Rapper Nas X has issued a public apology after he received backlash following the release of his latest single, "J. Christ."

"I know I messed up really bad this time," the rapper, whose full name is Montero Lamer Hill, said in an Instagram video.

"I can act unbothered all I want, but it's definitely taken a mental toll on me. I'm not some evil demon guy trying to destroy everybody's values and stuff like that. That's not me."

Last week, Hill released the music video of "J Christ" where he portrays himself as Christ, implying that his career comeback can be likened to the resurrection. The music video also features biblical imagery such as Jacob's Ladder and Noah's Ark. The video concludes with quoting from 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Following the release of the music video, Hill received heavy criticism from the Christian community including Skillet frontman John Cooper who called Hill to repentance, and from Christian rapper Bryson Gray who urged Christians to rebuke the rapper rather than just ignore his behavior.

In his apology video, Hill said he understands that religion is "a very sensitive topic for a lot of people," but contended that he "didn't mean to mock; this wasn't like a f— you to you people. It was literally me saying I'm back like Jesus."

Hill also recently tweeted a fake acceptance letter from Liberty University in which he claimed that he had been accepted into the evangelical school and will be taking "biblical studies" in the Fall. However, X noted that the letter was "altered" because it was signed by LU founder Jerry Falwell Sr., who passed away in 2007.

Additionally, a Liberty spokesperson confirmed that that letter was not real.

Hill has faced a number of controversies in recent years including the release of 666 limited-edition pairs of "Satan shoes" in 2021. At the time, the shoes were released in promotion of his song "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)," which the music video showed the rapper giving a lap dance to Satan in Hell.

Last month, Hill tweeted that he was entering his "Christian era" but maintained that it would not change his sexuality as a gay person.

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