Lil Nas X (A screenshot from YouTube)

Stories of overnight successes and viral hits are more common than ever in the constantly changing music environment. One of these fame and fortune stories belongs to Lil Nas X. 

His quick rise to popularity may be attributed to a single song that transcended genre barriers and broke records. This is the story behind Lil Nas X’s #1 hit song “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus.

As of Aug. 12, 2023, this song has successfully held the top position on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart for an astounding 19 weeks in a row. This remarkable achievement firmly solidifies its status as the song with the longest consecutive time at the top of the charts. The success of the song also led to the artist signing a record deal with Columbia Records.

The journey of Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, started in 2018 when he was a college dropout with a dream, a Twitter account, and a sense of humor. He shared excerpts of his original composition “Old Town Road,” a blend of country and hip-hop elements that displayed a distinct musical style. 

The country trap rapper said “Old Town Road” was not just a song about riding horses. It represents the path to success, wealth, and fortune. He told Time magazine that he wrote the song when he felt discouraged from pursuing a musical career. During that time, he thought he had no options left while living with his sister.

Although it was initially posted to SoundCloud, the song found its way to TikTok, with users worldwide participating in the “Yeehaw Challenge.” The challenge was to transition from regular clothing into cowboy hats, boots, and Western-style gear. The song quickly rose to popularity, with multiple videos and memes filling the internet. 

Aside from its top-charting successes, “Old Town Road” also grew to empower marginalized groups. The artist, who came out as gay when the song became popular, used his platform to advocate for inclusivity and freedom of expression.

However, the 24-year-old rapper also faced challenges on his path to success. When it was first released—before Cyrus was a feature—the country music establishment refused to accept his composition. It was removed from the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart because it allegedly lacked authenticity in the country music genre, which sparked debate. 

Despite the controversy, he continued to work on the song with the help of renowned producer YoungKio. Together, they created a remix of “Old Town Road” that went beyond the conventional musical limits by fusing elements of country, rap, and trap.

During the 2020 Grammy Awards, the song helped Lil Nas X snagged two awards: Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Lil Nas X has won two Grammys and received 11 nominations so far. 

The single symbolizes the influence of viral occurrences and the universality of music across genres and cultures. Lil Nas X’s rise from a college dropout to a worldwide music sensation also serves as a reminder that talent, determination, and a dash of internet virality can transform a simple song into a cultural phenomenon.

What song can beat "Old Town Road" on the Billboard chart? Anything is possible. (Jaff Emielene Conejos/OJT/UST)