STEM Severs Ties With Kanye West: Report

BY Erika Marie 6.8K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
GettyImages-473820140
Ethan Miller / Getty Images
He famously released his "Donda 2" hit on a Stem player but according to reports, the company has removed his music.

It has been all Kanye, all the time in the last few weeks as the world has watched a career unravel in real-time. West is known for his unfiltered hot takes about pop culture and politics, often jumping into controversy. He's made wild claims about slavery, Harriet Tubman, Black Lives Matter, white men being silenced, and going "death con 3" on the Jewish community.

While most of his comments have been written off due to mental health concerns, when West tripled down on his anti-Semitic remarks, businesses began cutting ties with the megastar.

Givenchy : Front Row - Paris Fashion Week - Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023
Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

The Gap and Adidas have ended their partnerships with Ye, and a production company has shelved a documentary about the rapper. He was booted from Instagram and Twitter before taking part in several incendiary interviews where he spoke about his controversies. His influence in the fashion world is also in question, as Balenciaga and Vogue have vowed not to work with him, either—and to top things off, he was also dropped by his agency, CAA.

The backlash continues to unfold as brands are turning their backs on West left and right, and there is another that has reportedly decided to do the same. Now, STEM and KANO have reportedly revealed that they, too, are ending their relationship with West.

"STEM was created and is owned by KANO, the education computer company," a reported statement reads. "We've removed Kanye's music from our platform, and turned down his $10 million off to buy our technology."

They continued, "Instead your money will go to a company that is focused on giving power to artists and the artist in everyone. Power based in truth and unity - not lies and hate. A portion of profits on the new STEM devices will go to the ADL and NAACP."

This is yet another devastating blow for the rapper as he famously released Donda 2 on a STEM player. Although this wasn't a move that the public widely accepted, the publicity reportedly earned the company millions of dollars.

Check out the statement below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

Comments 0
Page was generated in 2.1884410381317