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

"MY NEW SINGLE IS DEDICATED TO THE MAN WHO HAD THE GREATEST COMEBACK OF ALL TIME," said Lil Nas X after announcing his new song "J CHRIST"

Lil Nas X is leaning back into biblical imagery for his new era.

On Monday, the Grammy winner unveiled the cover artwork for his upcoming single "J CHRIST" featuring himself resembling Jesus on a cross, shortly before clarifying he's not looking to offend any religious groups with the photo.

"MY NEW SINGLE IS DEDICATED TO THE MAN WHO HAD THE GREATEST COMEBACK OF ALL TIME," wrote Lil Nas X, 24, on X (formerly Twitter) alongside the "J CHRIST" cover image and announcement.

Related: Lil Nas X Responds to Backlash Over 'Twerking on a CGI Satan' in 'Montero' Music Video

The "Old Town Road" performer then quoted a previous post claiming his upcoming single "features a very beloved popstar" and said, "It was God."

After reposting some fans' tweets expressing excitement for his new music, Lil Nas X took to the social media platform once again — less than an hour after sharing the "J CHRIST" single cover — to clarify his motive.

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

Lil Nas X continued, "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."

After defending himself, the "Industry Baby" musician reposted more messages from fans on his side, including one that questioned why Lil Nas X faces more backlash than other artists (such as DaBaby or Kanye West) who've also created art comparing themselves to Jesus.

This isn't Lil Nas X's first controversy regarding his use of religious imagery. In March 2021, he faced backlash after both portraying himself as the devil and giving the devil a lap dance in the music video for his single "MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)."

Related: Lil Nas X Details 'Painful and Strained' History with BET, Says Network Asked If He Worshiped Satan

Around the same time, the star released blood-infused "satan shoes" (modified Nike sneakers) in partnership with MSCHF. Nike then sued Lil Nas X, though the suit was settled in April 2021.

In 2022, Lil Nas X opened up about how the controversies caused a strain in his working relationship with BET in an interview with Rolling Stone.

"My relationship with BET has been painful and strained for quite some time. It didn't start with this year's nominations like most people might think," he told the outlet in a statement at the time. "They did let me perform on their show last year, but only after [I gave] assurances that I was not a satanist or devil worshiper, and that my performance would be appropriate for their audience."

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