Jay-Z asks for patience in Barneys flap

NEW YORK — Jay-Z, under increasing pressure to back out of a collaboration with the luxury store Barneys New York after it was accused of racially profiling two black customers, said Saturday that he’s being unfairly “demonized” for just waiting to hear all the facts.

The rap mogul made his first statement about the controversy in a posting on his website. He has come under fire for remaining silent as news surfaced this past week that two young African-Americans said they were profiled by Barneys after they bought expensive items from the Manhattan store.

An online petition and Twitter messages from fans have been circulating, calling on the star to bow out of his upcoming partnership with Barneys for the holiday season. Under the partnership, the store will sell items by top designers, inspired by Jay-Z, with some of the proceeds going to his charity. He also is working with the store to create its artistic holiday window display.

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, defended himself, saying he hasn’t spoken about it because he’s still trying to figure out exactly what happened.

“I move and speak based on facts and not emotion,” the statement said. “I haven’t made any comments because I am waiting on facts and the outcome of a meeting between community leaders and Barneys. Why am I being demonized, denounced and thrown on the cover of a newspaper for not speaking immediately?” he said, referring to local newspaper headlines.

The two Barneys customers, Trayon Christian and Kayla Phillips, said they were detained by police after making expensive purchases. Christian sued Barneys, saying he was accused of fraud after using his debit card to buy a $349 Ferragamo belt in April. Philips filed a notice of claim saying she would sue after she was stopped by detectives outside the store when she bought a $2,500 Celine handbag in February.

As the criticism grew, Barneys said Thursday that it had retained a civil rights expert to help review its procedures. The CEO of Barneys, Mark Lee, offered his “sincere regret and deepest apologies.”

Kirsten John Foy, an official with the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, said Sharpton would meet with Barneys officials Tuesday to discuss the racial profiling allegations.

Jay-Z, who rose from a life of crime in Brooklyn to become one of the most heralded rappers and one of entertainment’s biggest superstars, has in the past called for a boycott of labels perceived to be racist, and he has become more political in recent years, from speaking out about the killing of black teenager Trayvon Martin to campaigning for President Barack Obama.

Jay-Z said that in this case, he’s still trying to find out what happened —which is why he was silent.

“The negligent, erroneous reports and attacks on my character, intentions and the spirit of this collaboration have forced me into a statement I didn’t want to make without the full facts,” he added.

He also dismissed reports that he would profit from the collaboration. He said he’s “not making a dime” from working with Barneys. Instead, his Shawn Carter Foundation, which provides college scholarships to economically challenged students, will get 25 percent of all sales from the collaboration.

“This money is going to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships to help further their education at institutions of higher learning,” he said. “My idea was born out of creativity and charity… not profit.”