Kanye West returned from his Instagram hiatus to accuse Adidas of copying his Yeezy designs. In his post on Monday, the Gold Digger rapper, who is now known as Ye, uploaded a picture of the Adidas Adilette 22 sandals and made his feelings known to the sportswear company’s CEO Kasper Rørsted.
The Adilette 22 sandals, which cost $55 and shortly sold out after its May release, bear certain similarities to the rapper cum fashion designer’s Yeezy Slides, Billboard reported. Adidas also produces Ye’s $70 Yeezy Slides.
“THIS IS YE driving down the same street Kobe passed on. Maybe I feel that Mamba spirit right now,” Ye shared.
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“To Kasper I’m not standing for this blatant copying no more. To all sneaker culture To every ball player rapper or even if you work at the store This is for everyone who wants to express themselves but feel they can’t cause they’ll lose their contract or be called crazy.
“Bravery is not being afraid. Bravery is overcoming your fear for your truth. This Ye with the blue paint on my face.”
He added: “These shoes represent the disrespect that people in power have to the talent. This shoe is a fake Yeezy made by adidas themselves I’m not talking to DC about this either Kasper come talk to me. Happy Monday.”
Ye partnered with Adidas in 2015 to release his first Yeezy collection. Per the details of the partnership, Ye has complete ownership of the Yeezy brand. Yeezy products that are also released are done so under his full creative control, Billboard reported.
The rapper’s slides gained popularity after they were released in 2019 because of certain peculiar features. Yeezy sneakers also amassed an annual revenue of almost $1.7 billion in 2020, Bloomberg reported. The 45-year-old pocketed $191 in royalties as a result.
