'Oh My God' Music Video from Rapper Namewee Mocking or Promoting Religion?

By Julie Brown Patton
Namewee
An unconventional approach to portraying leaders of four major religions in a new music video called "Oh My God" is drawing attention to rapper Namewee. Screenshots of two scenes from Namewee's new video

Some interpretations of a new music video from rapper Namewee entitled "Oh My God" is that it insults various religions, however the artist said it was meant to promote religious harmony.

The video features four men dressed as Jesus Christ, fifth century Buddhist monk Xuan Zang, a Taoist priest and a gun-toting man wearing a white robe and headgear, reports The Star. The clip, which was uploaded on YouTube Sunday, has had 381,720 views at the time this article was published.

"We combined the four main religions, travelling and having a great time together, it's a rare picture," he said about the video. "We just want to promote harmony within all religions. Many countries are having religious issues, some countries have conflicts which have continued without reconciliation."

Namewee said he is aware the video might be banned in Malaysia.

The 33-year-old music artist, whose birth name is Wee Meng Chee, is a Malaysian Chinese of Hainanese descent. He is widely known as Namewee, a bilingual pun on his Mandarin name, which sounds like the Mandarin term for "name."

The 4-minute-long "Oh My God" clip, directed and produced by Namewee, features a Taiwanese band called Nine-One-One, and was shot in places of worship in Penang. The video starts with the "azan" (call for prayer), a church choir and the ringing of Buddhist meditation gongs, as well as Hindu temple bells.

Namewee then loosely uses faith-oriented terms, such as "Namo Amitabha," (referencing means boundless light and infinite life in Buddhism), "Hallelujah," "Om Mani Padme Hum" and "Allah".

The clip also has a scene in which the Jesus character plays pool, using the cross as his cue, and Xuan Zang uses his staff.

Namewee, who previously rapped the Malaysian national anthem in a condescending manner, said this video clip was shot in a similar manner to allow all religions to open their hearts and be accepting.

Recently, he was nominated for the 27th Golden Melody Award.

Since 2012, he launched and has hosted an online show entitled Namewee Tokok, indicating that he hopes through this program, Malaysians could have a different perspective on viewing various issues and news in Malaysia after the mass media of the country was consolidated by the government.

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo