Kanye West Dumped by Balenciaga in Wake of Antisemitic Comments

Photo courtesy Balenciaga

French fashion brand Balenciaga has ended its relationship with embattled billionaire Kanye West.

The move comes in the wake of antisemitic statements and other offensive comments he made on multiple media platforms in the past month.

"Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist," Kering — the parent company of the fashion house —informed Women's Wear Daily in a statement.

The announcement came in response to a query by the magazine, on Thursday, following the publication of the company's third-quarter results.

Balenciaga did not elaborate on the reasons for severing the relationship with Brown. It is safe to assume that the media firestorm enveloping his recent actions played a part.

The musician and fashion mogul worked closely with Balenciaga and its mononymous artistic director Demna for the past two years. 

That relationship was still strong as early as the begging of this month when West opened the summer 2023 Balenciaga show at Paris Fashion Week.

Balenciaga and Demna, who previously told Vogue in an interview that West is one of a few people who understand his work, seemingly have had enough of the mercurial artist.

It is unclear what the decision means for the businesses' relationship with West's ex-wife. Kim Kardashian has appeared in advertising campaigns for the brand after being introduced to it by West.

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BET Announces 2022 Soul Train Award Nominees

BET revealed the host and nominees for the 2022 Soul Train Music Awards on Thursday.

Actor and comedian Deon Cole will handle emcee duties for the event, which will be filmed on Nov. 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and broadcast on Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on BET and BET Her.

“Hosting the ‘Soul Train Awards’ is a dream come true. I grew up watching Soul Train and ‘til this day, I’ve never met a Soul Train Line I didn’t bless with my skilled two step,” Cole said in a statement. “It is truly a privilege to be given this opportunity to celebrate Don Cornelius’ legacy, all of the amazing Black talent that illuminated our screens on the iconic TV show, and my favorite genres of music: Soul, R&B and Hip Hop.”

Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige lead all nominees with seven nods apiece. Ari Lennox has six. Chris Brown and Lizzo are tied at five apiece and Burna Boy, Muni Long and Steve Lacy each have four nominations to round out the top contenders.

See the complete list of nominations below:

Best New Artist
CKay
Coco Jones
Dixson
Doechii
Fireboy DML
Muni Long
Steve Lacy
Tems

Certified Soul Award
Chaka Khan
Charlie Wilson
Diana Ross
Mary J. Blige

Maxwell
PJ Morton
Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers
T-Pain

Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
CeCe Winans
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Major.
Marvin Sapp
Maverick City Music X Kirk Franklin
Tamela Mann
Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist
Ari Lennox
Beyoncé
H.E.R.
Jazmine Sullivan
Lizzo
Mary J. Blige
SZA
Tems

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
Babyface
Brent Faiyaz
Burna Boy
Charlie Wilson
Chris Brown
Giveon
Lucky Daye
PJ Morton

Album of the Year
An Evening With Silk Sonic, Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
Away Message (EP), Ari Lennox
Breezy, Chris Brown
Good Morning Gorgeous, Mary J. Blige
Heaux Tales, Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe, Jazmine Sullivan
R&B Money, Tank
Renaissance, Beyoncé
Special, Lizzo

Song of the Year
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“Last Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
The Ashford And Simpson Songwriter’s Award
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
“Church Girl,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“I Hate U,” SZA
“Last, Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox

Best Dance Performance
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Persuasive,” Doechii
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
“We (Warm Embrace),” Chris Brown
“Woman,” Doja Cat

Video of the Year
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“Last Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)

Best Collaboration
“Amazing,” Mary J. Blige feat. DJ Khaled
“Be Like Water,” PJ Morton feat. Stevie Wonder & Nas
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Gotta Move On,” Diddy feat. Bryson Tiller
“Hate Our Love,” Queen Naija & Big Sean
“Make Me Say It Again, Girl,” Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers feat. Beyoncé
“Move,” Beyoncé feat. Grace Jones & Tems
“Slow,” Tank feat. J. Valentine

Motown Legends Named 2023 MusiCares Persons of the Year

Berry Gordy (left) and Smokey Robinson are the 2023 MusiCares Persons of the Year.

When it first arrived on the scene the “Motown Sound” redefined popular music and transformed a small record company in Detroit into one of the titans of the industry.

Over sixty years later the legacy of Motown Records — the label that popularized the distinctive blend of R&B and precision pop — continues to grow.

So, it only makes sense that the two men most synonymous with its success will be honored together next year during Grammy Week as the 2023 MusiCares Persons of the Year.

Motown founder Berry Gordy and the label’s original signee, Smokey Robinson, will share the spotlight at the annual benefit. It marks the first time in the event's 32-year history that two recipients have shared the honor.

“Wow! How honored I am to be named the MusiCares Persons of the Year, and together with my best friend of over 65 years, the great Smokey Robinson,” said Gordy in a statement. “How special is that! I am grateful to be included in MusiCares' remarkable history of music icons. The work they do is so critical to the well-being of our music community, and I look forward to a most exciting evening."

Robinson added, "I have supported MusiCares for many years and know what great work they do for our creative community who need our help. Recently, when no one could tour, they were a lifeline to those in the touring industry for monetary help and mental health services. I am honored that they have chosen me and my best friend and Motown founder Berry Gordy to share this beautiful honor and celebrate with you all together."

The MusiCares Persons of the Year Gala raises funds for MusiCares programs and services that assist the music community including physical and mental health, addiction recovery, preventative clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies and disaster relief.

It will be held on Feb. 3, 2023, at the Los Angeles Convention Center two nights before the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. A range of popular musicians and other artists will pay homage to the two men with a tribute concert.