Lil Nas X Celebrates 20th Birthday & First #1 Hit Simultaneously
Lil Nas X and his horse definitely have something to celebrate: Not only is it his 20th birthday today, but his song has hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The artist’s much-discussed “trap country” song “Old Town Road” tops the chart this week, jumping from #15 to #1 — and that doesn’t even count sales of the newly released remix with Billy Ray Cyrus. Those will be reflected in the chart next week.
With his chart-topping succes Lil Nas X, born Montero Lamar Hill, has scored a number of milestones:
First, he’s the first solo artist to take his debut release to #1 since Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” back in 2017. He’s the first male artist in a lead role to hit #1 on his first try since Desiigner did it with “Panda” in 2016.
Next, “Old Town Road” hit #1 in just six weeks, which is the fastest any artist in a lead role has topped the chart with a debut single since Zayn Malik debuted at #1 with “Pillowtalk” in 2016.
I GOT THE HORSES IN THE BACCC! pic.twitter.com/PdgQbxstcs
— nope (@LilNasX) April 8, 2019
But of course, Zayn was already a known quantity, thanks to One Direction. Lil Nas X hit #1 faster than any other artist with no previous hits since “Harlem Shake” by Baauer debuted on top in 2013.
Finally, Lil Nas X, who is now signed to Columbia Records, has given the label its first #1 since The Chainsmoker‘s “Closer,” featuring Halsey, stayed on top for 12 weeks in 2016.
The rapper retweeted Billboard‘s article about his #1 accomplishment and wrote, “I GOT THE HORSES IN THE BACCC!”
“Old Town Road” previously caused controversy when Billboard removed it from its country charts, saying it wasn’t “country” enough. Had it been allowed to remain, it would have been #1 on that chart as well.
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