Metro

Jay-Z ‘Occupy’ shirt apparently yanked after criticism

Jay-Z’s Rocawear clothing brand has stopped selling online its controversial “Occupy Wall Street” themed T-shirts in an apparent response to criticism aimed at the legendary rapper for attempting to profit from the protest movement.

The shirts, which are no longer available on Rocawear’s website, featured the words “Occupy Wall Street” scrawled in large bold white letters on the black garments. But the “W” in the word “wall” was squiggled out and an “S” was added to the word “street” — to read “Occupy All Streets.”

The shirts were priced at $22.00 on Friday before they were taken off the website.

Jay-Z faced harsh criticism from “Occupy Wall Street” supporters over the T-shirts when it was revealed none of the profits would be shared with the protesters.

“To attempt to profit off of the first important social moment of 50 years with an overpriced piece of cotton is an insult to the fight for economic civil rights known as #occupywallstreet,” an “Occupy Wall Street” leader who goes by the pseudonym Grim told TMZ.

Jay-Z was seen sporting the “Occupy All Streets” shirt earlier this week when he hung out with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, who is a supporter of the “Occupy Wall Street” movement.

Jay-Z, who has had 12 No. 1 albums, has spent much of his career promoting the massive accumulation of wealth and celebrating the people that do so. Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella records and Rocawear clothing brand are named after 19th century billionaire oil magnate John D. Rockefeller and his wealthy descendants.

Read more [TMZ]: http://www.tmz.com/2011/11/12/jay-z-occupy-wall-street-t-shirts/

The design of the 'Occupy' shirt, before it was apparently yan ked.

The design of the ‘Occupy’ shirt, before it was apparently yan ked. (
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