Lil Nas X needs no introduction. As one of the biggest viral sensations of 2019, Nas X managed to seamlessly crossover into mainstream success. His breakout single "Old Town Road" was named the most-consumed song of the year by Variety.
After pushback from both the country and hip-hop communities, the Billboard country chart controversy, and some negative reviews on his latest EP 7 from critics, Lil Nas X forged his way through the music industry and landed six 2020 Grammy nominations. His nominations are in some of the most prestigious categories the Recording Academy has to offer including Record of The Year, Album of The Year, and Best New Artist. Lil Nas X had a lot of hype to live up to for his WiLD 94.9 Jingle Ball performance and he did not disappoint.
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In a set as brisk as his rise to fame, Lil Nas X opens up with his most recent hit "Panini" accompanied by his DJ/hype man. Wearing a matching bright red button up shirt and pants with flames counterintuitively paired with an elaborate choker, Nas X dances around the stage during "Rodeo (feat. Cardi B)" and a guitarist comes out to play the catchy riff live.
Before getting to the moment that everyone is waiting to post on their Instagram stories, Nas X tells the crowd to put their lights up for a tribute to the recently passed Juice Wrld and the crowd sings along to his hit "Lucid Dreams." Once the touching moment is over, Nas X grabs his big, brown cowboy hat and launches into the song that started it all.
He only performs three songs and leaves the audience wanting more. It's definitely the least conventional performance of the night but by now we should know, Lil Nas X doesn't play by the rules.