Kim Kardashian Publicly Thanks Kanye West’s Dropout Bear Designer for Rare Merchandise Gift
Kim Kardashian expressed gratitude to Bobby Naugle, the co-designer responsible for crafting Kanye West’s iconic Dropout Bear, a character associated with three of West’s albums. The reality TV star took to her Instagram Stories on Friday (December 8) to thank Naugle for gifting rare original merchandise to their daughter, North.
In her post, Kardashian shared details about Naugle’s contributions to the Dropout Bear’s design in 2003 and his involvement in early tour merchandise. Naugle approached Kardashian in 2022, offering original merch items without expecting anything in return. The gifts included collectibles from 2003-2005, such as first-hand sketches and Kanye’s original personal pink RL polo.
Expressing her appreciation, Kardashian publicly thanked Naugle for his kindness and generosity, considering it a rare quality in the industry. She emphasized that Naugle chose to gift these items to their children instead of selling them for a considerable profit.
In October, North West paid tribute to her father’s early career by donning a costume inspired by the Dropout Bear for Halloween. The character appeared on the covers of Kanye West’s debut album, “The College Dropout” (2004), and his sophomore LP, “Late Registration.”
In related music news, Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign announced a joint album, generating excitement among fans. Ty Dolla $ign shared a handwritten note on Instagram featuring the purported 16-song tracklist, which includes the previously released “Vultures” featuring Bump J and the shelved fan favorite “New Body.” The note also featured a doodle of the double-headed eagle emblem that Kanye West has been using lately, sparking various interpretations.
