Hip-hop is generally considered a macho music genre. You know macho like Diddy, Jay-Z, Eminem, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, etc. So, is there room in the category for somebody who is not a straight guy? I say there is, and the proof is there for all to see in the success of the only 20-year-old Tik Tok discovery Lil Nas X.
The Georgia-bred rapper came out a few weeks ago but his brave decision has not in any way affected the sales of his phenomenal hit single Old Town Road featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. Lots of people are still buying or streaming the song or simply enjoying the funny and catchy tune. I hope that this is an indication that there is room for everyone in hip-hop.
Besides, Lil Nas X does not only create hits. He breaks records. In fact, he became the very first artist in American pop music history to hog the No. 1 spot in Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for a consecutive 18 weeks for the first time in over 60 years. That means almost five months as No. 1 starting April 13 when the Billy Ray remix was uploaded.
Not only that, the names of those whom Old Town Road kept out of the top slot make for quite a record. You all know now that all those new single releases from the likes of Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber and a lot of others who usually make No. 1 had to settle to being a No. 2 or 3 or lower. All because of Lil Nas X.
Last week must have been a very suspenseful one for the music industry and for Lil Nas X himself wondering if he will break the 18-week record. He had already done very well when he tied with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s Despacito, featuring Justin Bieber and with Mariah Carey and BoyzIIMen’s One Sweet Day for spending 16 weeks at No. 1. Then he made 17. And the question became: Will he make it to 18? Well, he did make it and the accomplishment is truly one for the books.
Lil Nas X had always wanted to make music but did not really know how and had no connections in the business. Note that he was an inexperienced kid who conquered the charts and set new records. Showbiz tales now say that it all began when he was squatting on his sister’s couch while preparing for college last year. One day when he was supposed to be studying, he decided to dump the books and instead write a song. He bought a beat online for $30, imagined himself a cowboy and composed what he imagined as a country song with shades of hip-hop and uploaded it on the Net.
It was the sharing site Tik Tok that did the trick. With millions of users dancing or lip-synching or simply using Old Town Road as the soundtrack for their mini-videos or joining a Yeehaw Challenge, it was impossible for labels and most of all music fans not to take notice. Soon, Lil Nas X had a record deal with Columbia and he was on his way to stardom.
Then came country music superstar Cyrus. I do not know whose idea it was to get Miley’s charming dad on board but it was truly clever. Best remembered for the also phenomenal Achy Breaky Heart which got everybody line-dancing, Cyrus gave Old Town Road his drawling vocals, then created his own mix and then sent the song up to No. 1.
Remixes with hip-hop star Young Thug and yodeler Mason Ramsey followed. Then came DJ Diplo and then videos that feature stars like Chris Rock and Keanu Reeves. Suddenly cowboy hats were hot and everybody wanted to go giddy-yup. All because of a kid who had never ridden a horse his entire life.
I do not know if Old Town Road will make the 19th or 20th week or more on top. Fans of Lil Nas X have no cause for worry though. Should the Billy Ray Cyrus collab begin to falter, he has an excellent life-saver ready to save the day. This is Seoul Town Road, a collab with RM of the South Korean supergroup BTS. You know how big BTS is these days. He will surely help introduce Lil Nas X to a whole slew of new followers.