Lil Nas X speaks up.
On Monday, Jan. 15, Nas X shared a four-and-a-half-minute video on Instagram apologizing and further explaining his choices behind the “J Christ” music video and promo clips posted on social media. Since the music video was released on Friday, Jan. 12, the rapper has received criticism from Christian musicians, conservative pundits, and some of his fans who consider themselves religious.
“Hello, everybody. I wanted to not necessarily apologize, but I wanted to explain where my head is at and where it’s been for like the last week,” Nas X said in the video. “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 didn’t mean to like mock. This wasn’t like a ‘f*ck you’ to you people, ‘f*ck you’ to the Christians. You know, it wasn’t that. It was literally me saying, ‘Oh I’m back, I’m back like Jesus.’ That was like the whole thing.”
He continued, “I’m not the first person to dress up as Jesus. I’m not the first rapper. I’m not the first artist and I won’t be the last. And I know that given my history with, you know, the ‘Call Me By Your Name’ video, anything that I do related to religion can be seen as like mockery… [but] that just wasn’t the case with this.”
Nas X then highlighted a promotional video shared on TikTok where he can be seen “eating crackers and juice.” The rapper explained, “I will say, the communion video with me eating the crackers and juice, I thought that video was gonna be the video to lighten the mood, to take [things] like less serious or whatnot. I thought that was something that we all wanted to do as kids and whatnot. But I didn’t understand the idea of, you know, the reality of what it is. You know, it’s me eating the commune which is like the symbolism of Jesus’ blood and bones, or something like that. I don’t remember it completely. But I did not mean it as like a cannibalism thing or whatever the freak. I do apologize for that. I will say I am sorry for that. That was overboard.”
He went on, “I don’t agree with all of Christianity’s rules or whatnot. I know not everybody follows Christianity by the book 100%. Or, you know, the world would be a lot crazier. But I do apologize for that. This is not like [me trying] to get everybody on my good side or whatnot. This is more so to clear my own head about my own decisions. I know like, you know, I messed up really bad this time. And I can act unbothered all I want, but it’s definitely taking a mental toll on me. I know this is not gonna be like an immediate shift, like everybody moves forward or whatnot, but I do want my Christian fans to know that I am not against you. I was put on this earth to bring people closer together and promote love. That’s who I am. I’m not like some evil demon guy trying to destroy everybody’s values and stuff like that. That’s not me.”
Nas X concluded this Instagram post by reaffirming his intentions behind the “J Christ” music video. “And also with the video, there’s no disrespect there,” he said. “I thought me clearly not being on the side of the devil in that video… I don’t know, was like there was an understanding there that I’m not trying to diss Christianity. This is also not something I wrote down or whatnot. This is something off the top of my head that I’m trying to get out. I hope sooner or later we can move forward. I’m excited for the rest of this era and things I have planned. That’s all I have to say for right now. I’m sending you guys love. Sending my fans love. I’m sending the people who I heard love.”
In the comments section under Nas X’s apology video, however, various celebrities are sharing supportive messages and telling him to not apologize for his artistry and creative choices.
Scroll through to see how celebrities are reacting to Lil Nas X’s apology video for “J Christ” — which you can watch in full below.
Image: Instagram (@lilnasx)
Bravo executive and Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen wrote, “Do not apologize! You’re good. Keep doing it.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race season 6 and All Stars 6 star Trinity K. Bonet commented, “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.”
Image: Instagram (@lilnasx)
Musician Michael Franti replied, “No need to apologize. The church the one got some ‘splaining to do. Centuries worth of atonement. Starting with colonialism, child abuse, etc.”
Dancer and choreographer Sean Bankhead wrote, “I love you.”
Legendary season 1 winner Jamari Amour commented, “Why are you explaining yourself no matter what you do ppl are going to find the bad in it… Your art is your art and you don’t have to double down for no1!!! Keep your head up your real supporters are going to ride with you… #NoMatterHowGoodYouDoPpIWillFindAWayToTryAndBrakeYouDown.”
Image: Instagram (@lilnasx)
Athlete and writer Latoya Shauntay Snell wrote, “Honestly, I think folks are looking for reasons not to like you. Please keep doing you. Some of these folks just hate us for being queer, Black, and successful. There’s been a lot of things put out here that we need to judge; this is not one of them. I’m sending my love to you because it’s not easy to show layers of yourself on a public level.”
Author and influencer Blair Imani Ali left a comment that reads, “Keep doing you babes. The hate will pass. Keep creating. Keep rising.”
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