Recording artist Lil Nas X, legally known as Montero Lamar Hill and aged 26, was taken into custody by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department in the early hours of Thursday morning while unclothed in public.
Initially observed walking along Ventura Boulevard wearing only white western-style boots and undergarments, subsequent video footage obtained by TMZ revealed that he had, at one point, been entirely nude prior to his arrest.
Said footage depicts Mr. Hill vocalizing song lyrics and making hand gestures while vehicles passed by. Upon noticing that his conduct was being recorded, Mr. Hill deliberately turned toward the individual filming, exposing his full frontal nudity, and proceeded to recite lyrics attributed to Nicki Minaj from the 2010 Kanye West recording Monster.
A Public Information Officer with the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to the Daily Mail that during the course of his arrest, recording artist Montero Lamar Hill, professionally known as Lil Nas X, allegedly struck a police officer and was consequently charged with misdemeanor battery upon a peace officer.
Following his arrest, Mr. Hill was transported to a medical facility for evaluation and treatment of a suspected drug overdose. Upon discharge, he was transferred to a detention facility, where he was expected to remain through the weekend pending arraignment and a bail hearing.
Additional surveillance footage obtained by TMZ indicated that Mr. Hill’s conduct originated at the Short Stories Hotel, where cameras recorded him walking the premises dressed in jeans, a button-up shirt, and a cowboy hat. At some point thereafter, he reportedly discarded the shirt and jeans, and was subsequently observed on Ventura Boulevard clad only in undergarments and western boots. During this time, he was filmed placing an orange traffic cone upon his head and allegedly remarked to a bystander that he was en route to a party.
Law enforcement sources later informed TMZ that since being booked into custody, Mr. Hill had not exhibited any problematic behavior. Despite his notoriety, he was said to have refrained from impromptu performances while housed in the pre-arraignment facility, which generally holds detainees for limited periods pending court proceedings.
Mr. Hill is scheduled to remain incarcerated until his arraignment and bail determination on Monday. In the interim, he is reported to have access to limited amenities within the facility, including reading materials, religious texts, basic board games, and televisions restricted to local programming.
Law enforcement sources further confirmed that Mr. Hill is presently being provided three meals daily while in custody, with reported options including cereal and fruit at breakfast, and simple poultry dishes or bean-and-cheese burritos for subsequent meals.
Separately, on Wednesday, Mr. Hill disseminated multiple posts via his verified Instagram account, which appeared to have been recorded from his private residence. In one such video, he is depicted in a bathrobe singing and playing a tambourine beside a collection of assorted items. The post bore the caption: ‘FREE THE PEOPLE! NOW!’
In another post, Mr. Hill shared a self-portrait wearing a fur coat and a tiara-adorned cowboy hat, captioned: ‘OH NO sHES GONE MAD! CRAZY I TELL U!’
Following these posts, numerous fans and supporters issued public messages of concern and encouragement. One supporter wrote: ‘Your music has helped me come to terms with my queer identity and helped me walk away from people who claimed to be my friends, but never really heard me. I wish you healing. Please be okay. We are here hoping for peace.’ Another stated: ‘Just know we’re all here for you with love and support. Mental health matters, your mental health matters. You’ve helped so many of us accept who we are and live unapologetically.’
Several others expressed that they were actively ‘praying’ for Mr. Hill’s well-being.#newsafro_
