Lil Nas X grabs country music legend Billy Ray Cyrus for a undeniably yee-haw remix of his genre-fused hit Old Town Road.
The song sparked controversy when Billboard decided to remove it from the Country music charts. Lil Nas X unknowingly sparked an important debate on the genre’s origin, ownership and discrimination throughout the industry. The song originally charted on Billboard’s Hot 100, Hot Country and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts simultaneously in March.
Reported by Rolling Stone. Billboard cites “while ‘Old Town Road’ incorporates references to country and cowboy imagery, it does not embrace enough elements of today’s country music to chart in its current version.” as reasoning for the removal.
Outrage over the exclusion filled social media. Many called for the song to be added back to the charts. Others proposed to stream Old Town Road so much, it tops the Billboard Hot 100 chart overall as No 1 across genres.
twitter please help me get billy ray cyrus on this pic.twitter.com/UDoeiOZqc1
— nope (@LilNasX) December 5, 2018
Amidst controversy, artist Lil Nas X remains seemingly unbothered, focusing on his music and channeling the energy into a remix. Asking on Twitter who to enlist for the remix, Lil Nas X expressed his desire to feature country music star Billy Ray Cyrus on his song.
Lil Nas X received an outpour of support before the song even dropped. Even Billy Ray Cyrus spoke out on Twitter, supporting Lil Nas X’s desire to create country music. Welcoming him to the outlaw club, Billy Ray Cyrus shares he has watched the controversy since it began.
.@LilNasX Been watching everything going on with OTR. When I got thrown off the charts, Waylon Jennings said to me “Take this as a compliment” means you’re doing something great! Only Outlaws are outlawed. Welcome to the club!
— Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) April 3, 2019
While viral hits often bank on catchy lyrics and infectious dance crazes, Lil Nas X continues his success capitalizing off of controversy. Aside from all of the discussion surrounding the song, the two teamed up and gave fans a BANGER. The addition of Billy Ray Cyrus may place Lil Nas X back on country charts and beyond.
Listen to Old Town Road Remix below:
