Lil Nas X has divided fans by taking to social media and apologizing about some of the marketing for his latest single.
Lil Nas X released “J Christ” last Friday. His first single in a couple of years, it found him reflecting on coming back “like J Christ”. He previously identified the song’s inspiration as “the man who had the greatest comeback of all time!”
The accompanying video is full of Bible-inspired imagery.
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In the run-up to the release, Lil Nas X posted numerous memes and tweets to hype up his comeback.
In a TikTok video, he greedily devoured a plate of communion wafers and small shots of communion wine. The latter post prompted some backlash. Many Christian consider the communion gifts sacred.
Lil Nas X subsequently assured fans they weren’t real communion wafers or wine, just fake. The video remains online.
However, it appears that the criticism has played on his mind. The 24-year-old “Industry Baby” hitmaker yesterday posted a four-minute video explaining his new single and its promotion.
“I know I messed up really bad this time. I can act unbothered all I want, but it’s definitely taken a mental toll on me,” Lil Nas X said in the clip. “I’m not some evil demon guy trying to destroy everybody’s values and stuff like that. That’s not me.”
“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 continued. “But I also didn’t mean to mock — this wasn’t a f**k you to the Christians. It was literally me saying I’m back like Jesus.”
“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. 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. 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 said he didn’t “mean it as a cannibalism thing, or whatever the freak. 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.”
He ended the video by saying, “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,” the singer said.
“I was put on this earth to bring people closer together and promote love. That’s who I am.”
Fans tell him not to apologize
Online, the apology video divided fans, although most of his followers said he had nothing to say sorry for.
Andy Cohen was one high-profile supporter who said the video was unnecessary. Cohen responded on Instagram saying, “Do not apologize! You’re good. Keep doing it.”
Singer Michael Franti said, “No need to apologize. The church the one got some ‘splaining to do. Centuries worth of atonement. Starting with colonialism, child abuse, etc.”
Drag queen Trinity K Bone’t told Lil Nas X to delete the apology: “Boi take this down. Live in your art. Know your heart. Be sorry for nothing. If god not pressing you personally it’s not your problem how they feel until you meet him yourself.”
We love you. The real ones already knew this was never a mockery. Keep your head up high king.
You deserve recognition for your boldness in pushing boundaries and challenging conservative ideals through your thought-provoking music videos. pic.twitter.com/5QRUC2dTeB
Of course, predictably, others maintained that, as one person expressed it, “Just leave Jesus out of your art. That’s all.”
As it was only released on Friday, it’s too early to tell how it might be performing on the Billboard charts. However, in the midweek UK charts (a precursor to the official end-of-week singles charts), “J Christ” entered at a lowly 48. By comparison, the new Ariana Grande single, released the same two, entered at number two.
Some suggested Lil Nas X’s apology might be driven by fears of the single flopping.
Lil Nas X came out four years ago, at the end of Pride Month 2019.
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Lil Nas X really could use some mentorship. His religious irreverence follows a long tradition, and if he had some guidance and a deeper education in musical history, he’d know this or someone could point it out to him. I agree that he should can the apology and just go whole hog with the outrage, BUT another option, if he sticks with apology, is to find senior mainstream LGBTQ musicians–Johnny Mathis, for a start–to record a few tracks with–and others who’ll give him and them a boost, because the controversy will surely die down, and then…what? You need those hits, Lil Nas X, unless you suss out a new career (acting, fashion, etc.).
My recent observation: the more over the top the music video, the less substantial the music. Even with a BA in music I still couldn’t find the melody in this so-called “single”. Two minor second notes repeated ad nauseum over a 4 beat rhythm and suddenly you’re a famous gazillionaire? Seems I’ve made some bad career choices…
The video is definitely amusing.
And unlike Sam Smith, he’s got a good enough body to pull off the enby nonsense.
Takes me back to 1989 when Jesse Helms went after Andres Serrano’s “Piss Christ” (who’s apparently alive and well – age 73, BTW), a Mapplethorpe exhibit and performance artist Karen Finley in an effort to defund the National Endowment of the Arts.
I cracked up when he scarfs up the wafers like Tostitos.
Maybe the church has been hiding something for centuries — logically, if you eat MORE of the body of Christ and drink MORE of the blood of Christ, you become Jesus-like much more quickly than with just one wafer and a measly swig. Makes sense!
Meh, religion deserves to be mocked, even more so today in America considering the sheer hypocrisy exhibited by those who claim to be “followers of Christ.”
I agree. If those who were “followers of Christ” acted like Christ, this world would be in a better place. But they’re not, they’re bullies, racists and bigots and don’t believe in helping their fellow men.
Absolutely, religion should be mocked. It is the worst thing to ever happen to civilization. Imagine, without religion we would have had no Holocaust, or even now, the war in the Gaza strip, all the other Holy wars, the Crusades, a lot less child molestation etc. If people can’t be good without religion, we have failed as a species.
I thought the video was great and I’m disappointed he’s caving in to pressure from religious groups by apologizing. Like Christians have supported gay people???
Granted many lgbtqa+ people had, and have serious issues with “organized religion. ” But, it is truly ignorant and condescending to believe and promote the mythology that lgbtqa+ are non-believers, or without a strong, meaningful faith tradition. Why does Christianity, and Catholocism in particular, constantly get bashed, denigrated and disrespected? I think ANY other religion, mocked and attacked like this would cause physical violence at worse, and severe media reprimands at best against the perpetrators. And thank-you, media/PR whore-supreme, Andy “Hemorrhoid” Cohen for getting into the “Lil Nas X” debate. Maybe he should pay MORE attention and thoughtful focus on his personal financial planning and banking habits ?
