Lil Nas X is one of the most popular and versatile artists in the music industry today. He rose to fame with his viral hit “Old Town Road” in 2019, which broke the record for the longest-running number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Since then, he has released several other successful singles and his debut album “Montero” in 2021, which showcases his diverse musical influences and personal experiences.
But many fans and listeners have wondered about his stage name and whether it has any connection to another famous rapper: Nas. Nas is a legendary hip-hop artist who has been active since the early 1990s and has released 13 studio albums, including classics like “Illmatic” and “It Was Written”. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time and has influenced many generations of artists.
So, is Lil Nas X related to Nas? Are they father and son, cousins, or distant relatives? Or is it just a coincidence that they share a similar name? Here is what we know about the two stars and their relationship.
The Origin of Lil Nas X’s Stage Name
Lil Nas X was born as Montero Lamar Hill on April 9, 1999, in Lithia Springs, Georgia. He grew up with his mother and grandmother until he was nine years old, when he moved in with his father and brother in Austell, Georgia. He has two full brothers, Lamarco and Tramon, and several half-siblings from both his parents’ sides.
According to Lil Nas X, he chose his stage name as a joke when he started making music online. He explained in an interview with Jimmy Fallon that he used to go by the internet alias “Nas”, which he added to his name to make it more fun and catchy. He said:
> “When I started doing music, I was like, ‘I want to have fun with this.’ And every new rapper’s name is Lil, Lil, Lil. ‘What if I was Lil Nas? That’d be funny.’ So I was like, ‘All right, bet. I’ll be Lil Nas.’ And I added the X later on.”
He also revealed that the X stands for “the amount of years until I feel like I will be at a legendary status”. He initially planned to change his name after gaining some fame, but he decided to keep it after realizing that it was already well-known and unique.
The Collaboration Between Lil Nas X and Nas
Lil Nas X and Nas are not related by blood or family ties. They do not share any common ancestry or background. However, they do share a mutual respect and admiration for each other’s music and achievements.
The two first met at the 2020 Grammy Awards, where they performed a remix of Lil Nas X’s song “Rodeo” together. The remix featured Nas rapping a new verse over the trap-country beat, while Lil Nas X sang the chorus and danced in a futuristic cowboy outfit. The performance was well-received by fans and critics alike, who praised the collaboration as a cross-generational and cross-genre fusion.
The remix of “Rodeo” was released on streaming platforms on January 27, 2020, shortly after their Grammy performance. It became a moderate hit, reaching number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 14 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It also received positive reviews from music publications, who commended the chemistry between the two artists and their contrasting styles.
Lil Nas X has expressed his gratitude and appreciation for Nas several times on social media and interviews. He has called him “a legend” and “an inspiration” for his career and music. He has also said that he was honored and nervous to work with him on “Rodeo”. He said:
> “It was amazing working with him because he’s such an icon in hip-hop history. And just being able to work with him was like a dream come true.”
Nas has also shown his support and respect for Lil Nas X and his success. He has praised him for his creativity and originality in blending different genres and breaking boundaries. He has also given him some advice on how to handle fame and criticism in the music industry. He said:
> “He’s a great artist who’s not afraid to do what he wants to do. And I think that’s what makes him special. He’s not following any trends or rules. He’s just doing him. And I respect that a lot.”.
