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BTS’ RM Is ‘Not Apologizing’ For Sharing Frank Ocean’s ‘Bad Religion’ On Instagram Despite Claims Of Islamophobia

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BTS’ RM has experienced both ends of the fan reception spectrum in recent weeks. During an August Weverse livestream, RM confirmed that BTS will ends its hiatus and “be joining together again” in 2025. BTS Army were predictably thrilled. But, around the same time, RM faced backlash for posting Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange track “Bad Religion” to his Instagram Story because some felt it perpetuated Islamophobia.

On Wednesday, August 30, RM defended himself during yet another Weverse livestream (as captured by several fan accounts).

“OK, guys, I know what you’re talking about,” RM said. “You just keep telling me that I insulted a religion. But I didn’t. There was not any intention or purpose to insult a religion. I respect every beliefs and religions. That’s all I could say. So, please don’t — I know what’s going on in my Instagram. I can see, but I never — there was no such any purpose or, like, at least one percent of my heart or intention to insult a religion, OK?”

Per Billboard, RM continued, “Guys, it’s a song, OK? I’m not apologizing. I’m just saying. I have my own soul. I’m 30 years old. I can express my true thoughts. Please! The word is the word. It is what it is. Please believe my words from myself. Not just guessing, pretending and assuming, OK?”

In the chorus of “Bad Religion,” Ocean sings, “He said, ‘Allahu Akbar’ / I told him, ‘Don’t curse me’ / ‘But boy, you need prayer’ / I guess it couldn’t hurt me / If it brings me to my knees / It’s a bad religion.”

In 2017, CNN contextualized the meaning of “Allahu Akbar,” which means “God is greater,” as “a powerful declaration used by Muslims on many occasions and in many prayers.”

BTS’ RM Moves Through Imaginative Visuals In His Video For The Anderson .Paak Collab ‘Still Life’

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BTS may be on hiatus, but that’s not stopping the highly-anticipated solo projects coming through. Over the summer, we got J-Hope and his EP Jack In The Box. In October, we got Jin and his hit single “The Astronaut,” co-written with Coldplay. Now, we have RM with his first full studio album Indigo.

As last Friday marked the album’s release, promotions for tracks on the solo project are well underway. After the release of the “Wild Flower” music video, the BTS leader unveils the video to Indigo‘s second track, the Anderson .Paak-featuring “Still Life.”

In his Tiny Desk Concert on NPR last Friday, RM revealed the inspiration behind the track was based on a trip to a museum and coming across a painting of the same name.

“When I see ‘Still Life,’ like the canvas,” RM said on the series. “My life is like a canvas. I’m exhibiting my life to the whole world, everywhere.”

Throughout the music video RM moves and grooves through various still scenes. At one point, he’s stuck in time inside of a train and the other he’s in a blank space moving graphics with his magic hands.

The concept of “Still Life” follows the overall theme of Indigo, where the album acts as an art exhibit curated by RM.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.