Controversy for Controversy Sake

Nicki Minaj’s performance at this year’s Grammy’s got me thinking about religious controversy and popular music.             

Controversy over popular music is not a new thing, especially when it comes to religious content in songs.  In many cases these songs contain social commentary and pertinent messages for listeners. 

            Some examples include Madonna and her single “Like a Prayer” (1989).  The video itself was very controversial at the time of its release. In the video Madonna witnesses a rape by a white man and an innocent black man attempting to save the women is arrested instead.   In the video there is a range of controversial religious symbols such as Madonna kissing a black Jesus/saint figure, dancing seductively with burning crosses, cutting herself, and experiencing the stigmata.  All of these symbols are, however, used to convey the overarching message about standing up against racism and rape in a commentary on society.  The video draws a parallel between Jesus suffering on the cross, and a black man suffering because of prejudice. Though theatrical Madonna makes a bold and relevant commentary on society and the video was met with protest from many religious groups.

Recently I feel artists are taking a page from Madonna’s book but instead of promoting a message they are using religious symbols just for controversy’s sake.  These artists emphasize theatrics to get attention and sell records without making any profound statement.  I feel an example of this is Nicki Minaj’s performance at the Grammies. Her theatrics and use of religious symbols such as being led into the Grammies by ‘the pope’ are simply to cause a stir and increase singles sales on Itunes.  If a popular music artist is going to exploit or use religious metaphors and symbols they should use them in the way they should be, to conveying a message, not to promote singles sales.