Tommy Genesis, born Genesis Yasmine Mohanraj, is a Canadian rapper, model, and visual artist of Indian origin who has recently found herself at the center of a heated controversy. The uproar stems from her new music video, "True Blue," where she portrays a modern depiction of the Hindu goddess Kali. The video, released on June 20, 2025, has sparked outrage across social media platforms, with many accusing her of cultural appropriation and disrespect towards both Hindu and Christian religious sentiments.
Genesis, who identifies as being of Malayali, Tamil, and Swedish descent, has built a reputation for her provocative and experimental style, often exploring themes of sexuality and gender in her music. She is a graduate of Emily Carr University, where she studied film and sculpture. Her work has garnered attention from major brands like Calvin Klein and collaborations with artists such as Charli XCX and MIA. Dazed magazine once hailed her as "the internet's most rebellious underground rap queen."
In "True Blue," Genesis appears with her body painted blue, adorned with traditional gold jewelry, including bangles, a maang tikka, and a necklace. She also sports a red bindi, a symbol of spiritual significance in Hinduism, paired with a gold bikini and stilettos. In addition to the goddess-inspired look, the video features her making gestures such as folding her hands in "namaste" and, controversially, licking a crucifix.
The imagery in "True Blue" has triggered a wave of criticism, with social media users expressing deep offense and calling for the video's removal and a public apology from the artist. Many have voiced their concerns over what they perceive as a blatant disregard for Hindu religious sentiments. Critics argue that Genesis is using Maa Kali, a powerful and revered goddess, as a mere "edgy aesthetic" for shock value and clout. They feel that it reduces a sacred figure to a costume, stripping her of dignity and disrespecting a religion as old as civilization.
Similarly, the act of licking a crucifix has been condemned as disrespectful to Christian beliefs, further fueling the controversy. Rapper Raftaar has publicly criticized Genesis, accusing her of mocking Hinduism and encouraging his followers to report the video on YouTube.
While Genesis has yet to directly address the backlash, she has previously spoken about her artistic choices. In an interview with Office Magazine, she stated that "True Blue" is not meant for those who link it to their beliefs, implying a degree of artistic license and a lack of concern for how her work is interpreted.
The controversy surrounding Tommy Genesis and her "True Blue" music video raises important questions about cultural appropriation, artistic expression, and the responsibility of artists when engaging with religious and cultural symbols. It also highlights the increasing sensitivity and awareness surrounding the representation of marginalized cultures in popular media. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how Genesis will respond to the criticism and whether she will take steps to address the concerns raised by the public.
