Rapper ‘The Game’ Releases Disrespectful Album Cover Featuring Gangster Jesus
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 11:22AM 
By EEW Magazine Editors
Jesus has been mischaracterized throughout history. His name has been defamed and many individuals have disrespected Christ and what He stands for. As empowered Christian women, we’re used to that, but brace yourself for this latest offense which comes in the form of an album cover released from rapper, “The Game.”
The project titled “Je5us Piece,” with the number 5 being a well-known symbol of the Bloods, promotes gang violence with Jesus at the center of it. There are also marijuana leaves on either side of Jesus’ head, glorifying drug use to an entire generation of impressionable young men and women who embrace The Game’s music. To add insult to injury, the defamed Jesus is sporting a gold Jesus piece he's pointing to with his nailed-scarred hands.
So what exactly is The Game, real name, Jayceon Terrell Taylor, trying to convey with this bandana-wearing, weed-loving Jesus?
It’s hard to tell with so many opposing symbols and such a convoluted message, but we’ll take a stab at it.
Recently, The Game told the media that he was baptized last year by Bishop Noel Jones, pastor of City of Refuge Church in Gardena, California. During that conversation, the rapper admitted that he found it very difficult to let go of his old lifestyle, even though he regards himself a Christian.
He told Vibe Magazine, “I’m a Christian but I’m not ‘holier than thou. Je5us Piece gives me an opportunity to speak about situations that people like me who love God but are still street and still wanna remain themselves…”
The conflicted rapper admits "I still love the strip club and I still smoke and drink. I'm faithful to my family, so I wanted to make an album where you could love God and be of God, but still get it poppin' in your life."
With that sort of perspective, it may be that his intent is not to disrespect Jesus Christ, but to depict a “hood Savior” that a young man like him would be more comfortable embracing.
But a picture with images that represent things that clearly defy what Christ stands for does not make it okay to live a deviant lifestyle. No amount of confessing salvation and professing love for Christ can validate a wild lifestyle diametrically opposed to the holiness the word of God requires for every Believer.
Some of the controversial rapper’s fans see the cover as something done for shock value. Others see it as sacrilegious and are speaking out strongly against it. Still others actually applaud The Game for his creativity.
So in what context should an empowered Christian woman view this offensive album cover? Let the word of God be your guide.
2 Timothy 3 is a great scripture to sum up what we’re seeing here with the release of The Game’s album cover.
Verses 1-6 in the NIV translation say:
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
The Bible predicts such foolishness and debauchery, and we should not be surprised.
What are your thoughts on The Game’s album cover? Do you think it’s sacrilegious or just done for shock value?
Reader Comments (22)
OMG!! That's terrible!
Usually I don't let things like this bother me, but to see something like this is hard to take. To see the scars from the nail prints and for somebody to have the NERVE to make Jesus flash his middle finger while wearing a BLOODS BANDANA on his face is just too much. This is ridiculous and goes to show that people have no respect for Christianity anymore. What is wrong with this generation??
"Disrespectful" is an understatement. This is a crying shame. smh
I have no words...
That is blatant blasphemy! I wish I knew him so I could tell him a thing or two. Oh, but God sits high and never sleeps... These rappers go too far! I think they feel that they are more powerful than God. They better read the Bible; starting with the people who were building the tower of Babel. #Fuming
I am speechless 8-0
There is a such thing as art and then there's this: pure foolishness that he needs to be checked for, seriously! These young men think they don't have to answer to anyone and that they can do ANYTHING they want to do. I am sick to my stomach over this!
It's obvious The Game needs to be discipled. I see the finger pointing to the gold piece, but where is Jesus flipping the bird? Is that on another photo that's not featured here?
My son is 18 and he listens to this foolish rap. He is a fan of The Game and found it funny when he saw this album cover. I think this generation is irreverent when it comes to faith. They are immature and need to be taught. For much of my life I wasn't a saved woman so I exposed the kids to a lot and I see the mistake I made NOW. This is horrible and heart-breaking.
Wow!
RIDICULOUS!! And what's even more sad is that Noel Jones is his pastor, what kind of pastor is he because he's OBVIOUSLY not doing his job!!!!!!
I'm 21 and in the last 8 months, I have not listened to secular music on a regular basis. My husband still does and I hate it... A lot of music out now is "church" themed and blasphemous... We have to remember to pray for these artists and that they open their eyes and ears to the truth. I recall in Matthew 13 I believe where it says they have eyes to see and ears to hear but they don't! Just pray for the younger generation that there is a igniting of the Holy Spirit and that people will be truly saved.
This is scary because gang violence is claiming so many lives! I live in Chicago and it is a WAR ZONE!! Shame on The Game for this foolishness. Our young men are out here dying in these streets and this is the BEST he can think to do with all his money and platform. It's disgusting!!! Bishop Noel Jones please come and GET THIS YOUNG MAN!! He nees to be stopped!
I'm disgusted and angry. How dare they defame The Blessed Savior in such a way? Vengenance is The Lord's and they will soon learn. Furthermor, it's aslso sickening because he clearly did this to garner some attention, any attention, to his failed "career." Totally disgusted.
Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? Seriously?!!!! This is just wrong on so many levels!!
OFFENSIVE. its a shame you have to even post that picture meaning, rappers image blasphemes jesus would b enough. Wow.
G Craig Lewis has preached about the satanic role hip hop has in our youth this unfortunely is not a surprise. ALL PARENTS would b wise to view his videos if led. WU TANG has an even more offensive one. and the thing is MANY of these rappers are HEAVY into witchcraft, most gangs are. its not innocent or cute. Jayz before marrying into a family who 'knows' God was committing crimes. this is NOT the role models we want for our youth they will take them straight to hell. #straightnochaser
GANGLIFE is not to be applauded or imitating even in the church. Sorry. if you think white folks are the only ones worshipping satan think again. #wakeup
I'm not sorry for what I'm about to say. This man is seriously going to burn in hell for this blasphemy if he doesn't repent. Jesus forgive him, he doesn't have a clue as to what he's doing! And shame on his pastor, Noel Jones if he doesn't rebuke this foolishness.
This is a real wake up call for the church. The devil is SERIOUS about corrupting our generation of youth and we have to get on OUR job. God needs true servants to come against this foolishness!!!
That is the problem. We have no fear of GOD. This generation has absolutely no fear of God. Bottomline!
My friends we are getting closer to gods return I think this is the only way to get people thats lost and confuse in the rap world to get closer to the word of god I really think cuz most people like I once was never got the chance to know who the lord really is cuz of people that they are
Around daily and there mom and dad thats lost in that world to and if you are a real Christian you know god works in many different ways for many different people and one more thing we are not here to judge people only god can judge people
Only one god LOVE CHRIST
Evan Freeman