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Kanye West Has No Claim To Yeezy Designs, Says Adidas. Ties Severed With Sportswear Brand.
Is Kanye West purposely destroying his relationships with major international brands? The latest in the ‘Ye’ saga is the decision by Adidas to terminate its partnership with the ‘Jesus Walks’ rapper over antisemitic comments made in recent time
The company, in a statement said ““Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech. Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.”
The move by the sportswear company is estimated to affect its bottom line by up to €250 million ($246 million) this year alone, according to Adidas on Tuesday.
Seven years ago, Kanye kicked off his collaboration with Adidas, delivering the Adidas Yeezy to eager sneakerheads. The decision by Adidas will see the company stop producing Yeezy branded products and cancel all payments to Kanye’s companies, with immediate effect. The company further warned that Adidas is the sole owner of all design rights under the partnership agreement. This can be viewed as a warning to the rapper, should any attempt be made by his team to reproduce with a new manufacturer
This all comes after ‘Ye repeatedly attacked the Jewish community, posting on social media that, among other things, he planned to go “death con 3 on Jewish people.” This was followed by an appearance on Revolt TV’s “Drink Champs” talk show where he went on an antisemitic rant.
Since West’s repeated antisemitic remarks he has been dropped as a client by CAA while a completed documentary about the rapper from MRC has been shelved. Ties with Balenciaga have also been cut.
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Sean ‘Diddy’Combs Indicted, Arrested in New York.
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Popcaan Sells Out London Arena ; First Jamaican Act Since Bob Marley.
Jamaican dancehall artiste Popcaan is now credited with being the first dancehall act to sell out the Crystal Palace Bowl in London since Bob Marley. The artiste made his presence felt at the Live Nation produced Popcaan and Friends event on July 28th.
The Crystal Palace Bowl, renowned for its vibrant musical legacy, drew an exuberant crowd of over 10,000 people who came out to see Poppy and his friends in dancehall. A media release issued, highlighted the dancehall artiste’s unparalleled performance, saying he captivated fans, delivering a night of pure musical magic and cultural celebration. “From his meticulously styled hair to his perfectly curated song selections, Popcaan proudly waved the Jamaican flag high, showcasing his immense talent to the world,” the release read.
Spice, Other Acts Deliver.
Fellow dancehall artiste, Spice was also a part of the sold out event. “Adding to the evening’s excitement, the Queen of Dancehall, Spice, graced the stage with a sensational performance. Her dynamic presence and commanding vocals set the tone for an unforgettable night, leaving the audience in awe and elevating the event to unprecedented heights,” the release shared.
The event also featured the likes of special guests Soun Bwoii, who ignited the stage with his viral hit “Pump Up,” and Damon Albarn, frontman of the renowned band Gorillaz. The crowd erupted with energy when Albarn and Popcaan performed their hit collaboration, “Saturnz Barz,” creating a truly memorable moment that exemplified the seamless fusion of genres and cultures.
Popcaan was also joined on stage by his younger brother, Natebadz, who performed their collaborative track “Warrior.” The song, which has been making waves, brought a powerful energy to the show as the brothers united to deliver a performance that resonated deeply with the crowd.
Reggae legend Luciano was among the distinguished guests, attending to enjoy the show and lend his support, symbolizing the deep roots of Jamaican music from which dancehall has evolved. The event also drew the attention of international stars like former Manchester United footballer Patrice Evra and actor Michael Ward, known for his role in the hit Netflix series Top Boy, both of whom attended to show their support and appreciation for Popcaan’s historic night.
The landmark event reflects the dancehall genre’s steady influence and the powerful resonance of Jamaican culture in the global music landscape.
“I am humbled and incredibly proud to make history here in London for my family and the entire Jamaica. This is a dream come true, and I want to thank all my Unruly fans for their unwavering support. Together, we’ve shown the world the power of dancehall music,” said Poppy.
