Lil Nas X has become the most unlikely darling dude of country music, making history as the first openly gay entertainer to win a Country Music Association Award.
READ MORE: Lil Nas X’s ‘Old Town Road’ inspires autistic boy to sing
The “Old Town Road” rapper and his co-collaborator Billy Ray Cyrus has seen huge success with the folksy head-bopping rap jam. And on Wednesday the dynamic-odd-duo won for musical event of the year, which includes Cyrus’ rap solo on the song’s remixed version, Out Magazine reports.
“LETS GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! 🐎 ⚡,” Lil Nas X tweeted on Wednesday, celebrating his historic win.
LETS GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! 🐎⚡️ https://t.co/QjcZTvp09h
— nope (@LilNasX) November 13, 2019
“I wasn’t sure if this was going to be able to happen tonight,” he told reporters USA Today reports. “I’m so happy this song was accepted because it is the bridging of two polar opposite genres. I’m happy it’s gotten respect from both places.”
Earlier this year, Lil Nas X‘s smash single “Old Town Road” was removed from country charts. In a twist of irony, he later found himself nominated for a Country Music Award at the 53rd annual celebration of the genre.
The trap-infused, remix which was nominated for the Musical Event of the Year category, was even up against country music vets Brooks & Dunn and Garth Brooks.
According to the Huffington Post, the original version of “Old Town Road” first hit the web in December. However, it did not begin to catch the attention of the masses until March. As it began to ascend up the Hot Country Songs chart, it was also removed in March. Billboard cited the reason for the exclusion as the single not containing the “elements of today’s country music to chart.”
READ MORE: People keep stealing ‘Old Town Road’ street signs in Massachusetts
After the removal outrage spanned social media, the history of racism, in particular with Black artists and country music, arose. In April, Billy Ray Cyrus spoke out in support of the young star, spawning the first of many remixes to the song.
And when Lil Nas X came out as gay at the end of June, his song still continued to skyrocket and became the longest-running No. 1 single ever to hit the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
We’re happy for his success.
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