Lil Nas X, the controversial rapper who rose to fame with his viral hit “Old Town Road”, has sparked a new wave of outrage with his latest single “J Christ”.
The song, which is part of his upcoming album Montero 2, features the artist dressed as Jesus Christ, wearing a golden crown of thorns and hanging on a cross. The video also shows him playing basketball with the devil, riding a dragon, and leading an ark full of animals.
The song and the video have drawn criticism from religious groups, conservative commentators, and some fans, who accused Lil Nas X of blasphemy, mockery, and disrespect for Christianity. Some also called for a boycott of the Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, which designed the outfits for the rapper and his dancers. The brand has not commented on the controversy, but has posted photos of Lil Nas X wearing its clothes on its social media accounts.
Lil Nas X, who is openly gay and has used his music and videos to challenge stereotypes and norms, has defended his artistic expression and said he was not trying to offend anyone. He said he was inspired by the biblical story of Jesus’ resurrection and wanted to celebrate his own comeback after a period of depression and anxiety. He also said he was using religious imagery to convey a message of love, acceptance, and empowerment.
The rapper has also responded to some of his critics on social media, where he has a large and loyal following. He joked that he would perform “J Christ” at the Grammy Awards, where he is nominated for four awards, including Album of the Year. He also said he was planning to release a remix of the song featuring Pope Francis. He also thanked his fans for their support and said he was proud of his work.
“J Christ” is not the first time Lil Nas X has stirred controversy with his music and videos. In 2022, he released “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”, which showed him sliding down a pole to hell and giving the devil a lap dance. The song and the video were also criticized for being sacrilegious and inappropriate, but also became a huge success, topping the charts in several countries and winning the Video of the Year award at the MTV Video Music Awards. Lil Nas X said he was inspired by his own struggles with his sexuality and identity, and wanted to create a fantasy world where he could be himself. He also released a limited edition of “Satan Shoes”, which contained a drop of human blood and had the number 666 on them. The shoes were sold out in minutes, but also led to a lawsuit from Nike, which claimed they infringed on its trademark.
Lil Nas X has been praised by some critics and fans for his creativity, courage, and originality, and for pushing the boundaries of pop and rap music. He has also been recognized as a role model and an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, especially for young people of color.
He has collaborated with other artists, such as Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Elton John, and Nas, and has performed at various events, such as the Super Bowl, the Met Gala, and the White House. He has also been involved in several charitable causes, such as supporting children’s hospitals, fighting HIV/AIDS, and promoting literacy.
Lil Nas X has said he plans to release his second album, Montero 2, in February 2024, and that he has more surprises and challenges for his fans and critics. He has also said he hopes to inspire other artists and people to be themselves and to express their views and feelings without fear or shame. He has also said he does not care about the controversy or the backlash, as long as he is happy and successful.
“I’m not here to please everybody. I’m here to make art and to make history,” he said in an interview. “I’m not afraid of anything. I’m not afraid of God, I’m not afraid of the devil, I’m not afraid of death. I’m only afraid of not living my life to the fullest.”
