J Christ

Album: yet to be titled (2024)
Charted: 59 69
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • After a two-year hiatus, Lil Nas X returned with a bang with "J Christ," a bouncy song that celebrates his comeback and baits the Christian community. LNX raps about how he's been working on some killer music and is ready to surprise his fans with his new phase. The pop rapper references the biblical story of Jesus, who was crucified for the sins of humanity and rose from the dead on the third day. Lil Nas X draws a parallel between his return to music after a long absence and Jesus' death and resurrection.
  • Lil Nas X wrote the song with Blake Slatkin, Omer Fedi, and Gesaffelstein.

    Israeli Omer Fedi and Californian Blake Slatkin often work together; their other credits include 24kgoldn's "Mood," The Kid Laroi's "Stay" and Sam Smith's "Unholy." Fedi often works with Lil Nas, including on "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" and "Thats What I Want." Slatkin also contributed to that one.

    French EDM producer Gesaffelstein is best known for his hit collaboration with The Weeknd, "Lost in the Fire" and Kanye West's Donda track "Jesus Lord."
  • Lil Nas X wrote and directed the video, which was shot in Mexico City. The subversive visual parodies various biblical stories, with the pop-rapper playing a godlike figure and a devilish rival. He plays basketball against Satan and meets celebrity doppelgangers in heaven such as Taylor Swift, Kanye West, and Barack Obama. LNX also appears as Jesus on the cross and Noah on the ark.
  • Many felt Lil Nas X set out to poke the bear with this release. Along with lyrics directly referencing Jesus Christ and the spoofing of biblical stories in the video, the single artwork sees him lying outstretched on a cross.

    Lil Nas clapped back at the criticism, tweeting: "Jesus's image is used throughout history in people's art all over the world. I'm not making fun of s--t. Y'all just gotta stop trying to gatekeep a religion that was here before any of us were even born."

    This is not the first time Lil Nas X has faced backlash for his religious references. His 2021 devil-lap dancing video for "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" offended many believers. The rapper was also condemned online for selling "Satan Shoes" that contained a drop of human blood. They were later recalled after he was sued by Nike.

    Lil Nas X admitted he'd messed up the promotion for the song, and said he didn't mean to offend the religious community. "I thought me clearly not being on the side of the devil in that video," he said. "I don't know what it was like there was an understanding there that I'm not like trying to diss Christianity."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.

Crystal Waters

Crystal WatersSongwriter Interviews

Waters tells the "Gypsy Woman" story, shares some of her songwriting insights, and explains how Dennis Rodman ended up on one of her songs.

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.