Lil Nas X, an American rapper, singer, and songwriter, has built a net worth of $9 million. He skyrocketed to fame with his genre-blending hit “Old Town Road,” which fused rap and country elements into a fresh, unique sound. The song initially gained popularity on TikTok before making its way onto international charts, ultimately achieving diamond certification in 2019.
Beyond music, Lil Nas X is known for being an influential figure in the LGBTQ community. Following the success of “Old Town Road,” he publicly came out as gay, making history as the first artist with a #1 record to do so. While many fans and fellow musicians applauded his bravery, some in the hip-hop world reacted with criticism, highlighting ongoing issues of homophobia within the genre.
Lil Nas X’s breakout single earned him several prestigious awards. At the 2020 Grammys, he was the most-nominated male artist and took home two awards for Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo Performance. Additionally, he won two MTV Video Music Awards and a Country Music Award, becoming the first LGBTQ artist to receive such an honor. His influence extends beyond music, as he is widely regarded as one of the most powerful voices on the internet today.
Lil Nas X (Image via Getty)
Early Life
Montero Lamar Hill was born on April 9, 1999, in Lithia Springs, Georgia, a small city just outside Atlanta. His parents divorced when he was six years old, and by the time he was nine, he moved in with his father in Austell, Georgia. He later reflected on this move as a positive change, as it helped him steer clear of negative influences.
As a teenager, Lil Nas X developed a fascination with internet culture, particularly memes. He often spent time online rather than socializing in person, which contributed to feelings of isolation. During this period, he also wrestled with his identity and struggled to accept his sexuality. By 17, he had come to terms with being gay.
After completing high school in 2017, he enrolled at the University of West Georgia but dropped out after just one year. Determined to make it in the music industry, he focused on songwriting and recording while working at restaurants and theme parks to support himself. His time on social media would soon prove to be a game-changer for his career.
Rise to Fame on Social Media
Before making waves in the music industry, Lil Nas X gained recognition as an internet personality. He experimented with different social media platforms in an attempt to build a following, eventually finding success on Twitter. Around 2017, he became known for running fan accounts dedicated to Nicki Minaj.
His strategy involved “Tweetdecking,” a controversial practice of managing multiple accounts to amplify posts and make them go viral. Twitter ultimately suspended his main Nicki Minaj fan account for violating platform policies. For a long time, he denied any connection to the fan pages, fearing that people would assume he was gay. However, in 2020, he admitted to running them, explaining that he had hidden the truth due to the stigma associated with being a gay artist in hip-hop.
Nicki Minaj later called him out for not acknowledging his fandom earlier but still congratulated him on his success. Despite the controversy, Lil Nas X’s understanding of internet trends helped propel his career forward.
Lil Nas X (Image via Getty)
Music Career Breakthrough
By 2019, Lil Nas X had shifted his focus entirely to music. He began writing and recording songs, adopting his stage name as a nod to the legendary rapper Nas. That same year, he purchased a beat for $30 from a Dutch producer named YoungKio, who had uploaded it to an online marketplace that provided producers with royalty earnings. This beat would become the foundation of his viral hit “Old Town Road.”
The track was initially recorded at a small Atlanta studio during a “$20 Tuesdays” promotion. Once released, TikTok users quickly embraced it, sparking the #Yeehaw Challenge, in which people transformed into cowboys and cowgirls. The song’s catchy lyrics and country-rap fusion resonated with audiences, leading to its rapid rise on the charts.
“Old Town Road” gained traction on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Songs chart. However, it was controversially removed from the country chart for allegedly “not being country enough,” a move many saw as racially motivated. Billboard denied the accusation, stating that the decision was based solely on genre classification. To strengthen the song’s country credibility, Lil Nas X collaborated with country music legend Billy Ray Cyrus on a remix.
The song dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-breaking 19 consecutive weeks. After seven weeks at #1, Lil Nas X celebrated by surprising Billy Ray Cyrus with a Maserati, sharing the moment on social media. His newfound fame opened doors to numerous collaborations and major industry recognition.
Lil Nas X (Image via Getty)
In September 2021, he released his debut studio album, “Montero.” The album featured hits like “Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” “Industry Baby” with Jack Harlow, and “That’s What I Want.” “Montero” was nominated for Album of the Year at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. In early 2022, he teased new music, including collaborations with YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Saucy Santana.
Coming Out and Sexuality
Lil Nas X publicly came out as gay in June 2019, making the announcement on social media at the end of Pride Month. Many had speculated about his sexuality based on the themes in his music, but he officially confirmed it in an interview a few days later.
While he received overwhelming support from fans, fellow artists, and the LGBTQ community, there was also backlash, particularly from parts of the hip-hop industry. His announcement reignited discussions about homophobia in rap music, as some individuals attacked him online. Despite this, he remained unapologetically himself, using his platform to challenge outdated norms and advocate for inclusivity.
In January 2023, he surprised fans again by revealing on Twitter that he is actually bisexual. His openness about his sexuality continues to make waves, breaking barriers for LGBTQ representation in mainstream music.
Real Estate Investments
With his rising success, Lil Nas X has also invested in real estate. In March 2021, he purchased a home in Sherman Oaks, California, for $2.4 million. The property serves as both a personal retreat and a symbol of his accomplishments.
Loki’s season 2 finale brings about monumental changes to both the character and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The titular God of Mischief, played by Tom Hiddleston, has undergone a significant transformation, becoming a god integral to the stability of the entire multiverse. Through his sacrifices and actions, Loki now plays a crucial role in maintaining the multiverse’s existence, a far cry from his previous role as a mischievous villain.
