Ye and the Art of the Swastika Grift: Kanye Drops Super Bowl Ad for Nazi Merch, Then Disappears

A screengrab fromYe's Super Bowl commercial.

After a weekend of hateful posts on X — where he declared himself a Nazi, praised Adolf Hitler, and made a series of misogynistic and conspiracy-laden remarks — Ye’s account suddenly disappeared Sunday night. The move came hours after he aired a bizarre self-shot Super Bowl commercial, directing viewers to his website, yeezy.com, where the only item for sale was a $20 white T-shirt emblazoned with a black swastika.

The page featured no explanation, only the text "HH-01," a term widely interpreted as shorthand for “Heil Hitler.” The Anti-Defamation League quickly condemned the shirt, calling it “further proof of Ye’s dangerous, escalating antisemitism.” The organization, which combats anti-Jewish discrimination, pointed out that the swastika “continues to threaten and instill fear in those targeted by white supremacy.”

The Super Bowl ad, which aired in select markets including Los Angeles, showed Ye reclining in a dentist’s chair, telling viewers, “I spent all the money for the commercial on these new teeth. So once again, I had to shoot it on the iPhone. Um, um, um, go to yeezy.com.” There was no mention of the swastika shirts, but by Monday morning, they were the only item available for purchase.

In an ironic twist, Ye had explicitly stated days earlier that he would never sell such a shirt, posting: “I would never sell a swastika tee because people could be physically harmed wearing it … I love my fans and supporters.” His rapid reversal fueled speculation that his latest spiral is not just another episode of erratic behavior but a calculated attempt to provoke outrage and capitalize on controversy.

Before his abrupt departure from X, Ye expressed gratitude to Elon Musk for keeping his platform open to him. “I appreciate Elon for allowing me to vent,” he wrote. “It has been very cathartic to use the world as a sounding board.”

Musk, for his part, publicly distanced himself from Ye's content but allowed him to continue posting well beyond the point where most accounts would have been banned. He acknowledged that Ye had posted explicit content, replying to one X user, “Given what he has posted, his account is now classified as NSFW. You should not be seeing that anymore.”

Ye’s latest outburst also included a bizarre defense of jailed music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, whom he called his “idol” while criticizing celebrities for not speaking out on Combs’ behalf. He then claimed “dominion” over his wife, Bianca Censori, who has drawn attention in recent weeks for appearing nearly nude in public alongside Ye.

His antisemitic rhetoric is nothing new. In 2022, he infamously tweeted that he was going “death con 3 on Jewish people,” which led to his suspension from Twitter and Instagram, the loss of multi-billion-dollar deals with Adidas and other companies, and widespread condemnation. He later apologized in 2023, claiming he was committed to “learning from the experience.” But as his latest meltdown demonstrates, any notion of repentance was short-lived.

Now, Ye’s X account is gone, his swastika-laden shirts are the only remnant of his latest self destruction, and his Super Bowl stunt has left the world wondering: Will he finally face real consequences, or is this just another cycle in his endless spiral of controversy?

Gary Grier, Veteran Member of The Contours, Dies at 72

Gary Grier, bottom left, with The Contours in 2017. Grier, a longtime member of the Motown vocal group, died in February, the band announced.

Gary Grier, a veteran performer and staple of Motown’s legendary vocal group The Contours, has died at 72. The group announced his passing on Facebook.

"Today, we lost one of our own," the statement read. "We are profoundly saddened by the sudden death of Gary Grier. He was an integral part of our group, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Gary’s family and friends."

Grier, who joined The Contours in 1993, spent more than three decades helping preserve and extend the legacy of one of Motown’s most beloved groups. Although he was not part of the original lineup, his voice and stage presence became a defining part of the band’s continued success. He took over after the departure of Darell Nunlee, joining a roster that had already been evolving since the group's early years.

The Contours first rose to fame in the early 1960s as one of Motown’s premier vocal acts. Their signature hit, “Do You Love Me,” written by Berry Gordy, was a massive success in 1962, topping the R&B charts and reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track, known for its raw, high-energy vocals, became one of the defining sounds of early Motown and sold more than a million copies.

