via facebook.com/jsaureliusMusic / NewsJay Z’s clothing company accused of ripping off noise bandDesigns used by the rapper’s Rocawear brand bear resemblance to Arizona group Marshstepper’s merchandiseShareLink copied ✔️September 26, 2016MusicNewsTextSelim Bulut Rocawear, the clothing company founded by Jay Z, has been accused of ripping off designs by an American band. JS Aurelius, who co-founded Arizona noise-techno group Marshstepper and also plays guitar with excellent desert punks Destruction Unit, posted a series of photos to Facebook yesterday (September 25) comparing the designs of Rocawear’s ‘Hellraisers’ print and Marshstepper’s ‘Performance of Death’ and ‘Subliminal Acoustic Manipulation’ designs, as FACT report. Check out the photos below: via facebook.com/jsaurelius Aurelius made no comment on the similarities initially, instead quoting a caption from Rocawear’s own Instagram: “Never settle for something that doesn’t seem right to you. Raise hell if you have to, never settle for less.” When reached for comment, Aurelius linked to a longer statement issued on Facebook. “Thanks to all the friends, friends of friends and distant comrades who have come to my defense or support,” he wrote, “If this ‘theft’ of design/idea/artwork infuriates you like it has for some that I’ve seen posting about it, I’m sure the theft of labor and lives must infuriate you even more. You can show your support for my ideas (the ideas that drive my artwork) by donating whatever resources you can (money, time, publicity, etc) to an organization like the Free Alabama Movement, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, your local Black Lives Matter chapter, Taala Hooghan Infoshop, etc.” “I think that, as an artist and activist, I’m at least attempting to question or dismantle some of the systems and social forms we take for granted, which make radical change seem daunting or impossible. If I ultimately thought my ideas were capable of being diminished by cheap knock-offs, then my ideas rise no higher than the level of consumer goods. If I thought they were recoupable via the validation of a judge or of some international luxury brand, they’d fail to transcend the social forms of greed and oppression that limit human development and flourishing. I, however, think we can exceed and transcend these limits. I think the depth of support y’all have shown for myself (and other artists or activists being taken advantage of) is proof that a lot of people agree. I would just remind you to remain conscious of the methods we use and priorities we hold in this struggle.” Rocawear did not immediately respond to request for comment. Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MOREListen to Evissimax’s ‘Black, vampy and sexy’ Dazed mixPop dreamer Gabriela Richardson shares her internet obsessionsKarol G fronts Reebok Classics’ new eraWhat’s poppin’? Two Shell meet Jack Harlow at London’s PhonoxThe rise of North West in 5 tracksThe Moment: How A.G. Cook turned Brat summer into a nightmareWinter Olympics 2026: Ranking the best music from the figure skating eventsEverything we know about Beyoncé’s rumoured rock eraI(nterne)t girl duo Mgna Crrrta share their pop culture picksThe stop-motion Lego chat show starring all your favourite artistsRap music isn’t dead – it’s evolvingThe Moment: 6 times musicians made their own filmsEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy