A street performer had a very good day thanks to Lil Nas X and the Los Angeles County legal system.
Jensen Pawley, 39, was playing his guitar in the courtyard outside the Van Nuys Courthouse on Thursday, March 12, when the “Old Town Road” artist walked by.
Lil Nas X, born Montero Hill, was at the courthouse for a hearing on his August 2025 LAPD battery case.
The rapper and singer stopped to leave a tip for Pawley before proceeding into the courthouse for the hearing, where his attorney Christy O’Connor told the judge she plans to “move toward diversion.” O’Connor will give more specifics at the next hearing on April 6.
Related: Lil Nas X Sends Emotional Message to Fans After Court Appearance
Once the hearing ended, Lil Nas X walked over to Pawley and asked him to play the same song he was strumming an hour earlier before court started.
Pawley told reporters he’d been playing nonstop and could not remember the exact song he was belting out just before 8:30 a.m. Instead, he played one of his standby songs for the rapper — “Lucky” by English rock band Radiohead.
Lil Nas X, 26, stayed put and listened to the entire song. The rapper and singer applauded at the end and thanked Jensen for the performance.
Reporters gathered around the street musician and peppered him with questions, including how much money the rapper had left him. Jensen said $100, and called the tip “very nice.”
The street musician added that he enjoyed the attention on what was otherwise at quiet day at the courthouse. “It’s a great moment any time I get someone to nod or smile,” he said.
Watch video of the performance below:
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