Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” remix has broken the record for most U.S streams earned in a single week, surpassing Drake who previously held the title for, “In My Feelings.”
According to Billboard, “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus has been streamed over 143 million times in the past seven days. Billboard added that Lil Nas X has earned roughly 20 million more streams than Drake’s 2018 summer anthem.
The “horses in the back” rapper is spending a second week at the top of the charts, making him the first artist since Cardi B to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for a debut single.
This comes as a surprise to many, who recall the controversy surrounding the removal of the viral single from their country charts prior to the release of the remix on April 5.
Billboard originally expressed that “Old Town Road” didn’t meet their criteria for country music. Billboard received major backlash for the removal of the song, as many felt that their decision was race related.
The collaboration between Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus came shortly after the controversy. Cyrus took to social media to support the self-proclaimed country-trap artist.
“I thought, it’s honest, humble, and has an infectious hook, and a banjo. What the hell more do ya need?” he said.
According to Pitchfork, “Old Town Road” is also Cyrus’ first number one record.
