INDUSTRY BABY singer Lil Nas X opens up about deepest insecurity

Lil Nas X, American rapper who is known for his bold music, eye-catching outfits and fearless personality, recently got candid about how he always wanted to be "liked" by everyone at the early stage of his career.

The 25-year-old music icon dropped his first album MONTERO back in 2021. But for him, that feels like a past chapter now, as he's stepping into a new era.

The INDUSTRY BABY hitmaker shared with PEOPLE: "I wanna be myself more than ever this era.

"I want to be completely free out there, only doing the things that I wanna do. If I do not want to do it, I'm not doing it.

"If I don't want be there, I'm not gonna be there. I think it's more important than ever to really stand in myself and my power and recognize where I'm taking my energy and where I don't want to take it."

Back then, Nas was eager for the world’s approval.

Lil Nas X, who has now other plans to release new album Dreamboy, continued, "When I started to let go of it more, I would still hold onto to it. And now I'm here and I'm just ... I'm showing up as me. I'm existing."