Lil Nas X Says He Wishes Beyoncé and Shaboozey's Success in Country Music 'Would've Happened for Me'

'Billboard' removed Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" from the Hot Country Songs chart in 2019, claiming the song did "not embrace enough elements" of the genre

Lil Nas X would've liked the chance to further explore country music.

Following fellow genre-blending artists like Beyoncé and Shaboozey's recent major chart successes in country music, Lil Nas X opened up in a new interview with the BBC about feeling both "happy" for them and frustrated that he wasn't as well-embraced by the genre.

"I wish this would have happened for me. I wasn't even able to experience this," Lil Nas X, 25, told the outlet, appearing to reflect on when Billboard removed his debut single, "Old Town Road," from the Hot Country Songs chart — claiming the song did "not embrace enough elements of today’s country music to chart in its current form."

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Beyoncé recently became the first Black woman to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with "Texas Hold 'Em," which remained atop the list for 10 weeks before Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" overtook the slot.

Since the massive hit run of "Old Town Road," which ultimately topped the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-breaking 19 consecutive weeks despite its removal from the Hot Country Songs chart, Lil Nas X has largely stayed away from country music.

However, the Grammy winner told BBC he's continued "trying out some country [sounds] here and there over the last couple of years," though it hasn't felt right. "I want to feel connected to it and not force it," he said.

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Shortly after the initial genre controversy surrounding "Old Town Road," Lil Nas X spoke candidly to Time about his thoughts on the matter, declaring in 2019, "The song is country trap. It’s not one, it’s not the other. It’s both. It should be on both [charts]."

He also addressed the idea that removing "Old Town Road" from the Hot Country Songs chart was a racially-charged decision. "I believe whenever you’re trying something new, it’s always going to get some kind of bad reception," said the "Industry Baby" musician at the time.

"For example, when rap started, or when rock and roll began. But with country trap, I in no way want to take credit for that," continued Lil Nas X. "I believe Young Thug would be one of the biggest pioneers in that."

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