Rapper Lil Nas X is back in the news after deciding that maybe, possibly, the religious-themed imagery in the music video for his "comeback" single "J Christ" would cause outrage in the mainstream press and among the public. He was 100% correct.
Lil Nas X, always unconventional, at the MET Gala, May 2023.
As views and comments piled up on his YouTube channel following the posting of the video, he got on his X feed and proceeded to acknowledge the dust-up caused by the visuals.
In the four-minute vid, he explicitly and repeatedly stated that he was "not apologizing" for the narrative or the religious iconography depicted throughout. Although fans and followers seemed split in their opinions on how he presented characterizations of biblical themes — including a graphic depiction of himself nailed to a cross — a number of comments on YouTube were surprisingly moderate about the actual song, which clocks in at a brief two-and-a-half minutes:
"...for some reason it feels like only 2/3rd of a song. I feel like there's an extended version we're missing."
"This wasn't nearly long enough..."
"I hope it has the variety of his first one."
The singer also touched on the promotional video served up on TikTok just before the music video broadcast. This post was nine seconds of Lil Nas X, at a church altar, devouring a plate of communion wafers and downing shots of sacramental wine, while the audio background was a sped-up vocal of "J Christ."
"I will say though with the Communion video, with me eating the crackers and juice, I thought that video was going to be the video to lighten the mood," he pointed out, adding: "I do apologize for that, I will say I am sorry for that."
Lil Nas X - J CHRIST (Official Video) Screenshot
Another angle, which was covered by the UK's Daily Mail back in November, are the number of celebrity lookalikes who are shown walking in single file towards heaven's gates at the video's start. A few impersonators, including representations of Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Michael Jackson and Kanye West give the impression they are happy and eager to ascend upward. With every frame being scrutinzied and showcasing the antics of Lil Nas X, these opening scenes are quite amusing and slightly disturbing.
Showing off his headgear at the MTV VMAs, August 2022.
The two-time Grammy winner and Georgia native has a documentary premiering on HBO on Jan. 27, Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero, directed by Zac Manuel and Oscar-nominee Carlos López Estrada (Raya and the Last Dragon). The doc follows the rapper over a 60-day timeframe during his Long Live Montero tour. The feature will also be available to stream on Max.
