How Lil Nas X Took ‘Old Town Road’ From TikTok Meme to No. 1 | Diary of a Song

Watch how an unknown Atlanta artist used his meme-making skills and a country-trap beat from the Netherlands to bring “Old Town Road” to the top of the Billboard charts.
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[@lilnasx]

wow

[@girmai6745]

Lil Nas X gang

[@nozomoo6686]

Oof

[@neetrab]

would love to know about the moment you 1st heard the song on the radio. Where were you? Were you screaming? Etc..

[@joecoscarelli1384]

[@hauntingreindeer]

𓀐𓂸

[@waynejohnson1786]

I love how he pushed the song using memes on Twitter, basically the 2019 version of handing out mixtapes on the street corner.

[@acharich]

🤔💭 didn't think of it like that, wow..

[@HeroT]

i knew it would become a hit lmao

[@Garcelle1987]

Wayne Johnson And Drake, supposedly the biggest rapper in the world has just used tiktok to push his terrible new song to #1 Lil Nas is the blueprint

[@weeraanmelden]

Has number one hit worldwide , does not drop school for it though, does interview in bathrobe. We have a winner.

[@crazysexycurvy2019]

I loved that lol

[@TriniCrew]

@Ganda Gandara That is so true, lol

[@Leotique]

Well we Europeans are not Americans you know

[@yasmina1198]

It’s better to finish your education in the netherlands. If you finish your education within 10 years the country will remit some of your study debts. Depends on what he’s doing but bachelor is 4 years and if he’s going for a master after that plus 2 years.

[@arnas380]

@@yasmina1198 I think he's got the debt thing under control after this :D

[@naelvincent9491]

Billboard: this ain’t country enough Billy Ray Cyrus: *you’ve yeed your last haw*

[@AllNaturale11]

Assistant Regional manager lmaoo

[@immanuelj8952]

Assistant to the regional manager*

[@imback2killu328]

@@immanuelj8952 lmao

[@henryjohnson1396]

*To the

[@lilaknowsbest7486]

Assistant to the regional manager. _

[@medusas_wig]

The whole story behind the song is just hilarious

[@neetrab]

@Anom Mona ????? I really don't think she meant that as an insult. I mean, seriously, who makes a number 1 hit off of memes? I've never EVER heard of DJ's ripping a song off youtube to play on the radio because there was no official release of the song and it catching fire where it ended up being #1 in over 23 countries. No backing from practically anybody and it basically gets him a record deal. It really is hilarious and I love the story behind it.

[@ikemreacts]

@Anom Mona This will be studied for *years*. I think "meme manufacturing" that connects different social pipes on the internet in a positive feedback loop will give rise to a new digital industry.

[@HoloScope]

Na-Fee-Sa you have a good jawline

[@julia061174]

Yes, it's hilarious, but also so cool and inspirational

[@SirMikeProvolone]

I know, thanks Trent Reznor!

[@majokalapayo8123]

Big up to the Producer though. Has a no. 1 on billboard and is still adamant about finishing his education. A real exemplary young gentleman.

[@LadyMoniquet85211]

Sammy Ally lil Nas X dropping out of college to pursue his dreams. It worked. All this guy have to do is produce 3 more hot beats and he’ll be set.

[@theredhead1900]

The Netherlands is different with schooling. Fit's way better for the students

[@acharich]

@@LadyMoniquet85211 he may already be set now tbh, but yeah, more would be good.. 💰

[@basbleupeaunoire]

@@acharich definitely

[@Alright_3x]

I also like that he gave credit to nine inch nails. Not everyone is gracious enough to admit where they borrow music from even though we all do

[@alphabettical1]

It's so good of Billy Ray Cyrus to have held that sign in the picture. Shows he really meant what he said, and isn't just capitalizing

[@cheesecakelasagna]

Ikr! Whoever made that sign is ignoring the real engines of that song.

