Lil Nas X Rebrands Demonic Persona and Declares Love for ‘Jesus’ with New Single Release

Polarizing artist Lil Nas X has returned with “J CHRIST,” his first release since 2022.

Nearly one and a half years after his last release, Lil Nas X has risen back into the spotlight with his new single, “J CHRIST,” and accompanying music video. The cover art and video feature the rapper incorporated into a variety of Christian images, including him as Jesus on the cross and as Noah leading animals to his ark. His marketing campaign for the single has also been centered around Christianity as he’s posted a Tik Tok video of him taking shots of red wine at communion while dressed as Jesus, tweeted that the music video will premiere in churches around the United States, and even posted a reportedly fake acceptance letter for studying Biblical Studies at Liberty University.

This new branding from Lil Nas X is a stark and perhaps deliberate departure from that which surrounded his previous album, ‘MONTERO,’ in 2021. The rapper stirred up much controversy with his music video for “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” in which he slides down a stripper pole to Hell and gives Satan a lap dance before killing him and taking over his throne. During the promotion for that same song, he also had the Christian community up in arms with his “Satan Shoes” collaboration with art collective MSCHF, in which 666 pairs of shoes were sold featuring a bronze pentagram, inverted cross, bible verse referencing Satan, and even a small amount of real human blood mixed into the red dye.

The new video for “J CHRIST” features an explicit removal from these satanic themes, depicting Lil Nas X crossing up Satan and dunking on him. Despite this move away from Satan and towards Jesus, the rapper has not avoided accusations of blasphemy from the Christian community this time around. The comments on his Instagram and Twitter posts promoting the song are littered with criticism for being “disrespectful” and “mocking” Christianity, among other offenses.

Controversy aside, “J CHRIST” features a bouncy trap beat and a bold, catchy chorus in a voice that is unmistakably Lil Nas X’s. The video is done in his familiar polished, maximalist style that became hugely popular with his ‘MONTERO’ music videos and cover art.

Fans of Lil Nas X are sure to be very pleased with this latest offering. Check out the new single below!