According to Rolling Stone, Kanye West along with his Yeezy brand and Donda Academy is being sued by a former staffer. In the documents obtained by the outlet, a supposed ex-employee, Murphy Aficionado, is accusing West of fostering a hostile work environment, discrimination, wrongful termination, labor code violations, and failure to pay wages.
Within the filing submitted to the Los Angeles County Superior Court by lawyers Carney R. Shegerian and William Reed, Aficionado claimed West went on “antisemitic tirades” on a “daily occurrence.”
The document transcribed one of the alleged encounters retold by Aficionado as: “The Jews are out to get me. They froze my bank account. The Jews got Kim [Kardashian] and my kids. The Jews convinced Kim [Kardashian]. She has Jewish masters.”
Aficionado continued, saying: “Ye’s antisemitic tirades and conspiracies were a daily occurrence. Often, these outbursts involved how Jews controlled the Kardashians. Other times, Ye recounted how Jews were going after him and his money.”
He also accused Kanye West of subjecting him to flashes of his wife Bianca Censori’s exposed body and a loud intimate moment between Censori and West in the middle of a meeting.
Kanye West has not issued a public response to this lawsuit.
The lawsuits stemming from Kanye West’s Donda Academy continue to lay at his feet. According to a new report from AllHipHop, things could wind up getting worse for the rapper, as a default judgment is seriously on the table. In particular, this relates to the more recent suit filed by Isaiah Meadows. The former assistant principal at the Academy has been seeking a default one anyway, but this seems like more a possibility. That’s all thanks to Kanye West severely struggling to find a lawyer to represent him in court.
Judge Christopher Lui, who’s presiding over this case, stated in a hearing yesterday, “This can’t continue forever. If a substitute counsel is going to come in, it has to be done quickly.” This came after Manoj Shah, Ye’s attorney, said, “We are trying in vain to retain counsel. We are interviewing several firms. For one reason or another, it has failed to work out. Our goal is to have counsel and participate in the defense.”
February 20, 2011; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Kanye West performs during the half time show at the 2011 NBA All Star game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro via USA TODAY NETWORK
Rumblings within this ongoing court battle are that Kanye continues to fire or not pay the people attempting to make his case. If the VULTURES MC cannot settle on one, then Judge Lui says he will enter default judgment. Ron Zambrano, who’s been fighting for other former Donda Academy employees as well as Meadows, feels that he knows what the final result will be. “It’s an odd situation. This is the first time we’ve heard there’s an attorney representing [West’s] interests,” Zambrano told Courthouse News.
“Whoever the next attorney is, there’s a long history of people not getting paid by Kanye West, which is part of the problem. But we’re gonna move forward. He’s going to have to pay attention to this case somehow.” However, his critique didn’t stop there as Zambrano made a quip as to why it’s difficult for Ye to secure a lawyer. “I just think that sometimes he has the attention span of a goldfish.” As it stands, there’s no concrete timetable for how much longer he has, but it sounds like patience is running thin.
Kanye West’s Donda Academy endeavor has resulted in several lawsuits thus far, the latest coming from a former security guard for the school. The ex-guard, Benjamin Deshon Provo, claims to have allegedly suffered “severe emotional distress” due to West’s behavior. Per court documents obtained by Page Six, he’s seeking unspecified damages.
“Kanye and members of his management team subjected Provo and other black employees to less favorable treatment than their white counterparts,” the lawsuit reads. “Specifically, Kanye frequently screamed at and berated black employees, while in contrast, he never so much as raised his tone of voice toward white staff.” Provo additionally accuses Ye of ridiculing Black employees for wearing locs. According to the former employee, he did so as part of his Muslim faith.
Former Donda Academy Guard Sues Kanye West For Alleged Racial Discrimination
Kanye West is seen at ‘DONDA by Kanye West’ listening event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 22, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Universal Music Group)
“Kanye and members of his management team required Provo to choose between these critical aspects of his self-identity and financial stability,” the lawsuit continues. “Indeed, at the direction of Kanye, Provo was given the ultimatum, cut his hair, or be fired.” Provo additionally alleges that books by Black leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. were banned from the school.
Unfortunately, these are far from the only shocking allegations against West made by former Donda Academy employees. Ex-teachers have previously accused Ye of wrongful termination, not allowing students to go outside or use chairs, and much more. It’s even been alleged that the school’s curriculum omitted various major pieces of history, including the holocaust. What do you think of Kanye West being accused of discriminating against his Black employees? What about the other allegations from former Donda Academy staff? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
The month of April started off with some wild claims from a new lawsuit filed against Ye, formerly Kanye West, and his Donda Academy school. It’s hardly the first time anybody has taken him to court over the controversial Academy. Last year bizarre details emerged from a lawsuit about the school. They claimed it had open skylights and no windows because the rapper reportedly didn’t like glass. West was also hit with lawsuits relating to racial discrimination and wrongful termination. Those have both come up repeatedly from the school.
