Lil Nas X is among the most-nominated acts at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards, with eight nominations to his name. The distinction is an especially impressive feat given the brevity of his career so far: After ascending to stardom just months beforehand, the rapper vies with Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Billy Eilish at the top of the nominees list.

Most of Lil Nas X's nods come thanks to his breakout mega-hit, "Old Town Road (Remix)," featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. The song earned him spots in the categories of Song of the Year, Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Hip Hop, Best Direction, Best Editing and Best Art Direction. He is also up for the award ceremony's Best New Artist trophy, along with fellow first-time nominee Eilish, who barely edges out Lil Nas X with nine nominations of her own. Swift and Grande top the nominees list, with 10 nods apiece.

Lil Nas X crash-landed into the country mainstream (and far beyond) when "Old Town Road" gained traction on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, thanks largely to its viral status on the TikTop app, and was subsequently removed from consideration by the media organization. Cyrus was among those who came to the track's defense, and jumped on a remix that launched "Old Town Road" into a whole new echelon of popularity -- and yes, chart success. Since then, the song's popularity has only snowballed, spawning an abundance of remixes, covers and surprise performances.

The 2019 VMAs will take place on Monday, Aug. 26 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The ceremony will air live on MTV at 9PM ET.

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