“Jesus Piece” is the latest album from the rapper “The Game.” The album artwork has sparked major controversy and it’s obvious as to why. The picture depicts Jesus in a gangster-like fashion, wearing a red bandana around his face and “bling” around his neck. If you were to present this album to a devout Christian, I guarantee that they will be offended.
The Game is culturally appropriating the religion of Christianity. He is taking a very symbolic and religious figure and using it for his own personal fulfillment, particularly to sell his music. This is a perfect and clear example of cultural appropriation because he is a person of power due to his celebrity status therefore he has some influence among the public. Through his album, he distorts the image of Jesus and consequently, it misrepresents the Christian faith. One critic claims that "Jesus is depicted as a shallow man searching earthly treasures and presumably a participant in criminal activities."
Because Jesus is represented in this light, people might think that this is the “Jesus” that they (Christians) believe in. The image is taking the Christian culture and affiliating it with the “hood.” It causes misinterpretations and produces more ignorance. In addition, it goes against the teachings and messages of Jesus; He was not about that lifestyle and He definitely did not represent it. And as for one individual, Tanyi, she asserts that "He's gone too far...He's making a mockery of what is sacred to many individuals."
 |
| Common image of Jesus |
What makes it even more controversial is The Game’s response to the whole issue. He claims, “You can’t say that’s not Jesus. You’ve never seen Jesus. You know why I put the rag on his face, because I didn’t want anyone saying I put Jesus on the cover of the album, so I covered his face. That’s not Jesus, that’s Rick James with a rag on.” However, the picture of Jesus is the common image in a religious household, so there is good reason as to why people might believe that that is Jesus on the cover. Why couldn’t he use a different image? Why did he chose an image that closely resembles Jesus. And if he claims that that is Rick James with a bandana on, why is he wearing the clothes of Jesus and posing the same way? The Game could have thought about it more intently, but he wanted the controversy. He knew it would arouse public reactions and that is exactly what he wanted. It’s plain and simple; he used Jesus to sell his music and get PR. He borrowed a revered figure and used it for own selfish needs.
 |
| The Game says "It's not Jesus...it's Rick James with a rag on" |
The irony of all of this is that The Game claims he is a passionate Christian; which could be a possible reason why he doesn’t think he is offending anyone; because he is a part of the Christian religion, he isn’t appropriating them. But that still doesn't excuse the fact that he has distorted the true meaning of Christianity.
