Lil Nas X buckles down on debut EP, '7'
In the context of Lil Nas X‘s release history, much like the horses of the viral hit, “Old Town Road” is now “in the back,” as the rapper’s debut EP, 7, begins to circulate. The eight-cut showing fittingly opens with the Billy Ray Cyrus-assisted remix of “Old Town Road,” in a nod to the track that first propelled the fledgling artist into mainstream prominence. A tough act to follow given its infectious, undeniably catchy appeal, “Old Town Road” precedes “Panini.”
The second song of the EP, “Panini” is further evidence of Lil Nas X’s acute ear for crafting tunes that are capable of securing smash-hit status. Lil Nas X scraps the country constructions of “Old Town Road” for favor of a half-rapped half-sung style that is traditionally hip-hop-leaning in its arrangement. To extend the country imagery of “Old Town Road,” “Panini” proves that Lil Nas X is far from a one-trick “pony.”
Lil Nas X calls on Cardi B for a feature on “Rodeo,” the sole collaborative effort of the production, “Old Town Road – Remix” notwithstanding. The remaining collection of EP inclusions illustrate a variety of musical influences to have been active in Lil Nas X’s development of the debut showing.
Photo credit: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Wingstop
