Lil Nas X, born Montero Lamar Hill, is a renowned American rapper, singer, and songwriter celebrated for his groundbreaking country rap hit "Old Town Road." This track achieved historic significance by becoming the longest-running number-one song on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart since its inception in 1958. Lil Nas X's cultural impact extends beyond his music, as he courageously came out as gay during his rise to fame, making him the first artist to do so while holding the top spot on the charts.
1958: Inception of the Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 chart, a ranking of the most popular songs in the United States, was first established in 1958. This is significant because Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" later broke the record for the longest-running number-one song on this chart.
1966: John Lennon's "More Popular Than Jesus" Comment
In 1966, John Lennon sparked controversy by stating that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus." This comment drew parallels to the negative reception Lil Nas X received for his music video "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)."
April 9, 1999: Birth of Montero Lamar Hill
Montero Lamar Hill, known professionally as Lil Nas X, was born on April 9, 1999.
2008: Release of Nine Inch Nails' "Ghosts I-IV" Album
Nine Inch Nails released their sixth studio album, "Ghosts I-IV," in 2008. This album is notable because the song "34 Ghosts IV" was sampled in the creation of Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road."
2017: Creation of Nicki Minaj Fan Accounts
In 2017, Lil Nas X, before his rise to fame, reportedly created and managed Nicki Minaj fan accounts on Twitter. One such account, "@NasMaraj," gained attention for its creative use of the platform.
2017: Graduation from Lithia Springs High School
Lil Nas X graduated from Lithia Springs High School in 2017.
July 2018: Drake's "In My Feelings" Streaming Record
In July 2018, Drake's song "In My Feelings" achieved a record-breaking 116.2 million streams in a single week, a record that would later be surpassed by Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" in April 2019.
July 24, 2018: Release of Debut Mixtape "Nasarati"
On July 24, 2018, Lil Nas X released his debut mixtape, "Nasarati," on SoundCloud. However, it didn't gain immediate recognition and was later removed from streaming services.
October 2018: Discovery of the "Old Town Road" Beat
In a pivotal moment in late October 2018, Lil Nas X stumbled upon the beat that would later become his breakout hit, "Old Town Road."
December 3, 2018: Release of "Old Town Road"
On December 3, 2018, Lil Nas X released "Old Town Road." He purchased the beat online and recorded the song in a modest Atlanta studio. To promote the song, he utilized memes, particularly on the platform TikTok.
March 2019: Lil Nas X Signs with Columbia Records
Amidst a highly competitive situation, Lil Nas X signed with Columbia Records in March 2019. This signing came after "Old Town Road" began to gain significant traction.
April 2019: "Old Town Road" Remix and Streaming Record
In April 2019, Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" received a remix featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, marking the first of several remixes. That same month, the song broke Drake's record for the most U.S. streams in a single week, surpassing 143 million streams.
May 2019: Wrangler's Lil Nas X Collection Sparks Controversy
In May 2019, Wrangler's announcement of a clothing collection in collaboration with Lil Nas X sparked controversy and threats of boycotts from some consumers. This highlighted the complexities and, at times, resistance to change within country music culture.
May 2019: Release of "Old Town Road" Music Video
The music video for "Old Town Road" was released in May 2019 and quickly gained popularity, accumulating over 370 million views by August 2019.
June 2019: Lil Nas X Comes Out to Family
In early June 2019, Lil Nas X came out as gay to his sister and father, feeling it was time to be open about his sexuality.
June 20, 2019: Release of "Panini"
Lil Nas X released "Panini", his second single, through Columbia Records on June 20, 2019. The song's title was inspired by a character from the animated series "Chowder".
June 21, 2019: Release of EP "7"
Lil Nas X released his second extended play, "7", on June 21, 2019. The EP debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, signifying his rising success in the music industry.
June 23, 2019: Performance with Billy Ray Cyrus at BET Awards
On June 23, 2019, Lil Nas X performed alongside Billy Ray Cyrus at the BET Awards, marking another significant milestone in his career.
June 30, 2019: Lil Nas X Comes Out as Gay
On June 30, 2019, the last day of Pride Month, Lil Nas X publicly came out as gay, confirming suspicions raised by his song "c7osure."
July 2019: "Old Town Road" Surpasses 67 Million Views on TikTok
By July 2019, videos featuring the "Old Town Road" sound had garnered over 67 million views on TikTok, demonstrating the song's immense viral success.
