Super Mega, famed AKA got a chance to work on his Sneaker collab with Reebok Classic, which became a dream come true, and it got the public release in 2019.
In the process, AKA got a chance to visit Reebok Headquarters in Boston to learn more about the brand’s history, check out their archives, and to design the shoe from his own perspective – which all of this was put together as a BTS series. WATCH THE SERIES HERE.
In the latest regarding the #TheSNEAKA, the rapper alleges he was not even paid a single cent or royalties for his sneaker with Reebok.
In a string of tweets on Thursday, 14 May 2020, he shared some insight about his sneaker deal with Reebok Classic which he claims that there was no contract regarding the #TheSNEAKA deal but was only contracted as the ambassador.
“Can you believe they didn’t pay me a single cent for this? … not one cent”, said AKA on twitter.
“Probably never again. They refused to give me any sort of payment or royalty”.
Back in 2017, AKA announced his partnership with sportswear company Reebok SA and was followed by a major seven-figure deal as the FACE of Reebok Classic AFRICA, joining a global campaign with hip-hop star Future, supermodel Gigi Hadid and rap duo Rae Sremmurd.
On a global scale, Reebok Classic has done exciting collaborations with American Rappers Kendrick Lamar, Future, and supermodel Gigi Hadid amongst others.
AKA along with Nadia Nakai are the only local signees to Reebook South Africa.
However, AKA mentioned what seems to be the end of his ambassadorship journey with Reebok:
“At the end of last year they told me they wouldn’t be renewing my contract because “the brand” wasn’t about the Reebok “classic” direction anymore … they were now geared towards selling gym clothes to women predominantly.”
“My deal expired in December last year. I haven’t been with them since.”
“I was then told I would be offered free clothing every month but i would no longer be paid my monthly retainer. Oh well … lesson learnt”.
#TheSneAKA was limited to only 600 pairs, each pair came with a certificate of authenticity, as well as a special box individually numbered and signed by AKA.
We have sent out an E-mail to Reebok to hear their response on this, however, by the time of publishing this article we have not yet received their response.
The #SneAKA released at Reebok stores and Reebok.co.za on Saturday, 26 October 2019 for the retail price of R1400.
See below the AKA tweets:
Can you believe they didn’t pay me a single cent for this? … not one cent. https://t.co/EgW8AKkXBA
— AKA (@akaworldwide) May 14, 2020
Probably never again. They refused to give me any sort of payment or royalty. https://t.co/WB0L9AzTcF
— AKA (@akaworldwide) May 14, 2020
I had no choice … it was always a dream of mine to have my own sneaker. I guess that’s why I took a shitty deal in exchange for doing something for the culture. https://t.co/9UUKFEnnGq
— AKA (@akaworldwide) May 14, 2020
Well, same thing that happens most of the time … you bring a brand back from the dead and someone in some office in Cape Town can’t stand to pay you more than they make in a year. https://t.co/0vwjLNXeqY
— AKA (@akaworldwide) May 14, 2020
My deal expired in December last year. I haven’t been with them since. https://t.co/QQLvNMVtU3
— AKA (@akaworldwide) May 14, 2020
There was no contract. Only my contract as an ambassador. A contract regarding the #SNEAKA doesn’t even exist. https://t.co/GG8YMDip7p
— AKA (@akaworldwide) May 14, 2020
At the end of last year they told me they wouldn’t be renewing my contract because “the brand” wasn’t about the Reebok “classic” direction anymore … they were now geared towards selling gym clothes to women predominantly.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) May 14, 2020
I was then told I would be offered free clothing every month but i would no longer be paid my monthly retainer. Oh well … lesson learnt.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) May 14, 2020
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