T.I and Soulja Boy took to Instagram to call for a boycott of Gucci after the designer label released sweaters which critics claim resembles blackface.
Gucci has since apologized for the sweater, stating, “We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make.” The brand also claimed they were “turning this incident into a powerful learning moment.”
Gucci deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper.
We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make.
Full statement below. pic.twitter.com/P2iXL9uOhs— gucci (@gucci) February 7, 2019
So @gucci puts out a sweater that looks like blackface……
On Black History Month….
And then issues an apology because they didn't know that blackface images are racist.🤦🏿♂️ pic.twitter.com/G3HjPTIuuQ
— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) February 7, 2019
T.I. was vocal about not accepting the apology on Instagram. “We ALL GOTTA Stop buying, wearing, and supporting this piece of sh*t company And ALL PIECE OF SH*T COMPANIES UNTIL THEY LEARN TO RESPECT OUR DOLLARS & VALUE OUR BUSINESS!”
T.I. continued his critique in a live Instagram video. The rapper explained hip/hop artists account for a massive portion of the designer’s revenue. “We don’t have to force them to like us, we don’t have to force them to respect us, but what we do have to do is stop spending our m*********ing money.”
Soulja Boy, who in the past has sported the brand, also called out Gucci on his Instagram. In a video, Soulja Boy said, “I’m shocked and I’m appalled and I feel disrespected. I supported y’all brand. I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and y’all came up with a shirt with blackface on it.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtpVJvoAFmQ/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
“Until further notice, Gucci is cancelled,” the rapper said.