The newest lawsuit features some of the most bizarre claims yet. Included in the lawsuit are claims that he threatened to shave children’s heads and lock them in cages at the school. Almost as audacious is some of what West reportedly said to students and faculty. The lawsuit cites an antisemitic rant he went on following Adidas cutting ties with him for his public antisemitic comments. It also details conspiracies he reportedly pushed about gay people and population control. The suit itself is over discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination. But recently Page Six uncovered some interesting information relating to the family of the man who filed the suit.
New information uncovered from the Academy’s attendance records revealed that the man who filed the lawsuit has a daughter who is still participating in the Donda Choir. Records show that she’s continued to attend even as the lawsuit was filed last week. In their report, Page Six even goes as far as to say that he’s made “no attempt” to have his daughter removed from the choir. The news immediately had some of the rapper’s biggest followers trying to poke holes in the lawsuit’s credibility online.
What do you think of the man who filed a lawsuit against the Donda Academy still having a daughter in the school’s choir? Do you think it calls the legitimacy of some of his claims into question? Let us know in the comment section below.
A former Donda Academy and Yeezy employee is accusing Ye of performing simulated masturbation during a staff meeting. The employee, Trevor Phillips, made the allegation in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He says the Vultures rapper was laying on a bed and reflecting on the orgies he’s had throughout his life.
“While lying flat on the bed and staring up at the ceiling, Kanye began to make slow up and down motions with his hand just above his genitals – as though he was masturbating – while he recounted to Phillips: ‘I used to have orgies every day – at least two to three girls. And now, man, I can’t even lay down without jacking off,’” the plaintiff claims. “Then, Kanye used his second hand to forcefully and dramatically grab and pull the hand making the masturbation gestures away from his crotch as he said: ‘I got to keep my hand away from my phone to keep me away from looking at p******.’ Phillips [was] totally shocked and distraught by Kanye’s inappropriate conduct and in particular, his apparent arousal.”
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14: Rapper Kanye West performs onstage during the “Vultures 1” playback concert during Rolling Loud 2024 at Hollywood Park Grounds on March 14, 2024, in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Ye apparently then called a woman through FaceTime, one of whom he had previously shown the staff naked pictures. “Stimulating his sexual arousal more, Kanye then FaceTimed a female friend,” the lawsuit continues. “Phillips immediately recognized the female’s name because only a few weeks earlier, while at the Yeezy headquarters, Kanye had flaunted nude pictures of her to many of the Yeezy staff members. The female answered Kanye’s call and he commanded her, ‘Next time I see you, you better make sure you are wearing the lingerie and the shoes I got you.’”
Phillips has also accused Ye of threatening to put Donda Academy students in cages. Be on the lookout for further updates on Ye and the latest lawsuit he’s facing on HotNewHipHop.
For a little while, Kanye West ran Donda Academy, a private school in California. It would seem that things at the educational institution have been… unconventional. At one point, school was apparently canceled for the year before that decision was reversed hours later. Later, a lawsuit claimed students were only served sushi. Now, Ye is facing another school-related lawsuit which makes even more wild claims.
The suit was filed by former employee Trevor Phillips in Los Angeles Superior Court on April 2. In it, Phillips claims (as NBC News notes) West told students he wanted to shave their heads and lock them in cages. Phillips also attests that West compared himself to Adolph Hitler and “appeared to simulate masturbation during a one-on-one meeting in a Southern California hotel room where the musician watched The Batman on mute.”
As Rolling Stone notes, the suit also claims West “treated the Black staff considerably worse than white employees” and would “scream and berate Black employees, while never even as much raising his tone at the white staff.” West also reportedly had issues with the LGBTQ+ community and claimed “gay people are controlled by Bill Gates so that they don’t have children for population control.”
The publication reports Phillips is “seeking at least $35,000 for what he labels as whistleblower retaliation, discrimination based on race, and a hostile workplace, among eight other causes of action.”
Kanye West, the prolific artist and entrepreneur now known as Ye, finds himself embroiled in yet another legal battle. Trevor Phillips, a former employee of both Yeezy and Donda Academy, has filed a lawsuit against Ye, his apparel brand, and his Los Angeles-area school, per Rolling Stone. The lawsuit is a sprawling document, spanning 42 pages, and alleges a litany of offenses, ranging from discrimination to unsafe working conditions. Let’s delve into the details of why Kanye West is facing legal scrutiny once again.
Allegations Of Discrimination & Hostile Work Environment
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14: Rapper Kanye West performs onstage during the “Vultures 1” playback concert during Rolling Loud 2024 the at Hollywood Park Grounds on March 14, 2024 in Inglewood. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Phillips, who is Black, claims that from the outset of his employment at Donda Academy, it was evident that Ye treated Black staff significantly worse than their white counterparts. He alleges instances of verbal abuse, with West reportedly screaming and berating Black employees while showing preferential treatment to white staff members. Phillips even stated that Ye openly expressed his preference for solely dating white women.
Threats Of Violence & Retaliation
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 09: Kanye West attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 09, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/VF20/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)
Perhaps the most alarming accusations in Phillips’ lawsuit revolve around threats of physical violence and whistleblower retaliation. According to the complaint, Phillips faced relentless harassment and humiliation from West after pushing back against what he describes as the artist’s bigotry and unlawful directives. Phillips recounts instances where West allegedly threatened him with physical harm and subjected him to vulgar tirades in front of colleagues and schoolchildren.
