Lil Nas X Faces Felony Charges Following Nude Arrest in Los Angeles

Rapper Lil Nas X has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges after a nude arrest in Los Angeles, where he allegedly injured three police officers, with the case casting a shadow over his upcoming album release.

American rapper Lil Nas X, born Montero Lamar Hill, is facing serious legal trouble after a bizarre late-night incident in Los Angeles that has led to multiple felony charges. The 26-year-old Grammy Award-winning artist was arrested in Studio City last week while reportedly wandering the streets naked before allegedly charging at police officers.

According to Los Angeles authorities, three officers sustained injuries during the altercation. Lil Nas X was subsequently hospitalised for a suspected drug overdose, though he was later discharged and taken into custody. At his arraignment on Monday, he pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of battery with injury to a police officer and one count of resisting arrest.

The court set his bail at $75,000, with a possible prison sentence of up to five years if he is convicted. His legal team has yet to issue a detailed public statement, but the case has already drawn widespread attention both within the entertainment industry and beyond.

Lil Nas X, who rose to fame in 2019 with his record-breaking hit Old Town Road, has cultivated a reputation for pushing boundaries in both music and public performance. The arrest, however, marks a dramatic turn in his career at a time when he is preparing to release his highly anticipated second studio album, Dreamboy.

Fans have expressed concern across social media, with some calling for compassion given the circumstances of his hospitalisation, while others emphasise accountability in light of the injuries sustained by police officers. Commentators note that the case illustrates the thin line between artistic rebellion and self-destructive behaviour.

Legal experts say the proceedings could extend well into next year, with prosecutors expected to present further evidence regarding both the alleged assault and the circumstances leading up to the arrest. The high-profile nature of the case means it will likely attract intense media coverage throughout.

While Lil Nas X’s team will seek to mitigate the charges, cultural analysts suggest that the incident may affect how he is perceived by both the music industry and the public. Still, his history of resilience and reinvention leaves open the possibility of a comeback.

No matter how dazzling the spotlight, fame provides no immunity when celebrity collides headlong with the law.