[@cheesecakelasagna]

@Tasha Ms SweetTea S. at least now he's a two-hit wonder.

[@googleuser941]

I'm glad he held that sign up too, given him all the credit 🙄

[@No-kx1gm]

Which picture?

[@acharich]

@@cheesecakelasagna 😅😅😅

[@h.ibrahim5661]

Kids these days are so genius and know how to push their work out there without waiting for a label to recognize their talent...the definition of equal opportunity! Thanks to social media of course for making it possible

[@isaacj8751]

Genius is a stretch

[@h.ibrahim5661]

@@isaacj8751 Easy Issac Newton

[@experssion123]

Well it's how it goes now. I'd say the kids who originally did it were genius. Now it's more of a formula you research mixed with hard work, talent and for some a little bit of luck

[@kingjulien1726]

Thank soulja boy for that

[@kingjulien1726]

Thank soulja boy for that

[@Parisloverable]

"the black yee-haw agenda." here for it

[@Udontkno7]

black yee-hawers

[@shaolin6]

all day

[@shelsparkle2691]

Huh

[@ilovemeanltty1]

the superior agenda

[@madarauchiha1428]

See how everyone is coming together just enjoying life? That is how the whole planet should be.

[@KingBobIsHere]

As long as humans exist, there will always be someone that will ruin a good thing. But I hope this positive outcome lasts as long as possible

[@madarauchiha1428]

Robert O same

[@thelegacyofgaming2928]

The planet is like this, just not 24/7 because that's impossible.

[@dottyastercapasloke2739]

You look like shoeonheaf

[@madarauchiha1428]

The Legacy of Gaming we are always at war with each other lol but ok

[@HowardCharlesUK]

He orchestrated a viral hit, marketing genius

[@madabouthollyoaks411]

I just... want him to succeed and have the opportunity to grow and develop as an artist.

[@jesseporter3397]

Wow. Your a hero.

[@highmay9912]

Same

[@jakelodwick]

I think he’s set for life!

[@lsd-rickb-1728]

You say that as you work a 9 - 5 job miserable...nice I don't care about his life only mine

[@sp0rtbilly77]

don't let drugs ruin him

[@GuyFerzOfficial]

The whole controversy about taking the song off the country charts kinda helped promote the song haha

[@TeaBurn]

That's the Streisand effect.

[@fendaar]

And he wasn’t bitter about it and he refuses to publicly claim it was racism, despite every interviewer trying to get him to say it. Instead, he turned around and recruited Billy Ray, and made it the biggest hit in history. Is that country enough for y’all? This young man is brilliant.

[@kieralovesjoxer123]

Yep! That's how I first heard about it!

[@wiggitywhacked]

I think why I like this series - they're all feel good stories where a seed of an idea flourishes into a success.

[@dracoganggang7770]

"Do you consider this a rap songg" Lil nas x:"country trap"

[@DominantSpecie]

Lil Nas X actually rode and learned how to ride a horse in his music for the first time/ pretty cool come up story/ props Lil Nas X 👍🏻

[@shemmy7302]

The story of the song is crazy 😂😂 I wish Lil Nas X and Young Kio all the success in the world 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@graxx478]

What about that new billy Ray Cyrus guy they gave a chance!?

[@shemmy7302]

@@graxx478 Billy Ray Cyrus is a legend. He isn't new to this music scene. But I wish him all the success with the 'Old Town Road' remix as well.

[@oliviastein5789]

Can we address the casual mention of the black yeehaw agenda

[@over1498]

Soon white cowboys will be called out for cultural appropriation for saying yeehaw.

[@teknowil]

i would like to discuss this sir

[@MrBlueberry33]

@Narc 1820 This is some quality bait mate

[@ModRNTV]

Bc it's an actual thing lmao. It's really just "the Yeehaw agenda", but it originated on black twitter which is why he specified 🤣

[@TheJayWay]

I almost choked when that was mentioned 😂😂😂😂😂

[@sophiaaisabel]

I respect Lil Nas X and YoungKio so much. If you think this isn't real music, I want you to take a step back and picture what "real music" looks like to you. There's no specific elements to "real music". A song is a song. This song happens to be great.