The events leading up to the finale of Loki season 2 deal with the aftermath of He Who Remains’ death. His demise caused an overwhelming surge of branched timelines, threatening the stability of the Sacred Timeline. The TVA, which is responsible for maintaining this timeline, struggled to cope with this influx. The Temporal Loom, the device that helped weave together the branches into the Sacred Timeline, was under immense strain. Loki’s journey in season 2 ultimately brings him face to face with a life-altering decision.
In the finale, Loki reaches a critical realization after spending centuries attempting to stabilize the Temporal Loom with the help of O.B. and Victor Timely’s Throughput Multiplier. Despite their best efforts, the problem seemed unsolvable as long as He Who Remains and the TVA persisted in their original forms. Refusing to accept this grim cycle, Loki makes the radical choice to destroy the Temporal Loom. By doing so, he becomes the new living Temporal Loom, thus saving all the branched timelines. Through this self-sacrifice, Loki assumes a divine role, becoming an essential force for multiversal stability.
Loki Season 2 Ending Explained
Loki (Image via Getty)
Loki’s new role is nothing short of transformative. At the end of season 2, he is seen wearing a new horned crown and sitting on a throne. This marks his ascension as a powerful god in the MCU. His new identity as the God of Stories directly parallels his original comic book reinvention. This pivotal moment indicates that Loki has evolved from the God of Mischief into something far more profound and important.
In this new capacity, Loki becomes the central force holding the multiverse together. He now oversees a complex web of interconnected timelines, ensuring their survival. This role parallels the Asgardian Yggdrasil tree, symbolizing Loki’s connection to the roots and branches of the multiverse. While his ascension holds the promise of stability, it also carries the risk of triggering a new multiversal war, a burden Loki willingly accepts for the chance of something better than the Sacred Timeline.
The Significance of ‘Glorious Purpose’
The title of the season 2 finale, “Glorious Purpose,” calls back to Loki’s iconic line from The Avengers (2012). In that film, Loki boasts about his glorious purpose in an attempt to conquer Earth. However, in the season 2 finale, Loki finally grasps the true weight of his purpose. This newfound understanding of his role leads him to make the ultimate sacrifice. Rather than seeking domination, Loki embraces the burden of maintaining the multiverse’s integrity, marking a powerful evolution of his character.
The decision to take on this responsibility echoes the character arc that has been developing across multiple MCU films. Loki’s growth from an arrogant villain to a self-sacrificing hero is now fully realized. By taking on the mantle of the God of Stories, Loki fulfills a “glorious purpose” that is not about power or control, but rather about protection and preservation.
Loki Season 2 cast (Image via Getty)
The Multiversal Tree: Loki’s Central Role
As the God of Stories, Loki becomes the living embodiment of the Temporal Loom. In his new form, he holds the threads of the multiverse together, transforming them into a massive multiversal tree. This tree is a direct nod to Yggdrasil, the cosmic tree of the Nine Realms. The branches and roots of this tree symbolize the vast multiverse, with Loki at its center, ensuring its continued existence.
This visual transformation hints at future storylines in the MCU, particularly in relation to Avengers: Secret Wars . In the comics, “God Emperor Doom” ruled over the remnants of the multiverse from a throne made from Yggdrasil. Loki’s new position might foreshadow a similar role, establishing him as a pivotal figure in the upcoming multiversal conflict.
The TVA’s Evolving Mission
Following Loki’s sacrifice, the TVA’s new mission becomes clear: tracking down the variants of He Who Remains, including Kang, the villain from Ant-Man, and the Wasp: Quantumania . Mobius, a key TVA agent, references this mission in the season 2 finale, acknowledging that the TVA will need to focus on these variants. The TVA’s role in the multiverse will likely continue to evolve, as their quest to find and deal with Kang variants is now more important than ever.
However, with Jonathan Majors’ future in the MCU uncertain due to recent controversies, the TVA’s mission might be adjusted. There is a possibility that the MCU will pivot away from focusing on Kang variants or even recast the character, creating a new storyline direction. The TVA’s efforts to handle this complex situation will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the MCU’s future.
Loki (Image via Getty)
The TVA’s Role in the Future of the MCU
The TVA will continue to play a vital role in the MCU, as confirmed by its appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine . In the film, Deadpool interacts with a new TVA agent, Paradox, suggesting that the TVA is still actively pursuing multiversal goals. However, this version of the TVA might not be directly connected to the events of Loki season 2, possibly existing in a different timeline or dimension.
As Deadpool 3 and future MCU films explore the TVA’s evolving role, the institution will likely remain a key player in the multiverse saga. The TVA’s continued involvement will bring new questions about its objectives and how they align with the larger multiversal narrative.
What’s Next for Mobius and Sylvie?
After the events of Loki season 2, Mobius takes a break from his TVA duties to reflect on the multiverse he’s been working to protect. Visiting his original life on the Sacred Timeline, Mobius contemplates the world outside the TVA. However, given Owen Wilson’s reported involvement in Deadpool 3 , it seems likely that Mobius will return to the TVA shortly to play a crucial role in explaining the MCU’s multiversal dynamics.
Meanwhile, Sylvie is enjoying her newfound freedom after Loki’s sacrifice. Free from the constraints of the TVA, she has the potential to explore various timelines and live life on her terms. Although she’s currently working at McDonald’s in Broxton, Oklahoma, her future remains full of possibilities. Armed with He Who Remains’ temporal device, Sylvie could launch on a journey that could significantly impact the multiverse.
Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, Loki is captured by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) after stealing the Tesseract. Pulled into a bureaucratic multiverse war, Loki confronts variants of himself, questions the nature of free will, and uncovers the mysterious forces controlling time. Across two seasons, the series explores Loki’s transformation from a self-serving trickster to a hero who makes the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the multiverse.