July 2019: Old Town Road Breaks Records
In July 2019, Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" achieved its 13th week at the top spot on the Billboard 100, making it the first hip hop song to do so. It also became the first song to sell 10 million copies while holding the top spot.
July 2019: Lil Nas X's Public Fashion and Cowboy Aesthetic
In July 2019, Vogue recognized Lil Nas X for his unique fashion sense, which put a glamorous spin on the cowboy aesthetic.
August 2019: "Old Town Road" Surpasses One Billion Streams and Video Release
By August 2019, "Old Town Road" had achieved over a billion streams on Spotify alone. Additionally, the music video, released in May 2019, had garnered over 370 million views. Lil Nas X was recognized as a groundbreaking artist in the social media age.
August 2019: Old Town Road Continues Record-Breaking Streak
By August 2019, "Old Town Road" had charted for 19 weeks atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and the Hot Rap Songs chart, breaking previous records.
August 19, 2019: Performance at Amazon Prime Day Concert
Lil Nas X opened for Katy Perry at an Amazon Prime Day concert for employees on August 19, 2019.
September 2019: Surprise Concert at Lithia Springs High School
In September 2019, Lil Nas X returned to his alma mater, Lithia Springs High School, to perform a surprise concert. This gesture came after he had achieved significant success in the music industry.
November 2019: Old Town Road Achieves Diamond Certification
In November 2019, "Old Town Road" was certified Diamond, signifying combined sales and streaming of 10 million units.
2019: Named One of Time's Most Influential on the Internet
In 2019, Time recognized Lil Nas X as one of the 25 most influential people on the internet for his significant global impact on social media and his ability to drive news.
2019: Lil Nas X's Breakthrough Year
In 2019, Lil Nas X rose to prominence with the release of his hit single "Old Town Road." This year marked a turning point in his career as he signed with Columbia Records and released his debut EP, "7." Notably, he came out as gay, becoming the first artist to do so while having a number-one record.
2019: Lil Nas X's Musical Influences
In 2019, Lil Nas X cited a variety of musical influences, from LGBTQ artists like Frank Ocean and Tyler, the Creator to mainstream pop stars like Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry.
2019: Release of Debut EP "7"
Following the success of "Old Town Road," Lil Nas X released his debut extended play (EP) titled "7" in 2019. The EP featured other notable tracks like "Panini" and "Rodeo," further solidifying his presence in the music industry.
January 2020: Lil Nas X Responds to Pastor Troy's Homophobic Comments
In January 2020, rapper Pastor Troy made homophobic remarks about Lil Nas X's Grammy Awards outfit. Lil Nas X responded dismissively, highlighting the homophobia within the hip-hop community.
May 2020: Lil Nas X Admits to Being a Nicki Minaj Fan
In May 2020, Lil Nas X publicly admitted to being a fan of Nicki Minaj, confirming previous speculation about him running a fan account dedicated to her. He explained his initial denial stemmed from fears of judgment and non-acceptance within the music industry.
June 17, 2020: Nicki Minaj Acknowledges Lil Nas X
On June 17, 2020, Nicki Minaj publicly acknowledged Lil Nas X after he revealed his past admiration for her. This interaction came after Lil Nas X admitted to previously running a Nicki Minaj fan account but denying it out of fear of being perceived as gay.
July 7, 2020: Debut Album Announcement and Mixtape Plans
On July 7, 2020, Lil Nas X shared that his debut album was nearing completion and that he was also working on a mixtape, inviting producers to contribute.
November 8, 2020: Announcement of Single "Holiday"
Lil Nas X announced his new single, "Holiday," on November 8, 2020, building anticipation for his upcoming releases.
2020: Featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 List
Lil Nas X was recognized for his achievements and influence in the music industry by being included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2020.
2020: Recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30
In 2020, Lil Nas X's achievements and impact were recognized when he was included in Forbes' prestigious "30 Under 30" list.
January 2021: Release of Children's Book "C Is for Country"
In January 2021, Lil Nas X added children's book author to his list of accomplishments with the release of "C Is for Country".
March 26, 2021: Release of "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" and Album Announcement
On March 26, 2021, Lil Nas X released "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)", along with its music video, and revealed his debut album, "Montero", would be released later in the year. The song and video sparked both praise for its queer representation and criticism from conservative groups.
