Something BIG happened last Friday. A no-name rapper and Miley Cyrus’ dad got in the studio and released a song. Doesn’t really sound like headline news, but unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 72 hours there’s a good chance you’ve heard “Old Town Road Remix” by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus.
*Let’s rewind a little bit*
Last year Lil Nas X released “Old Town Road” a two minute country hip hop fusion that blew up on social media, specifically Tik Tok and Twitter. At first listen the song just seems to be a rapper poking fun at the country music genre with hyperbole and exaggeration in between a catchy chorus. For whatever reason some things seem to catch fire and resonate with an audience, and this song did just that climbing up the Country Billboard charts. A lot of people questioned and criticized whether or not the song should be on the Country Billboard charts and it seemed as though the song was destined to land at number one before Billboard threw a curve ball. “Old Town Road” was removed entirely from the Country Billboard charts in a strange, almost unheard of move.
*Per the Vulture, “Billboard is both defending the decision and implying it could be overturned. In a new statement to Rolling Stone, the publication asserted that while the original “Old Town Road” and its subsequent Billy Ray Cyrus remix continue to climb the Hot 100 charts, there are ongoing discussions if they should be classified as country, too.”
Okay so viral song+controversy = GOAT? The song by itself is a banger. It’s got bass, a catchy hook, and short verses but then you throw in the fact that “the establishment” said no to it and boom, a legend is born. Billy Ray Cyrus joining in on the remix seemed to be the final ingredient needed to blend the two genres and fan bases alike. I’m not saying this song will bring about world peace, but I’m also not saying that it won’t.