Rodeo (Lil Nas X and Cardi B song)

{{short description|2019 song by Lil Nas X and Cardi B}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}

{{good article}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Rodeo

| cover =

| alt =

| type =

| artist = Lil Nas X and Cardi B

| EP = 7

| released = June 21, 2019

| format =

| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|country trap}}

| length = {{duration|m=2|s=39}}

| label = Columbia

| writer = {{hlist|Montero Hill|Belcalis Almánzar|David Biral|Denzel Baptiste|Pardison Fontaine|Roy Lenzo|Russ Chell|Ann Wilson|Michael Derosier|Nancy Wilson|Roger Fisher}}

| producer = {{hlist|Take a Daytrip|Chell|Lenzo}}

}}

"Rodeo" is a song by American rappers Lil Nas X and Cardi B from the former's second EP, 7 (2019). The song was written by the artists alongside Pardison Fontaine and producers Take a Daytrip, Roy Lenzo, and Russ Chell. Due to the song's interpolation of Heart's 1977 song "Barracuda," band members Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Michael Derosier, and Roger Fisher are also credited as songwriters. Musically, the song is a country trap track with a surf trumpet and reverberated staccato guitar riff. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised Cardi B's verse.

"Rodeo" debuted at number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and reached charts in numerous other territories. Lil Nas X and Cardi B, among others, were sued by Don Lee and Glen Keith DeMeritt III, with the two of them claiming that "Rodeo" plagiarized a track they produced called "Broad Day" (2017). A remix of the former with Lil Nas X and fellow rapper Nas was released for digital download and streaming as a single on January 27, 2020, after a live performance by Lil Nas X and Nas of the remix during the 2020 Grammy Awards the previous day. It was supported by a music video and caused the song to re-enter the Billboard Hot 100 at number 74, with the magazine billing the artist as "Lil Nas X featuring Cardi B or Nas".

Background and composition

According to Take a Daytrip, the duo of David Biral and Denzel Baptiste, the guitar lick for "Rodeo" was introduced during Lil Nas X's first studio session ever. The song's chorus was the first part the three of them completed, which was posted to Lil Nas X's Instagram before the rest of the song was finished, and had received around three million views within two days. A solo version of it was completed one month and a half later in New York City. Cardi B's verse was a late addition to "Rodeo", which Lil Nas X texted to the producers when they "were in the studio working on something else" a few days prior.{{cite web |last=Skelton |first=Eric |title=Stories From the Making of Lil Nas X's Debut EP, Told by Producers Take A Daytrip |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/06/lil-nas-x-7-ep-stories-take-a-daytrip-interview |website=Complex |access-date=June 27, 2019 |date=June 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624164950/https://www.complex.com/music/2019/06/lil-nas-x-7-ep-stories-take-a-daytrip-interview |archive-date=June 24, 2019 |url-status=live }} The song was written by Lil Nas X and Cardi B, alongside Pardison Fontaine, Roy Lenzo, Russ Chell, Biral, and Baptiste, while the latter four produced the song.

Lil Nas X revealed the song's name as part of the tracklist for 7. Cardi B's appearance on it was not announced until the EP's release on June 21, 2019.{{cite magazine |last=Saponara |first=Michael |title=Lil Nas X Releases '7' EP |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8516912/lil-nas-x-7-ep |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 21, 2019 |date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623210903/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8516912/lil-nas-x-7-ep |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |url-status=live }} A hip hop song, "Rodeo" retains Lil Nas X's "country trap style with twanging guitars" according to Spin{{'}}s Nina Braca. The song samples a guitar riff, described by Uproxx{{'}}s Aaron Williams as "a harder rock-oriented loop" similar to Heart's "Barracuda" (1977), featuring Lil Nas X's country trap vocals, which Williams thought were "to censure a romantic flame for her dependence on his largesse".{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Aaron |title=Cardi B Joins Lil Nas X At The 'Rodeo' On His Breezy, Versatile '7' EP |url=https://uproxx.com/hiphop/lil-nas-x-cardi-b-rodeo-7-ep/ |publisher=Uproxx |access-date=June 21, 2019 |date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621125914/https://uproxx.com/hiphop/lil-nas-x-cardi-b-rodeo-7-ep/ |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |url-status=live }} It includes a reverbed staccato guitar riff and surf trumpet.{{cite web |last=Gravley |first=Garrett |title=Lil Nas X Proves More Than a 10-Gallon Novelty Act on 7 EP |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/06/album-review-lil-nas-x-7/ |website=Consequence of Sound |access-date=August 21, 2019 |date=June 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929160421/https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/06/album-review-lil-nas-x-7/ |archive-date=September 29, 2019 |url-status=live }} With "twisted, brooding Mariachi tones", "Rodeo" has a hint of guitar-and-drum driven heaviness.

