Kanye deletes video slamming Adidas as he accuses company of ‘raping’ and selling ‘fake’ shoes

Kanye West says Adidas is “raping” him and putting out “fake” shoes after the company announced it would release existing Yeezy designs despite the partnership coming to a bitter end in 2022. 

He posted an Instagram video titled “Adidas is selling fake Yeezys and not paying me and suing me at the same time”. 

“Not only are they putting out fake colourways that are non-approved, they are suing me for 250 million dollars (USD) and they are also not paying me for these shoes that they are putting out that have my name on it,” West said in the since deleted video. 

The West and Adidas partnership to produce the Yeezy line of shoes was sensationally terminated in October 2022 in response to a string of anti Semitic and conspiratorial comments by the rapper including a late-night Twitter rant in which he said he would go “death con 3 on Jewish people”.

An Adidas media release at the end of October 2022 said West’s comments and actions had been “unacceptable, hateful and dangerous”. 

 

“After a thorough review, the company has taken the decision to terminate the partnership with Ye immediately, end production of Yeezy branded products and stop all payments to Ye and his companies.

It said it would stop the partnership with “immediate effect”. 

“Adidas is the sole owner of all design rights to existing products as well as previous and new colourways under the partnership,” the company statement read. 

On February 26 2024, Adidas announced a further release of existing Yeezy products. 

It said it was making some of the most popular designs available again including the 350 V2 in steel grey. 
 

“Since terminating the YEEZY partnership in October 2022 Adidas has donated to selected organisations to combat discrimination and hate, including racism and antisemitism,” a statement read. 

The rapper took to Instagram shortly after the announcement to accuse the company of putting out “fakes” and “explain the situation” with the new Yeezy drop.

He alleged Adidas was suing him for almost A$400 million.

“Let me explain really clear to you guys what’s happening with Adidas,” West said in the clip, in which he accused the company of suing him for Aus which is A$384 million.
 

“They are using contract clauses and 50 years of business experience to rape an artist, one of y’alls favourite artists right in front of y’all in broad daylight.” 

Adidas has reportedly responded to the latest hit by sending talking points for employees to respond to customer inquiries about the rapper’s allegations ahead of the controversial release this month. 
 

The letter told Adidas employees not to engage with the media but to use the talking points with customers who asked about Kanye’s allegations.

“Please refrain [from] extended conversations or altercations regarding this topic,” the letter read. 

“Adidas is the sole owner of the product, including the design rights for existing products…” 

“The products are existing Yeezy designs initiated in 2022.”

The letter said employees should tell customers Adidas “honoured” its contractual obligations with the release. 

Adidas was contacted for comment but did not respond by deadline.