Ye, best known as Kanye West, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential hip-hop musicians and producers of all time, as well as one of the most controversial musicians of his generation.
What did Kanye West do?
Instagram and Twitter suspended Ye’s account in the days following his anti-Semitic remarks. Among various celebrities decrying Ye’s anti-Semitic remarks were former ‘Friends actor David Schwimmer, and Ye’s former wife Kim Kardashian, a reality TV star who is currently studying to become a lawyer. On Monday, Ms. Kardashian stated on Twitter: “Hate speech is never OK or excusable. I stand together with the Jewish community and call on the terrible violence and hateful rhetoric towards them to come to an immediate end.”
Ye’s business partnerships have also come under increasing pressure: Bank JP Morgan and clothing retailer Gap said in recent months that they were ending their relationship with Ye.
Ye accused Gap of not honoring the terms of their deal, including by failing to open standalone stores for his Yeezy fashion label.
Gap wrote in a statement on Tuesday that it will be removing Yeezy Gap products from its stores, and that it had shut down the YeezyGap.com website.
“Antisemitism, racism, and hate in any form are inexcusable and not tolerated… We are partnering with organizations that combat hate and discrimination,” Gap said on its Instagram account, @yeezyxgap.