Lil Nas X, born Montero Lamar Hill, is the American rapper and singer behind "Old Town Road", the country-rap single that spent a then-record 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. His rise turned a viral breakout into one of the defining pop stories of the decade.
From his major-label debut EP to his chart-topping album Montero, Lil Nas X has collected Grammy Awards and record certifications while becoming one of music's most outspoken stars. In 2026, following the death of his mother Tameka Hill, he released the single "World's Greatest" as a tribute to her.
Quick Facts
Real Name: Montero Lamar Hill
Born: April 9, 1999
Origin: Atlanta, Georgia, US
Genres: Hip hop, pop, country rap
Label: Columbia Records
Breakthrough: "Old Town Road" (2018) — 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
Awards: 2 Grammys, 5 Billboard Music Awards, 5 MTV VMAs, 2 BET Hip Hop Awards, 2 iHeartRadio Music Awards, 2 AMAs
Mother's tribute single: "World's Greatest" (released October 1, 2026)
Early Life
Montero Lamar Hill was born on April 9, 1999, in Atlanta, Georgia. He spent his early years in the Atlanta area, coming of age as social media was reshaping how new artists reach an audience.
Long before his name topped the charts, Hill was already fluent in internet culture and knew how to capture attention online — a skill that proved decisive when his own music broke through.
Career Breakthrough
In 2018, Lil Nas X released "Old Town Road," a country-rap single that exploded online and climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for 19 weeks — a record run at the time. While the song sat at No. 1 in 2019, he came out as gay, becoming the first artist to do so while holding the top spot.
The breakout earned him a deal with Columbia Records, and in 2019 he released the EP 7, featuring "Panini," which reached No. 5 on the Hot 100, and "Rodeo."
Montero Era & Beyond
His debut studio album, Montero, arrived in 2021, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and earning an Album of the Year Grammy nomination. It produced two Hot 100 No. 1 singles, "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" and "Industry Baby" with Jack Harlow (read our Jack Harlow biography), while "Thats What I Want" reached the top 10.
The accolades kept coming: 2 Grammy Awards, 5 Billboard Music Awards, 5 MTV Video Music Awards, 2 BET Hip Hop Awards, 2 iHeartRadio Music Awards and 2 American Music Awards. "Old Town Road" was certified 17x platinum, making it the second highest-certified song in US history.
Beyond the charts, he was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2020 and the Time 100 in 2021, and in May 2022 he became the youngest Songwriters Hall of Fame honoree with the Hal David Starlight Award.
2026: World's Greatest
In 2026, Lil Nas X suffered a personal loss when his mother, Tameka Hill, died; the news was announced on August 29, 2026. On October 1, 2026, he released the single "World's Greatest" as a tribute to her.
Read the World's Greatest lyrics — Lil Nas X post on our site for the full song details.
Watch the Official Video
Watch the official video for "Old Town Road" featuring Billy Ray Cyrus below (more on him in our story about Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lil Nas X's real name?
His real name is Montero Lamar Hill. He was born on April 9, 1999, in Atlanta, Georgia.
How many weeks was Old Town Road #1?
"Old Town Road" spent 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — a record-setting run at the time.
How many Grammys has he won?
Lil Nas X has won 2 Grammy Awards.
What is his latest single?
His latest single is "World's Greatest," released on October 1, 2026, as a tribute to his late mother, Tameka Hill.
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