The song experienced a second wave of success in 1988, when it was prominently featured in the box-office smash Dirty Dancing. The exposure propelled it back onto the Billboard Top 40 charts for another eight weeks, introducing a new generation to the group’s infectious sound.

Beyond “Do You Love Me,” The Contours recorded several other charting singles, including “Can You Do It,” “Shake Sherry,” “First I Look at the Purse” and “Just a Little Misunderstanding.” Though they never reached the same heights as their debut smash, The Contours’ impact on rhythm and blues — and their reputation as one of the most dynamic acts in early Motown history — remained intact.

Grier played a key role in keeping the group’s legacy alive, performing well into the 2000s alongside longtime members Joe Billingslea and Al Chisholm. SoulTracks.com described him as “a seasoned performer with a commanding stage presence”, a reputation he upheld in performances across the country.

The Contours remained active in the decades following Motown’s golden era, adapting to lineup changes while continuing to tour and perform for loyal fans. In 2015, they were inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame, followed by their 2016 induction into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

Master P, Louis Armstrong, Lil Wayne Among Inductees on New Orleans Walk of Fame

Master P

New Orleans’ rich cultural legacy is now set in stone — literally.

On Thursday, hip-hop mogul and city ambassador Percy "Master P" Miller officially unveiled the New Orleans Walk of Fame in downtown New Orleans, honoring 50 influential figures who have shaped the city’s music, sports, business, and activism.

The inductees — ranging from jazz greats and hip-hop pioneers to civil rights leaders, actors, and entrepreneurs — were honored with custom-designed Fleur-de-lis plaques embedded along Canal Street.

"This Walk of Fame is a curriculum," Master P said. "We want kids to be able to know who these people are and who these people were. So, from Louis Armstrong to Tom Benson to Archie Manning, we want people to be able to celebrate the greats that come from here."

The inaugural class includes music legends such as Armstrong, Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, and Lil Wayne, alongside actors like Wendell Pierce and Carl Weathers and sports icons Peyton, Eli and Archie Manning. The honorees also include trailblazers in politics, education, and activism, such as civil rights attorney A.P. Tureaud, restaurateur Leah Chase and educator Norman Francis.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, the city’s first Black woman mayor, was among the inductees and played a key role in bringing the Walk of Fame to life. The city has granted 4.5 miles for expansion, and plans are already in motion to establish a museum highlighting the contributions of each honoree.

The Fleur-de-lis plaques, created by local artist Brandon "BMike" Odums, reflect a symbol that has been woven into New Orleans’ history since its founding in 1718 and remains synonymous with the city’s identity.

Master P and Joseph "Mongo" Mongeluzzi, global vice president of nightlife and entertainment for Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming, stand Friday with memorabilia from the No Limit Reunion Tour donated to Hard Rock Cafe New Orleans.

Following the Walk of Fame unveiling, Master P continued the celebration Friday by donating a piece of hip-hop history to the Hard Rock Café New Orleans on Bourbon Street. The rap icon handed over the camouflage outfit he wore on the No Limit Reunion Tour in 2020 during performances of his anthems "Make 'Em Say Uhh!" and "I Got the Hook-Up!"

“We’re thrilled to welcome this new piece of memorabilia to our extensive collection of items from music history,” said Giovanni Taliaferro, vice president of memorabilia and design at Hard Rock International. “Master P’s influence on Southern hip-hop is undeniable, and we are proud to showcase this outfit in New Orleans, where locals and fans alike can celebrate his legacy for years to come.”

The donation ceremony was attended by family, friends, and fans, adding to the excitement of a day that celebrated New Orleans’ rich artistic and cultural heritage. With the Walk of Fame set to expand and a museum in the works, Master P and city officials hope the project will serve as an educational and inspirational landmark for generations to come.

For visitors, Super Bowl LIX attendees, and lifelong residents alike, the Walk of Fame now stands as a permanent tribute to the figures who made New Orleans the cultural powerhouse it is today.