Etsy Merchant Creates 'The Book of Yeezus,' Replaces 'God With 'Kanye West' Throughout Genesis
An ETSY seller has released a novelty style book of Genesis, "The Book of Yeezus," Monday, replacing God's name with Kanye West's.
Rapper and songwriter Kanye West is featured on a reworked version of the book of Genesis titled, "The Book of Yeezus," where every mention of God has been replaced with the American performer's name.
Dubbed a tome for Kanye West disciples, the controversial new "The Book of Yeezus," which was listed on e-commerce site, ETSY on April 6, describes itself as a creative modern day version of the Bible, updated to reflect today's society vis-à-vis the actual Bible, which has been regarded as the world's most significant publication.
"The Book of Yeezus is a creative vision…that details the story of Genesis–for the new age." The website for "The Book of Yeezus" explained. "How does spirituality, an evolutionary reflex, manifest in a digitized world? Why does Kanye West take such outsized significance in the lives of many?"
Retailing for $20 online, the so-called bible describes itself as a coffee table piece of "interventionist art" that is geared at appealing to all Kanye West fans and the rest of the population who may express curiosity at the cultural phenomenon that is Kanye West, and to read the Gospel according to "Yeezy."
Briefly removed online amid an avalanche of criticism, "The Book of Yeezuz" returned to ETSY today, while a representative from the site declined to comment on the matter for reasons of privacy.
The ETSY seller, who specializes in unique items for sale, is still promoting the gold-leaf black hardcover book with a sketched outline of a man resembling both Jesus and Kanye West featured on the cover.
West, who has recently been the subject of a more than 100,000-signature petition to drop him from the Glastonbury Festival this June, has yet to comment on his yet-unknown participation in the making of "The Book of Yeezus," but has previously been quoted describing himself as a chosen vessel of God in a statement he made in 2009.
One of the tracks listed on Yeezus, his critically acclaimed platinum studio album released in June 2013 is titled,"I Am A God," giving rise to speculations West may have collaborated on the publication of "The Book of Yeezus," given his silence on the matter to date.