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The Weeknd and G-Eazy Cut Ties with H&M Amid Ad Controversy

January 10, 2018
The Weeknd and G-Eazy Cut Ties with H&M Amid Ad Controversy

Popular clothing company H&M has been under fire since posting an online ad featuring a black child modeling a hoodie that reads “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle”. The racially insensitive ad has sparked outrage within the entertainment community and two chart-topping artists in particular have decided to part ways with the fashion brand.

Rapper G-Eazy took to social media to announce his plans to end his partnership with H&M. “I can’t allow for my name and brand to be associated with a company that could let this happen. I hope that this situation will serve as the wake up call that H&M and other companies need to get on track and become racially and culturally aware, as well as more diverse at every level.” The “No Limit” rapper was working on a clothing line with the company, something he says he was “genuinely excited” about.

The Weeknd also used his social media platform to announce that he no longer will be working with H&M. “Woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo. I’m deeply offended and will not be working with H&M anymore.”

H&M has since issued an apology for the ad, stating “”Our standards are high and we feel that we have made real progress over the years in playing our part in promoting diversity and inclusion but we clearly haven’t come far enough … We agree with all the criticism that this has generated – we have got this wrong and we agree that, even if unintentional, passive or casual racism needs to be eradicated wherever it exists. We appreciate the support of those who have seen that our product and promotion were not intended to cause offense but, as a global brand, we have a responsibility to be aware of and attuned to all racial and cultural sensitivities – and we have not lived up to this responsibility this time.”

Check out G-Eazy and The Weeknd’s statements as well as some celebrity reactions to H&M’s ad below.

 

 

 

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