Virgil on the Verge of Cancellation?

6.30.20

Pop Smoke Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon To Be Released: 7.3.20

The Internet has been steadily hosting Cancellation Parties seemingly all throughout quarantine. Doja Cat was cancelled after old questionably racist tweets and chat room messages were found. Probably half of hip-hop cancelled Nicki Minaj after her work with Doja Cat and Tekashi 6ix9ine. An attempt was made to cancel J. Cole after his single Snow on da Bluff left many to question his credibility in the knowledge of the history of black culture. We’ve recently seen Cardi B throw herself into a pool fully clothed after she feels the Internet has tried to cancel her several times, and she has yet to even put out any new music since quarantine. The latest to be on the verge of cancellation? Virgil Abloh, a man that has done a ton for the culture of streetwear becoming luxurious and desirable, even on the Red Carpet.

Virgil Abloh is a DJ, artist, and designer from Illinois. He is the CEO of Off-White, a super popular, and expensive streetwear brand. They’ve done many collaboration sneakers with Nike and Jordan, which continues to be instant sell outs in and every drop. In March of 2018, Virgil was named the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection. This was a huge deal for streetwear and the black community, having Virgil become such a major part of such a profound, international brand.

Recently, Virgil has been disappointing quite a few whom have previously admired his work. First, throughout the protests and the Black Lives Matters movements, many have used their platform to speak out on the situation. If you did not have much to say, perhaps you could donate to a cause or help out your local communities. Virgil was torn up after sharing that he had donated just fifty dollars to a charity to help set bail for those whom have been arrested during the protests.

With such a large platform and the multiple sources of income we know Virgil has, it seems almost offensive that he would donate just fifty dollars. Some regular people have donated more than this amount to help out an important initiative. If Virgil had just not posted, no one would have known. He could have just said he made a donation. However, he took the time to share this with the world, and the world took their time to make a mockery out of him. Tweets memes now flood the Internet. “We don’t say 100 anymore, we say Two Virgils.” Or perhaps, “I am Virgil/Virgil (50/50) on the world opening up again this summer.”

Although one would hope Virgil would step up a bit more for such a serious cause. At least this one left us with a laugh. This next piece, which I would call strike two before Cancellation Party is in effect, might leave one with an even more poor taste in one’s mouth.

Virgil recently shared the art work for Pop Smoke’s album due to release on July 3rd. We know that Pop Smoke had asked for Virgil to design the cover, and Virgil seemed honored to do so. However, many fans are less than pleased with the artwork done. They say it was effortless, and Pop Smoke deserves much better.

Since, his management has spoken out and said we heard you loud and clear. Though Pop Smoke wanted Virgil to design this piece, he is not here to approve the final artwork. His fans are, they have spoken, and they demand better.

Is this artwork so bad? The first call out is that the image used of Pop Smoke, is the first image that you can find of himself when you search on Google. He was wearing an Off-White jacket, Virgil’s brand. Maybe that is why he chose this image, it showed their connection. Still, are there no photos from shoots or anything that has not been plastered over the internet already?

The rest of the artwork is quite poor, as well. There is barbed wire poking him in the face. Though, it looks like a worse cartoon animation than Nickelodeon. I believe the rest is meant to be frozen flowers, but it looks like a bad version of the Drake and Future mixtape, What a Time to be Alive.

Honestly I never think putting someone’s vision down is the right choice. However, I just do not see this as a great album cover. Especially given the unfortunate truth that Pop is no longer with us, he does deserve this entire project to be absolutely amazing.

Virgil went from limiting his comments, to completely deleting this post. Prior to doing so, he shared the story behind the piece, in which Pop Smoke had once mentioned his story felt like the metaphor of a rose and thorns growing from concrete of of his hood in Canarsie, Brooklyn.

Virgil meant well, but he takes another L here.

Verdict: I’m still going to try for the Off-White Jordan 4s come July 25th, but I think one more means strike three, Cancellation Party in action.