Lil Nas X’s Family Addresses His Recent Arrest and Ongoing Struggles

Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, made headlines when he was taken into police custody after being found wandering in a state of undress. Now, his father has spoken about his son and his ongoing condition.

Lil Nas X rose to fame with his hit single “Old Town Road.” According to Biography,

“The 2019 track “enjoyed a record 19 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, earning him two Grammys in the process.”

From there, his career continued to ascend. However, not everything has been smooth sailing, and as an artist constantly in the public eye, he hasn’t always been able to escape the attention that comes with his actions.

Lil Nas X Off the Edge

Lil Nas X’s arrest followed a night marked by erratic behavior that drew public attention. When authorities tried to detain him, the situation quickly escalated into a tense confrontation. According to Yahoo Entertainment,

” Lil Nas X allegedly punched one officer “twice in the face”

This altercation led to four felony assault charges being filed against him.

Hypothesizing the Culprit

Later, an addiction expert offered insights after reviewing the footage. Richard Taite, who specializes in addiction and recovery, told one outlet,

“My initial thought was that he was probably on meth or possibly meth-heavy pink cocaine. When someone is on meth, they can stay awake for days, and hallucinations often begin around the third day. Over time, you essentially live in those hallucinations.”

It’s important to note that this was not a formal medical diagnosis but rather a hypothesis based on Taite’s experience in the field.

Lil Nas X’s Father Speaks

Recently, Hill’s father spoke about visiting his son in jail following the arrest. He described the emotional weight of seeing his son in that state. According to TMZ, Robert Stafford said,

“To see my baby boy on the other side of that glass. We shed tears with each other for a minute. And I had to tell him that ‘what you’re going through is normal.'”

Beyond commenting on their emotional reunion, Stafford also offered his thoughts on what drove Lil Nas X to this breaking point.

More to Say

Stafford pointed to the pressures of fame as a major factor behind Hill’s loss of composure, describing it as a chief cause of his break in character. This was just one of several reasons Hill’s father believes played a role in the events of that night. Family pressures also appeared to be significant.

“Not only that,” Stafford added, “but Nas is the main breadwinner for his family, while also dealing with his mother’s struggles with drug addiction.”

Admittedly, that’s a heavy burden to carry.

No Real Clarity

As for whether drug use played a part in Hill’s behavior, the jury is still out. Hill’s father insists it was not a factor. TMZ reports that

“After the visit, Stafford briefly spoke to reporters in DTLA, stating that Nas’ mental health was ‘doing great’ and denying any drug abuse. He also mentioned that his son was remorseful, in good spirits, and plans to seek help.”

Biography August 27th update noted,

“After entering his plea, Lil Nas X was released on a $75,000 bail and ordered to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings.”

Lil Nas X: The Way Forward

Image Source: GQ/Michael Schmelling

There are countless lessons to be learned here—perhaps too many to list. The risks of drug abuse, the mental toll of fame, and the heavy burden of family responsibilities all intertwine to create a complex web that can overwhelm anyone, no matter how talented or successful. One can only hope that Lil Nas X—Hill—receives the help he needs, makes a full recovery, and finds his way back to clarity

Written by: Renae Richardson