Lil Nas X was charged with four felonies on Aug. 25 after a confrontation with Los Angeles police last week.
According to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, the 26-year-old singer and rapper born Montero Lamar Hill was walking naked down an L.A. street when police intervened.
Since, Lil Nas X has been charged with battery and resisting arrest.
Seven years earlier, Lil Nas X’s track “Old Town Road” made waves in Nashville and the nation for its innovative blend of country and rap, topping the charts.
Here’s everything you need to know about Lil Nas X, from the start of his career to fighting backlash and his recent arrest.
2018: ‘Old Town Road’ drops
Before rising to fame, Lil Nas X ran a Nicki Minaj fan account and posted his music on SoundCloud.
In 2018, the Georgia artist released “Old Town Road” independently, and the country-hip-hop track gained momentum on TikTok.
2019: ‘Old Town Road’ breaks chart records
Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus came on board in 2019 for a remix of the song released on Columbia Records.
“Old Town Road” landed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and spent 19 weeks at No. 1, breaking records when it was 14-times Platinum Certified by the RIAA. Many attribute the song to ushering in a new era of genre-blending in country music.
More: Country, rap, rock collide as HARDY and collaborators shift Music City’s pop music culture
Lil Nas X, left, and Billy Ray Cyrus show off their Musical Event of the Year award backstage during the 53rd annual CMA Awards show at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 13, 2019.
The same year, Lil Nas X publicly confirmed his queer identity.
“I’m opening doors for more people,” Lil Nas X told the BBC. “Within the country and the hip-hop communities … it’s not really accepted in either.”
2020: Lil Nas X takes home 2 Grammy Awards
Lil Nas X nabbed two Grammys in 2020 for “Old Town Road” and was nominated for seven awards, including record of the year and best new artist.
The singer also made the 2020 Music Class for Forbes’ “30 Under 30” alongside Maluma, Normani and Luke Combs.
2021: Lil Nas X releases debut record ‘Montero,’ fights satanism accusations
In September 2021, Lil Nas X released his debut album “Montero,” which included hits “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” and “INDUSTRY BABY” with Jack Harlow. The album garnered five Grammy Award nominations.
Earlier that year, Lil Nas X became the subject of online backlash after releasing a music video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” that invoked religious imagery.
Lil Nas X had also come under fire for selling shoes by the company MSCHF with a bible verse on the toe, an upside down cross and a pentagram. The company, in collaboration with the singer, made 666 pairs of the “Satan Shoes.”
More: Lil Nas X’s Satan Shoes sales temporarily blocked after Nike sues MSCHF for trademark infringement
Critics of Lil Nas X said he was a proponent of satanist propaganda, spurring wider conversations online about using religious imagery in art.
2022: Lil Nas X drops ‘League of Legends’ World Championship anthem
Despite backlash, Lil Nas X continued his momentum in 2022.
He launched his “Long Live Montero Tour,” won the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity award for “Industry Baby,” and released “Star Walkin,” the official anthem for the 2022 “League of Legends” World Championship.
2023: Lil Nas X releases documentary
In 2023, Lil Nas X premiered his documentary “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” at the Toronto International Film Festival.
2024: Lil Nas X drops ‘J Christ’ song, sparks more religious controversy
In January 2024, Lil Nas X released his single “J Christ” and a music video that, once again, sparked controversy for its religious imagery.
While some fans accused Lil Nas X of mocking Christians, he announced that the video was supposed to be a story of rebirth, not mockery. He admitted to going a little “overboard.”
2025: Lil Nas X charged with 4 felonies, allegedly attacks police
In March, Lil Nas X released his record “Days Before Dreamboy,” his second studio album, but did not announce tour dates in support of the album.
In the early morning of Aug. 21, Lil Nas X was found naked on the street by Los Angeles Police Department officers.
Law enforcement told NBC News that he punched an officer in the face twice, and officers suspected a drug overdose, transporting him to the hospital and then to jail.
Lil Nas X was held in custody over the weekend and was released on a conditional $75,000 bail. Los Angeles County Superior Court documents show he has been charged with four felonies — three counts of battery on a policy officer and one count of resisting arrest.
In an Aug. 25 appearance before a judge, attorney Christine O’Connor said there was no evidence that drugs were involved, though some tests may still be processing.
More: Lil Nas X charged with multiple felony counts of assaulting police
Lil Nas X entered a plea of not guilty, scheduling a hearing for Sept. 15.
As a condition of Lil Nas X’s release, he is expected to attend four Narcotics Anonymous meetings weekly or to enroll in a narcotics program.
Audrey Gibbs is a music journalist with The Tennessean. You can reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Lil Nas X: What happened? From ‘Old Town Road’ to Los Angeles arrest
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