From The Projects To Grammy's

Lil Nas X: His Rise To Fame

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Lil Nas X: His Rise To Fame
(© Getty Images)
April 9, 2021 - 16:00 / Anna Valenzuela Rosas

Lil Nas X built his own incredibly successful career from a $20 an hour recording studio and his home computer to become one of the most listened to artists today. Now he performs all over the world and is a proud representation of the LGBTQ+ community.

"Lil Nas X" was born April 9th, 1999 as Montero Lamar Hill in Lithia Springs, Georgia. He grew up in housing projects with his grandparents and his gospel singer father. He grew up during the first boom of internet popularity and built up an online persona using successful memes and videos. It was this tool that he utilized that really shot him forward into infamy.

Lil Nas X, From Humble Beginnings

He had bought the beat for "Old Town Road" online for only $30, recorded his tracks for $20 at a small Atlanta recording studio and from there he went to work. He created hundreds of clever memes and videos to reach more and more listeners until it took off as a social media trend primarily via TikTok.

Lil Nas X poses during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 
(© Getty Images)

Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" Breaks The Internet

On the app, users would dress up in cowboy costumes for the #Yeehaw challenge and used Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" for the tune behind each video. Those videos were seen over 67 million times in less than half a year! Finally, his song hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart and even became a top Country song.

"Achy Breaky Heart" singer and Miley Cyrus' dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, even became a featured vocalist in the remix which skyrocketed the song's reach. This remix broke the record for most U.S. Streams in 1 week hitting a whopping 143 million streams in April of 2019. He has since released more music including his EP "7" and many hit singles, even featuring Cardi B and Travis Barker! 

Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X perform onstage during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 
(© Getty Images)

"Panini" Rapper, Lil Nas X Becomes Pillar Of Gay Community

In June of 2019, during Pride Month, Lil Nas X came out as gay and has been a proud pillar of the LGBTQ+ community ever since. He was, of course, tentative at first because the Hip Hop community has historically been homophobic. Lil Nas X even acknowledged he may lose fans by coming out but he chose to bravely announce his homosexuality anyway.

Lil Nas X told the Guardian "I 100% want to represent the LGBTQ+ community" and has been doing exactly that ever since. Because he has such good experience with social media he has been able to combat homophobic retorts such as the one he received from Anti-Gay Rapper Pastor Troy. 

Today, Lil Nas X continues to produce music, is a proud defender of his community, and has become one of the most recognizable faces and voices in the music industry. You go, Lil Nas X!

Check out some of our favorite Lil Nas X social media moments here: