Sunday, October 27, 2013 5:09am ET by  
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Jay Z responds to criticism over Barneys deal

Jay Z has responded to criticism over a deal he signed with luxury department store Barneys New York.

Fans of the rapper have been pressuring the rap superstar to back out of his dealings with the retailer over accusations of racial profiling.

In response Jay Z has defended his line of products being sold exclusively through Barneys as the money generated will be donated to charity rather than lining his own pockets.

Via his website Life +Times Saturday, Jay Z has stated:

“I am not making a dime from this collection; I do not stand to make millions, as falsely reported. I need to make that fact crystal clear.”

The ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’ rapper explained that 25 percent of all sales from the collaboration will be donated to the Shawn Carter Foundation and ten percent of all sales generated in the store on November 20 will also be donated, as well as Barneys making a further donation.

Jay Z defended his part in the venture by asserting: “This money is going to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships to help further their education at institutions of higher learning.”

Specifically addressing the issue of racial profiling being committed by store employees Jay Z said:

"I haven’t made any comments because I am waiting on facts and the outcome of a meeting between community leaders and Barneys… Making a decision to prematurely pull of this project, wouldn’t hurt Barneys or Shawn Carter, but all the people that stand a chance at higher education."

He concluded: “I am against discrimination of any kind, but if I make snap judgements, no matter who it’s towards, aren’t I committing the same sin as someone who profiles? I am no stranger to being profiled and I truly empathize with anyone who has been put in that position.”

 

 

 

 

Find out about Jay Z's line of products being sold through Barneys in the video below: