In a lengthy Instagram caption, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) unleashes a barrage of accusations and grievances against adidas and fellow streetwear fashion designer Jerry Lorenzo. The rapper-turned-designer claims that adidas, a "$60 billion company," has buried his YEEZY site in Google search results and froze his accounts. Ye reminds his followers of his past conflicts with the German sportswear giant, citing issues of design theft and oppression that predated his controversial tweets. He emphasizes the "phenomenal work" he did for adidas and expresses frustration at their attempts to "intimidate and oppress" him when he stood up for himself.
Turning his attention to Jerry Lorenzo, known for his brand Fear of God and its recent partnership with adidas, Ye doesn't hold back. He labels Lorenzo as "corny and disloyal" for collaborating with adidas after their treatment of Ye. The YEEZY founder goes a step further, accusing Lorenzo of copying his entire aesthetic, particularly referencing a show that Ye claims was a replica of his Hollywood Bowl performance. Despite this perceived slight, Ye mentions attending Lorenzo's show as the "bigger man," but vows never to repeat such a gesture.
Ye's post takes on a more assertive tone as he declares "YEEZY over everything," positioning his brand as the pinnacle of streetwear fashion. He criticizes those who've leveraged their association with him to promote their own "weak ass fake YEEZY lines," accusing them of feigning friendship for personal gain. Ye expresses frustration at these individuals for not truly working towards his vision and instead pursuing their own agendas. He dramatically announces, "Now they banished NO MORE HUGS," signaling an end to what he perceives as disingenuous relationships in the industry.
The creative visionary boasts about the revolutionary nature of his $20 USD YEEZY products, claiming they're "burning the game to the ground." Ye shares impressive figures, stating that YEEZY.com generated $100 million USD in its first six months and sold millions of pods. To further excite his fanbase, he teases the development of ten new footwear styles over the past two years, hinting at a potential expansion of his cyberpunk aesthetic-inspired designs.
Throughout his impassioned post, Ye's determination to dominate the streetwear fashion landscape is evident. His words reflect a desire to distance himself from those he feels have exploited their connection to him, while simultaneously asserting the superiority of his YEEZY brand. The post offers a glimpse into the complex world of high-stakes fashion collaborations and the personal conflicts that can arise in such a competitive industry.
