Finally, the opinion we’ve all been waiting for; Jack White has weighed in on Lil Nas X’s viral sensation ‘Old Town Road’.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Jack White has given ‘Old Town Road’ the tick of approval, describing the track as “beautiful.”
“The song is only a minute and 47 seconds long or something,” he continued. “That’s how long “Fell in Love With a Girl” was. People said, “They’re not going to play that on radio.” But it worked, and it’s great that it’s happening again.”
White has also heaped praise on a few unexpected artists, including polarising rockers Greta Van Fleet, emo-pop monoliths Twenty One Pilots and The Black Keys — who white previously condemned for copying The White Stripes.
Greta Van Fleet have copped criticism their entire career for “ripping off” Led Zeppelin. An experience that Jack White can relate to, as The White Stripes were consistently accused of emulating older rock acts.
“They’re three Polish brothers from Frankenmuth, Michigan — I thought that was a joke!,” he shared. “It’s exciting to see young people play rock & roll, no doubt about it.
“People used to say, when I first came out, ‘He sounds like Robert Plant.’ If you keep pushing forward, that shit goes away.”
When asked about what new music gives him hope, White praised “All the rock & roll albums coming out this year.” Highlighting the output of The Hives, the Black Keys, Vampire Weekend and, surprisingly, Twenty One Pilots. “It’s just really great songwriting.”
When asked about why Jack White mentioned Twenty One Pilots he responded, “I love what they’re doing. First time I saw them was on Saturday Night Live. And I thought ‘Oh, that’s really great. Another really cool two-piece band that can do something really powerful.'”
It looks as though the famed beef between The Black Keys and Jack White has been officially quashed. White has revealed that both parties have settled their differences, and now spend their time bonding over records.
“I respect all rock & rollers. I think [the beef] was some lawyers trying to screw me over and trying to take something out of context.”
Lil Nas X recently dropped the second remix for his breakthrough single ‘Old Town Road’. This new version features vocal contributions by our Walmart yodelling king Mason Ramsey and Young Thug. Check it out below.
Watch: Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus feat. Young Thug & Mason Ramsey – ‘Old Town Road’
Jack White’s The Saboteurs recently dropped their first new record in eleven years, Help Us Stranger. You can stream it below.
