Kanye West is reportedly planning to make another attempt at reviving his career by launching a new venture. The controversial rapper may release a new accessories line called Droam, as reported by The U.S. Sun. West reportedly filed for a trademark for the brand, and it includes a wide range of products, such as umbrellas, whips, shoulder bags, and tote bags.
If the accessories line becomes a success, the "Donda" rapper could launch a Droam gym collection. Reports of West eyeing a project called Droam first surfaced back in December 2023. However, at the time, the New York Post reported that Droam was the name of a fully self-sufficient city that the Grammy-winning artist had set his sights on building in the Middle East.
The supposed city was set to span an impressive 100,000 acres, surpassing the size of New York City. West actively sought collaborators, extending invitations to project managers, engineers, architects, contractors, and builders to participate in this grand endeavor. However, it has been nearly nine months since the declaration was made, yet the city has failed to materialize.
In June, it was reported that West was facing financial troubles, with Adidas pursuing a settlement from him through private arbitration following the dismissal of its $75 million lawsuit against his Yeezy brand last year. Additionally, Lauren Pisciotta, a former assistant of West's, has taken legal action against the rapper for allegations of sexual harassment, which the star vehemently denied.
An unnamed insider told Us Weekly that West is facing financial challenges alongside his legal issues. They also claimed that the "All of the Lights" rapper's income has significantly decreased due to a lack of endorsement deals and the declining sales of his self-funded clothing line. "Kanye doesn't have any endorsement deals coming in because people don't want to be in business with him," the source said.
West faced significant consequences in 2022 for making hate statements during a public outburst, leading to the termination of major partnerships with Balenciaga, Adidas, Gap, Vogue magazine, and Creative Artists Agency (CAA). These companies severed ties with him following his controversial comments targeting Jewish people.
Droam Accessories and a Possible Gym Range
The Droam brand covers a diverse range of accessories, including umbrellas, whips, shoulder bags, and tote bags. The trademark also suggests the possibility of a Droam gym range. It's intriguing to see West exploring this new avenue after the reported financial struggles he's been facing. It remains to be seen whether Droam can become a successful venture and help West revive his career.
The Malibu Mansion Sale
While the Droam venture is new, news about the rapper’s recent financial woes came to light earlier this year. In June 2024, it was reported that West sold his Malibu mansion for a significant loss. He offloaded the oceanfront property for $21 million just three years after buying it for $57.3 million. West had gutted the Tadao Ando-designed property for extensive renovations, but the project was never completed. The property was ultimately bought by California-based real estate crowdfunding firm, Belwood Investments.
Facing the Music
West's recent ventures come at a time when he's facing a series of controversies and financial challenges. His anti-Semitic comments led to the termination of several high-profile partnerships, including those with Adidas, Balenciaga, and Gap. His Yeezy brand has also been the subject of litigation, with Adidas pursuing a settlement after dismissing its $75 million lawsuit. The rapper's personal life hasn't been any smoother, with his divorce from Kim Kardashian and his ongoing legal battles adding to his troubles. The question remains: can West turn the tide with Droam or is this another chapter in his tumultuous career? Only time will tell if this new venture can help him regain lost ground and rebuild his reputation.
