Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison | Getty Images
Gucci’s latest blackface sweater controversy has generated a lot of attention and backlash from artists, especially within the hip-hop world. Several artists have commented on the issue including, Kodak Black, Lil Pump, 50 Cent, T.I., Soulja Boy, and Floyd Mayweather.
Floyd Mayweather was spotted by TMZ outside of a Neiman’s after dropping $500K on Gucci. He was unaware of any Gucci boycott and mentioned his continuing support to the brand. “I ain’t got nothing against nobody … I like to live life and do what I want to do,” says Mayweather.
🚨 Kodak Black will continue to wear #Gucci . Says “Black people really be reaching sometimes”. What are your thoughts? #KodakBlack #Blackface pic.twitter.com/GqEtQ6iHyZ
— The Culture Updates (@UpdatesCulture) February 12, 2019
Kodak Black took the issue to Instagram Live where he shared his perspective on the Gucci controversy. Kodak says he is not boycotting Gucci and will continue to wear the clothes that he had bought. He mentions the designers and how they had no ill intent, “Them people aint do nothing,” he said. “Them people ain’t say nothing bout no racist shit.”
He continues his rant talking about how people be reaching for no reason on little things. “Them people just had a little ski mask,” he says. “There’s all kinds of ski masks in the world. It’s no racist shit, how about y’all go shoot at the KKK then?”
Nevertheless, 50 Cent had a different perspective on the issue, which he shared in a series of posts on Instagram. He took the issue to heart and shared a video of himself burning a Gucci shirt in solidarity with the boycott. He also commented on Mayweather supporting Gucci, “Champ you need a publicist, man you saying all the wrong shit fool.”
The “Gucci Gang” star also went on Instagram Live to share his thoughts on the blackface sweater. Lil Pump announced that while he’s also boycotting Gucci, he will continue to perform “Gucci Gang,” due to the impact it had on his career. “I went from broke to rich to that song,” he said. “So, you know, it is what it is.”
Gucci has since released a public apology and “deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper.” Gucci has retracted the polo neck sweater from its Fall/Winter 2018 collection and removed it from stores. Gucci CEO and creative director have also issued a statement apologizing about their “lack of cultural awareness.”