Rapper Kendrick Lamar takes imitating Christ to a whole new level
Kendrick Lamar (EEW Magazine)
By Toni Hart // People // EEW Magazine Online
“Be ye imitators of Christ.” Maybe rapper Kendrick Lamar was inspired by Ephesians 5:1 before recently taking the Glastonbury Festival stage.
While Christian folks agree that being like Jesus is the goal, wearing a crown of thorns with blood running down one’s face is taking it to a whole new level. Plus, that’s probably not quite what the Bible meant when encouraging believers to imitate Christ.
Still, that didn’t stop the 14-time Grammy winner from doing exactly that during his closeout set at the end of the five-day festival of contemporary performing arts that takes place in England—a move that got people talking.
Kendrick Lama: Photo by Saskia Lawaks courtesy of Louis Vuitton.
While wearing a diamond-encrusted crown of thorns, the 35-year-old headliner repeated, “Godspeed for women’s rights. They judge you; they judge Christ” before dropping the mic and exiting the stage.
The lyricist, like many artists, was using his platform to respond to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, ending long-standing constitutional protections for women’s reproductive rights. It was no surprise that many pro-life Christians expressed shock and offense at the artist’s depiction of Jesus’ holy crucifixion as a backdrop for a pro-abortion message.
After all, Jesus died to save lives, while Americans are protesting for the freedom to take them. The two missions are clearly not the same. But that didn’t stop Lamar.
Kendrick Lamar’s crown of thorns totals more than 137 carats.
The custom-designed crown features over 8,000 diamonds totaling over 137 carats and was crafted from high-polished titanium. It was design by Lamar and Dave Free for pgLang with Tiffany & Co.
As shocking as the performance may have been for some, millions of fans and followers familiar with his edgy, provocative, socially conscious work were not outraged in the least. The Compton bred entertainer, who said his grandmother shared the Bible with him growing up, frequently incorporates Christian themes and symbolism into his artistry. Lamar went so far as to recreate The Last Supper in his 2017 music video, “Be Humble.”
Even so, critics, commentators, and everyday people have been asking the question: did Lamar take imitating Christ too far?
Whether one of the most influential rappers in the game is copying Jesus as a publicity stunt or an authentic desire to be like Him, it’s safe to say that producing imagery and messages that border on religious sacrilege just may get him crucified by the masses.
Watch the performance below. *Warning: Strong language is included that some may find offensive.