[@IvanAcosta1981]

this is better coherent music than most mumble rappers out there....props to the dude, he did something original.

[@bluebird1694]

@@MikoyanGurevichMiG21 lil nas x is mainly a rapper not a country artist. And Nirvana was grunge...

[@ICeyCeR3Al]

its a catchy song featuring respectable, and fun performers. I dont think this is a good song but thats mostly because i dont listen to much rap. I like more technical stuff. This feels like a song produced for a kids movie.

[@DavidDiMuzio]

A bunch of awesome creative people win together! That's a beautiful thing. More power to Old Town Road!

[@BoulevardFan28]

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, now! You've got too much dip on your chip!" LOL

[@johnh3606]

我

[@Brother_Timothy_Harvey]

@@johnh3606 ㊙㊙㊗🈂㊙㊗㊗㊙㊗㊗㊗㊙㊗㊗🈂🈷🈷

[@chidodavid]

Ketchup😂

[@psssssssss]

It's unbelievable that something like this can happen.

[@saberfan]

Luck. Right place right time. YOU just need to be skilled and lucky to be big

[@ThommyMckGoaty]

Pietro Miglierini it’s 2019

[@psssssssss]

That's true but still there's so many great artists not recognized. So when a totally unknown artist for the global public eye tops the charts, it's quite unbelievable.

[@thegreatone12345678]

@@saberfan not really luck cz as he said in the video he had been pushing out memes for months to promote this song. it was the result of strategic planning and meme marketing

[@germdelacalle]

Yansha Yin Sure that true but it’s still unbelievable how a quick turn of events allowed Lil Nas X to have the biggest song since In My Feelings, where only people who have years in the industry can accomplish something like this. It’s still #1 and it’s possibly on its way to make history is no easy feat by any means from anyone

[@quedolapantera7623]

4:40 that was a pretty nice response, i respect this dude and hope he creates other cool songs

[@THEjusticetaylor]

Yeah. I was hoping he didn't just go for the racial angle.

[@joshuacollins9346]

It’s pretty subjective. It clearly feels country to me but I can see why others would disagree.

[@mr.gullible2506]

Ny times always trying to make it about race

[@lorynramage350]

Joshua Collins they actually take songs off the charts all the time for not being “country enough” They’ve even done this to known country artists

[@robinvolpi]

@@THEjusticetaylor WTF do you mean? If it was racial then there shouldn't be an issue naming it as such. In this environment it's astounding to me that ppl would try to guilt the persons experiencing the bigotry over being upset at the bigotry itself. You don't get to do that.

[@VOLAIRE]

Billy Ray Cyrus has such a big heart and Lil Nas X will hopefully go place. This is not a collab we expected but one we needed 👌♥️😎

[@WilsonRidge]

Billy Ray needs to buy Lil Nas X a horse

[@Starthybee]

obviously

[@amircoronationking614]

He can buy his own

[@mariocastillo8334]

@Justin credible maybe he should even take those horses to a road, perhaps in the country, maybe an old road...

[@misslauraj2756]

Lil Nas X bought Billy Ray a Maserati though.

[@saratucker8317]

Love that Billy Ray called out the poster/promo that didn’t give credit to everyone involved

[@elir.195]

Good for these kids. Its awesome to see someone turn a passion into something bigger that crosses platforms the way it has.

[@kcmn0089]

The story makes this song so much more special.

[@xaldyn]

I didn't know it was a nine inch nails sample!!!

