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The Weeknd will no longer be working with H&M. The hitmaker announced the split after the Swedish fast-fashion retailer came under fire on Monday (January 8) for putting a black child in a hoodie with the words “COOLEST MONKEY IN THE JUNGLE” plastered on the front of it.
“Woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo,” the XO boss wrote in a Twitter post denouncing the racist ad. “i’m deeply offended and will not be working with @hm anymore…
woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo. i’m deeply offended and will not be working with @hm anymore… pic.twitter.com/P3023iYzAb
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) January 8, 2018
The Weeknd previously worked with H&M on a few collections in the past including Spring 2017’s Selected by The Weeknd. The company’s apology wasn’t enough to keep him on board.
“This image has now been removed from all H&M channels and we apologize to anyone this may have offended,” H&M spokeswoman Anna Eriksson said in a statement.
While the image has since been removed from H&M’s platforms, the damage was already done. Outrage has spread across social media, though some have tried to turn a negative into a positive by altering the racist image.
Check out some of the reactions below.
Put some respect on it!! When you look at us make sure you see royalty and super natural God sent glory!! Anything else is disrespectful. pic.twitter.com/QVaxgngwh1
— Diddy (@Diddy) January 8, 2018
In the year 2018 there’s no way brands/art directors can be this negligent and lack awareness. If look at other sweaters in same category they have white kids. We have to do better. pic.twitter.com/Av4bS4t6yn
— alex medina (@mrmedina) January 8, 2018
Was done w @hm in ‘07 when i worked the 5 ave store.Left on my break & never came back cuz y’all suck.Stopped shoppin in ‘15 when it came out y’all use sweatshops/child labor.So this ad is gross/racist but y’all been shady since 4ever.Fuxx y’all.Withcha ugly tight ass drawls🖕🏿
— Jussie Smollett (@JussieSmollett) January 8, 2018
Why not ? @hm 🗑👎 pic.twitter.com/UtHBWuH2pQ
— LDNRBS (@LDNRBS) January 8, 2018
We been off H&M
— Sledgren (@ImSledgren) January 8, 2018
Every black dollar better stop going to @hm from now on.
— Kaylen Zahara (@amazedbykay) January 8, 2018
I hope everybody posting this H&M pic goes online or walks into @NipseyHussle store and buys one these for their child and or one for themselves. It takes more than being against them. You have to be for us as well. https://t.co/9AptSuHXlf pic.twitter.com/s63uRo2x3V
— A Strange Journey Into The Unimaginable | 3/16 (@MURS) January 8, 2018
H&M is just cancelled 🤦🏾♂️
“Coolest Monkey In The Jungle” pic.twitter.com/JP4rf5f5WC— WHOLESOME 🌊♠️💪🏾E🅱️ (@Just_stay_flyy) January 8, 2018
Source: Hip Hop DX
