After the recent arrest of his son, Lil Nas X, in Los Angeles, the father, who had remained tight-lipped until this point, has decided to break his silence. Montero Lamar Hill, the Grammy-winning artist better known by his stage name, was apprehended on August 21 and subsequently slapped with four felony charges, as authorities alleged he charged at them while strolling down an LA street clad only in his underwear. He has steadfastly denied all accusations.
Now, Lil Nas X's father, Robert Stafford, a former gospel music performer himself, is opening up about the immense pressures his son has been under and what he believes contributed to this unfortunate situation. "I understand the dynamics of the music industry," Stafford shared in an interview with The Times on Friday. "It's akin to a high. Once you reach that pinnacle, you crave that rush again, longing to reclaim that exhilarating height."
Stafford candidly discussed the emotional and financial burdens his son has borne – from supporting his family to maintaining the momentum of his early triumphs. "For a 26-year-old to grapple with such immense responsibilities – being the sole breadwinner for numerous individuals, the helplessness in improving his mother's situation, and the self-imposed pressure – these can weigh heavily on one's heart," he expressed with deep emotion.
Lil Nas X was released on a $75,000 bail after spending several days behind bars. Prior to his release, his father visited him, an encounter that left both men emotionally drained. "When I visited him in jail, I couldn't hold back the tears the moment I stepped through that door," Stafford recounted with a heavy heart. "Seeing my baby boy on the other side of that glass was heart-wrenching. We shed tears together for a moment, and I had to assure him that 'what you're experiencing is normal.' We all have our moments of breakdown, but the difference is yours are played out in the public sphere."
In court, the rapper's attorney, Christine O'Connor, characterized the incident as an anomaly. "Assuming the allegations are true, this is a complete deviation from this individual's life. Nothing like this has ever happened to him before," she asserted firmly.
Stafford further revealed that his son feels "sorry" that people witnessed him in such a vulnerable state. On August 26, Lil Nas X broke his silence and addressed his fans on Instagram Stories. "Your girl is gonna be okay, y'all. She's gonna be all right," he said, trying to reassure them. "Shit, that was terrifying. Those last four days were absolutely terrifying, but your girl's gonna be all right," he concluded, his voice tinged with relief.
