Kanye West called the Black Lives Matter movement a “scam” after wearing a White Lives Matter shirt to his surprise Yeezy fashion show.
“Everyone knows that Black Lives Matter was a scam now it’s over you’re welcome,” he wrote on his Instagram Story Tuesday morning.
The statement came after the fashion designer wore the headline-making top, which featured the pope’s face on the front, alongside just-as-controversial political commentator Candace Owens at Monday’s Paris Fashion Week presentation.
Some of the models in his show wore the same shirt emblazoned with “White Lives Matter” on the back, causing fans and celebrities to react on social media. Jaden Smith, who attended 45-year-old West’s show, left early upon seeing the messaging.
“I Had To Dip Lol,” the 24-year-old singer tweeted Monday.
“I Don’t Care Who’s It Is If I Don’t Feel The Message I’m Out,” he added. “Black Lives Matter.”
“Sending a “WHITE LIVES MATTER” t-shirt down a runway in Paris is literal insanity and no amount of gospel is getting that man through Heaven’s gate, I’m so sorry,” one person tweeted.
Another wrote, “mind you kanye was just calling kim [Kardashian] and kris [Jenner] the kkk 2 weeks ago and now he’s wearing a white lives matter shirt.”
West has yet to directly address the fashion choice, though he did remind everyone at his show that he cannot be controlled.
“I am Ye, and everyone here knows that I am the leader,” he said at one point, referencing his new legal name. “You can’t manage me.”
When he wasn’t stirring up controversy and offense, his Season 9 line debuted an uplifting surprise — giving his daughter North West the opportunity to showcase her vocals.
Standing in the middle of the rotunda where the show was held, West and ex-wife Kardashian’s eldest child sang along to inspirational tunes interspersed with beats from The Fugees and Macklemore.