UNITED STATES: Kanye West has long been a controversial figure in pop culture. The artist who legally changed his name to “Ye” in 2021 has landed himself in hot water since earlier this month when he debuted his “White Lives Matter” shirt with Candace Owens at Paris Fashion Week. Numerous people in the industry cut ties and spoke out against him then, however, it wasn't until his recent anti-Semitic comments that his entire empire came tumbling down.
This week, Ye wrote on social media, “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.” He claimed that he could not be anti-Semitic because "black people are actually Jew (sic) also" and that Jewish people have "toyed with" him for quite some time.
Following this controversial statement, Ye's social media accounts were temporarily suspended. The Holocaust Museum in LA also invited Ye to visit and learn why his comments were extremely hurtful and dangerous, especially when considering he has twice the number of followers on social media than the number of Jewish people on earth.
Ye later claimed that he could not be canceled because major corporations would continue to do business with him and keep him a billionaire. However, just days later, Adidas announced that they were effectively and immediately terminating their relationship, a move which would cost the company 250 million euros. Soon after, Gap, CAA, Balenciaga, MRC Entertainment, TJ Maxx, and Foot Locker also announced they were cutting ties with Ye.
As of now, the rapper says he still stands by all his comments. Online resales of Yeezy products at cheap prices are now in full force, as resellers try and sell their stock of the brand's products while they still may be worth something.
(SOURCE: The New York Post, Page Six)
