Grammy-nominated rapper Lil Nas X has finally addressed the public following his highly publicized confrontation with Los Angeles police that resulted in four felony charges. The 26-year-old Atlanta native, whose legal name is Montero Lamar Hill, spoke through his representatives for the first time since the incident, which occurred in the early morning hours on Ventura Boulevard in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles.
According to police reports, officers encountered Hill walking naked at approximately 6 a.m., leading to a confrontation during which he allegedly charged at officers and resisted arrest. The encounter, which initially resulted in a misdemeanor charge for obstructing an officer, was later upgraded to multiple felonies after further investigation by the District Attorney’s Office.
Police encountered a nude Hill at 6 a.m., leading to charges that escalated from misdemeanor to multiple felonies following district attorney review.
Hill now faces three counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one felony count of resisting an executive officer, charges to which he pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on August 25, 2025. Following the incident, officers transported Hill to a local hospital under suspicion of a possible overdose before transferring him to jail, where he remained after medical assessment.
The artist rose to global fame in 2018 with his genre-blending hit “Old Town Road,” which shattered records by maintaining the top position on the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 consecutive weeks. His 2021 debut studio album “Montero” reached No. 2 on Billboard’s album charts and earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. The artist spent several hours hospitalized before being transferred to jail custody following the bizarre incident. If convicted on all counts, Hill could face a sentence exceeding 10 years in prison.
The unusual nature of the arrest has captured significant media attention, with outlets including TMZ and Star Tribune providing extensive coverage. Public reactions have ranged from expressions of concern to statements of support across social media platforms, while legal experts have weighed in on the potential consequences of the felony charges.
Prior to this incident, Hill had been exploring sync deals for his music as part of diversifying his income streams beyond traditional performances and streaming. Before his rise to stardom, Hill spent years developing his craft through consistent releases and building a loyal fanbase through social media promotion.
As the legal process continues, Hill’s defense team is expected to outline their case in court, with the proceedings likely to include assessments of his mental and physical condition at the time of the incident. The charges carry significant penalties if conviction occurs.
