Lil Nas X’s Controversial New Single “Montero” Debuts Atop Billboard Charts

Lil Nas X’s new single debuted at the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

Last week, Lil Nas X premiered his controversial new video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” The video prompted vitriol from fellow rappers and conservative pundits alike. On Monday, the track made its first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, unsurprisingly reaching the top spot. The appearance is his second since “Old Town Road,” which sat atop the charts for a record-setting 19 weeks in 2019.

“Y’all told a 19 year old who had just escaped the lowest point of his life that he would never have a hit again,” he wrote on Twitter. “You told him to stop while he’s ahead. He could’ve gave up. but 4 multi platinum songs and 2 #1’s later, he’s still here. Thank you to my team and my fans!”

The Billboard Hot 100 blends all genres of streaming in the United States, radio airplay, and sales data.

“Montero” earned 46.9 million streams in the United States and sold 21,000 downloads in the week ending on April 1st. The track earned over a million radio airplay audience impressions in the week ending April 4th. The track also opened atop the Streaming Songs chart, and at number two on the Digital Song Sales chart.

The single is Lil Nas X’s fifth entry on the Hot 100 charts. All five entries have broken into the Top 40. Besides the two number-one records, “Rodeo” with Nas and Cardi B hit number 22, “Panini” hit number five, and “Holiday” hit number 37.

When the news was revealed, Lil Nas X went to social media to gloat.