EntertainmentLil Nas X Reveals Why He Decided to Come Out After Getting to 'The Top'

A few months ago, Lil Nas X revealed to the world that he was gay. The rapper tweeted out that he wanted his fans to pay closer attention to the lyrics of his song "C7osure," and added "thought I made it obvious."

© Courtesy of HBO Lil Nas X

In the following months, the young star broke Billboard records when his track "Old Town Road" became the longest-reigning No. 1 single, with 19 consecutive weeks at the top position.

In a new clip, Lil Nas X sits down with some fellow stars on HBO Sports' The Shop: Uninterrupted to discuss what led to his official coming out announcement. The conversation started when marketing executive Paul Rivera begins to ask the young star about his decision to come out publicly.

MTV VMAs 2019: Complete Winners List (Updating)

MTV is set to air the 2019 Video Music Awards on Monday night, handing out the show's signature moon man trophies to nominees ranging from Ariana Grande to Lil Nas X. Heading into the night, Grande and Taylor Swift led in the nominations with 10 apiece, including for the top prize of Video of the Year. Billie Eilish, Halsey and Lil Nas X also scored multiple nominations. Missy Elliott will be awarded the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for her groundbreaking work as a musician and music video artist. She is also set to return to the show's stage as a performer for the first time since 2003 with a medley of her hits.

On top of breaking out with a record-breaking song, Lil Nas X garnered additional attention last summer when he came out as gay on social media. “But it’s all depending on what you decide to do. So you just work harder to make sure that it doesn’t and just keep going I guess.”

Rapper/singer Lil Nas X visited Ellen for the first time and talked about his decision to come out as gay at the height of his new career, and revealed whether he 's in a relationship. He also got an unexpected scare from "Billy Ray Cyrus."

"He said he was gay, so what?" comedian Kevin Hart responded, as Rivera clarified his question to ask, "Why did you feel that was necessary?"

The star said that he didn't feel forced out of the closet, but rather remarked that growing up he was taught to "hate that s---," referring to homosexuality. When Hart began to push back, asking why he was taught to hate it, Lil Nas X responded "Come on, now. If you really from the hood, you know."

He continued, saying that he knew if he came out earlier in his career, he would be accused of seeking attention. But coming out while at No. 1 on the charts, he says, had a different impact. "If you're doing this while you're at the top, you that it's for real," he says. "It's showing that it doesn't really matter, I guess."

Lil Wayne Uses Johnny Depp To Fight His Ex-Lawyer in $20 Million Legal Battle

The rapper is pointing to the actor's victory.

But Lil Nas X admitted that he hadn't planned on coming out until 'pushed by the universe.' Lil Nas X - given name Montero Lamar Hill - said it was June's Pride Month that help inspire him to It's been a wild year for Lil Nas X , who is currently topping the Billboard Hot 100 charts for a record-setting

Lil Nas X quickly rose to fame with his song "Old Town Road,” which broke the record for Billboard's longest-running No. 1 song of all time. The rapper, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, revealed his song "Closure" was his way of coming out as gay.

The clip comes ahead of Tuesday's (Sept. 3) new episode of The Shop: Uninterrupted, the HBO Sports series where some of the biggest names from sports and entertainment come together for honest conversations.

Related video: 5 Things to Learn From Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road'