Billy Ray Cyrus continues to defend Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road."
Not too long after the viral record debuted at No. 19 on the Hot Country Songs chart, Billboard announced they had removed the entry because it did "not embrace enough elements of today's country music to chart in its current version." Billy Ray disagreed.
The 57-year-old country star took to Twitter on Friday night to reiterate his support for the track and its place on the country music charts. Cyrus explained his position shortly after he and Lil Nas X released the "Old Town Road" remix.
The musician also shared an anecdote about the remix's recording session:
Billboard's decision to remove "Old Town Road" from the country charts drew polarizing reactions. Some were supportive of the move, as they believed the "trap-country" record didn't qualify as "true" country; while others were convinced race was a factor in the decision—allegations Billboard has denied.
Following the backlash and the release of the "Old Town Road" remix, Billboard said there was a chance the song could reappear on the country music charts.
"Billboard welcomes the excitement created by genre-blending tracks such as Lil Nas X’s 'Old Town Road; and will continue to monitor how it is marketed and how fans respond," Billboard wrote in a statement to Rolling Stone. "Our initial decision to remove "Old Town Road" from the Hot Country Songs chart could be revisited as these factors evolve."
