STEM Severs Ties With Kanye West: Report

BYErika Marie6.7K Views
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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.

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
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.
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