Amidst controversy, Lil Nas X confronts the 'J CHRIST' backlash with a heartfelt apology and reassurance to fans, stating, 'I was put on this earth to bring people closer together and promote love'.
il Nas X, a name synonymous with pushing the boundaries of music and art, recently found himself at the center of a controversy with his new single "J CHRIST." The 24-year-old rapper took to social media on January 15 to address the backlash stemming from his religious-themed artwork and music video for his controversial single.
In a sincere video shared on Instagram, Lil Nas X confronted the criticism head-on. He began by acknowledging the sensitive nature of religion for many people and clarified that his intention was not to mock Christianity. "When I did the artwork, I knew there would be some upset people simply because religion is a very sensitive topic for a lot of people," he said. "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."
The rapper's use of religious iconography had drawn intense criticism, with some commentators accusing him of disrespecting Christianity. This isn't the first time Lil Nas X has been embroiled in religious controversy; his previous work, including the 'Montero (Call Me by Your Name)' video, has also been viewed as provocative.
Addressing the TikTok video where he simulated taking communion, Lil Nas X expressed regret, stating, "I thought that video was going to lighten the mood to take it down less serious. 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." He added, "I didn’t mean it as a cannibalism thing, or anything inappropriate. But I do apologize for that. That was overboard."
The music video for "J CHRIST" further extended the theme, featuring a range of celebrity lookalikes and callbacks to his previous work. Lil Nas X emphasized that there was no disrespect intended in the video. "I thought me clearly not being on the side of the devil in the video was the … I don’t know, there was an understanding there that I’m not trying to diss Christianity."
Despite his apology, reactions from the Christian music community have been mixed. Artists like Dee-1 and Lecrae have expressed concern over the message Lil Nas X is sending. Dee-1 suggested that the rapper is being used as a "crash dummy" for Christians. Lecrae, a Grammy-winning gospel artist, has called for prayers for Lil Nas X, indicating his belief that the rapper is not a lost cause. Meanwhile, Hurricane Chris took a more aggressive stance, threatening to defend his faith against what he perceives as evil in Nas X's song.
Lil Nas X concluded his video with a message to his Christian fans: "I know this isn’t going to be an immediate swift, everybody moves forward. But I do want my Christian fans to know that I am not against you," he said. "I was put on this earth to bring people closer together and promote love. That’s who I am."
As the dust settles on this latest controversy, the impact of his words and actions on his audience and fellow artists remains to be seen.
"Hello, everybody. I wanted to not necessarily apologize, but I wanted to explain where my head's at and where it's been for the last week.
So, first of all, when I did the artwork, I knew there would be some upset people or whatnot, simply because, you know, religion is a very sensitive topic for a lot of people. But I also didn't mean to mock; this wasn't a 'fuck you to you people,' 'fuck you to the Christians,' like, you know, it was not that. It was literally me saying, 'Oh, I'm back,' 'I'm back like Jesus.' That was the whole thing. I'm not the first person to dress up like Jesus, I'm not the first rapper, I'm not the first artist, and I won't be the last. And I know, given my history with, you know, with the 'Call Me By Your Name' video, anything that I do related to religion can be seen as mockery. That just was not the case with this.
And I will say, though, with the communion video, with me eating crackers and juice, I thought it would lighten the mood, make it less serious or whatnot. I thought it was what everybody wanted to do as kids. But I didn't understand the idea of, you know, the reality of what it is, me eating the communion. I didn't know completely the meaning, the blood and bones and something like that. I don't remember completely, but I didn't mean anything like cannibalism or anything inappropriate. But I do apologize for that; that was overboard. Though I do not agree with all Christianity rules, and I know not everybody follows Christianity by the book like 100 percent, or the world would be a lot crazier, but I do apologize for that.
This is not to try to get everybody on my good side or whatnot, but to sort of clear my own head, for my own decisions. And I know I messed up really bad this time, and I can act unbothered and all, but it takes a mental toll on me. I know this will not be an immediate, swift, everybody moves forward or not
. But I do want my Christian fans to know I am not against you. I was put on this earth to, you know, bring people closer together and promote love. That's who I am, and I'm not some evil demon guy who wants to destroy everybody's values. That's not me.
And also, with the video, there is no disrespect there. I thought me clearly not being on the side of the devil in this video, there is like an understanding that I'm not trying to diss Christianity.
This is not something I wrote down or whatnot; this is just from the top of my head.
Lastly, again, I hope sooner or later we can move on, and I'm excited for the rest of this era and things I have planned. I'm sending you guys love, I'm sending my fans love, I'm sending people who I've hurt love. Kiss."
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