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Kanye West erupts after Adidas puts Yeezy partnership ‘under review’ following ‘White Lives Matter’ statement

October 7, 2022

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Kanye West’s partnership with sportswear maker Adidas is “under review”, the company said Thursday and the star is not happy with the decision.

In a profanity Instagram post, West scrutinized the sports retailer and claimed he “stole” his designs, according to TMZ.

“F—K ADIDAS,” West said in the since-deleted post to his nearly 18 million followers.

“I AM ADIDAS,” he added. “ADIDAS RAPED AND STOLE MY DESIGNS.”

Kanye West onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, USA on August 28, 2016. (REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo/Reuters Photos)

KANYE WEST SPEAKS UP ON PARTNERSHIPS WITH ADIDAS AND GAP

The German sportswear giant, which is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe and the second largest in the world behind Nike, has maintained a business partnership with West to produce its Yeezy product line.

However, the company announced the review days after West wore a “White Lives Matter” shirt to a fashion show in Paris and after calling the Black Lives Matter movement a “scam” on social media.

“After repeated efforts to resolve the situation privately, we have made the decision to place the partnership under review,” Adidas said in a statement, according to Reuters. “We will continue to co-manage the current product during this time.”

A split photo of the Adidas logo on a sign and Kanye West at the Supreme Courthouse in New York. (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo/Steve Eichner/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)

“Adidas has always been about creativity, innovation and supporting athletes and artists to achieve their vision,” the statement continued. “The Adidas Yeezy partnership is one of the most successful collaborations in our industry’s history.”

Adidas added: “All successful partnerships are rooted in mutual respect and shared values.”

West often takes to social media to voice his opinions and criticisms, including some in recent months that have been directed specifically at Adidas and its CEO.

The two have been partners since 2013, Reuters reported.

Kanye West on September 26, 2022 in London, England. (Neil Mockford/GC Images/Getty Images)

West was previously associated with Nike, from 2007 until 2013, when he released his famous Red Octobers, according to the Wall Street Journal. The star first collaborated with Adidas in 2006, but the partnership failed to produce a shoe.

WHO STARTED ADIDAS?

In West’s current deal with Adidas, the star lends the company the design and manufacturing rights to Yeezy products. In return, West receives about 15% royalties, according to the Journal.

The current deal runs through 2026. Just last month, West threatened to walk away from the deal and take the Yeezy line solo.

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The Adidas review announcement comes less than a month after West announced he was ending his partnership with apparel retailer Gap Inc.

West often posts and deletes updates on Instagram. As of Friday morning, her account had just three posts, including one about each of her parents and a video from Fox News host Tucker Carlson.