Billy Ray Cyrus releases Lil Nas X collaboration

“Old Town Remix” available now

Always one to be inspired by originality, Billy Ray Cyrus is lending his distinctive vocal style and clever lyrics to Lil Nas X’s already viral sensation, “Old Town Road.” In a just-released remix, Cyrus adds “a throaty verse that emphasizes the triumphant aspects of Lil Nas X’s hit: fancy jewelry, expensive cars and living a stress-free life (Rolling Stone).”

“I loved the song the first time I heard it. Country music fans decide what they like. Not critics or anyone else,” Cyrus says. “Waylon Jennings once told me every once in a while the industry outlaws someone because they’re different. Country music fans don’t need to be defined by critics. I’ve always said, don’t think inside the box, don’t think outside the box. Think like there is no box. So, I’m honored to collaborate with Lil Nas X on ‘Old Town Road.'”

The song featuring Cyrus is available on all streaming services now. As Rolling Stone notes, “Cyrus announces himself immediately by singing the first hook: ‘I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road/I’m gonna ride ’til I can’t no more.’ He shows up again towards the end of the banjo-heavy hip-pop single.”

Cyrus’ collaboration comes following Billboard’s decision to remove the track from the Hot Country Charts it debuted on along with Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs. Billboard claims the song “does not embrace enough elements of today’s country music to chart in its current version,” according to CBS News.

Lil Nas X responded, “I started to think about it, I was like, you know, why? After like listening to other songs that’s actually on that chart, it’s like, wait a minute, something’s not right, basically.”

Cyrus will release his own studio album, The SnakeDoctor Circus, via BMG this spring with a release date to be announced soon.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com