Tommy Genesis’ ‘True Blue’ Video Triggers Massive Social Media Outrage

Canadian rapper Tommy Genesis released an explicit music video earlier this week titled ‘True Blue.’ The artist was painted in Blue, adorned with gold jewellery like necklace, nath, mang-tika, earrings, bangles, and a red bindi. The imagery was of a hindu goddess Maa Kali that sparked the controversy. 

This controversy has stirred global music this week, igniting debates on cultural appropriation, artistic freedom, and religious sensitivity. Canadian rapper Genesis Yasmine Mohanraj, known as Tommy Genesis, has faced intense backlash in both India and the West for her recent music video, which many believe inappropriately uses religious symbols, specifically those of Hindu goddess Maa Kali and Christian icons. 

Who is Tommy Genesis?

Tommy Genesis is a Canadian rapper and Indian-origin model, whose dad is Tamil-Malayali Christian and mother is Swedish. Brought up in Vancouver, she has frequently discussed her South Asian heritage and has worked with such artists as M.I.A. and Charli XCX. A well known boundary pushing artist, her last release has arguably ventured into new territory as a boundary crossing act in the eyes of many observers. 

She began recording music in 2013 and joined the Atlanta-based Awful Records collective in 2015, releasing her debut mixtape ‘World Vision.’ Her songs often feature raw, confessional lyrics about sexuality, identity, and empowerment, earning her the reputation of being one of the most rebellious underground rap artists online.

Why did True Blue Video Spark a Controversy? 

Released on June 22, 2025, the music video shows a blue-painted (with golden jewellery and a red bindi), Tommy Genesis, whose appearance reminded many viewers of Maa Kali, a Hindu deity. In the video, she is seen kissing and tongue-licking a crucifix making a so-called namaste sign, combining the symbols of the two religions, Hinduism and Christianity, in a way that is proving insulting to many.

The video quickly went viral on social media, attracting a wide range of comments, especially from Indians and Hindi-speaking audiences. Many accused her of showing contempt for religious sentiments and engaging in cultural appropriation. 

Raftaar takes the forefront in the Backlash

Indian rapper Raftaar was among the first to criticize the video. He posted a screenshot on YouTube when he reported the video and encouraged his followers to do the same, saying, “It is an insult to my religion. This is something that should not be around.” He demanded that the video be removed and encouraged mass reporting.

On-line Comments: Furor and Pressure to Take it Down

The online outcry was not limited to celebrities. Members of the Hindu and Christian communities also took to social media to express their serious offense and demand action. 

Some of the notable reactions of True Blue Controversy are as follows:

“This creator must be cancelled because wtf is this, stop using our religion for your cheap publicity. Take art classes, do something creative.”

“There’s a line between creative expression and blatant disrespect, and this crosses it. Capitalism or clout-chasing doesn’t justify mocking someone’s faith. Do better.”

“This is PATHETIC.”

“A very dumb video and a very dumb story to justify it. This in no way is representation of roots or your vision, if you call this vision it's crooked.”

“This is not art.”

“Yehi kabi Durse dharm pr krke dekho next day Sar tan se juda hoga 

“Just remove this content for good, impose a fine on her and give her strict warning not to do such acts which might result in hurting the sentiments of people. When it comes to faith no-one will sit quietly and watch.”

The news post shared on social media platforms by leading news portals such as India Today, received many such comments where people discussed thread comments adding fuel to the fire. Another observation made by several users is that of a perceived western trend of using Indian culture in their art to shock and trend, and one user made this comment, stating, “Hijacking the Hindu culture to get attention has become a trend among these so-called Westerners.”

Response of Tommy Genesis

At the time this was written, Tommy Genesis had not sent a formal apology or even addressed the backlash to her social media pages. In a previous interview with Office Magazine (not directly related to this controversy), she stated,“If you like it, you like it, and if you don’t, you don’t. We don’t care. It’s not for you. It could be not for you for a lot of reasons—where you are in your life or your beliefs.”  This statement has done little to quell the outrage, with many demanding a more direct response to the concerns raised.

The Bigger argument: art, appropriation and respect.

This controversy has reignited the debate about where to draw the line between artistic freedom and respect for religious sentiments. Though there are people who argue that the artist has a right to provoke and challenge the norms, currently, there is a far stronger reaction online, which states that faith and sacred symbols should be treated with more sensitivity, particularly in a globalised world where the difference in culture is an important factor more than ever before.

One netizen summed up the whole controversy saying, “There’s a difference between inspiration and insult. Know the difference.” The other viewer said, “I like the song but the music videos are too insulting towards Christianity and Hinduism.” This shows that people are criticizing not because the music was bad or the artist is not worthy of the fame but because she looked like maa kali, wore a bikini, and did some explicit gestures that offended 2 communities. 

The controversy of the music video, True Blue, reminds people of the extent of power social media has and the responsibility that artists need to adhere to in the digital era. To the artist it is an appeal to avoid harming the culture and religion in any way. To audiences it is the time to contemplate what should be said and what should not. Although the video’s depiction may be offensive to some, excessively harsh comments that the artist is receiving is not entirely justifiable either.