The Weeknd’s business relationship with clothing retailer H&M is finished thanks to an unfortunate marketing image that is being blasted by many for coming across as ridiculously racist.
The photo features a young black child wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the words, “COOLEST MONKEY IN THE JUNGLE”.
The ad immediately sent shockwaves throughout social media, with numerous Twitter users marvelling how a major clothing manufacturer with an international presence could be so tone deaf when it came to issues of race.
One of those Twitter users was The Weeknd, who entered into a collaboration with H&M back in 2017, designing items under his XO brand and appearing in some of the company’s ads.
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Taking to Twitter, the Canadian pop star indicated that collaboration is now officially ended thanks to the ad, admitting he was “deeply offended” and “shocked and embarrassed” when he saw the photo, writing that he “will not be working with @hm anymore.”
The Weeknd wasn’t alone. Also announcing plans to end a partnership with H&M is G-Eazy, who likewise took to Twitter to explain why.
“Over the past months I was genuinely excited about launching my upcoming line and collaboration with H&M…” writes the rapper/producer.
“Unfortunately, after seeing the disturbing image yesterday, my excitement over our global campaign quickly evaporated, and I’ve decided at this time our partnership needs to end.”
He added: “I can’t allow my name and brand to be associated with a company that would let this happen.”
One person who was not offended was the child’s mother, Terry Mango. “Get over it! I don’t think like that,” she said. “This is one of hundreds of outfits my son has modelled. Stop crying wolf all the time, unnecessary issue.”
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Meanwhile, the Twitterverse was bursting with responses from people who couldn’t believe that H&M didn’t foresee the controversy the photo would produce.
Also weighing in was The Roots’ Questlove, who wrote on Instagram that he was “sure the apologies are a coming.”
He was not wrong. Shortly after controversy erupted, H&M released a mea culpa statement. “We sincerely apologize for offending people with this image of a printed hooded top,” read the statement. “We believe in diversity and inclusion in all that we do and will be reviewing all our internal policies accordingly to avoid any future issues.”
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Added H&M spokesperson Anna Eriksson, “This image has now been removed from all H&M channels and we apologize to anyone this may have offended.”