Gosh, I actually liked some of his music. Now…..or the more he promote himself…..feeling like he is less talented and clueless. At the same time, he doesn’t do much for our community. Where does he even stands? Joke on LilNasX
Me thinkest Lil Nax X’s fifteen minutes are just about up? He ‘s kinda a gay, male, very in-shape Lizzo. But she has genuine classical music training and talent to fall back on. Maybe he can join those “American Idol” runner-ups on the State Fair circuit?
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Kangol2
Lil Nas X really could use some mentorship. His religious irreverence follows a long tradition, and if he had some guidance and a deeper education in musical history, he’d know this or someone could point it out to him. I agree that he should can the apology and just go whole hog with the outrage, BUT another option, if he sticks with apology, is to find senior mainstream LGBTQ musicians–Johnny Mathis, for a start–to record a few tracks with–and others who’ll give him and them a boost, because the controversy will surely die down, and then…what? You need those hits, Lil Nas X, unless you suss out a new career (acting, fashion, etc.).
abfab
Let Quincy Jones get a hold of him.
GlobeTrotter
My recent observation: the more over the top the music video, the less substantial the music. Even with a BA in music I still couldn’t find the melody in this so-called “single”. Two minor second notes repeated ad nauseum over a 4 beat rhythm and suddenly you’re a famous gazillionaire? Seems I’ve made some bad career choices…
bachy
1. Demonstrate contempt for something others consider sacred.
2. Publicly apologize.
3. Repeat.
Straight from the How To Be Famous for Dummies playbook.
There’s a dif between being a great musician and being a fame whore, sweetie.
inbama
The video is definitely amusing.
And unlike Sam Smith, he’s got a good enough body to pull off the enby nonsense.
Takes me back to 1989 when Jesse Helms went after Andres Serrano’s “Piss Christ” (who’s apparently alive and well – age 73, BTW), a Mapplethorpe exhibit and performance artist Karen Finley in an effort to defund the National Endowment of the Arts.
dbmcvey
Wow, Sam Smith triggering inbama even when he’s not mentioned in the story.
inbama
@dbmcvey
I just find it odd that the repulsive and pretentious white queen gets heaps of praise, but the attractive black gay man gets slammed.
still_onthemark
I cracked up when he scarfs up the wafers like Tostitos.
Maybe the church has been hiding something for centuries — logically, if you eat MORE of the body of Christ and drink MORE of the blood of Christ, you become Jesus-like much more quickly than with just one wafer and a measly swig. Makes sense!
ZzBomb
Meh, religion deserves to be mocked, even more so today in America considering the sheer hypocrisy exhibited by those who claim to be “followers of Christ.”
Mack
I agree. If those who were “followers of Christ” acted like Christ, this world would be in a better place. But they’re not, they’re bullies, racists and bigots and don’t believe in helping their fellow men.
strap2900
Absolutely, religion should be mocked. It is the worst thing to ever happen to civilization. Imagine, without religion we would have had no Holocaust, or even now, the war in the Gaza strip, all the other Holy wars, the Crusades, a lot less child molestation etc. If people can’t be good without religion, we have failed as a species.
dman
I thought the video was great and I’m disappointed he’s caving in to pressure from religious groups by apologizing. Like Christians have supported gay people???
Baron Wiseman
@strap2900
“It is the worst thing to ever happen to civilization.”
Secularism killed 100+ million in the 20th Century alone.
Mister P
Jesus picked up the wine to say this is my blood and Peter slapped him and said. Sit down girl, you’re drunk.
Ronbo
You should post more… you have talent.
MISTERJETT
i don’t know why i like him, i just do.
Mr.Gavin Elster
Granted many lgbtqa+ people had, and have serious issues with “organized religion. ” But, it is truly ignorant and condescending to believe and promote the mythology that lgbtqa+ are non-believers, or without a strong, meaningful faith tradition. Why does Christianity, and Catholocism in particular, constantly get bashed, denigrated and disrespected? I think ANY other religion, mocked and attacked like this would cause physical violence at worse, and severe media reprimands at best against the perpetrators. And thank-you, media/PR whore-supreme, Andy “Hemorrhoid” Cohen for getting into the “Lil Nas X” debate. Maybe he should pay MORE attention and thoughtful focus on his personal financial planning and banking habits ?
ZzBomb
Why does Christianity, and Catholocism in particular, constantly get bashed, denigrated and disrespected?
Did you seriously ask that question?
humble charlie
believing in god shows that gays can be just as stupid as heterosexuals.
Mister P
Religion is the root of a lot of violence.
Baron Wiseman
@Mister P
Secularism is the root of a lot of violence.
rover4x
Gosh, I actually liked some of his music. Now…..or the more he promote himself…..feeling like he is less talented and clueless. At the same time, he doesn’t do much for our community. Where does he even stands? Joke on LilNasX
Mr.Gavin Elster
Me thinkest Lil Nax X’s fifteen minutes are just about up? He ‘s kinda a gay, male, very in-shape Lizzo. But she has genuine classical music training and talent to fall back on. Maybe he can join those “American Idol” runner-ups on the State Fair circuit?