In an effort to purify and preserve the country music genre, Billboard has removed viral trap music hit “Old Town Road” by Atlanta rapper Lil Nas X.
Lil Nas X’s fans are in an uproar over the rejection by Billboard, which defended their decision by pointing out that the song does not contain enough elements of country music.
Lil Nas X raps with a nasal twang, and the lyrics contain references to horses accompanied by banjo plucking. But the moment the bass track kicks in, it becomes apparent that “Old Town Road” is not your average country song.
One listen and you will agree: the song may be catchy but it’s not country.
The track debuted on the Billboard Hot County chart at No. 19 two weeks ago. It raced up the chart before Billboard snatched it down.
The song remains on the Hot 100 chart at No. 32.
“Upon further review, it was determined that ‘Old Town Road’ by Lil Nas X does not currently merit inclusion on Billboard’s country charts,” Billboard clarified in a statement.
Billboard noted that, while the track features a banjo, it does not feature the other musical elements that distinguishes country music from a run of the mill pop or rap song.
“When determining genres, a few factors are examined, but first and foremost is musical composition. While ‘Old Town Road’ incorporates references to country and cowboy imagery, it does not embrace enough elements of today’s country music to chart in its current version.”
Billboard left the door open for the song to reenter the country chart if it is remixed with folk style guitar strings in addition to the strumming banjo.
Country music fans call Lil Nas X’s fans hypocrites because they are the first to call white or Hispanic artists “culture vultures” when they misappropriate Black music for profit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2s7HEBUkBg
