Grammy-winning rapper Lil Nas X has spoken out after what he described as a “terrifying” arrest in Los Angeles last week. The 26-year-old artist, best known for his record-breaking hit Old Town Road, was taken into custody after police responded to reports of a nude man walking along a busy road. Officers alleged that the rapper, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, charged at them and resisted arrest, leaving one officer injured. He was also hospitalized briefly for a suspected overdose.
Appearing in court on Monday, Lil Nas X pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of battery on a police officer and one count of resisting arrest. He was granted release on a $75,000 (£56,000) bail. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office has said the charges carry a potential sentence of up to five years in prison if he is convicted. Authorities also indicated that he must enroll in an outpatient drug rehabilitation programme, though his legal team disputes claims of substance abuse.
Addressing fans in an Instagram post on Tuesday, the rapper reassured them of his wellbeing, writing: “Your girl is gonna be OK, y’all,” and admitting the ordeal had been deeply unsettling. “That was terrifying, that was a terrifying last four days,” he said. His attorney, Christy O’Connor, emphasized that the incident was “an aberrant episode in an otherwise productive life,” maintaining that there was no evidence of drug use.
Outside the courthouse, Lil Nas X’s father, Robert Stafford, expressed support for his son, saying he was remorseful about the events. “He’s going to get the help that he needs. Just keep him in your prayers,” he told reporters.
Lil Nas X first rose to fame in 2018 when Old Town Road stormed global charts and, with a Billy Ray Cyrus remix, became the longest-running number one in US chart history at 19 weeks. Since then, he has been celebrated not only for his music but also for challenging boundaries in hip-hop with LGBTQ+ visibility and bold stage performances, including a standout Glastonbury set in 2023 where he rode on stage atop a giant fake horse before Sir Elton John’s farewell show.
