Kanye West took to Instagram to publicly slam Adidas for selling what he referred to as “fake” Yeezy sneakers. He claimed that not only are they putting out colorways that have not been approved by him, but they are also not compensating him for the use of his name on these shoes. In a bold move, West accused the sports apparel company of utilizing “contract clauses” and decades of business experience to take advantage of artists like himself.
Kanye’s Frustration
The rapper-turned-fashion designer expressed his frustration with the situation by pointing out the hypocrisy of the public and celebrities who are quick to criticize trivial matters but remain silent when actual injustices occur. West seemed particularly indignant at the lack of action taken when he felt that his own children were being hidden from him or when a Fortune 500 company was allegedly taking advantage of him.
It is worth noting that Adidas cut ties with Kanye West in October 2022 due to a series of antisemitic remarks and his decision to wear a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt to a fashion show. This move had significant financial implications for West, as the partnership with Adidas had accounted for a substantial portion of his net worth, causing him to lose his billionaire status and bringing his valuation down to $400 million, according to Forbes.
In response to Kanye’s accusations, Adidas filed a federal lawsuit against him in May 2023, seeking to freeze $75 million held by the Yeezy brand. However, the lawsuit was swiftly dropped, and the two parties are currently embroiled in a private arbitration dispute. Adidas alleges that West’s “offensive conduct” played a role in the breakdown of their partnership, further escalating tensions between the rapper and the athletic company.
Kanye West’s public call-out of Adidas for selling what he deems as “fake” Yeezy sneakers sheds light on the complexities of celebrity collaborations and the potential pitfalls of such partnerships. While West’s accusations may be controversial, they point to larger issues of artistic ownership and corporate responsibility within the fashion industry. As the legal battles between West and Adidas continue to unfold, only time will tell how this conflict will ultimately be resolved.
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