Since rapper and fashion designer Ye was suspended from both Twitter and Instagram last week for sharing antisemitic posts and conspiracy theories, he has taken to YouTube and TikTok to share content.
On October 10, Ye uploaded a 30 minute documentary titled "LAST WEEK" to his YouTube channel. It includes a clip from a business meeting with executives fromGerman owned athletic brand Adidas.
The clip sparked major criticism and accusations of sexual harassment in the workplace.
The meeting with Adidas began at the 10:26 mark of the YouTube video.
Ye was standing amongst a group of men—both Adidas execs and Ye's representatives—who are seated on stools in a horseshoe position. Ye then brought his phone in front of a man's face and commented the male in the video sounded similar to the executive.
Once the man realized what was on the screen, he asked:
"Is this a porn movie?"
After Ye responded in the affirmative, the executive leaned back and uttered, "Jesus Christ."
Ye continued to push the phone closer to the man's face, trying to force him to continue to watch.
Finally, the man moved Ye's arm and said, "Come on." Eventually, Ye did put his phone away.
He sat back down and explained:
"You guys have done wrong by the company, by the business, and by the partnership."
"The whole concept of the video is that this guy has cheated. So then the girl was like, 'Well I'm gonna do the thing that is your worst nightmare'."
Ye finished:
"This is your worst nightmare."
"Your worst nightmare is not me hitting you. Your worst nightmare is not me playing the porn."
"Your worst nightmare is not me screaming. We've done all this."
One of Ye's representatives then stepped in with an attempt to clarify.
"What you're feeling right now is extreme discomfort, and that is exactly the point."
"Because when someone steals this man's ideas, his creations...it's like you're stealing a child."
"These are all children of his mind, and you've kidnapped them."
"You guys know you did wrong."
The backlash came swiftly on Twitter.
People noted in the United States Ye's actions could lead to civil charges of workplace sexual harassment resulting in nullification of his contract and potential fines.
Whether he also violated German labor laws wasn't verified nor was it clear where the meeting occurred.
Ye stated in the past he believed Adidas had stolen his designs along with various other claims.
It appears, however, his antics aren't without consequences.
Last week, Adidas announced its partnership with Ye is "under review." While the collaboration proved profitable, it may be time to cut their losses.
@thekalenallen/Threads
U.S. Mint
