Voletta Wallace and Sharon Osbourne were not here for Kendall and Kylie Jenner’s “exploitation” of their loved one’s likeness to make a dollar. The duo designed a new line of faux-vintage t-shirts. Marketed as oversized black “Rock vs. Rap” concert tees, they featured an Instagram pic of the reality TV starlets or the initials “KK” tackily eclipsing images of musical icons: Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G., Metallica, Pink Floyd, KISS and the Doors.
They retailed for $125. The shirts weren’t that damn cute for that price tag. At best, they could have sold the tees on side of the road for $20, no more. The real icons could barely be seen on the layered screen print they pasted their initials and superimposed images upon.
Wallace wrote on Instagram:
I am not sure who told @kyliejenner and @kendalljenner that they had the right to do this. The disrespect of these girls to not even reach out to me or anyone connected to the estate baffles me. I have no idea why they feel they can exploit the deaths of 2pac and my Son Christopher to sell a t-shirt. This is disrespectful , disgusting, and exploitation at its worst!!!
Osbourne’s criticism was classic:
“Girls, you haven’t earned the right to put your face with musical icons. Stick to what you know … lip gloss.”
Kendall rendered a too little too late apology. and claimed to have discontinued sales. God forbids anyone on the streets is seen wearing one of the controversial tees.
Lawsuits are now underway. That’s the real resolution. The exploitation and appropriation must cease. Curious to know if they’ve even listened to and/or like the music of the icons they chose.
This writer joins Julian K. Petty, the lawyer for Notorious BIG’s estate, who sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Jenner’s on Thursday, demanding the pair stop selling the shirts by 5pm on Friday, in his desire to know. “This is misappropriation at its finest,” Petty told TMZ. “I’m curious to hear the justification. I’m even more curious to hear the proposed resolution.”
