Lil Nas X Biography: Montero Lamar Hill, born on April 9, 1999, and professionally known as Lil Nas X, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He gained widespread recognition with his 2018 country rap hit “Old Town Road,” which made history by spending 19 weeks at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100—the longest streak since the chart’s inception in 1958. At the same time, Lil Nas X came out as gay, making him the only artist to do so while holding a number-one record. After the success of “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X signed with Columbia Records and released his debut EP, 7 (2019), which featured hits like “Panini” and “Rodeo.” “Panini” reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100, while “Rodeo” peaked at number 22.
Lil Nas X Biography
Lil Nas X’s net worth is a testament to his impressive marketing instincts and business savvy. Industry experts have dubbed him a marketing genius for his ability to stir up buzz around his projects and turn that attention into streams, sales, and endorsement deals—most of which come from organic hype rather than traditional promo tactics. Starting out as a meme creator on Twitter, Lil Nas X built a strong online following, and when he pivoted to music, his popularity and talent helped him rise quickly—an impressive feat in the notoriously competitive entertainment industry. He’s also known for transforming controversy into profit. A prime example is the rollout of his provocative “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” music video and the viral “Satan Shoes” collaboration. When the shoes drew backlash and legal threats from Nike, Lil Nas X leaned.
Montero Lamar Hill, better known by his stage name Lil Nas X, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He rose to prominence with the release of his 2018 country rap single “Old Town Road,” the longest-running number-one song since the U.S. Billboard Hot 100’s 1958 inception.
Lil Nas X Wiki
Born: 9 April 1999 (age 26 years), Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Full name: Montero Lamar Hill
Height: 87 m
Awards: Full list
Education: University of West Georgia (no degree)
Early Life and Education
Lil Nas X was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 9, 1999. He was named after the Mitsubishi Montero. His parents divorced when he was six, and he lived with his mother and grandmother in the Bankhead Courts housing project in Atlanta. At age nine, he moved in with his father, a gospel singer, in Austell, a suburb north of the city. While he was initially reluctant to leave Atlanta, he later saw it as a positive change, saying, “If I had stayed there, I would have fallen in with the wrong crowd.”
As a teenager, Lil Nas X immersed himself in the internet and meme culture around the time memes became popular entertainment. He also struggled with coming to terms with his sexuality, initially praying it was “just a phase” but later accepting it around the age of 16 or 17. started playing the trumpet in fourth grade and was first chair by middle school, but quit due to fear of being seen as uncool. He attended Lithia Springs High School and graduated in 2017.
How did Lil Nas X become famous?
Born Montero Lamar Hill just outside Atlanta, Georgia, he grew up with a gospel-singer father and developed an early interest in music, playing trumpet in school before giving it up over fears of seeming uncool. After finishing high school, he briefly attended the University of West Georgia as a computer science major but dropped out after a year to chase his music dreams. He supported himself with jobs at restaurants and Six Flags Over Georgia.
A true Gen Z success story, Lil Nas X told NPR that his fascination with internet culture helped launch his entertainment career. He first dabbled in Facebook videos and Instagram posts, but it was Twitter where he really found his niche. Running a Nicki Minaj fan account, he mastered the art of memes and viral tweets—sometimes using a method known as “Tweetdecking.
How much did Lil Nas X earn from “Old Town Road”?
According to Forbes, “Old Town Road” raked in approximately $14 million in profits. What makes that number even more impressive is that Lil Nas X reportedly only spent $50 to produce the track. That said, he doesn’t pocket all of the royalties. The song includes a sample from Nine Inch Nails’ 2008 instrumental track “34 Ghosts IV,” so creators Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross receive a significant portion of the earnings. Lil Nas X has no complaints, telling Variety:
Luckily, Trent Reznor approved the sample, because if they hadn’t, I don’t know where I’d be right now. I don’t know if they get 50 percent, but they get a pretty good share of the royalties—and they totally deserve it. The song wouldn’t exist without them. I was like, ‘I don’t care if he takes 99 percent of the royalties—just let the song stay out.’ Because I knew I could build from it.”
How much did the producer of “Old Town Road” earn?
