Atlanta

Atlanta rapper Lil Nas X writing children’s book

ATLANTA — Atlanta-based rapper Lil Nas X is trying his hand at another gig: children’s book author.

The performer, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, announced on Twitter that he is dropping “C is for Country” in January. The picture book follows the rapper and a pony named Panini as they learn their ABCs.

Lil Nas X became an instant household name in 2019 when his country/rap single “Old Town Road,” rose to the top of the Billboard charts and spent 17 weeks on the Hot 100 chart.

The rapper won his first Grammy for a remix of the song with Billy Ray Cyrus in January.

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The book is meant for ages 3 to 7 and will be available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Target and Walmart.

“Join superstar Lil Nas X—who boasts the longest-running #1 song in history—and Panini the pony on a joyous journey through the alphabet from sunup to sundown. Experience wide-open pastures, farm animals, guitar music, cowboy hats, and all things country in this debut picture book that’s perfect for music lovers learning their ABCs,” the publisher wrote on its Random House Children’s Books site.

It’s not the first time Lil Nas X has shown his affinity for kids. Last summer, Minneapolis mother Sheletta Brundidge posted a now-viral video of her 4-year-old son Daniel, who has autism. She said “Old Town Road” inspired her son, who is nonverbal, to sing.

Lil Nas X reached out to Brundidge in a phone call.

“I’m happy that my blessings have rubbed off on you guys. And, yeah, I’m here to help in any kind of way that you need me to,” Lil Nas X told Brundidge on Tuesday when he called her at work. “You have my number, and I wanted to make sure you know that.”