Canadian underground rapper and model Tommy Genesis has found herself in the middle of a major controversy after releasing her latest music video ‘True Blue’—where she appears dressed as the Hindu goddess Maa Kali in a provocative and explicit setting. The video, released on June 20, quickly drew heavy criticism online for what many called “blasphemous” and “disrespectful” visuals.
🔵 What Sparked the Backlash?
In the video, Tommy is seen in blue body paint, wearing a red bindi, gold jewellery, and most controversially, uses a Christian cross as a prop in a way that has angered both Hindu and Christian communities. Many social media users accused her of deliberately hurting religious sentiments to attract viral attention.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote,
“Her makeup and actions seem like a direct attack on faith. This isn’t art—this is disrespect.”
Another remarked:
“There’s a cross coming out of her backside in the video. It’s not creative—it’s cheap and offensive.”
Who is Tommy Genesis?
Real name Genesis Yasmine Mohanraj, Tommy is 34 years old and hails from Vancouver, Canada. With a Tamil and Swedish background, she has often described herself as a “fetish rapper,” with music themes revolving around gender, identity, and sexuality.
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🎤 Rose to fame in 2015 with her debut mixtape World Vision under Awful Records
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She signed with Downtown Records/Universal in 2017.
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Released her debut album Tommy Genesis in 2018 and Goldilocks X in 2021
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Studied film and sculpture at Emily Carr University
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Collaborated with major brands like Calvin Klein and appeared with M.I.A. at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
🎵 True Blue: What Tommy Genesis Says About the Song
In a candid statement to V Magazine, Tommy Genesis revealed the personal meaning behind her controversial video True Blue. She explained:
“To me this video tells a deeper story about the missionaries that came to South India converting my family from Hinduism to Christianity, the bisexual little girl who was too queer for church, the visual artist who is prepared to jump off a cliff for the sake of Art. Who am I but who I am, not looking for anyone to understand—just shifting through myself—the real me, Genesis.”
Tommy described the song as something that came to her “like rain or like puke—it just channeled in from another realm,” reflecting not only her past with an ex, but also her search for personal truth and creative freedom.
🎬 Watch the official music video: True Blue – Tommy Genesis
She was once dubbed the “internet’s most rebellious underground rap queen” by an international magazine.
Artistic freedom should never come at the cost of cultural respect. While artists often push boundaries, they must understand the emotional and spiritual significance attached to religious symbols, especially in a deeply diverse country like India.
This isn’t the first time global artists have landed in controversy for cultural misappropriation, and it likely won’t be the last. The larger question remains: where do we draw the line between creativity and insensitivity?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