Reception

"Rodeo" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Pitchfork{{'}}s Alphonse Pierre wrote that "'Rodeo' hits all the beats of 'Mo Bamba'" (2017), describing the former as "a desperate return to the bulletproof cowboy persona".{{cite web |last=Pierre |first=Alphonse |title=Lil Nas X: 7 EP Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lil-nas-x-7-ep/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=June 21, 2019 |date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621075701/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lil-nas-x-7-ep/ |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |url-status=live }} Nina Braca from Spin labelled Cardi B's verse "energetic".{{cite web |last=Braca |first=Nina |title=Here Are the Lyrics to Lil Nas X & Cardi B's 'Rodeo' |url=https://www.spin.com/2019/06/lil-nas-x-cardi-b-rodeo-lyrics/ |website=Spin |access-date=June 25, 2019 |date=June 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624221452/https://www.spin.com/2019/06/lil-nas-x-cardi-b-rodeo-lyrics/ |archive-date=June 24, 2019 |url-status=live }} NPR{{'}}s Meaghan Garvey called the song "an outlaw banger", noting that it sees Lil Nas X's "cartoon cowboy drawl" return.{{cite web |last=Garvey |first=Meaghan |title=Lil Nas X Is More Than Just A Meme Lord, Apparently |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/06/21/734485423/lil-nas-x-is-more-than-just-a-meme-lord-apparently |publisher=NPR |access-date=June 21, 2019 |date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621114135/https://www.npr.org/2019/06/21/734485423/lil-nas-x-is-more-than-just-a-meme-lord-apparently |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |url-status=live }} In a review for AllMusic, Fred Thomas wrote that the song gets closest to the "trappy country" formula, with Lil Nas X "affecting his rugged cowboy persona over a banging beat, complete with a dusty drawl and a burning feature from Cardi B".{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Fred |title=7 - Lil Nas X |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/7-mw0003293392 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=August 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702173503/https://www.allmusic.com/album/7-mw0003293392 |archive-date=July 2, 2019 |url-status=live }} Garrett Gravley of Consequence of Sound compared the quality of the backing instrumentals of "Rodeo" to Dick Dale, adding that it "leave[s] a void in the listener that can only be filled by playing [it] again and again". Rolling Stone{{'}}s Spanos described the song as a "surefire hit".{{cite magazine |last=Spanos |first=Brittany |title=Lil Nas X Keeps Riding Down the Old Town Road on His Debut EP '7' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/lil-nas-x-ep-7-847917/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=August 21, 2019 |date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725001856/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/lil-nas-x-ep-7-847917/ |archive-date=July 25, 2019 |url-status=live }} In a mixed review, Erika Marie of HotNewHipHop thought that the song "brings more of a hip hop vibe with Cardi's aggressive rap addition, but with only two verses, there's much to be left for listeners".{{cite web |last=Marie |first=Erika |title=Lil Nas X & Cardi B Join Forces On 'Rodeo' |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-nas-x-and-cardi-b-join-forces-on-rodeo-new-song.1983462.html |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=June 21, 2019 |date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621125918/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-nas-x-and-cardi-b-join-forces-on-rodeo-new-song.1983462.html |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |url-status=live }}

