American rapper/singer Lil Nas X is having a bit of a moment right now - and with good reason. The young star for the longest running no.1 single on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts, with his track 'Old Town Road' holding onto the top position for a massive 17 weeks.
But for those who don't find themselves 'on the pulse' of the latest music trends, what is there to know about the young star who seemingly burst from obscurity to dominate the world's airwaves?
Here are five things to know for those jumping aboard the Lil Nas X train.
1. He did a super cute surprise concert for a primary school
Look, being good with kids isn't a prerequisite for stardom, but it certainly doesn't hurt.
When a school principal filmed her students going nuts dancing to 'Old Town Road' after a talent show earlier this year, Lil Nas X not only retweeted the footage, but asked the school principal if the students would like a free private show.
The resulting footage was so wholesome and sweet that the internet went absolutely mental for it, sending the videos viral and helping the track gain traction on the charts.
2. He's openly gay
Lil Nas X made headlines in June this year when he revealed, in a series of tweets, . The announcement came at the end of America's Pride Month and was celebrated by fans, especially given the lack of LGBTIQ+ representation in the hip hop and country music scenes.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, the 20-year-old reflected on his decision to come out, revealing: “It was something I was considering just never doing ever, just taking to the grave or something, but I don’t want to live my entire life not doing what I want to do."
He added: “I’m also opening doors for more people. [I hope] that they feel more comfortable.”
3. The fashion
With his trademark cowboy hat and pastel suits, Lil Nas X is already making a splash in the fashion world - with the 'hip hop cowboy' even landing a spread in Vogue magazine with his two puppies.
As his star continues to rise, we can't wait to see the splash of colour the emerging artist will inevitably bring to some of the world's hottest red carpets - including next year's Grammys, where he'll surely clean up.
4. He's a class act
When Lil Nas X broke the record for longest running number 1 song in the US, he did so by dethroning the Queen of Pop, Mariah Carey, who had owned the record for 20 years for her song with Boyz II Men, One Sweet Day. While some emerging stars might've let the achievement go to their heads, Lil Nas X was humble in his success, .
"You are a legend and an icon and I’m blessed to even have you acknowledging me right now!" he wrote on Twitter when she congratulated the star.
"Growing up to your music & now having you talk to me directly is unreal!"
5. He manifests collaborations into reality
The 'Old Town Road' remix featuring country star Billy Ray Cyrus is easily the most popular remix of the song, which still sits at the top of the charts in the United States. But the collaboration wasn't born out of Lil Nas X's connections or industry influence - it was all thanks to his fans on Twitter.
"Twitter please help me get Billy Ray Cyrus on this," he tweeted in a video message to his followers.
It wasn't long before Cyrus took notice, heading into the studio to work with the rapper, who reportedly at the collab. It was a few days after the new remix was released that the song first climbed to the number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Whatever you're into music-wise, there's no denying that Lil Nas X is a breath of fresh air for the international music scene - and we can't wait to see what he gets up to next. A collaboration with Dolly Parton or Mariah Carey, perhaps?