[@plasticwrapcharlie]

Isn't that frickin crazy? And then the guy doesn't even know who he is lmao I feel old

[@yeezythabest]

Genius made a deconstruction video check it out

[@ericp4573]

That means nine inch nails is gonna be paid

[@xaldyn]

@@ericp4573 we hope

[@deathbymonkeys]

@@xaldyn Trent reznor is officially listed on the song credits so yes he's getting that check

[@shotgunwedding277]

It's soo amazing that a band like Nine Inch Nails sowed the seed for a song like this. The melody had potentional and YoungKio and Lil Nas X literally made the best possible out of it.

[@beckwilde]

YoungKio not dropping college, making sick beats, going viral. Nice

[@kevindenheijer6514]

"Yeah, but I have college so I can't just drop anything" Good on you dude.

[@marias7599]

Soooo... 3 people from 3 different part of the world with 3 very different cultures and backgrounds got together, added their talents and made a major hit? Jeez!!! I didn't know cultural mix could do great things!!!! (SARCASM 🙄)

[@YorkshireEmtb]

Billy Ray = American Lol nas X = American Young kio = Dutch. ......the only culture I see them sharing is western culture, or do you judge culture by colour of skin ?

[@RJMoreno]

secret peter Country + Trap + Dutch Production I can see what he meant by different parts of the world.

[@sarfaraz.hosseini]

@@YorkshireEmtb He's talking about nationalities, subcultures, and yes, race which all do matter: A Dutchman, An African-American from Atlanta, and a white Tennessee Country singer.

[@sunnydee196]

Yorkshire eMTB you’re the only one to bring up skin color.

[@ManicPanicGreen]

I got the horses in the back.... Trent Reznor on the track.

[@ayuubali81]

Lil nas x made country music coooool, i rate him respect

[@KemiKayy]

Wow, he really played this internet game and it worked....pure genius!

[@D0RYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY]

lil nas is a likeable kid. im happy for his success

[@juanjaramillo96]

Why does Billy Ray have the worst connection?

[@GlenAndFriendsCooking]

He's old and his grandkids weren't there to help him.

[@joecoscarelli1384]

lolol (this is Joe, the reporter in the video) -- FaceTime is important to the aesthetic of the series, even when it's lo-fi, and it makes it easier to get all of these interviews, but as anyone who uses it knows... it's not perfect! but Billy Ray's connection has nothing on when we tried to call Sheck Wes while he was on the beach in Hawaii :)

[@Chewy_Piranha]

He lives on a farm

[@zimrihinshaw3572]

Joe Coscarelli the congruity of aesthetics in the video was excellent. You nailed it.

[@Based_4444]

Because Billy Ray is way out on the Old Town Road

[@isitchicken]

One of the reasons why the internet is so amazing. This song has no bounderies, no genres, not black, not white. It is what it is....amazing. Well done to all involved.

[@Algoth_Igneous]

billboard: "Old Town Road isn't country enough" Absolutely nobody: Not a soul: Bill Ray Cyrus: *Hold my beer*

[@goofygothalien618]

It made me incredibly happy seeing Trent Reznor listed in the song credits

[@sector1296]

This is awesome! I never realized the background of the song or the how it was made. Theses guys seem so deserving of the world wide recognition they are receiving.

[@patek9789]

I wish this man the best what a legend

[@steveburns9939]

I’m a teacher and alllll my students love this song. It’s so refreshing to have a Hot 100 track that is simply fun and connects to so many people. I also appreciate the New York Times for highlighting how the creative process works between artists. I can show this to my students and explain the importance of collaboration in the arts as well as writing.

[@alexanderbiati6637]

Congratulations to all of y’all! Especially the 2 young brothers using social Media and the internet out of their Houses, to turn this into a GLOBAL SONG! 👍🏽👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@PerryLevy]

The story just made the song EVEN BETTER~!!!!

[@belindasimpson5948]

I have lived nearly 67 years and have never heard nothing like this. This song is catchy. I like. Who would have believed that hip-hop and country western music could meld together and result in this amazing delicious song. Yeah--who would have thunk it? Will like to hear more. Thanks for sharing.😃👍💓

[@Journey2Slim]

Way to use the times to your advantage! He has the smarts and he deserves all of the success he receives! Great job young man!