=Copyright claim=

Don Lee and Glen Keith DeMeritt III sued Lil Nas X, Cardi B, Take a Daytrip, Unxque and Sony Music Entertainment for allegedly plagiarizing "Rodeo" from a song they produced called "Broad Day" (2017). Lee and DeMeritt stated that the former uses the E, F, G, F, E chord progression of the song and features similar instrumentation to it; they also alleged that the song was "performed, published, and distributed widely, including without limitation in and around the Atlanta hip-hop scene".{{cite web |last=Bloom |first=Madison |title=Lil Nas X, Cardi B, More Hit With Copyright Infringement Lawsuit for "Rodeo" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/lil-nas-x-cardi-b-more-hit-with-copyright-infringement-lawsuit-for-rodeo/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=October 7, 2019 |date=October 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008023541/https://pitchfork.com/news/lil-nas-x-cardi-b-more-hit-with-copyright-infringement-lawsuit-for-rodeo/ |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |url-status=live }} Lil Nas X denied the claims and said that "the work, 'Rodeo,' was created independently from and without knowledge of the allegedly infringed work".{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/02/lil-nas-x-response-rodeo-copyright-infringement-claim|title=Lil Nas X Issues Response to 'Rodeo' Copyright Infringement Claim|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=February 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216042219/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/02/lil-nas-x-response-rodeo-copyright-infringement-claim|archive-date=February 16, 2020|url-status=live}}

Commercial performance

"Rodeo" debuted at number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the issue date of July 6, 2019, following the release of 7. The track was later certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of three million certified units on July 19, 2024. In Canada, it peaked at number 44 on the Canadian Hot 100 and attained a double platinum certification from Music Canada (MC). The track charted at number 55 on the UK Singles Chart, number 35 on the Irish Singles Chart and number 13 on Latvia's Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops chart. The song peaked at number 72 on the ARIA Singles chart and number six on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart, an extension to the New Zealand Top 40 Singles chart.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.{{Cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/111624873|title=7 EP / Lil Nas X – TIDAL|date=June 21, 2019 |access-date=June 21, 2019|publisher=Tidal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621053234/https://listen.tidal.com/album/111624873|archive-date=June 21, 2019|url-status=live}}

  • Lil Nas X{{spaced ndash}}lead vocals, songwriting
  • Cardi B{{spaced ndash}}lead vocals, songwriting
  • Roy Lenzo{{spaced ndash}}songwriting, production
  • Russ Chell{{spaced ndash}}songwriting, production
  • Take a Daytrip{{spaced ndash}}songwriting, production
  • Jorden Thorpe{{spaced ndash}}songwriting
  • Ann Wilson - songwriting
  • Michael Derosier - songwriting
  • Nancy Wilson - songwriting
  • Roger Fisher - songwriting
  • Denzel Baptiste{{spaced ndash}}recording
  • DJ Swivel{{spaced ndash}}mixing
  • Colin Leonard{{spaced ndash}}mastering

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (2019)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.auspop.com.au/2019/06/aria-chart-watch-531/|title=ARIA Chart Watch #531|work=auspOp |date=June 29, 2019|access-date=June 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629074135/https://www.auspop.com.au/2019/06/aria-chart-watch-531/|archive-date=June 29, 2019|url-status=live |author1=Auspop }}

| 72

{{single chart|Canada|44|artist=Lil Nas X|rowheader=true|access-date=July 2, 2019|refname="Can"}}
{{single chart|Czechdigital|56|year=2019|week=27|rowheader=true|access-date=July 9, 2019}}
scope="row"| Estonia (Eesti Ekspress){{cite web|url=https://ekspress.delfi.ee/areen/eesti-tipp-40-muusikas-suur-papa-on-tagasi?id=86778065|title=EESTI TIPP-40 MUUSIKAS: tere tulemast edetabelitesse, manna!|work=Eesti Ekspress|language=et|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813033004/https://ekspress.delfi.ee/areen/eesti-tipp-40-muusikas-suur-papa-on-tagasi?id=86778065|archive-date=August 13, 2019|url-status=live}}

| 19

{{single chart|France|111|artist=Lil Nas X & Cardi B|song=Rodeo|rowheader=true|access-date=July 3, 2019}}
scope="row"| Greece (IFPI){{cite web|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html|title=Greece Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart: 27/2019|publisher=IFPI Charts|access-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715175920/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html|archive-date=July 15, 2019}}

