Abridge News | The 'Old Town Road' Song Controversy

‘Old Town Road’ is a song by American rapper Lil Nas X, initially released as a single last December.
As the song’s popularity grew, it achieved a rare feat in Billboard history by being simultaneously charted on the Hot Country Songs chart and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in March.
However, after achieving this feat, Billboard removed the song from the country charts. Billboard explained the action by saying the song did not “embrace enough elements of today's country music."
The song would have peaked at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart if it had not been removed.
Lil Nas X has expressed disappointment in the decision, saying “The song is country trap. It's not one, it's not the other. It's both. It should be on both charts."
The removal of the song has prompted some criticism as many have supported Lil Nas X’s claim, and have cited the difficulties often faced by black artists making cross-genre music.
Last week, Lil Nas X released a remix of the song featuring country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. The remix was recorded in support of ‘Old Town Road’ being recognized as a country song.