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."