| 12

{{single chart|Hungarystream|29|year=2019|week=27|rowheader=true|access-date=June 29, 2019}}
{{single chart|Ireland3|35|artist=Lil Nas X|rowheader=true|access-date=June 29, 2019|refname="Ire"}}
scope="row"| Latvia (LAIPA){{cite web|url=https://www.parmuziku.lv/muzikas-zinas/latvija/muzikas-paterina-tops-27-nedela-8035|title=Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 27. nedēļa|language=lv|publisher=LAIPA|access-date=November 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010115013/https://www.parmuziku.lv/muzikas-zinas/latvija/muzikas-paterina-tops-27-nedela-8035|archive-date=October 10, 2019}}

| 13

scope="row"| Lithuania (AGATA){{cite web|url=https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/savaites-klausomiausi-w16-2-2-2-2-2-3-2-2-2-2/|title=Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)|language=lt|publisher=AGATA|date=July 5, 2019|access-date=December 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009194943/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/savaites-klausomiausi-w16-2-2-2-2-2-3-2-2-2-2/|archive-date=October 9, 2019|url-status=live}}

| 17

scope="row"| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2019-06-28|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=July 1, 2019|access-date=June 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628222909/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles%3Fchart%3D4660|archive-date=June 28, 2019|url-status=live}}

| 6

{{single chart|Portugal|37|artist=Lil Nas X & Cardi B|song=Rodeo|rowheader=true|access-date=July 14, 2019}}
{{single chart|Slovakdigital2|35|year=2019|week=28|rowheader=true|access-date=July 16, 2019}}
scope="row"| Sweden Heatseekers (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/215?dspy=2019&dspp=27|title=Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 27|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=July 5, 2019}}

| 16

{{single chart|Switzerland|82|artist=Lil Nas X & Cardi B|song=Rodeo|rowheader=true|access-date=July 1, 2019}}
{{single chart|UK|55|date=20190628|rowheader=true|access-date=June 29, 2019|refname="UK"}}
{{single chart|UKrandb|29|date=20190628|rowheader=true|access-date=July 6, 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|22|artist=Lil Nas X|rowheader=true|access-date=May 4, 2020|refname="BB"}}
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|12|artist=Lil Nas X|rowheader=true|access-date=July 6, 2019}}

! scope="row"| US Rolling Stone Top 100{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2019-06-27/|title=Top 100 Songs|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 2, 2019|access-date=July 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702224443/https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2019-06-27/|archive-date=July 2, 2019|url-status=live}}

| 9

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (2019)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205172412/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|archive-date=December 5, 2019|url-status=live}}

| 92

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Lil Nas X & Cardi B|title=Rodeo|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|access-date=February 4, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Lil Nas X & Cardi B|title=Rodeo|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2022|access-date=January 6, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2022|artist=Lil Nas X|title=Rodeo|refname="MC"|access-date=September 21, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Lil Nas X|title=Rodeo|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2022|access-date=October 21, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Lil Nas X feat. Cardi B|title=Rodeo|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|source=radioscope|access-date=January 27, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Lil Nas X|title=Rodeo|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|certmonth=3|access-date=March 24, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Lil Nas X & Cardi B|title=Rodeo|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2022|id=16609-6150-1|access-date=November 12, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|certyear=2024|access-date=July 23, 2024|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=3|artist=Lil Nas X & Cardi B|title=Rodeo|relyear=2019|type=single|refname="US"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}

Remix

{{Infobox song

| name = Rodeo (Remix)

| cover = Lil Nas X - Rodeo (Nas remix).png

| caption =

| alt =

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = Lil Nas X and Nas

| EP =

| released = January 27, 2020

| genre =

{{hlist|Hip hop||country trap}}

| length = {{duration|m=2|s=25}}

| label = Columbia

| writer = {{hlist|Montero Hill|Nasir Jones|David Biral|Denzel Baptiste|Roy Lenzo|Russ Chell}}

| producer = {{hlist|Take a Daytrip|Chell|Lenzo}}

| chronology = Lil Nas X

| prev_title = Panini

| prev_year = 2019

| next_title = Holiday

| next_year = 2020

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Nas

| type = single

| prev_title = NY Se Mumbai

| prev_year = 2019

| title = Rodeo (Remix)

| year = 2020

| next_title = Ultra Black

| next_year = 2020

}}{{External music video|{{YouTube|c-yRN55iaQY|"Rodeo (ft. Nas)"}}}}{{External music video|{{YouTube|1XD703T079M|"Rodeo (Remix) (feat. Nas)"}}|header=Lyric video}}

