Grammy-winning rapper Lil Nas X was arrested in Los Angeles on Thursday morning after a strange encounter on Ventura Boulevard left fans and onlookers aghast.
Police said the chart-topping rapper, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, was taken into custody after being accused of engaging in a confrontation with officers as he walked down the congested street wearing a pair of cowboy boots and just his underwear.
According to a spokesperson from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), calls began flooding in just after 5:30 a.m. local time from witnesses who reported seeing a man walking erratically in minimal clothing and appearing to yell at cars and pedestrians. When officers arrived, they recognized the man as Lil Nas X. Officers claim the artist “charged” at them in what they characterized as a threatening gesture, prompting his arrest on suspicion of battery.
Soon after being held in custody, he was taken to a nearby hospital for further testing. Friends close to the incident indicate that there were allegations of a potential overdose, although no official word has been issued on substances being used. Representatives for the Grammy Award winner have yet to make a comment on the incident.
Piling on to the mystery, unverified video caught by TMZ went online Thursday morning, which seemed to capture the rapper dancing maniacally down the center of Ventura Boulevard. In the clip, Lil Nas X is shown dancing enthusiastically wearing only white boxers and his signature cowboy boots. He is overheard at one stage urging passersby to “come to the party” as onlookers gawked in amazement.
The arrest is particularly timely as Lil Nas X’s career is at a key moment. The 25-year-old artist has been hyping new music from his highly touted second studio album, Dreamboy, due out later this year. Glimpses of new songs and behind-the-scenes peeks have been provided for his over 15 million Instagram followers, building anticipation for the new album. While his fans are still hungry for new material, the recent arrest could put a shadow over his promotional rollout and live appearances in the months ahead.
Since exploding onto the scene back in 2019 with his viral debut single Old Town Road, Lil Nas X has been one of the most provocative and innovative figures in contemporary pop and hip-hop. Not only did the song break records by spending 17 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but it also won him two Grammys and made him the first openly gay male to win a Country Music Association award. His path to fame was solidified as he broke barriers with daring imagery, unapologetic self-revelation, and an unafraid attitude towards his identity in the music world.
Lil Nas X has over the years grown as popular for his skill for causing commotion as he has for his infectious tunes. His 2021 song Montero (Call Me By Your Name) ignited widespread controversy following its salacious music video in which he pole-danced his way to hell and offered a lap dance to a devil figure. They called the video “depraved” and “evil,” especially right-wing organizations in the United States, while fans hailed it as a fearless expression of individuality. Consistently unapologetic, Lil Nas X reacted to the outrage with sarcasm, uploading a mock apology video on YouTube that jumped right into the controversial lap-dancing segment. He even tweeted that he hoped the tears of his detractors could “fill my Grammy cup.
This latest event in Los Angeles is another news-making moment in his already dramatic career. Although facts are still limited about exactly what set off Thursday’s events, many of his fans on social media have been worried about the well-being of the rapper, with hashtags such as #PrayForLilNasX making the rounds just after the news was released. Fans have claimed that the incident illustrates the extreme pressures of fame and what it does to young artists coping with international stardom.
To date, it is unknown what charges will eventually be brought by the LAPD or whether this experience will affect Lil Nas X’s future music strategy. For now, fans wait for an official statement from his team, while video of his pre-dawn tantrum continues to spread far and wide on social media outlets.
Having a history of recovering stronger from scandal, few doubt Lil Nas X will utilize this time, too, to fuel his music and remind the world why he is still one of music’s most unpredictable and fascinating stars.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
