Soulja Boy demands an apology from Gucci, “I feel disrespected.”
Big Draco swears off the brand and will donate all of his Gucci stuff to less fortunate if they will take it
If you follow Soulja Boy on social media when then you know he’s the biggest Gucci enthusiast in the rap game. But following the blackface scandal that the famed luxury brand is at the center of, the rapper says he’s done reppin’ the designer swag.
Many online users noted the resemblance as the black “balaclava jumper” to tradition “sambo” images. On the garment, there is a zip up collar that covers the lower half of the face. The design of the item has pronounced red lips that have been used in pop culture to mock Black people’s mouths.
Read More: Gucci pulls $890 “blackface sweater” from stores after complaints of racism
The item was deemed offensive and in a statement, Gucci apologized and said it would removed the jumper from sale on its website. The brand also noted that it would turn the incident “into a powerful learning moment for the Gucci team” and was committed to increasing diversity.
“Gucci deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper,” the statement read, adding that it was committed to diversity and considered it a “fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected and at the forefront of every decision we make.”
The company intends to turn the incident “into a powerful learning moment for the Gucci team and beyond.”
Read More: In wake of blackface scandals, Spike Lee calls for boycott of Prada, Gucci
Meanwhile, Soulja his kicking his Gucci loyalty to the curb after reportedly spending “hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions” on their items over the last decade. The “Kiss Me Thru The Phone” artist plans to donate his Gucci gear to charity, for those in the culture who still want to support the brand.
“It’s so disrespectful,” he said to TMZ in reference to the blackface jumper controversy.
Not connected to this controversy, the rap star has started the process to remove the Gucci logo that was tattooed in the middle of his forehead since his teens.
“I started the process,” Soulja Boy told TMZ “I gotta go back two more times.”
The black wool balaclava turtleneck sweater was available for $890 on one site.
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Meanwhile, Harlem-based fashion designer Dapper Dan, who was recently at the center of a his own Gucci controversy – has revealed plans to meet with label’s CEO this week to discuss the company’s blackface scandal.