Lil Nas X originally purchased the beat for “Old Town Road” from BeatStars for just $30, which came with limited distribution rights. After the song exploded in popularity, he and BeatStars renegotiated a deal. While exact earnings for producer YoungKio haven’t been publicly disclosed, BeatStars confirmed that producers retain 100% of the purchase price on their platform. Thanks to the song’s success, YoungKio also landed a deal with Universal Music Group—proof that the track was a major financial breakthrough for him.
How many copies has “Old Town Road” sold?
“Old Town Road” has sold over 18.4 million units worldwide, including pure sales and streaming equivalents. In the U.S. alone, it’s surpassed 14 million units. With 150 streams equating to one unit sold, the song racked up an enormous number of plays across platforms.
How much money did Lil Nas X make from his album Montero?
Lil Nas X’s debut album Montero sold 126,000 units in its first week and has since reached nearly 1.9 million in sales and streaming equivalents globally. While his exact earnings from the album haven’t been revealed, it was commercially successful and critically praised. He also used the release as a platform for good, raising over $100,000 for LGBTQIA+ charities through a creative “baby registry” campaign tied to the album.
What did Lil Nas X earn from his Roblox concert?
Lil Nas X’s virtual Roblox concert in November 2020 attracted over 33 million viewers. While his exact performance fee wasn’t disclosed, the event’s merchandise sales alone reached high seven figures, with Roblox’s music executive noting it was approaching eight figures—meaning the collaboration was highly lucrative.
How much money did Lil Nas X make from “HOLIDAY”?
While exact earnings from “HOLIDAY” haven’t been confirmed, the single was a global hit, going platinum in multiple countries and double platinum in Brazil. It gained additional traction through a themed collaboration with Roblox and a high-production music video featuring Michael J. Fox. Given its success across platforms, Lil Nas X likely earned significantly from sales, streams, and associated merch.
What did Lil Nas X earn from “INDUSTRY BABY”?
“Industry Baby,” co-produced by Kanye West and featuring Jack Harlow, became Lil Nas X’s third No. 1 hit and has amassed over 14 million in combined sales and streaming equivalents worldwide. Though exact profits aren’t public, it’s clear that with major collaborators and massive success, the song generated substantial revenue for everyone involved, including Lil Nas X.
What is Lil Nas X’s net worth?
Lil Nas X is estimated to have a net worth of around $9 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. However, that figure may be on the low side, especially when considering how much revenue his breakout hit “Old Town Road” alone brought in.
FAQs
How did Lil Nas X promote “Old Town Road” on a low budget?
Lil Nas X used his deep understanding of internet culture to market “Old Town Road” almost entirely through memes and social media. Despite only spending $50 to produce the song, his creative online promotion helped the track go viral and ultimately dominate the charts.
Did Lil Nas X have a background in music before becoming famous?
Yes, Lil Nas X had an early interest in music. He played trumpet in school and was known for his talent, even becoming first chair. However, he quit playing out of fear it wasn’t “cool,” and didn’t fully pursue music until after dropping out of college.
Why was “Old Town Road” so profitable?
A combination of ultra-low production costs, viral popularity, and widespread streaming made “Old Town Road” incredibly profitable. The song’s massive success also led to remix collaborations and licensing deals, boosting its overall revenue significantly.
How did Lil Nas X build a fanbase before his music career?
Before releasing music, Lil Nas X gained popularity online through Twitter, particularly as the creator of a Nicki Minaj fan account. He became known for his clever memes and viral tweets, which helped him develop a loyal following that later supported his music.
What role did controversy play in Lil Nas X’s success?
Lil Nas X is known for cleverly using controversy to generate attention. From the provocative “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” video to the viral “Satan Shoes” and even fake legal drama, he consistently turns backlash into buzz and boosts for his music.
Does Lil Nas X own the full rights to “Old Town Road”?
No, because “Old Town Road” samples Nine Inch Nails’ “34 Ghosts IV,” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross receive a significant portion of the royalties. Lil Nas X has expressed nothing but gratitude for their approval, acknowledging that their contribution was essential to the song’s success.
