Slawn definitely does not have an official collaboration with Kaws!

What seemed to be a bomb collaboration between @KAWS and Nigerian-British artist @OlaoluSlawn… ended up just being misinterpreted hype.

TIt all started when Slawn posted on Instagram an image posing next to a KAWS Companion, thanking everyone involved “for making it possible”. The aesthetics of the post, added to the emotional language, ignited the networks: many thought that a joint drop was coming between two referents of contemporary pop art.

The commotion was no coincidence. KAWS is one of the most respected names in the intersection between art, fashion and consumer culture. He has collaborated with Dior, UNIQLO, Nike, Sacai or Cactus Plant Flea Market, among others, bringing his universe of characters -like the iconic Companion- to all kinds of formats and audiences.

But KAWS itself was quick to deny any collaboration, assuring that it was not involved in the project to which Slawn referred.

Slawn, far from getting into drama, took it with sportsmanship. In his stories, he explained his point of view clearly:

As you guys have seen thru Nike, FA, the F1, Brits etc I can do official collabs if I want, but what’s the fuckin fun it that? I have the most fun creating what I want with no guidelines or head of whatever I have to jump on a zoom call with, watching people discourse like this on the internet is something i enjoy yea ima keep doing both official unofficial shit, and I could also help inspire people out there who would some day wanna take this route, people view the internet, who knows they might see ur unofficial collab and it leads to doors opening”.

The artist also made it clear that he has no intention of becoming just another gatekeeper:

These niggas are upset at me cause I don’t wanna be a gatekeeper like them fuck that, do what you want they’re gonna judge u anyways.

What started as a misunderstanding has become a statement of principle: authenticity without asking permission, without structure or strategy. In that sense, Slawn doesn’t need a collab with KAWS to make it clear that he’s playing in his own league.

Far from generating beef, Slawn took it with sportsmanship, reaffirming his respect for the American’s work. What is clear is that hype and storytelling are still powerful tools… even when there is no real collab behind it.

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