Kanye West's 'Pablo' Pop-Up Shops Hype Begins

Artist Kanye West announced last night through a tweet that there will be 21-city worldwide PABLO retail event to take place this weekend, Friday, August 19 through Sunday, August 21.

The temporary stores continue Kanye's partnership with Universal Music Group's Bravado - the industry leader in merchandise and branding services for recording artists and brands.

Now, Kanye West will bring the PABLO experience to fans all over the world. The first ever simultaneous, worldwide pop-up event will span thirteen cities in the U.S., three in Europe, and more in Australia and Asia.

To execute his vision, Kanye continues his partnership with Bravado. With a global infrastructure including offices in over 40 cities, Bravado is the only partner poised to quickly develop and execute a worldwide retail and merchandising strategy of this scale.

In the continental U.S., the PABLO pop-up events will take place in New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Detroit, Portland OR, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco.

Around the world, selected cities include Toronto, Singapore, Amsterdam, London, Berlin, Sydney, Melbourne, and Cape Town.

Each temporary store will not only carry a broad line of Kanye's PABLO merch available only in stores - but will also include limited edition designs, exclusive to that city.

"The godfather of the current phenomenon is Kanye West," proclaims the New York Times.

"He has been just as attuned to his graphic, self-branded touring merchandise, taking cues from the fashion industry to promote and distribute it...announcing pop-ups minutes before they open...With the merchandise for the Yeezus and Pablo tours, Mr.

West has done nothing less than 'set a streetwise blueprint for concert march.' His fellow stars took note."

Precise store hours and locations for the PABLO temporary stores have so far been revealed for Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Capetown, Amsterdam and London - and the remaining cities will be announced in the day ahead via Kanye's website.