Lil Nas X Shares Emotional Update About Mental Health & New Music: ‘There’s Less Fear in My Heart’
The rapper says he's spent the past few months in rehab and at home with friends and family after his arrest.
Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X has returned to social media with a video update for fans about his mental health and plans for new music.
The Instagram clip posted Wednesday (June 17) begins with the singer-rapper walking into frame and almost immediately cracking up about how “awkward” it feels to film himself, but noting he “really wanted to talk to you guys.”
Standing outside with a nearly clear blue sky behind him, the musician said, “First, where I’ve been: I’ve been in rehab for a few months, and since then I’ve been back at home, whether it’s in Atlanta with my family or Los Angeles with my friends … trying to ground myself down to earth and get out of my head.”
“I have a therapist now and a psychiatrist, which has been really helpful,” he continued. “When I got my bipolar disorder diagnosis, I feel like I had known for the past few years, but I didn’t want to admit to it, ’cause I didn’t want to have to take medication and … I don’t know, have people think different of me. I mean, I’m already Black and gay. Like, ‘Damn, God. Come on.’ Black, gay, bipolar — I’m living life on extreme hard mode.”
Still laughing at himself, the hitmaker went on to say that “on a serious note,” he’s “doing much better.”
“I’m creating freely,” he added. “There’s less fear in my heart, and I’m just smelling the roses.”
Lil Nas concluded by marveling at how he’s already been making music for seven years now and teased that he’s gearing up to release even more. “I want to let you guys know that there is new music on the way,” he said. “I’m not getting completely to that just yet, but I’m excited to do that, and I’m excited to go on this journey with you guys, this next chapter. S–t. We’ve been through so much together. Thank you, guys, for holding it down. I love you, and all I want to do is continue to try to make you proud.”
The statement comes after a challenging year for Lil Nas, who was ordered by a judge in April to complete a two-year mental health treatment plan after he was arrested last year for allegedly attacking police officers in Los Angeles. The officers had responded to reports that the musician had been walking around in public wearing nothing but his underwear and cowboy boots, after which he spent a weekend in custody.
He later pleaded not guilty to three counts of battery and one count of resisting arrest, charges that will be dismissed if he completes the treatment plan.
Lil Nas last dropped music in March 2025, when he unveiled the EP Days Before Dreamboy. His 2021 LP Montero reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
Watch Lil Nas X’s video below.