[@masterbaiter597]

New York Times, I commend you on this piece of great video journalism.

[@mikebbz81]

Shout out to Nine Inch Nails!

[@chrisssttina]

these segments are so great!

[@Naptural85]

Wow that is an amazing story! I love the song even more now! Go Lil Nas X and Kio!!!

[@whitealliance9540]

I liked whoever edited this video. Very fun and clean edit. Please continue to cover stories like this. Apply this style of editing to more serious topics. This can be very informative and fun for everyone

[@tessaviolet]

I love these! They're so interesting

[@rubyreddress4980]

AMAZING! Thank you so much guys. You did a amazing job on this! Soooo fun!

[@Yeah_Buddy_LIGHTWEIGHT]

Lil Nas X seems like a super genuine guy

[@Webtalkshow]

Very good produced video, tight cut and very emotional way of telling a good story. Congrats and love from Germany 💛

[@neetrab]

I really wish Joe asked Lil Nas X about the moment he first heard the song on the radio.

[@gigiwwdreamer]

Great video! Loved all the point of views

[@WilkineBrutus]

Great interview. Universal love and connection through music!

[@nomdeplume2213]

And it just broke the 16 week record as number one 🎉🎉 Woot! Lol i hope Nassie stays humble, and i think he will.. i got full faith he will.

[@stephj9378]

17!

[@BrokenAbyss]

This makes me happy people getting along and being themselves.

[@PronkDaMonk]

It makes me so happy to see this, just a bunch of guys having genuine fun with it, hit gold, and marketed it really well. This song deserves all the success it's gotten

[@madyjules]

I smiled through this entire video, absolutely love it when music can bring us all together 🥰

[@amsimp7636]

Shout out to Nine Inch Nails cause they need one

[@rumblefish9]

*He. Nine Inch Nails is one person - Trent Reznor.

[@amsimp7636]

@@rumblefish9 Hi! Very true, at the time of Ghosts, it was still just Trent, and since then, Atticus Ross has been added on as a great permanent band member

[@rahzelld]

Aye that’s my post @2:40 🤙🏿 Great video Joe

[@aMEXICO2010]

This just makes me smile so much because this goes beyond the song. When people get together like this, beautiful things happen.

[@rickydlp]

Great video. Makes me happy!

[@elaineallan3374]

Love this so much, the sound his voice, the lyrics it all works. Could definitely play this a million times xx

[@MoneyyMike]

Elaine Allan look at my video Youngboy

[@sam.0021]

man this video made me feel so warm inside

[@pipsishooman9849]

The term "cowboy" actually came from black ranch hands in Texas. Blacks were hired as ranch hands after slavery ended, but ranch owners still referred to them as "boy" or "boys." And their job tending to the cattle (cows) resulted in them eventually being known as "cowboys." Thank you. This has been a black history moment...

[@OutSideTheBoxFormat]

Yea you're not even close. It even comes off as made up. It comes from the word Vaquero a spanish word. Vacca translates to "Cow".

[@SarahChanel94]

@@OutSideTheBoxFormat there are no such thing as black Spanish people? Hmm never kbew that one...and a simple research inform you that there were indeed black cowboys and that country music came from black people..THE MORE YOU KNOW🙌

[@OutSideTheBoxFormat]

@@SarahChanel94 Spanish as in from Spain, you know that country in Europe. Spaniards are the original Vaqueros (Cowboys) Yes I know there's black cowboys, I even have an autograph from bullriding champion Charlie Sampson and who doesn't know who Charlie Pride is. The topic was the origins and what I've written is and has always been the origin story. The only reason South Americans speak Spanish is because of the Conquistadors from Spain. Why do people assume Spanish comes from anywhere but Europe, it's literally in the name. You can thank colonialism. The more you know.