}}

A remix of "Rodeo" by Lil Nas X and fellow rapper Nas was released for digital download and streaming in various countries on January 27, 2020, accompanied by an animated lyric video.{{cite web |title=Nas Joins Lil Nas X for 'Rodeo' at the Grammys, and It's Now an Official Remix |url=https://www.spin.com/2020/01/nas-lil-nas-x-rodeo-grammys-official-remix/ |website=Spin |access-date=April 26, 2020 |date=January 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406175135/https://www.spin.com/2020/01/nas-lil-nas-x-rodeo-grammys-official-remix/ |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |url-status=live }} Lil Nas X said of the collaboration that it was "amazing" for Nas to acknowledge him.{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/01/lil-nas-x-nas-rodeo|title=Lil Nas X and Nas Connect for New Collab 'Rodeo (Remix)'|last=Ortiz|first=Edwin|date=January 27, 2020|website=Complex|access-date=January 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127103350/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/01/lil-nas-x-nas-rodeo|archive-date=January 27, 2020|url-status=live}} The remix was serviced as a single to contemporary hit radio in Italy on January 31, 2020.{{cite web|url=http://radiodate.it/radio-date/lil-nas-x-e-nas-rodeo-200136-31-01-2020-radiodate/|title=Radio Date: 31/01/2020 - 'Rodeo (Remix)'|publisher=Radio Airplay SRL|access-date=January 29, 2020}} Nas' verse features him rapping about his "ho stable" and major catalog. Stereogum{{'}}s Tom Breihan called it just as catchy as the original version, stating that the remix adds mariachi horns to its rumbling surf-guitar beat.{{cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |title=Lil Nas X – 'Rodeo (Remix)' (Feat. Nas) |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2071474/lil-nas-x-rodeo-remix-feat-nas/music/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=April 26, 2020 |date=January 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425123705/https://www.stereogum.com/2071474/lil-nas-x-rodeo-remix-feat-nas/music/ |archive-date=April 25, 2020 |url-status=live }} Lil Nas X performed the former alongside Nas at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards a day before its digital release.

=Chart performance=

The remix reached number 29 on Belgium's Ultratip Flanders chart and number 16 on the country's Ultratip Wallonia chart. It peaked at number 27 on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart and number 74 on the US Billboard Hot 100, with the magazine billing the artist as "Lil Nas X featuring Cardi B or Nas".

=Music video=

On February 4, 2020, Lil Nas X revealed that the music video for "Rodeo" will be released the following day, along with a selfie of him as a vampire with red dilated pupils and pointy ears from the shoot.{{cite magazine |last=Saponara |first=Michael |title=Lil Nas X's 'Rodeo' Video Will Ride in Very Soon |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8550193/lil-nas-x-announces-rodeo-release-date |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 26, 2020 |date=February 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427142940/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8550193/lil-nas-x-announces-rodeo-release-date |archive-date=April 27, 2020 |url-status=live }} The former was directed by Bradley & Pablo and released for the remix of the song.{{cite magazine |last=Martoccio |first=Angie |title=Lil Nas X, Nas Channel 'The Matrix,' 'Scream' and More in 'Rodeo' Remix Video |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lil-nas-x-nas-scream-matrix-rodeo-remix-video-948575/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=April 26, 2020 |date=February 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407142124/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lil-nas-x-nas-scream-matrix-rodeo-remix-video-948575/ |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |url-status=live }} The video begins with Lil Nas X receiving a phone call about playing a game, following which he is bitten by a vampire and begins to evolve. Lil Nas X is then thrown into the matrix, where Nas shows up in a leather jacket and sunglasses.{{cite web |last=Delgado |first=Sara |title=Lil Nas X Releases 'Rodeo' Music Video Referencing 'Buffy,' 'The Matrix,' and More |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/lil-nas-x-rodeo-music-video-buffy-the-matrix |website=Teen Vogue |access-date=April 26, 2020 |date=February 6, 2020}} He offers the former a choice between two pills, who chooses the red pill over the blue one and unlocks his superpowers.{{cite magazine |last=Saponara |first=Michael |title=Lil Nas X Becomes a Rabid Vampire in 'The Matrix'-Inspired 'Rodeo' Video Featuring Nas |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8550297/rodeo-video-lil-nas-x-nas |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 26, 2020 |date=February 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427143115/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8550297/rodeo-video-lil-nas-x-nas |archive-date=April 27, 2020 |url-status=live }} About Cardi B's absence from the visual, Lil Nas X stated that she could not appear because of timing conflicts.

