“He’s lost his mind”- Yeezy Designer Blasts Ye After Sudden Firing, Ending 8-Year Creative Partnership

Published 08/30/2024, 1:31 AM EDT

Whether revolutionizing the music world or redefining the sneaker industry, Ye (formerly Kanye West) has far exceeded the traditional boundaries of a rapper. However, a few years ago, when his relationship with Adidas soured, the future of his Yeezy line seemed uncertain. Yet, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the 'Donda' artist decided to take the reins of his brand, with Yeezy’s key collaborator, Steven Smith, by his side. But in a surprising turn of events, Smith was recently caught making some harsh remarks about Ye, allegedly due to the end of their partnership.

While the breakup itself is surprising to anyone even slightly aware of their long-standing partnership, Smith’s decision to name-call Ye afterward has sparked more curiosity than shock.

What put an end to Ye and Yeezy designer Steven Smith’s relationship?

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According to a recent report from Fast Company, Ye reportedly fired Yeezy designer Steven Smith this month after an eight-year partnership. This news comes just over two years after Smith was appointed head of Donda Industrial Design, the team behind the YZY pods, initially priced at $200 but later sold for $20. Following his dismissal, Smith did not mince words, openly criticizing Ye, saying, "he’s lost his mind," suggesting his firing is just the start of Yeezy's downfall.

Smith also criticized Ye for surrounding himself with what he called “toxic, C-grade losers” during his conversation with the publication. Reports suggest that Smith and Ye had been dealing with ongoing issues between April and August, ultimately leading to Smith’s firing and being blocked by Ye on Instagram. Though the designer did not go into detail about what transpired between them from April to August, Smith did hint at what led him to his breaking point.

Yeezy Designer Steven Smith Drops His Biggest Fashion Ick Amidst YZY Pods Hype

In fact, Ye’s former Chief of Staff at Yeezy, Milo Yiannopoulos, cited the same reason.

Former Yeezy designer Steven Smith highlights reasons for split with Ye

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Despite being one of the Atlanta native’s strongest supporters since his public fallout with Adidas and his efforts to revolutionize Yeezy, Steven Smith recently admitted the trigger to his “breaking point” in a conversation with Fast Company. He allegedly reached his “breaking point” after Ye’s (since canceled) announcement of entering the adult industry under the YZY brand, which also prompted the resignation of Milo Yiannopoulos.

While this clearly signals the end of a long and creative partnership, Smith appeared content, stating, "I’m in a very happy place with it all." Confident in his abilities, the designer expressed that he will be a "priceless asset" to whoever he collaborates with next. Having already deemed the situation a loss for Ye, Smith seems prepared to leave the golden days of their relationship behind, calling it a fool's errand to ignite chaos within one’s own home.

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What do you think about Steven Smith's call-out for Ye after the sudden firing following 8 years of partnership? Let us know in the comments below!

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Anushka Bhattacharya

1173 articles

I'm Anushka Bhattacharya, an entertainment journalist at Netflix Junkie. Armed with a degree in literature, I once wielded my words to catalyze change within society through my work with NGOs. However, as I stumbled into the exuberant hole of crime thrillers and documentaries on Netflix, it was love at first sight and pushed me into entertainment journalism.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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