Lil Nas X offers an explanation and apology to those offended by his new song “J CHRIST.”
On Monday (January 15), the 24-year-old rapper shared a candid video of himself on social media addressing backlash from the religious artwork and music video for his controversial new single, which features the pop provocateur portraying Jesus Christ on the cross.
“I know I messed up really bad this time. I can act cool all I want, but it definitely takes a toll on me mentally,” Lil Nas X said in the candid. Instagram paper clip. “I'm not an evil demon trying to destroy everyone's values and stuff like that. It's not me.”
Lil Nas X begins the four-minute video by referencing the artwork and viral marketing that led to the release of “J CHRIST.” In a series of TikToks, he joked about independently releasing new gospel music. Another Instagram post saw him share a fake acceptance letter to Liberty University Christian College (university officials later said he was not accepted for the fall 2024 semester).
The rapper also drew criticism for its use of religious imagery, with commentators claiming it “mocks” and “disrespects” Christianity.
“When I did the artwork, I knew it was going to upset some people just because religion is a very sensitive subject for a lot of people,” Lil Nas X said in Monday's video. “But I didn't mean to make fun of—that wasn't—you Christians. I was literally saying I'm back like Jesus.”
The singer also apologized for a TikTok videos of himself simulating the act of communion, where he is seen taking shots of purple juice while downing crackers in what appears to be a religious setting.
“I know given my history with it [‘Montero (Call Me by Your Name)’] video, anything I do related to religion can be seen as mockery,” he said. “That just didn't happen with this one. I will say though, with the communion video, eating the crackers and juice, I thought this video would set the mood to take it less seriously. I thought that was something we all wanted to do as kids, but I didn't understand the concept of the reality of what it is.”
He added, “I didn't mean it as a matter of cannibalism or anything. But I apologize for that. This was too much. While I don't agree with all the rules of Christianity, I know that not everyone follows Christianity 100% by the book, or the world would be a lot crazier.”
On Friday (January 12), Lil Nas X shared his much-hyped music video for “J CHRIST,” taking the Biblical title to its farthest extent. The clip opens with a series of celebrities – ranging from Taylor Swift to Kanye West – climbing the ladder to heaven. The Lil Nas-directed video then proceeds with a series of callbacks to his hellish video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” which features the much-talked-about pole in hell and a demonic Lil Nas X stirring a cauldron of arms and legs. Flying back into the sky, he reunites with the Devil for a one-on-one basketball game where the rapper dunks the ball and celebrates with a cheerleading routine.
“With the video, there's no disrespect,” Lil Nas said in his explainer clip. “I thought clearly that I wasn't on the side of the devil in the video was the … I don't know, there was an understanding that I'm not trying to disprove Christianity.”
He closed with a positive message to his Christian fans. “I know this is not going to happen immediately, everyone is moving on. But I want my Christian fans to know that I'm not against you,” the singer said. “I was put on this earth to bring people closer together and promote love. That's who I am”.
Watch Lil Nas X address the “J Christ” reaction on Instagram below.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lil-nas-x-j-christ-video-backlash-apology-religious-imagery-1235581647/
