Grammy-nominated rapper Lil Nas X was charged Monday with four felonies stemming from a Friday morning incident where police say he charged at officers while walking naked down a Los Angeles street.
Prosecutors charged the musician, whose legal name is Montero Lamar Hill, with three counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one felony count of resisting an executive officer, the District Attorney’s office said.
Why It Matters
Lil Nas X was initially booked on suspicion of misdemeanor obstructing an officer on Friday before charges were upgraded. The new felony charges carry potential prison sentences and come at a time when Lil Nas X has been dealing with ongoing health issues.
Lil Nas X shared in April that he was hospitalized after suffering sudden partial paralysis of his face. In a video posted to his 10.4 million Instagram followers, he demonstrated his inability to smile or laugh normally, though he later reassured fans he was “OK” and told them not to be sad.
Frederic J. Brown-Pool/Getty Images
What To Know
Authorities said they found the 26-year-old star walking naked on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City shortly before 6 a.m. Friday.
Officers said he charged at them when confronted and was arrested. Police, suspecting a possible overdose, first took him to a hospital, where he spent several hours before being taken to jail, where he has remained since.
Video obtained by TMZ appeared to show the rapper wearing only underwear and boots as he performs in the street. He can be heard telling the person recording, “Didn’t I tell you to put the phone down? Uh oh, someone’s gonna have to pay for that,” and “Don’t be late to the party tonight.”
He has been held at Valley Jail in Van Nuys since Friday, according to Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Charles Miller. He appeared with his attorney, Christy O’Connor, on Monday at the Los Angeles Superior Court in Van Nuys for his arraignment.
Lil Nas X rose to global fame in 2018 with “Old Town Road,” a hit that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for a record 19 weeks and won two Grammy Awards. The song, which blended country and hip-hop, reshaped industry conversations about genre and representation. His debut album Montero followed in 2021, earning Grammy nominations.
Throughout his career, the rapper has drawn both acclaim and controversy for his provocative style and approach to challenging cultural norms.
His 2021 music video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” sparked backlash from conservative groups for its imagery, including scenes depicting him descending into hell. He later partnered with a company to release limited-edition “Satan Shoes” containing human blood, prompting Nike to sue over trademark infringement.
This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
