To say that Lil Nas X has had a big year is understating the case just a tad.
The young rapper scored a global hit with his debut single 'Old Town Road', has performed at Glastonbury with Billy Ray Cyrus, become a social media star thanks to the song's popularity on TikTok, and has generally been taking it all in his stride with a hint of humour.
In the middle of all of that, he came out as gay - the only artist to do so while at #1 in the US charts.
wow man last year i was sleeping on my sisters floor, had no money, struggling to get plays on my music, suffering from daily headaches, now i’m gay.
— ☆ (@LilNasX) July 28, 2019
Now, the 20-year-old has made history with 'Old Town Road', which has broken the record as the longest-running #1 song in Billboard US chart history.
It has been #1 for 17 weeks, breaking Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men's 16-week-streak for 'One Sweet Day' - a record which has stood for 24 years.
Being the true gracious diva that she is, Carey was among those who took to Twitter to congratulate Lil Nas X on his huge achievement.
wowwww thank you so much mariah! you are a legend and an icon and i’m blessed to even have you acknowledging me right now! growing up to your music & now having you talk to me directly is unreal! ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/b9v5JEmFIy
— ☆ (@LilNasX) July 30, 2019
mariah carey is a legend and i love & respect her. 😎🖤
— ☆ (@LilNasX) July 29, 2019
Is a collaboration now too much to ask for?
