Lil Nas X, born Montero Lamar Hill, is a young and talented American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He first gained mainstream attention with his hit single “Old Town Road,” which quickly became a viral sensation in 2019. However, this article discusses all of Lil Nas X net worth in 2023 and his income streams.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Childhood and Family Background
Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, was born on April 9th, 1999 in Lithia Springs, Georgia. He spent most of his childhood there with his mother and grandmother after his parents split up when he was six years old.
Lil Nas X has described his upbringing as a difficult one financially; at times, he had to stay with friends or family members because they could not afford to live in their own homes. However, Lil Nas X also credits his mother for exposing him to a wide range of music genres that would later inspire him.
Early Musical Influences and Aspirations
Growing up, Lil Nas X listened to a variety of musical styles including country music, hip-hop, and R&B. Lil Nas X has cited artists like Nelly, Usher, and Mariah Carey as some of his early influences. Despite being interested in music from a young age, it wasn’t until high school that Lil Nas X started writing songs.
Initial Attempts at Music Career
After graduating from high school in 2017, Lil Nas X moved to Atlanta where he attempted to break into the music industry by recording music in makeshift studios. However, Lil faced several challenges including a lack of resources and exposure which led him to move back home with his parents for a while before pursuing music full-time again.
In 2018, Lil Nas released his first single “Shamirah” under the moniker “NasMaraj,” but it didn’t garner much attention. Despite this setback, Lil Nas X continued to create music that reflected his unique blend of country rap and eventually found success with “Old Town Road.”
The Rise of “Old Town Road”
How the Song Came About
“Old Town Road” was initially released independently by Lil Nas X in December 2018. This song didn’t gain much traction until it started to go viral on the social media platform TikTok. The song’s popularity began to soar after users on the app created a dance challenge to go along with it.
This led to a surge of downloads and streams, catching the attention of mainstream music industry executives. The catchy melody, upbeat tempo, and unique blend of country and hip-hop styles helped make “Old Town Road” an instant hit.
Impact on Lil Nas X’s Career
The success of “Old Town Road” catapulted Lil Nas X into unprecedented levels of fame almost overnight. Before releasing this mega-hit song, Lil had been struggling to break into the music industry for years with little success. After signing with Columbia Records in March 2019 following “Old Town Road’s” initial success, Lil Nas X quickly became one of the most sought-after artists in hip-hop and pop music.
Lil went on to release his debut EP titled “7,” which included follow-up singles like “Panini” and “Rodeo” featuring Cardi B. These songs also performed well on the charts, but none of them could match the success of “Old Town Road.” The song’s monumental success opened up numerous doors for Lil Nas X, including collaborations with big-name artists like Billy Ray Cyrus, and a coveted spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2020.
Overall, “Old Town Road” had a massive impact on Lil Nas X’s career trajectory and set him up for continued long-term success in the music industry. This song has also significantly contributed to Lil Nas X net worth today.
Other Ventures and Income Streams
Record Deals and Collaborations
Lil Nas X’s success with “Old Town Road” quickly caught the attention of major record labels. In March 2019, he signed a deal with Columbia Records, which helped him release his first EP “7” in June of that year.
The EP featured collaborations with prominent artists like Billy Ray Cyrus, Cardi B, and Travis Barker. The success of these collaborations further boosted Lil Nas X’s popularity and income.
Merchandise Sales and Brand Partnerships
Lil Nas X has also made a significant amount of money through merchandise sales. He has released various clothing items that feature his image or references to his music, which have been particularly popular among his young fans. Also, Lil has partnered with brands like Wrangler and Louis Vuitton to release limited-edition apparel collections.
Endorsements and Sponsorships
As Lil Nas X’s fame grew, so did the number of endorsement deals he received. Lil has partnered with brands like Uber Eats, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Beats by Dre for sponsored content on social media platforms. These partnerships have earned him millions in revenue while also expanding his reach to new audiences.
Overall, Lil Nas X has demonstrated a keen business sense beyond just songwriting and performing. However, Lil has successfully diversified his income streams through multiple ventures. Some of these ventures include record deals, merchandise sales, brand partnerships, endorsements deals, etc.
Lil Nas X Net Worth Estimate
As of 2023, Lil Nas X’s net worth is estimated to be around $9 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. This is a significant increase from his reported net worth of $4 million in 2020, largely due to the continued success of “Old Town Road” and his various ventures.
Conclusion
Lil Nas X net worth is roughly $9 million. He had a very humble beginning, but his viral hit “Old Town Road” catapulted him to fame and fortune. Apart from the success of this song, Lil has also earned his money through various income streams like record deals, collaborations, etc. With regard to future earnings potential, Lil Nas X has already proven himself to be a very versatile artist and has hinted at more projects in the works.