop Hot 100, Will Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Get Any Grammy Love?". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
- ^ McIntyre, Hugh (August 1, 2019). "'Old Town Road' Is One Week Away From Beating One Of Drake's Most Important Chart Records". Forbes. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
- ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singlessongs: 1942–2004. Record Research. ISBN 0-89820-115-2.
- ^ "Summer '16: Drake's 'One Dance' Set Record for Most Weeks Atop Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Won Song of the Summer Honors & More". billboard.com. Billboard Music. September 8, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
- ^ Mendizabal, Amaya (January 25, 2016). "Drake's 'Hotline Bling' Ties Hot Rap Songs Chart Record". billboard.com. Billboard Music. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
- ^ Walker, Yvette (October 28, 2019). "Country or Hip Hop?". Medium. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- ^ a b Hahn, Rachel (August 29, 2019). "Lil Nas X Takes on His Very First VMAs in Glam-Cowboy Style". Vogue. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
- ^ Hahn, Rachel (July 15, 2019). "Lil Nas X Gives Cowboy Style a Very Glam Vegas Makeover". Vogue. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- ^ Gallagher, Jacob (September 9, 2019). "From Roy Rogers to Lil Nas X: The Wild Western Story of Nudie Suits". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- ^ 'Old Town Road' boosts Wrangler jeans
- ^ Tracer, Daniel (January 28, 2020). "WATCH: Lil Nas X's pink leather harness look took 700 hours to make". Queerty. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ Hou, Kathleen (July 21, 2020). "Watch Rihanna Throw a Pool Party". The Cut. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (July 1, 2019). "Lil Nas X Comes Out as Gay". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
- ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (June 30, 2019). "Rapper Lil Nas X Seemingly Comes Out as Gay". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Lil Nas X (June 30, 2019). "nope on Twitter: "some of y'all already know, some of y'all don't care, some of y'all not gone fwm no more. but before this month ends i want y'all to listen closely to c7osure. 🌈🤩✨"". Twitter. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Comes Out On World Pride Day". GRAMMY.com. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Comes Out as Gay". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ a b Henderson, Cydney. "'Old Town Road' rapper Lil Nas X faces down homophobic comments after coming out". USA Today. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Watch: In New Interview, Rapper Lil Nas X Says He's Faced Backlash After Coming Out as Gay". EDGE Media Network. July 5, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
- ^ a b "Lil Nas X Responds To Homophobic Comments Following Sexuality Announcement". amp.capitalxtra.com. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
- ^ Marie, Aurielle. "Beyond Expectations Lil Nas X Forges a Freer, More Fluid Hip Hop". Bitch Media. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
- ^ Lil Nas X Responds To Pastor Troy's Homophobic Rant In A Very Lil Nas X Way vibe.com, January 30, 2020
- ^ Lil Nas X Shut Down This Rapper's Homophobic Comments in the Best Way pride.com, Taylor Henderson, January 29, 2020
- ^ Lil Nas X looked too good at the Grammys to worry about Pastor Troy’s homophobic comments metro.co.uk, Emma Kelly, January 31, 2020
- ^ Lil Nas X responds to homophobic rant from rapper Pastor Troy
- ^ Lil Nas X Responds to Pastor Troy's Homophobic Post
- ^ "Nike Sues Over Unauthorized 'Satan Shoes'". The New York Times.
- ^ "Nike denies involvement with Lil Nas X 'Satan Shoes' containing human blood". NBC News.
- ^ "Lil Nas X, Nike Deal Ducks Tension Between Speech, Trademark".
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Lil Nas X's Satan Shoes sales temporarily blocked after Nike sues MSCHF for trademark infringement". USA today.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Responds To The Ongoing NIKE "Satan Shoes" Row With A Meme". Republic world.
- ^ "Nike wins court battle against Lil Nas X, 'Satan shoes' sales blocked". Fox 8.
- ^ "Nike ends lawsuit over Lil Nas X 'Satan Shoes,' which will be recalled". CNBC.
- ^ "Satan Shoes' to be recalled as Nike agrees to settle lawsuit". BBC.
- ^ "Lil Nas X announces new children's book 'C Is For Country'". NME. September 16, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ @LilNasX (March 26, 2021). ""MONTERO" THE ALBUM DROPS THIS SUMMER!" (Tweet). Retrieved March 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Lil Nas X (July 14, 2018). "NASARATI by Lil Nas X — Free Listening on SoundCloud". SoundCloud. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ a b Peaks in Australia:
- All except noted: "Discography Lil Nas X". australian-charts.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- "Rodeo": "ARIA Chart Watch #531". auspOp. June 29, 2019. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- "Holiday": "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
- ^ "Discographie Lil Nas X". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Album Top-40 Uge 25, 2019". Hitlisten. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ a b "Discographie Lil Nas X". lescharts.com (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ a b "Discography Lil Nas X". irish-charts.com. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ a b "Discography Lil Nas X". charts.nz. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- ^ "Veckolista Album, vecka 32". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ a b "Lil Nas X". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ^ a b "2019 Nielsen Music/MRC Data Canada Year-End Report" (PDF). Nielsen. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 2, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "American certifications – Lil Nas X". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ "Danish Album Certifications – Lil Nas X – 7 EP". IFPI Denmark. May 5, 2020.
- ^ "Norwegian album certifications – Lil Nas X – 7 EP". IFPI Norway. September 19, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Canadian single certifications". Music Canada. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Lil Nas X: Les Certification". SNEP. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ Peaks in Norway:
- All except noted: "Discography Lil Nas X". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- "Panini": "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single uke 40, 2019". VG-lista. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
- ^ "Discographie Lil Nas X". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ Bjorke, Matt (March 4, 2020). "Top 30 Digital Country Singles Sales Chart: March 2, 2020". Rough Stock. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c "British certifications – Lil Nas X". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 10, 2019. Type Lil Nas X in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ a b c d "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Lil Nas X)". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Lil Nas X – Old Town Road". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Lil Nas X – Panini". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 1, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for week of 3 May 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Lil Nas X – Montero (Call Me by Your Name)". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Andriyashchuk, Yuriy (May 13, 2021). "Lil Nas X Announces New "Sun Goes Down" Single, Releasing Next Week". Hip-Hopvibe. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History: Hot Rock & Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 1, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
- "C7osure (You Like)": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- 1999 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American singers
- 21st-century male singers
- African-American country musicians
- African-American male rappers
- American TikTokers
- Columbia Records artists
- Country musicians from Georgia (U.S. state)
- Country rap musicians
- Forbes 30 Under 30 recipients
- Gay musicians
- Gay rappers
- Grammy Award winners
- LGBT African Americans
- LGBT musicians from the United States
- LGBT singers from the United States
- LGBT TikTokers
- LGBT people from Georgia (U.S. state)
- Male TikTokers
- Rappers from Atlanta
- Southern hip hop musicians
- University of West Georgia alumni