The song reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart before the magazine disqualified it from the chart on the grounds that it did not fit the genre, sparking a debate on the definition of country music.
The song initially gained popularity on the social video sharing app TikTok and eventually entered the Billboard charts in March 2019. At the time, he had been living with his sister after dropping out of college his real-world struggles were an influence on some of the lyrics. Lil Nas X purchased the instrumental for US$30 and recorded 'Old Town Road' in one day. The sample was placed behind trap-style Roland TR-808 drums and bass. It features a sample of ' 34 Ghosts IV' by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Dutch record producer YoungKio composed the instrumental and made it available for purchase online in 2018. The song has been widely labeled as ' country rap', a genre that had not often reached the mainstream prior to its release. Both were included in Lil Nas X's second EP, 7 (2019). Lil Nas X also recorded a remix with American country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, which was released on April 5, 2019.
After gaining popularity, the single was re-released by Columbia Records in March 2019. ' Old Town Road' is the debut mainstream single by American rapper Lil Nas X, first released independently in December 2018.