Trey Alston of MTV News called it "fully outrageous" and "the music video of your dreams". He added that the "weird" video is "one of the most wickedly original things you'll see".{{cite web |last1=Alston |first1=Trey |title=Lil Nas X And Nas Team Up For The Zombie Matrix Music Video Of Your Dreams |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3155271/lil-nas-x-nas-rodeo-remix-video/ |publisher=MTV News |access-date=April 26, 2020 |date=February 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207155611/http://www.mtv.com/news/3155271/lil-nas-x-nas-rodeo-remix-video/ |archive-date=February 7, 2020 |url-status=dead }} According to Consequence of Sound{{'}}s Ben Kaye, the visuals continue Lil Nas X's "penchant for genre-specific visuals" and "scare up some vampire horror", but the video cannot decide if it wants to be The Lost Boys, Blade or The Matrix.{{cite web |last=Kaye |first=Ben |title=Lil Nas X and Nas go full vampire in 'Rodeo' remix video |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/02/lil-nas-x-nas-rodeo-video-watch/ |website=Consequence of Sound |access-date=April 26, 2020 |date=February 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421224032/https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/02/lil-nas-x-nas-rodeo-video-watch/ |archive-date=April 21, 2020 |url-status=live }} Writing for Teen Vogue, Sara Delgado stated that the music video is a "cinematic masterpiece" and a "pop culture references galore".

=Charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (2020)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

{{single chart|Flanders Tip|29|artist=Lil Nas X x Nas|song=Rodeo|rowheader=true|access-date=March 7, 2020|refname="BE1"}}
{{single chart|Wallonia Tip|16|artist=Lil Nas X x Nas|song=Rodeo|rowheader=true|access-date=March 7, 2020|refname="BE2"}}
scope="row"| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2020-02-07|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=February 10, 2020|access-date=February 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216185829/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=4817|archive-date=February 16, 2020|url-status=live}}

| 27

scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/the-billboard-hot-100/2020-02-22|magazine=Billboard|title=Hot 100|date=February 22, 2020|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227061237/https://www.billboard.com/charts/the-billboard-hot-100/2020-02-22|archive-date=February 27, 2020|url-status=live}}

| 74

{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|25|artist=Lil Nas X|rowheader=true|access-date=February 19, 2020}}

=Release history=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

! scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format

! scope="col"| Label

! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row" rowspan="2" | Various

| rowspan="2" | January 27, 2020

| Digital download

| rowspan="2"| Columbia

|style="text-align:center;" | References for the digital release of "Rodeo":

  • {{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/rodeo-single/1495107244|title=Rodeo - Single by Lil Nas X & Nas|publisher=Apple Music (US)|access-date=April 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130041025/https://music.apple.com/us/album/rodeo-single/1495107244|archive-date=January 30, 2020|url-status=live}}
  • {{cite web |title=Rodeo - Single by Lil Nas X & Cardi B |url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/rodeo-single/1495107244 |publisher=Apple Music (NZ) |access-date=May 5, 2020}}
Streaming

|style="text-align:center;" |

scope="row"| Italy

| January 31, 2020

| rowspan="2"| Contemporary hit radio

| Sony Music Italy

|style="text-align:center;" |

scope="row"| Canada

| February 3, 2020

| Sony Music Canada

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |title=Lil Nas X – Rodeo feat. Nas (Clean) |url=https://daily.plaympe.com/lil-nas-x-rodeo-feat-nas-clean/ |publisher=Play MPE |date=February 4, 2020 |access-date=May 5, 2021}}

References

{{reflist}}