Lil Nas X Releases Cinematic 'J Christ' Music Video of Biblical Proportions: Watch!

The singer/rapper returned with new music for the first time since 2022 on Friday

He — a.k.a. Lil Nas X — is risen!

On Friday, the singer/rapper, 24, marked his return to music and the start of his next era by releasing the single “J Christ” and dropping a cinematic music video of biblical proportions.

As Lil Nas X is known for his statement-making visuals, his latest effort is no different. In the video, which he wrote and directed himself, the Grammy winner plays with Christian imagery, as he portrays a savior-like figure who opens the gates to Heaven and faces a series of challenges — from Satan on the basketball court, to crucifixion, to apocalyptic natural disasters.

Related: Lil Nas X Teases Follow Up to Debut Album 'Montero' with Teaser: 'Ready for a Show?'

In a cheeky move, the video opens to a long line of celebrity lookalikes — Mariah Carey, Barack Obama, Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Oprah Winfrey and others — as they walk up to the pearly white gates of the holy kingdom.

The “Industry Baby” artist continues to playfully troll throughout, with clips of him walking the steps of a B.C.E. Met Gala, doing choreography in a cheerleading uniform and saving modern souls, as it appears as though the world today is nearing Judgement Day.

At the end, Lil Nas X (whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill) officially ushers in his next release cycle with text that reads, “Day Zero A New Beginning,” and a biblical verse: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation, The old man has passed away; Behold, the new has come.”

Related: Lil Nas X Says He's Not Looking to Make a 'Mockery of Jesus' with New Single Cover of Himself on a Cross

The video’s resurrection theme coincides with the lyrics to “J Christ,” which find Lil Nas X hyping up his return to music and referencing his art's viral nature. “Is he up to somethin' only I-I know? / Is he 'bout to hit 'em with the high-igh note? / Is he 'bout to give 'em somethin' vi-iral? / Is he 'bout to hit 'em with the high-igh note?,” he raps on the chorus.

“J Christ” arrives several days after the “Montero” artist announced its release, leading to its Jesus Christ-inspired single artwork of the musician on a cross to go viral.

“MY NEW SINGLE IS DEDICATED TO THE MAN WHO HAD THE GREATEST COMEBACK OF ALL TIME," he posted on social media to tease the release, before going on to clarify on X (formerly Twitter) that he's not looking to offend any religious groups.

After receiving a negative response from some online, he posted on X, "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."

The pop star added, "I’m not making fun of s---. yall just gotta stop trying to gatekeep a religion that was here before any of us were even born. stfu."

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Related: Lil Nas X's Brother Says Singer Helped Him Come Out as Bisexual and 'Opened Doors for a Lot of People'

Lil Nas X also jokingly posted a fake acceptance letter from the Christian college Liberty University on Instagram, which stated he had been accepted to a dual “Christian Leadership and Biblical Studies” program.

“I know some of yall hate me right now but i want yall to know im literally about to go to college for biblical studies in the fall,” he wrote in the caption. “Not everything is a troll! Anyways IM A STUDENT AGAIN! LETS GOOO.”

“J Christ” marks the first song from the hitmaker in over a year. He last released two one-off singles in 2022: “Star Walkin” and his team-up with YoungBoy Never Broke Again, "Late to da Party.” 

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