Many fans are still processing Pusha-T’s no-holds-barred diss track “The Story of Adidon.” You know, the one on which King Push relentlessly took aim at Drake’s parents, alleged secret child, and Noah “40” Shebib’s health issues. Though there was a lot to unpack in the three-minute cut, one of the most controversial components was, without a doubt, its cover art.
The photo, taken by David Leyes, featured the Toronto rapper in blackface while donning designs from clothing line Too Black Guys. Many people assumed the images were used for the streetwear brand’s 2008-era Jim Crow Couture project; however, Too Black Guys founder Adrian Aitcheson has denied these rumors in a statement provided to Complex.
“The photo in question was not from a Too Black Guys photoshoot however it did feature clothing from Too Black Guys’ JIM CROW COUTURE/HOUSE OF CROW collection which was released in 2008,” he said.
Though Aitcheson claims Leyes' photos were not for used for a Too Black Guys project, he insists the images were in line with his brand's general message.
“The collection featured several graphics that highlighted the painful and dangerous period of the Jim Crow Era. Too Black Guys has a history of representing the black experience in an unapologetic way,” he said. “Although this was not an image from any of our photoshoots, we feel that Drake, who is a long- time friend of the brand, was brilliantly illustrating the hypocrisy of the Jim Crow Era. The subtleties of Drake, a young black man, mimicking how white men used to mimic and dehumanize black people may be lost in a rap battle but we should not be distracted from the issues that are still affecting our communities.”
