G-Eazy has said he will no longer be launching his upcoming collaboration with H&M after it posted an advert showing a black boy wearing a hoodie with the words "coolest monkey in the jungle" on it.
The rapper wrote that he couldn't allow "for my name and brand to be associated with a company that could let this happen".
In regards to H&M
The Weeknd has also cut ties with H&M over the advert, which caused outrage online.
woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo. i’m deeply offended and will not be working with @hm an… https://t.co/684367Ox9k
Some people called for a boycott of H&M.
Can’t be more confused and disgusted. H&M decided to put the black boy in a “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle” hoody an… https://t.co/mlCxFbqpai
Diddy has also called out the fashion chain, sharing an artist's remake of the photo where the jumper says "coolest king in the world".
Put some respect on it!! When you look at us make sure you see royalty and super natural God sent glory!! Anything… https://t.co/cBI6xlQhaX
Many people have come out in support of G-Eazy...
@G_Eazy Was mad hyped for this collab, but I gotta give it to you on this man 🙌🏻
...and have called him a "class act".
Addressing G-Eazy's response, an H&M spokesperson said the clothing retailer's bosses "completely understand and agree with his reaction to the image", adding it will "continue the discussion with G-Eazy and his team separately".
Read the H&M statement in full:
To all customers, staff, media, stakeholders, partners, suppliers, friends and critics.
We would like to put on record our position in relation to the image and promotion of a children’s sweater, and the ensuing response and criticism.
Our position is simple and unequivocal – we have got this wrong and we are deeply sorry.
H&M is fully committed to playing its part in addressing society’s issues and problems, whether it’s diversity, working conditions or environmental protection – and many others.
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 offence 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.
This incident is accidental in nature, but this doesn’t mean we don’t take it extremely seriously or understand the upset and discomfort it has caused.
We have taken down the image and we have removed the garment in question from sale. It will be recycled. We will now be doing everything we possibly can to prevent this from happening again in future.
Racism and bias in any shape or form, conscious or unconscious, deliberate or accidental, are simply unacceptable and need to be eradicated from society.
In this instance we have not been sensitive enough to this agenda.
Please accept our humble apologies.