Grammy-winning rapper Lil Nas X has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges following a bizarre incident in Los Angeles that saw him arrested while wandering the streets naked.
The 26-year-old artist, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, is facing three felony counts of battery with injury to a police officer and one felony count of resisting arrest. Prosecutors allege that Lil Nas X charged at responding officers after police were called to Studio City’s Ventura Boulevard in the early hours of Thursday morning.
According to authorities, three officers were injured in the struggle to detain him. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “Attacking police officers is more than just a crime against those individuals but a direct threat to public safety. Anyone who assaults law enforcement will face serious consequences, no matter who they are or how famous they may be.”
Lil Nas X was taken to a hospital after the incident for what police described as a possible overdose. He later spent the weekend in jail before being arraigned on Monday, where his bail was set at $75,000 (KSh 9.69 million). If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.
Unverified footage published by TMZ appeared to capture the surreal events leading up to the arrest. In one clip, the rapper can be seen dancing in white underwear and cowboy boots before stripping completely and walking nude down the street. At one point, he is heard rapping Kanye West’s “Monster” to passing drivers. His boots were reportedly picked up by a passerby and listed on eBay for $10,000 (KSh 1.296 million).
The arrest comes as Lil Nas X prepares to release his highly anticipated second studio album, Dreamboy, later this year. Known for pushing boundaries, the artist has frequently courted controversy since breaking into the mainstream with his record-shattering hit Old Town Road. Despite the legal troubles, fans remain eager for his next project.
Lil Nas X’s case is set to continue in the Los Angeles courts in the coming weeks.
