Lil Nas X, born Montero Lamar Hill on April 9, 1999, in Lithia Springs, Georgia, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and media personality known for his genre-blending music and bold cultural impact. Rising to fame with his 2019 country-rap hit “Old Town Road,” he has become a prominent figure in pop culture, celebrated for his unapologetic embrace of his Black and queer identity. Below is a comprehensive overview of his life, career, controversies, and achievements, based on available sources.
Early Life and Background
- Upbringing: Born outside Atlanta, Montero grew up in a modest environment. His parents divorced when he was six, and he lived with his mother and grandmother in Atlanta’s Bankhead Courts housing project before moving to Austell with his father, a gospel singer, at age nine. This move, he later said, kept him from “the wrong crowd” in Atlanta.
- Early Interests: As a teenager, Montero was introverted, spending much of his time online creating memes, which he credits with shaping his entertainment savvy. He struggled with his sexuality, praying at 16 or 17 that being gay was “just a phase” before accepting it.
- Education: He briefly attended the University of West Georgia but dropped out after one year to pursue music, a decision that led to his breakthrough.
Rise to Fame
- “Old Town Road” (2018–2019): Released in late 2018, this country-rap single went viral on TikTok via the #YeeHaw challenge, blending a Nine Inch Nails sample with hip-hop and cowboy imagery. The remix featuring Billy Ray Cyrus became the longest-running number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100, staying atop for 19 weeks, earning 17 platinum certifications, and generating an estimated $14 million pre-tax.
- Coming Out: In June 2019, during the height of “Old Town Road”’s success, Lil Nas X came out as gay, becoming the first artist to do so while holding a number-one record. This move, initially met with internal resistance due to his conservative upbringing, made him a trailblazer for queer representation in hip-hop.
Music Career and Major Works
- Debut EP: 7 (2019): Signed to Columbia Records, Lil Nas X released his debut EP, featuring singles “Panini” (peaking at #5 on Billboard Hot 100) and “Rodeo” (#22). The EP was catchy but less personal, seen as a rushed effort to capitalize on his early success.
- Debut Album: Montero (2021): Released on September 17, 2021, Montero is a pop-rap album with queer themes, featuring hits like “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” (#1), “Industry Baby” with Jack Harlow (#1), and “That’s What I Want” (top 10). Collaborations included Doja Cat, Elton John, Megan Thee Stallion, and Miley Cyrus. The album, described as a “coming-of-age story,” debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, earned five Grammy nominations, and was certified platinum. Its provocative visuals and lyrics, like the Satan lap-dance in the “Montero” video, sparked controversy but were praised for their bold queerness.
- Recent Work: In January 2024, he released “J Christ,” followed by “Where Do We Go Now?” and “Light Again!” The eight-track EP Days Before Dreamboy dropped in March 2025, with his sophomore album Dreamboy expected later in 2025.
Controversies
- Satan Shoes (2021): In collaboration with MSCHF, Lil Nas X released 666 pairs of modified Nike Air Max 97s, dubbed “Satan Shoes,” containing a drop of human blood and satanic imagery, priced at $1,018. Nike filed a trademark lawsuit, resulting in a temporary restraining order blocking sales. The controversy, amplified by conservative critics like Candace Owens and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, boosted the “Montero” single’s visibility, which debuted at #1.
- “Montero” Video Backlash: The music video for “Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” featuring Lil Nas X sliding down a stripper pole to Hell and dancing for Satan, drew criticism from conservative figures for being “immoral” or harmful to children. Historians praised its Greco-Roman and queer iconography, seeing it as a statement against historical persecution of marginalized groups. Lil Nas X defended it as a celebration of his identity, stating it “will open doors for many other queer people to simply exist.”
- Health Scare (2025): In April 2025, Lil Nas X revealed a partial facial paralysis episode, requiring hospitalization. He shared an Instagram video showing loss of movement on one side of his face but reassured fans of his recovery, though the cause remains undisclosed.
Achievements and Influence
- Awards: Lil Nas X has won two Grammy Awards (Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Old Town Road”), five Billboard Music Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards, two BET Hip Hop Awards, two iHeartRadio Music Awards, two American Music Awards, and the first Country Music Association award for an openly LGBTQ+ Black artist. He received the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2022, becoming its youngest honoree.
- Cultural Impact: Named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 (2020) and Time’s 100 Most Influential People (2021), Lil Nas X is a role model for normalizing queer themes in music. His social media savvy, rooted in his meme-making days, has amplified his reach, with viral TikTok and Twitter moments driving his music’s success.
- Fashion and Media: Known for bold fashion, his 2021 Met Gala debut featured three Versace outfits, earning praise as a standout. His HBO documentary, Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero (January 2024), chronicled his 2022 tour, revealing his evolution from a cautious performer to a confident advocate for Black queerness.
Personal Life
- Sexuality and Advocacy: Initially hesitant to come out, Lil Nas X now embraces his identity, using his music to challenge homophobia in hip-hop. He has said Montero was about a summer romance, aiming to inspire others to “simply exist” as queer individuals.
- Relationships: Rumored to have dated dancer Yai Ariza (featured in the “That’s What I Want” video) and influencer Cody Jon, though he keeps his personal life private.
- Net Worth: Estimated at $9 million in 2025, driven by streaming royalties, tours, brand deals, and merchandise.
What His Work Tells Us
- Breaking Barriers: Lil Nas X’s blend of country, rap, and pop challenges genre norms, while his openness about his sexuality dismantles stereotypes in hip-hop, a genre historically resistant to queer representation. His Montero album, with its personal and provocative themes, reflects a shift toward authenticity over commercial conformity.
- Internet Savvy: His mastery of social media, from TikTok virality to witty clapbacks (e.g., responding to Joyner Lucas’ criticism with “Blame yourself”), has redefined music marketing in the digital age.
- Cultural Provocateur: His use of controversial imagery, like the “Montero” video and Satan Shoes, sparks debate but also amplifies his message of self-acceptance, making him a lightning rod for both praise and criticism.
Critical Perspective
Lil Nas X’s trajectory from a meme creator to a global star highlights his strategic use of controversy and authenticity to maintain relevance. Critics argue his early work, like the 7 EP, lacked depth, but Montero’s introspective tracks (e.g., “Void,” “Dead Right Now”) reveal growth as a songwriter addressing personal struggles, such as familial issues and self-doubt. However, some X posts, like @Musicology73912’s August 2025 comment calling him “artistically challenged,” reflect lingering skepticism about his musical substance, though these are subjective and inconclusive. His ability to navigate backlash while staying true to his identity cements his influence, though his reliance on provocation risks overshadowing his artistry for some audiences.
Conclusion
Lil Nas X, at 26, is a transformative figure in music, blending genres, embracing queerness, and leveraging digital platforms to redefine stardom. From “Old Town Road” to Montero, his work challenges norms and inspires marginalized communities, despite controversies like the Satan Shoes and health challenges in 2025. With Dreamboy on the horizon, he continues to evolve as an artist and cultural force. For updates, check his official social media (@LilNasX on X) or reputable sources like Billboard and NPR.