Tokyo, April 23 — Chanel has appointed Kendrick Lamar as its newest brand ambassador on Tuesday, marking a rare move by the luxury fashion house to align with a male figure in a category where it does not produce menswear. The Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper stars in Chanel’s latest eyewear campaign, which launches Monday.
In a statement to Business of Fashion, which first reported the partnership, Lamar said the appointment followed a visit to Chanel’s ateliers, where he observed the design and production process. “Seeing the people who work hard and bring these visions to life resonates with me,” he said, calling the French house’s legacy “timeless.”
“Since they don’t make clothes for men, I knew it would have to be glasses,” Lamar added.
The announcement coincides with the launch of Lamar’s joint “Grand National Tour” with singer SZA. The North American stadium tour spans 19 venues and will run through June 2025.
In a separate development in the entertainment sector, Apple Music on Monday announced the opening of a new studio in Tokyo as part of its continued expansion into global music markets. The Tokyo site joins existing Apple Music studios in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, London, Paris, and Berlin.
The new facility will serve as a hub for producing radio shows and video content, including the debut of a new program, Snow World Radio, hosted by Japanese pop group Snow Man. The space will also host Apple Music radio personalities Mino and Kentaro “Ochiken” Ochiai.
To mark the opening, global radio hosts Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden are scheduled to participate in a week of special programming featuring artist interviews and new releases.
“Japan has an incredibly vibrant and flourishing music community,” said Rachel Newman, Apple Music’s global head of content and editorial. “We want to highlight the cultural and global impact of genres like J-pop and JHip-Hop and provide artists with a dedicated home in Tokyo where they can come share their music.”
The initiative reflects Apple’s broader strategy to deepen engagement in Asian markets and amplify the global visibility of local artists.
