Lil Nas X, Old Town Road (Mason Ramsey Remix) | Track Review

For Lil Nas X, “Old Town Road” continues to be the gift that keeps on giving.  He adds Mason Ramsey and Young Thug to the latest remix of hit single.

“Yeah, I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road / I’m gonna ride ‘til it can’t go no more.” Fittingly, 7, the debut EP by Lil Nas X, commences with the original “Old Town Road (Remix)” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. The brief, countrified/melodic hip-hop/trap record has definitely served as the ‘ace-in-the-hole’ for the rapper. Why has “Old Town Road” been such a big deal? Well, in any version, it’s quite charming for various reasons including lyrics that play off of clichés associated with country music, as well as the hip-hop beat, coupled with ‘country-folk’ guitars that are fueled by a prominent Nine Inch Nails sample (“34 Ghosts IV”). In the latest remix of the historic no. 1 single, country singer Mason Ramsey, and idiosyncratic southern rapper Young Thug join the party.

Young Thug 

For the purposes of this review, we’ll focus on what’s different compared to previous versions of “Old Town Road.” Young Thug makes his presence known at the onset with a distinct “Yeehaw!” He adds some ad-libs on the famous, aforementioned refrain (Billy Ray Cyrus), as well as the unchanged first verse by Lil Nas X.  He skips tweaking the chorus (“Can’t nobody tell me nothin’”) before dropping his own verse and half of the ensuing chorus.  Always colorful, lyrics that catch the ear include “All I wanna do is take a pill, catch a chill vibe” and “I’ma take a horse to the South Berry road / I don’t remember her name, but I painted her nose.”

Mason Ramsey 

Young Thug is Young Thug, which always makes for an interesting trip.  That said, the clear #winner of this remix comes from young Mason Ramsey who is definitely ‘on.’ He first appears on the bridge, which is essentially a variant of the chorus: “Hold up, let me tell y’all somethin’ / You can’t tell me nothin’.” His boyish pipes really pop, particularly with that country twang, adding a brilliant contrast to the record.  That contrast continues to be glorious on the fourth verse, capped off by the thing that made the kid famous, his yodeling skills.  He joins Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X on the final refrain, while Young Thug closes things out with another “Yeehaw!”

Final Thoughts

As previously stated, regarding “Old Town Road,” it is a novel cut by all means that lacks substance, but is nonetheless infectious.  The song is irresistible – fun to the nth degree.  This remix only adds to the fun, particularly the yeehaw(s) from Young Thug and Mason Ramsey going straight up H.A.M.

Lil Nas X • Old Town Road (Remix) [Ft. Billy Ray Cyrus, Young Thug & Mason Ramsey] • Columbia • Release: 7.12.19

Photo Credit: Columbia