March 29, 2021: Release of Satan Shoes and Nike Lawsuit
Lil Nas X and MSCHF released a limited edition of modified Nike Air Max 97s called "Satan Shoes", featuring satanic imagery and a drop of human blood. Nike denied involvement and filed a lawsuit, leading to a temporary restraining order against the shoes' sale. Lil Nas X responded with humor on social media.
May 21, 2021: Release of Single "Sun Goes Down"
On May 21, 2021, Lil Nas X released the single "Sun Goes Down," offering a more introspective look at his struggles with bullying and self-acceptance.
September 1, 2021: Awarded Inaugural Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year
On September 1, 2021, Lil Nas X was named the recipient of The Trevor Project's inaugural Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year award.
September 2021: Lil Nas X Discusses Spirituality
In September 2021, Lil Nas X shared his evolving beliefs, stating he had been an atheist but now considers himself "a very spiritual person."
September 17, 2021: Release of Album "Montero" and Single "Thats What I Want"
Lil Nas X released his highly anticipated debut album, "Montero," on September 17, 2021, alongside the single "Thats What I Want".
October 23, 2021: "Industry Baby" Reaches Number One
Lil Nas X's single "Industry Baby" reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending October 23, 2021, adding to his growing list of chart successes.
2021: Release of Debut Album "Montero"
In 2021, Lil Nas X released his debut studio album, "Montero." The album reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart and received a nomination for Album of the Year at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. It included hit singles such as "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)," "Industry Baby," and "Thats What I Want."
March 16, 2022: Return From Hiatus and New Album Teasers
Lil Nas X returned from a hiatus on March 16, 2022, teasing fans with snippets of songs from his upcoming album, including "Late to da Party," "Down Souf Hoes," and "Lean on My Body".
April 26, 2022: Announcement of Long Live Montero Tour
On April 26, 2022, Lil Nas X announced his first concert tour, the Long Live Montero Tour, set to run from September 2022 to January 2023 in support of his debut album.
June 24, 2022: Release of Single "Late to da Party"
Lil Nas X released "Late to da Party," featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again, on June 24, 2022, as a single from his upcoming album.
September 2022: Start of Long Live Montero Tour
Lil Nas X's highly anticipated Long Live Montero Tour commenced in September 2022, marking his first major concert tour.
September 15, 2022: League of Legends Collaboration Announcement
Riot Games, the creators of League of Legends, announced a collaboration with Lil Nas X for the 2022 World Championship, playfully naming him "President of League of Legends".
October 19, 2022: Lil Nas X Invites Saucy Santana on Tour
On October 19, 2022, Lil Nas X invited rapper Saucy Santana to perform a part of his song "Down Souf Hoes" on tour with him.
2022: Youngest Honoree in Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 2022, Lil Nas X received the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, making him the youngest recipient of this honor.
2022: Lil Nas X's Controversial Grammy Performance
In 2022, Lil Nas X faced criticism for his performance at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, where he made suggestive gestures with his microphone.
January 2023: Lil Nas X Suggests Bisexuality, Then Backtracks
In January 2023, Lil Nas X caused a stir by suggesting he might be bisexual in a tweet but later claimed it was a joke.
January 2023: Conclusion of Long Live Montero Tour
Lil Nas X's Long Live Montero Tour concluded in January 2023, marking the end of his first headlining tour.
March 17, 2023: Lil Nas X Performs Extended "Down Souf Hoes" Intro
On March 17, 2023, Lil Nas X performed an extended version of the intro to his song "Down Souf Hoes" at Lollapalooza Chile.
November 2023: Lil Nas X Affirms He Is Gay
After previous uncertainty, in November 2023, Lil Nas X clarified on Twitter that he is "still gay."
December 2023: Lil Nas X's "Christian Era"
In December 2023, Lil Nas X, known for challenging religious norms, tweeted about entering his "Christian era," leaving fans to interpret its meaning.
2023: "Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero" Documentary Premiere
In 2023, Lil Nas X's documentary, "Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero," premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The premiere was delayed by a bomb threat, which was later deemed not credible.
January 3, 2024: Lil Nas X Announces "J Christ" Single
On January 3, 2024, Lil Nas X announced his single "J Christ."
January 26, 2024: "Where Do We Go Now" Release and Documentary Streaming Release
On January 26, 2024, Lil Nas X released the single "Where Do We Go Now" alongside the streaming release of his documentary "Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero."