Sidney Wu

October marks almost a year from when, famous singer and designer, Kanye West (a.k.a Ye) took to Twitter (now ‘X”) to multiple Tweet antisemitic comments. At the time West had collaborations with GAP, Balenciaga and Adidas. However, after West’s actions, many of the brands he worked with stopped selling West’s collaboration and released brand statements.

GAP’s statement

• “Our former partner’s recent remarks and behavior further underscore why we are taking immediate steps to remove Yeezy Gap products from our stores and we have shut down Yeezygap.com. Antisemitism, racism and hate in any form are inexcusable and not tolerated in accordance with our values. On behalf of our customers, employees and shareholders, we are partnering with organization that combat hate and discrimination.” – October 25, 2022

Balenciaga’s statement

• Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist.” – October 21, 2022

Adidas’ statement

• “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.” – October 25, 2022

Responses that hit closer to home

More than just affiliated brands felt the need to post a statement condemning West’s antisemitic comments, ex-wife, Kim Kardashian and ex-sister-in-law, Khloe Kardashian, also made it a point to disassociate with West.

Kim Kardashian’s statement

Khloe Kardashian’s statement

• “I support my Jewish Friends and the Jewish people.” – October 24, 2022, from Kardashian’s Instagram story.

Twitter and Instagram’s response

West was also suspended on Instagram and Twitter. A meta spokesperson confirmed that Instagram deleted West’s antisemitic posts and restricted his account for violating community guidelines.

The financial effects of West’s actions

Since West’s outburst, GAP, Balenciaga and Adidas have not worked with him again. In 2021 West was estimated to have a net worth of 6.6 billion dollars. Now Forbes reports West’s net worth to be about 400 million after numerous brands cut ties with him last October.

West’s response to the brand’s reactions

A few days after many brands and people responded to West’s antisemitic comments, WmgLab Records posted a 16-minute YouTube video of West speaking to a crowd gathered outside of a building. In the video West says, “I think Adidas felt like cause everyone was ganging up on me that they had the right to just take my designs,” he adds, “I feel like this is God humbling me right now because there’s two things that are happening. A lot of times when I would say ‘I am the richest Black man,’ it would be a defense that I would use for the mental health conversation.”

West still has publicly not apologized for his antisemitic remarks, however, he denies any relation to antisemitic groups saying, “I have no association to any hate group.”