Lil Nas X ties Billboard record set by Mariah, ‘Despacito’
Associated PressNEW YORK — Lil Nas X has taken his horse to the old town road and ridden it to the top of the Billboard charts for 16 weeks, tying a record set by Mariah Carey and Luis Fonsi. The country-rap “Old Town Road” was originally a solo song, but 20-year-old Lil Nas X added Billy Ray Cyrus to the track and it topped the charts, achieving most of its success through audio streaming. He posted a video Monday on social media of the “SpongeBob SquarePants” character Squidward Tentacles saying, “Please stream ‘Old Town Road.’” “Me on the internet this whole week tryna break the billboard record,” he wrote in the caption. It’s a moment we’ve all shared and I’m grateful for it.” “Old Town Road” appears on Lil Nas X’s debut EP “7,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart, unable to push “Old Town Road” out of its top position, including two tunes from Taylor Swift ; Ed Sheeran and Bieber’s “I Don’t Care"; and two songs from Shawn Mendes.