Lil Nas X's new song promo ignites controversy over 'demonic' and 'blasphemous' Jesus imagery

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rapper Lil Nas X is pushing artistic boundaries further than ever with his provocative new song promo for the upcoming single 'J Christ'.

The image, portraying the 24-year-old artist as Jesus Christ crucified, has drawn a wave of backlash from social media users who have labeled the preview as "demonic."

This isn't the first instance of controversy for the rapper. His music video for 'Montero (Call Me By Your Name)', which depicts him pole dancing into hell and performing a lapdance for the devil, previously ignited a firestorm on the Internet.

Controvery over Lil Nas X's 'J Christ' promo

The artist released an image for the track, portraying himself as Jesus Christ on the cross and being hoisted by a crowd.

Additionally, he shared a GIF where he, as Jesus, is on a golden cross that metamorphoses into a form of celestial armor around him.

"MY NEW SINGLE IS DEDICATED TO THE MAN WHO HAD THE GREATEST COMEBACK OF ALL TIME! J CHRIST JANUARY 12, 2024 00:00 EST BE THERE!" Lil Nas X said on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday, January 8. 

While the rapper maintains that the song is a "tribute" to Christ, his claim has been met with skepticism from commentators, who question the sudden religious awakening of the typically controversial LGBTQ artist.

Conservative author Rachel Wilson expressed her cynicism, stating, "Oh gee whiz I’m sure this won’t be as blasphemous as possible."

Lil Nas X responds to criticism

Lil Nas X responded to the critics, asserting that the image is not intended to ridicule Jesus.

"The crazy thing is nowhere in the picture is a mockery of jesus. Jesus’s image is used throughout history in people’s art all over the world."

"I’m not making fun of sh-t. yall just gotta stop trying to gatekeep a religion that was here before any of us were even born. Stfu," he stated.

The rapper has been publicizing what he calls his "Christian era" of music on social platforms.

In a video released in November, he can be seen singing about invoking angels, donned in a shirt that provocatively questions, "If God doesn’t exist, then who’s laughing at us?" per Fox News. 

Earlier, WWE icon Hulk Hogan was baptized and dedicated his life to Jesus, surrendering himself to faith.

Lil Nas X's song promo prompts backlash

"This is blasphemy btw," said a user on social media. 

"Disapointed, disgusted & feeling uncomfortable," wrote another. 

A user asked, "Can you make a song where you don’t mock any religion?"

A user replied to the rapper's response saying, "You trying so hard to convince us this isn’t offensive when it clearly is retire."

"Your whole aesthetic since 2019 has been mockery of God, don’t cry when you get called out for that shit," stated another. 

Others defended Lil Nas as one wrote, "Oh child ignore them. I love the Jesus Christ of The Renaissance tour look!"

"The art work is weird but you don’t have to explain we’ll stream regardless," wrote another. 

"You were literally on a cross but ok," added a user. 

Some also trolled the rapper. 

A user wrote, "How bro felt after saying that," and shared a gif. 

Another user also shared a gif and said, "Pushing ur luck."

"You gotta stop gatekeeping recycled gimmicks and watering them down. Please give up music, I beg!" remarked a user. 

"I understood the concept Lil," stated another with a gif. 

A user added, "Yuh go cry now."

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