OLD TOWN ROAD
An Unprecedented Trail: Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" and Its Record-Breaking Journey
In the history of music, few songs have stirred controversy, achieved commercial success, or set as many records as Lil Nas X's debut single, "Old Town Road." This song became a global sensation overnight, propelling Nas X into the forefront of culture. The track, featuring country star Billy Ray Cyrus, made waves on a global scale, sparking debates and shattering norms, all while redefining the essence of genre and popularity.
The saga of "Old Town Road" started in late 2018 when it was initially released on SoundCloud; Nas X would go on to later sign with Columbia Records, and after expressing that he wanted Cyrus on the song, he was able to secure the feature. The song was rereleased with Cyrus as a feature. However, the controversy ignited when Billboard removed the piece from its Hot Country Songs chart. Billboard stated that "Old Town Road" did not embrace enough elements of today's country music in its current version. This decision sparked debates about race, genre, and the gatekeeping of country music. Fans argued that the removal displayed racial bias, as country music has historically been seen as a predominantly white genre despite having roots in African American musical traditions.
Amid the controversy, "Old Town Road" only soared higher in popularity. The song went viral on TikTok and rapidly ascended to Billboard's Hot 100 chart reaching the number-one spot after its release. The commercial success of "Old Town Road" was nothing short of extraordinary. It topped charts worldwide, from Australia to the UK, and became a cultural touchstone of 2019. It was streamed billions of times across platforms and certified Diamond, a rare music achievement.
Lil Nas X also wanted to be strategic in keeping the song's momentum alive. He released multiple remixes, each with different featured artists, including BTS's RM, Mason Ramsey, and Young Thug. This strategy kept fans engaged, as each version brought something fresh to buy into. Each remix also had a unique content piece, further amplifying their impact.
As a cross-genre, chart-topping sensation, "Old Town Road" challenged stereotypes and standards while pushing the boundaries of belonging in a particular music genre. In doing so, it catapulted Lil Nas X to stardom, laying the foundation for his debut album and opening doors for the future of music to be diverse, inclusive, and boundary-less.