Entertainment
Kanye West accuses Adidas of ripping off Yeezy sliders with Adilette shoes: ‘I’m not standing for this blatant copying’-Alicia Adejobi-Entertainment – Metro
The rapper returned to Instagram to make the claims against the sportswear brand.
Kanye West said he was feeling the ‘Mamba spirit’ after seeing Adidas’ new slides (Picture: FilmMagic)
Kanye West made a surprise return to Instagram this week to reportedly accuse Adidas of ‘copying’ his famous Yeezy sliders.
The All Falls Down rapper has been quiet on the social media platform since he was temporarily suspended from posting in March following his explosive rants about ex-wife Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend Pete Davidson.
However, he reportedly made a reappearance on Monday to share his gripe with Adidas and their new slides Adilette 22.
The company’s new shoes bear some similarities to Kanye’s Yeezy slides, released in 2019, with both made in earth-toned rubber and featuring a slip-on design.
He wrote: ‘THIS IS YE driving down the same street Kobe passed on. Maybe I feel that Mamba spirit right now.’
The comment perhaps hints at Kanye’s plans to leave the brand once his contract ends, as late NBA legend Kobe Bryant famously signed a deal with the sportswear brand before he was drafted out of high school in 1996.
The rapper made a surprise return to Instagram to air his grievances (Picture: @kanyewest, Instagram)
Kanye released his Yeezy slides in 2019 (Picture: Adidas)
However, he bought himself out of the six-year contract in 2002 before signing a deal with Nike.
In his rant, Kanye continued, referring to Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted: ‘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.
In his post, Kanye publicly called out Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted (Picture: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Kanye had been quiet on social media for a few months (Picture: GC Images)
‘Bravery is not being afraid. Bravery is overcoming your fear for your truth. This Ye with the blue paint on my face.
‘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.’
Kanye and Adidas have worked together since 2015, with his clothing and shoe line collaboration announced two years prior. The rapper has gone on to enjoy huge success under the sportswear company, with his first shoes – Yeezy Boosts – selling out in just 10 minutes.
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In 2020, it was revealed that the Grammy-winning musician had become a billionaire, largely thanks to his deal with Adidas.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Kanye West’s reps and Adidas for comment.
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