Tommy Genesis, born Genesis Yasmine Mohanraj, is a Canadian rapper, model, and visual artist of Indian (Malayali and Tamil) and Swedish descent. Known for her experimental and often provocative music, she gained recognition in 2016 when Dazed Magazine dubbed her “the internet’s most rebellious underground rap queen.” Her work frequently delves into themes of gender, sexuality, and rebellion. She released her debut mixtape “World Vision” in 2015 and has since released two studio albums, “Tommy Genesis” (2018) and “Goldilocks X” (2021), and has collaborated with notable artists like Charli XCX and Lana Del Rey.
Recently, Tommy Genesis has found herself at the center of a significant controversy following the release of visuals for her new music video, “True Blue.” The video features her with blue body paint, adorned with gold jewelry and a red bindi, a look that many have widely interpreted as a disrespectful portrayal of the revered Hindu Goddess Kali.
The imagery has ignited widespread outrage among both Hindu and Christian communities globally. Critics have particularly condemned the explicit nature of the visuals, which include Genesis licking a crucifix and performing a “namaste” gesture while wearing a gold bikini and stilettos. Many have deemed these visuals as blasphemous, culturally appropriative, and deeply offensive to religious sentiments.
Social media platforms have been flooded with condemnations, with users demanding the removal of the video and an apology from the artist. Comments highlight the sentiment that Hindu culture is not an “aesthetic” to be exploited for shock value or publicity. Indian rapper Raftaar also publicly slammed the video, urging his followers to report it and stating, “This is a mockery of my religion. This shouldn’t exist.”
While Tommy Genesis has previously stated in an interview with Office Magazine that “True Blue” is “not meant for those who link it to their beliefs” and that she is “not bothered by any mixed sentiments or criticism,” her stance has done little to quell the mounting backlash. The controversy has sparked a renewed debate about artistic expression, cultural appropriation, and respect for religious symbols in modern media.