Lil Nas X Is Not 'Mocking Christianity' — He’s Exploring It

The artist is expressing his spirituality on his terms alongside his queerness. And that's his right.

Late last week, Lil Nas X released a video for his new single “J Christ,” which depicts the rapper weaving through various scenes from the Bible. His lyrics allude to a triumphant return to music after two years — one he compares to another iconic comeback: Jesus Christ’s. As you can imagine, that message alone caused quite a stir.

Then there’s the part of the video where Lil Nas X portrays Christ himself, nailed to a cross; it’s one of many ways he has repurposed Christian imagery in this and other videos. Some people (we won’t say who, but I’m sure you can guess) feel as though the artist is mocking Christianity. Since the release of the video, the rapper issued an apology stating that he wasn’t attempting to mock religion, but rather create a metaphor of a rebirth similar to Christ.

The song is fairly simple and falls in line with Lil Nas X’s catalog. There’s a lot to analyze in the video, and while we won’t do all of that here, it’s important to point out one clear theme. We are witnessing a person who has had to contend with some demons throughout his life, and perhaps, through his art, has beaten several of them — resurrecting himself on this new journey. Lil Nas X is allowed to process that in his art, however he chooses.

Hip-hop artists have, many times, used religion as a conduit to share a message about the community. Lil Nas X isn’t the first to have a “Jesus era,” believe me. Others have gone so far as to liken themselves to the man himself. Rap music has been used as a form of ministry since its inception to discuss societal issues plaguing Black communities, with rappers seen as “prophets” in the same way that a preacher from the pulpit would say they are the messenger of God.

Of course, this type of expression generally flies for rappers when they’re cis and straight. That grace could never be afforded to the Black queer person sharing his own message of faith, especially because so many consider queerness anti-Christian. And some consider Christianity anti-queer. But since those claims are up for debate, it’s far more important to pay attention to the followers than the practice of the faith itself.