Award-winning rapper Lil Nas X has been arrested in Los Angeles following an incident with police, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
Officers were called to Ventura Boulevard at around 5:30 a.m. local time (12:30 GMT) after reports of a man walking in the street wearing only underwear.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), responding officers alleged that the Old Town Road star “charged” at them before he was arrested on suspicion of battery. Police spokesman Charles Miller said the rapper, born Montero Lamar Hill, was later taken to hospital for treatment over a possible overdose.
Unverified footage circulating online appeared to show Lil Nas X earlier in the morning dancing in the street wearing underwear and cowboy boots while shouting at passersby to “come to the party.”
The 25-year-old is due to release his second studio album, Dreamboy, later this year, after teasing new music on social media in recent weeks.
Lil Nas X rose to international fame in 2019 with Old Town Road, which won two Grammy Awards and spent a record 17 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. He was also the first openly gay artist to win a Country Music Association award.
The rapper has frequently attracted controversy in the US, particularly from conservative groups, over his provocative style and music videos, including the chart-topping single Montero (Call Me By Your Name).
