Controversial rapper Kanye West allegedly displayed anti-Semitism on several occasions during his meetings with Adidas executives, who nevertheless continued their partnership with the controversial star for nearly a decade, shows a long report from the New York Times published Friday.
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According to information from the daily which is based on numerous documents and interviews, Kanye West – who today calls himself Ye – drew swastikas and even told an Adidas executive of Jewish origin to kiss a photo of ‘Hitler every day during a meeting at Adidas headquarters in Germany.
Employees also said that Kanye West insisted on showing pornography to Adidas executives, both at home and in the office, and that he made sexual comments to company workers during his visits to the head office.
The popular sportswear brand first partnered with Kanye West in 2013, resulting in the launch of Yeezy shoes.
In 2016, when renewing their partnership, Adidas took care to include in the rapper’s contract that it could end it if Kanye West said something scandalous.
It was finally last year that Adidas took advantage of this clause after incendiary statements by the rapper on Jews and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Adidas’ financial results quickly demonstrated why the company was keen to continue its partnership. Adidas had to post net losses for two quarters in a row, before finally returning to profitability, albeit with much lower net profits than before.
Last spring, Adidas began selling off its last stocks of Yeezy shoes. The company then held 500 million euros (approximately $725 million CAN) in Yeezy shoes, for an estimated sale value which could reach up to 1.2 billion euros (1.75 billion CAN$).
Part of the profits were to be donated to organizations.