Entertainment

Investors Sue Adidas In US For Axing Kanye West

Published

2 years ago

May 4, 2023

Investors in Adidas have filed a lawsuit against the company at a US court over its cancelled partnership with Kanye West, saying it should have been aware he courted controversy.

The class-action lawsuit seen by AFP was submitted Friday in US District Court in Oregon, where the German sportswear giant’s US headquarters is located, and argues executives failed to control damage linked to the tie-up.

Adidas halted its deal with the rapper — now known formally as Ye — in October after he made a series of anti-Semitic outbursts.

As a result, the group ended production of the highly successful Yeezy line designed together with West.

The US lawsuit represents people who bought Adidas shares between May 3, 2018 and February 21, 2023.

It argues that for years before the partnership ended, the rapper “began to accrue controversy as a result of his various statements on topics such as slavery, racial issues, and politics”.

In 2018, for example, West suggested that slavery had been a “choice” for enslaved people, the lawsuit said.

Adidas dismissed the allegations in the litigation.

“We firmly reject these unfounded claims and will take all necessary steps to vehemently defend ourselves against them,” a company spokesman, Stefan Pursche, said in a statement emailed to AFP.

The artist was associated with rival sportswear company Nike for years but broke away in 2013, lending his name to Adidas as they launched their first Yeezy shoe in 2015 — a partnership that went on to make him a billionaire.

The company began a review of its relationship with West after he appeared at a Paris fashion show last October wearing a shirt emblazoned with “White Lives Matter”, a slogan created as a backlash to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Days later he was locked out of Twitter and Instagram over anti-Semitic threats.

Adidas said in March it was now weighing what to do with its huge inventory of West’s Yeezy products, as potentially not selling the apparel and shoes linked to West would lead to a revenue loss of 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion).

That would lower the company’s operating profit by an additional 500 million euros in 2023, the company said.

Adidas will release its first-quarter results on Friday.

Related Topics:Adidas Kanye West US investors

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Entertainment

VIDEO: Tems Performs ‘Love Me Jeje’ At Club World Cup Halftime Show

Published

2 days ago

July 14, 2025

Editor

Nigerian music star Tems lit up the stage at the Club World Cup final with a stunning performance of her hit single Love Me Jeje during the halftime show at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Draped in a dazzling outfit that blended elegance with Afrocentric flair, Tems took center stage in front of a global audience, bringing her signature vocals and soulful energy to the football spectacle.

The crowd, already buzzing from Chelsea’s commanding 3-0 lead over Paris Saint-Germain, roared with excitement as the Grammy-winning singer delivered a flawless rendition of the nostalgic love anthem.

Love Me Jeje, a reimagining of Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 classic, has become a fan favorite since its release earlier this year, showcasing Tems’ ability to bridge old-school Nigerian vibes with contemporary global sounds.

Social media lit up during and after her performance, with fans praising her stage presence and vocal control, while others hailed the inclusion of an African artist at such a prestigious sporting event.

This marks another milestone for Tems, who continues to rise on the international stage, following recent accolades and collaborations with some of the world’s biggest music acts.

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Entertainment

VIDEO: Fire Guts Actress Iyabo Ojo’s Office

Published

6 days ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

Nollywood star Iyabo Ojo has confirmed that a fire broke out at her office in Lagos on Tuesday evening, destroying parts of the property and several valuables.

The actress shared a video on Instagram showing the aftermath of the blaze—smoke-stained walls, scorched furniture, and charred debris scattered across the staircase and office space.

“This just happened today the 8th of July 2025, around 7pm. My office building caught fire,” she wrote.

Ojo praised the Nigerian Fire Service for their swift response, which helped contain the flames before they could cause further damage.

“Thank you to the Nigerian Fire service and my staff for salvaging what was left. Thankfully no lives were lost. The devil tested us today but God said no.

“With God on my side we will bounce back bigger and better,” she added.

She also thanked her team, describing the experience as shocking but expressing relief that no one was hurt.

The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

This incident comes just months after a similar tragedy struck fellow actress Mercy Aigbe, whose Lagos home was destroyed by fire in December 2024.

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Entertainment

Tiwa Savage Shares Emotional Moment With Son

Published

1 week ago

July 7, 2025

Editor

Afrobeats sensation, Tiwa Savage, has opened up about the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood, describing it as both challenging and deeply fulfilling.

In a heartfelt video shared via her Instagram story, the award-winning singer shared a touching experience involving her son, Jamil Balogun. Tiwa revealed that after scolding him for misbehaving, she was taken aback by his quiet response.

“I expected him to be upset. But instead, he came to sit beside me on the couch, just seeking comfort.”

ALSO READ:Tiwa Savage Inspires Fans With Honesty, Strength As A Single Mother

The moment, Tiwa explained, reminded her of the deep emotional connection between a mother and her child, and how those little gestures can make even the toughest parenting moments worthwhile.

“Last night, I was reminded of one of the hardest things about being a mom: you still have to discipline your child and be strict, even when it breaks your heart.

“I’m a very, very strict mother. Everyone knows this. But last night, I went off on him. And this is why he melts my heart so much… I woke up and saw that he had quietly come to sleep next to me. I had slept on the couch, and he still came to lie beside me, my baby. I was shouting earlier… ahhh. Yet he still came close, seeking comfort,” she said.

Tiwa concluded by expressing how, despite the difficulties, motherhood remains the most rewarding experience in her life.

“Being a mother is tough. But it’s also the best feeling in the world,” she added.