American rapper Lil Nas X has pleaded not guilty to four felony charges after his arrest in Los Angeles last week for allegedly injuring police officers and resisting arrest.
The 26-year-old singer, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, faces three felony counts of battery with injury to a police officer and one felony count of resisting arrest. According to Los Angeles County prosecutors, the charges could lead to a prison sentence of up to five years if he is convicted.
Police said the incident happened in the early hours of Thursday when officers responded to calls about a nude man wandering along Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. On arrival, the Grammy-winning artist reportedly charged at the officers.
Officer Drake Madison told reporters that Lil Nas X was taken to a hospital for a possible overdose before being moved to a detention center. He remained in custody over the weekend.
At his arraignment in a Los Angeles courthouse on Monday, his bail was set at \$75,000. His legal team has yet to issue a public statement.
Videos online appear to show the Old Town Road singer dancing in white underwear and cowboy boots before later walking completely naked in the middle of a road. At one point, he was seen approaching a passing car while rapping lyrics from Kanye West’s song Monster. The boots were later listed for sale on eBay with a $10,000 price tag.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman condemned the attack, saying, “Attacking police officers is more than just a crime against those individuals but a direct threat to public safety. Anyone who assaults law enforcement will face serious consequences, no matter who they are or how famous they may be.”
The rapper, who rose to fame with his 2019 global hit Old Town Road, is expected to release his second album, Dreamboy, later this year. He had recently teased snippets of new music on Instagram before the arrest.
