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Most fans know the “Old Town Road” artist by his stage name — Lil Nas X. This artist recently released an album titled after his birth name Montero. Here’s what we know about this performer and the meaning behind his given name.

Lil Nas X poses backstage during the 2019 Stagecoach Festival at Empire Polo Field
Lil Nas X poses backstage during the 2019 Stagecoach Festival at Empire Polo Field | Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Stagecoach

Lil Nas X is the artist behind songs like ‘Old Town Road,’ ‘That’s What I Want,’ and ‘Dead Right Now’

He’s a self-proclaimed “country trap rapper” who highlights black LGBTQ cowboy culture with his music. The “Old Town Road” remix featuring Billy Ray Cyrus earned the Grammy Award for Best Music Video. 

He also makes fans laugh with videos posted on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Recently, the performer debuted his album, Montero.

“I feel like we’ve come to a time in music where everything is nice, and nothing is really cutting edge or starting conversations anymore,” he said during an interview with TIME. “I want to be part of a conversation that actually applies to my situation and so many people that I know.”

Montero is Lil Nas X’s real name 

This artist releases music under the name “Lil Nas X.” Of course, that’s not actually his birth name. While on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, this musician gave his stage name an official backstory. 

“When I started doing music, I was like, ‘I want to have fun with this,’” he said. “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.”

According to Showbiz Cheat Sheet, this rapper’s birth name was inspired by a car, a Mitsubishi Montero, which his mother always wanted but never had. It’s this name that inspired his album title Montero, as well as the track “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” However, this artist did not officially change his stage name to his real name. 

Lil Nas X performed at the 2020 Grammy Awards

Since bursting onto the music scene, Lil Nas X earned several awards and global recognition. On his debut album, Lil Nas X featured award-winning artists like Elton John, Megan Thee Stallion, and Doja Cat. “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” earned over a billion Spotify plays since its debut. 

“I grew up in a pretty religious kind of home—and for me, it was fear-based very much,” he said during the TIME interview. “Even as a little child, I was really scared of every single mistake I may or may not have made. I want kids growing up feeling these feelings, knowing they’re a part of the LGBTQ community, to feel like they’re O.K. and they don’t have to hate themselves.”

Fans can catch up with this artist thanks to his social media platforms. Music by Lil Nas X, including his recently released album Montero, is available on most major music streaming platforms. 

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