[@SarahChanel94]

@@OutSideTheBoxFormat theres black people all over the globe, I know where Spain is, I'm not stupid. Perhaps learn more about black people besides the history in America.

[@OutSideTheBoxFormat]

@@SarahChanel94 "with a simple internet search" You did everything but search the origin of cowboy.

[@alexb9566]

Awesome video, loved this.

[@zachsbanana3072]

This song is lit even my China friends listening to this!

[@stephj9378]

There must be 99 remakes!

[@kaiser3001]

I'm so moved you deserve it bro stay humble and respectful! Goodluck!

[@dronesireland1615]

Great video, really gives me a clear understanding of how it got to where it is. I wasn't sure if it was based on a BRC original tune, but all is crystal clear now.

[@Justtry4525]

this entire story is so wholesome, love it

[@kassandra5212]

The story of the song is truly amazing

[@commcarts]

That interviewer tried to bait him with that racial question, so glad he wasn't dumb enough to take it.

[@i3rucei3ruce]

I mean it's obvious to the entire planet that his expulsion from country was racial. He had a good, concise answer to the question. But nobody with a brain can deny it.

[@abbydoesstuffsometimes]

Awesome, love it. Such rad energy from all these people.

[@kissitandwink6885]

This was fantastic, I’mma have to watch all the other DOAS now

[@bryliang]

This is a really spot on interview, despite the cheesy FaceTime and emoji shenanigans

[@InnerResearcher]

I don't know why but watching this whole video made me smile ear to ear. Incredible story.

[@italianG03]

I love this channel. I love that lil nas x had been hustling hard and then something popped. It wasnt just a one time lucky pop. Its inspiring

[@MrTimothy87]

So happy for you my man..congrats and enjoy to the fullest..

[@LIBqueen]

People: Country's lame! Lil Nas X: Hold my juicebox

[@shray542]

wait i never knew that was his debut. i thought he was already mainstream and i just didn't know him. OMG. knowing the whole thing now i have mad respect for him.

[@tarawilliams8548]

what a great humble soul keep on moving forward show the world. we see not fear and can't be stopped

[@CocoBVisuals]

This is phenomenal , such an inspiring story !

[@Antraeon]

The man honestly comes off as someone you wanna have a drink with.

[@jennifersdigitaldiary]

I'm so happy that he blew up he really deserves the fame that he's getting 💙

[@DetectiveGesicht]

Maybe it's because I'm old, but this video made me cry. The internet can be a super crappy place but then it can make something like this happen. I applaud the sheer HUSTLE and GRIND of Lil Nas X and Young Kio-- and for Billy Ray being an awesome artist that recognizes and supports.

[@christian_person5058]

Joe you did an amazing job interviewing these three guys! First time I saw your station, good job! What an awesome story! Congratulations to Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus and Young Koi! I am 56 years old and love this collaboration! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🎉🎊🎈

[@JungleYT]

Well done... Some real journalism for a change

[@jaclynybanez4960]

Great video!! Truly showing the masters behind this popping song! Credits to you for giving credit where credit is due. Billy Ray Cyrus is a beast in my book for acknowledging those who helped get him the No. 1 spot! That action I feel shows his amazing character. God bless Cyrus, lil nas x and kio!

[@JonRawlinson]

fantastic reporting

[@JulianaBlewett]

This is an amazing thing to see and hear.

[@rady7273]

Unpopular opinion: YoungKio is the actual genius in all of this

[@bluebird1694]

No. He didn't help it go viral nor did he write any lyrics, just the best. Why are y'all trying to take credit away from lnx and Billy?

[@rady7273]

@@bluebird1694 yeah but what I mean is that he connected country and hip-hop which people seem to enjoy. No disrespect for all the others involved ✌🏻

[@tylerandrews499]

Literally bringing the country back together

[@joshuacollins9346]

This is great. I wish these guys a lot more success.