Lil Nas X’s 2019 hit single has become the highest certified song in history, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Since its release, “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, has officially reached 14-times platinum status in the United States.
The 21-year-old, born Montero Lamar Hill, shared the outstanding feat on Twitter.
“‘Old Town Road’ is officially 14-times platinum!” he wrote.
OLD TOWN ROAD IS OFFICIALLY 14 TIMES PLATINUM! MOST PLATINUMS FOR ANY SONG EVER! LETS GOOO! pic.twitter.com/JsqUdIapfQ
— nope (@LilNasX) January 9, 2021
Cyrus also shared his joy over the announcement on Twitter, tagging the rapper before thanking him.
Incredible. I’m speechless. #OTR is now 14x platinum and the most certified song in music history. Thank YOU! @LilNasX
@YoungKio
@Dopebyaccident
@theRonPerry
@ColumbiaRecords
@bolooki
pic.twitter.com/qXGJ1ytvLe— Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) January 9, 2021
Lil Nas X had four other platinum singles, including “Panini,” “Rodeo (featuring Cardi B),” and “7 EP,” according to the RIAA. His latest track, “Holiday,” released in November, was certified gold on Jan. 5. The song features his signature vocals with a country twang, and the rapper dressed as a fashionable Santa Claus, while at the futuristic North Pole on Christmas Eve.
He also dropped his highly-anticipated children’s book earlier this month, as Blavity previously reported. 'C’ is for Country was published by Random House Books.
As the rapper continues to ride the stardom wave, he's also becoming more comfortable with taking control of his narrative. Lil Nas X, who came out as gay in 2019 via Twitter, has been determined to take his life to the “next level," according to Blavity.
He stated he owed his decision to live in his truth to Tyler the Creator and Frank Ocean.
“I think artists like Frank in general and, like, Tyler and whatever, they made it easier for me to be where I am, comfortably,” Lil Nas X said before complimenting Ocean’s earlier work. “Also, ‘Provider’ was a very special song to me during this relationship I was in.”