Kanye Accused Of Discriminating Against Black Employees
Kanye has been accused of discriminating against his Black employees. The rapper is being sued by Benjamin Deshon Provo who worked security for the controversial artist for both his Yeezy brand clothing and Donda Academy. The lawsuit claims that Ye viewed his Black employees as “less favorable treatment than their white counterparts,” according to the suit obtained by People. Provo also claimed that he “frequently screamed at and berated Black employees.”
The former security guard cites in his suit that Ye fired him for refusing to cut his dreadlocks.
“As a result of Plaintiff’s non-compliance with Kanye’s demands that his head be shaved, Hicks and Kanye began to exert pressure on Plaintiff to do the same,” the document notes, adding that “Kanye began to become increasingly more aggressive, [and] demanding” by announcing “it is time for you to shave your heads. I am not messing around.”
The complaint alleges “‘Kanye said, ‘Tell the one with the dreads to shave his head or he is fired.’ Plaintiff refused to shave his head, and as a result thereof, his employment was terminated.”
The lawsuit also alleges that Provo noticed that there was a disparity in pay since and that he was paid less than non-Black employees “for no discernible reason.” He was also advised not to speak to Ye about it, citing that his direct manager John Hicks told him, “Don’t bring up money to Ye. He doesn’t like to talk about money.” He was later told by Hicks that West “can’t afford security right now.” After Provo decided to complain he noticed a decrease in his paychecks as well.
The culture Provo alleges he experienced says Ye demanded that “anyone associated with Donda dispose of books related to Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and other prominent figures in the Black community.” Ye has been known to praise Hitler and has been documented saying he “loves Nazis.”
Other Times Kanye Has Been Accused Of Discriminating Against Black Employees
This is not the first time Kanye has been accused of discriminating against Black employees. Trevor Phillips filed the suit for the now-closed institution for spewing antisemitic views and praising Hitler per People. In his suit, Philips who was a former employee at Donda Academy alleged that Ye would “scream [at] and berate” his Black employees but did not act in this way toward white staff members. The rapper also allegedly would threaten to fire anyone who was “fat.”
Prior to working with Kanye at Donda Academy, the employee was a fan of the artist.
“His dream of working for someone he once admired as a great artist was like his spirit — crushed,” the complaint says. “While Kanye considered himself a god or king, in reality he was an ill-tempered tyrant and despot, who sought to mentally obliterate and control those around him.”
