Lil Nas X apologizes after ‘J Christ’ backlash

Lil Nas X jumped out of hell and into hot water with Christians critics after his “J Christ” promotion and now, he’s showing remorse.

On Monday, Lil Nas X posted a video to social media with the caption, “wanted to get something off of my chest” and he had a lot to say. The 24-year-old rapper is known to troll fans and critics alike, but this video proved to be earnest.

Related:

Lil Nas X goes to heaven and hell in the video for new song ‘J Christ’

Lil Nas X goes to heaven and hell in the video for new single ‘J Christ’

Why would Lil Nas X go to America’s most anti-gay Bible college?

Looks like Lil Nas X is going back to college and he’s going to study the Bible…or so he says.

The 24-year-old released his song and music video for “J Christ,” announcing his return to mainstream music. But his “Christian era” promo tour has caused him to rethink things.

Culture, unfiltered

Twice a week, our newsletter will bring you the pulse of queer culture, from the tastemakers to the groundbreakers.

Consequently, Lil Nas X issued an explanation behind the Christian era promo, and the “J Christ” song and music video.

“So first of all, when I did the artwork, I knew there would be some upset people or whatnot simply cause religion is a very sensitive topic for a lot of people. But I also didn’t mean to mock. this wasn’t a f*** you to the Christians. It was literally me saying I’m back like Jesus.”

Lil Nas X’s “J Christ” lyrics highlight his return to music, akin to Jesus Christ’s resurrection in Christianity. While the accompanying music video shows him playing one-on-one basketball with Satan, strolling through heaven with a 40-inch “bussdown” and a choker with the word “sex” engraved into it, and stirring a cauldron filled with body parts in hell.

This isn’t Lil Nas X’s first time going down a religious route with his music, nor is it his first time navigating criticism for doing so, as he did something similar with the “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” music video.

“I know given my history with the [“Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”] video, anything that I do related to religion can be seen as mockery,” he said. “That just was not the case with this. 

The “Old Town Road” rapper touched on his promotion for his “Christian era,” giving an explanation to his recent TikTok where he dressed as Jesus and consumed multiple communion cups.

“I will say, though, with the communion video, with me eating the crackers and juice, I thought that video was going to lighten the mood to take it down less serious,” Lil Nas X said. “I thought that was something we all wanted to do as kids, but I didn’t understand the idea of the reality of what it is.”

“I didn’t mean it as a cannibalism thing, or whatever the freak,” he added. “But I do apologize for that. That was overboard. Though I don’t agree with all of Christianity’s rules, I know not everybody follows Christianity by the book 100% or the world would be a lot crazier.”

While many see Lil Nas X’s social media savvy antics as trolling, others criticized him and his work, leaving Lil Nas X to question his own efforts, as well as leaving him shaken mentally.

“I know I messed up really bad this time, and I can act unbothered all I want, but it’s definitely taken a mental toll on me.”

However, Lil Nas X showed loved to his Christian fans before closing out with excitement over his new era.

“I do want my Christian fans to know that I am not against you. I was put on this earth to bring people closer together and promote love, and that’s who I am.”

Check out the full video below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ★ (@lilnasx)