Who knew camels were so sneaky!
On Oct 26th, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter released a statement in response to calls for him to cut ties with Barneys, due to allegations of racial profiling against the luxury department store. Here’s part of what he said:
This collaboration lives in a place of giving and is about the Foundation. I am not making a dime from this collection; I do not stand to make millions, as falsely reported. I need to make that fact crystal clear. The Shawn Carter Foundation is the beneficiary and the foundation is receiving 25% of all sales from the collaboration, 10% of all sales generated in the store on November 20th and an additional donation from Barneys. This money is going to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships to help further their education at institutions of higher learning. My idea was born out of creativity and charity… not profit.
Well, that settles it then! Nothing to see here. His collaboration is all about educating the kids, not making a profit for himself, right?
Uh…not so fast. You see, Jay left out one lil’ piece of information about his relationship with Barneys….his new fragrance line that will be available there and in Macy’s, which is also facing charges of racial discrimination. WWD reports:
The scent, which he has dubbed Gold Jay Z, will make its debut at Barneys New York on Nov. 20 as part of his exercise in fashion collaboration with the store. That will be followed on Nov. 29, Black Friday, with the rollout of the distribution to 2,000 department stores, led by Macy’s, Sephora, Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Belk, Bon-Ton and Ulta.
But here’s the thing: His new fragrance is NOT a part of the “A New York Holiday” menswear collection that will benefit Jay’s foundation, so the profits from the $55 million in projected sales will go to Barneys, Macy’s, the others stores and Jay Z.
Jay LIED, y’all. He released that bs statement and used his foundation as cover to take the heat off himself. He knew damn well that he had no intentions of severing ties with Barneys, and this announcement of the roll out of his fragrance proves it.
I bet Harry Belafonte is somewhere doing the “Told Ya So” dance.