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 23: Ye attends the Kenzo Fall/Winter 2022/2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 23, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Throughout the lawsuit, Phillips highlights numerous instances of concerning behavior exhibited by Kanye West. These include allegations of antisemitism, with West purportedly praising Adolf Hitler (“HITLER WAS GREAT. Hitler was an innovator! He invented so many things. He’s the reason we have cars,” Ye allegedly said, according to the lawsuit) and espousing conspiracy theories about Jewish people and the LGBTQ+ community. “I am going for the Gays! First the Jews, then the Gays. … Gay people are not true Christians. And Gay people are controlled by Bill Gates so that they don’t have children for population control,” Phillips alleged Ye to have said, according to LA Times. Phillips also claims that Ye made inappropriate remarks in front of Donda Academy students, creating an uncomfortable and potentially harmful environment.
Unsafe Working Conditions & Unlawful Directives
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 30: Vanguard Award winner Kanye West speaks onstage during the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Beyond the allegations of discrimination and harassment, Phillips describes being tasked with dangerous electrical work and renovations at Donda Academy without proper permits or construction experience. He asserts that West’s disregard for safety regulations put employees at risk and further contributed to a hostile work environment. Additionally, Phillips asserts that he overheard West expressing a desire to shave childrens heads. “He wanted them to shave their heads and that he intended to put a jail at the school — and that they could be locked in cages,” Phillips added in the suit.
Phillips is seeking damages in excess of $35,000 for what he alleges to be whistleblower retaliation, discrimination based on race, and a hostile workplace, among other causes of action. His lawsuit represents a significant challenge to Kanye West’s reputation and business interests, as it sheds light on troubling practices within his organizations.
In response to these allegations, representatives for Kanye West have not provided comment, leaving the veracity of Phillips’ claims to be determined through legal proceedings. However, the lawsuit underscores broader concerns about workplace culture and accountability, particularly within high-profile celebrity enterprises like those of Kanye West.
Music and fashion mogul Kanye West is facing yet another lawsuit; this time by an ex-employee of Yeezy and Donda Academy who claims that West had some weird plans for the students of Donda and even alleges that anti-Semitism and racism were common themes in the academy.
Trevor Phillips claims Kanye West wanted to install a jail at his school to “cage” students, threatened to punch him during a “temper tantrum” and gave preferential treatment to white employees, according to a new lawsuit obtained by Rolling Stone. On Tuesday in Los Angeles, Phillips joined a number of former employees who are suing the 46-year-old. The 42-page complaint gives a behind-the-scenes look at what Phillips says it’s like to work for the self-proclaimed “genius”.
Phillips’ suit says he come onboard with the Yeezy organization in 2022 at the apex of West’s anti-Semitic rant recoil and explains he was tasked with growing the cotton production for Kanye’s fashion line. Phillips claims his duties quickly expanded and started to encompass handling Ye’s Donda Academy school as well, which he says started to experience difficulty as a result of Kanye’s public rants.
Phillips also claims Kanye shared his antisemitic views with Donda Academy employees and students. During one particular meeting, Phillips alleges Ye was spewing antisemitic rhetoric as he announced, in front of 2 children, he wanted to shave their heads and intended to put a jail at the school, threatening students could be locked in cages under his proposed plan.
Phillips claims Ye declared he intended to go on the attack against gay people too, allegedly saying, “Gay people are not true Christians. And gay people are controlled by Bill Gates so that they don’t have children for population control.”
Phillips also alleges Ye made a habit of berating and bullying Black employees, including himself, at Donda. In the end, he says he was fired by Kanye on a whim in May 2023 during a Sunday Service because Kanye didn’t like the garden on display during the service.
Phillips is suing Kanye for discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment and a host of other things. He’s seeking an undisclosed amount in punitive damages. TheSource.com will update this story as details develop.
As a Gemini, Ye’s fast-paced, intellectual brain finds happiness in constant stimulation. It’s no wonder he has his hands in the worlds of rapping, producing, designing clothing, styling his loved ones, and countless other creative business ventures. A few years ago, one of the father of four’s biggest passion projects was his Donda Academy school, though it’s now causing Ye far more strife than he likely ever anticipated. Lawsuits came flooding in last summer, and today (April 2), another plaintiff joined in the fight against the “Good Morning” rapper.
Documents obtained by NBC News reveal that Trevor Phillips’ experience working at Donda Academy was less than ideal. Ye reportedly “compared himself to Hitler, minus the gas chambers,” and even appeared to “simulate masturbation during a one-on-one meeting in a Southern California hotel room” while watching The Batman on mute. Elsewhere in the same lawsuit, Phillips speaks of Black people being called out in a discriminatory manner, being pushed to do renovations without permits, and threats of being fired for being “fat.”
This Isn’t the First Lawsuit Against Ye and Donda Academy
Phillips recalls Ye “gloating” to the staff at both Yeezy and Donda Academy about using millions of dollars from the school’s budget toward a trip to Paris. He was ultimately fired after an issue with the garden in the school, at which time the Atlanta native became explosively angry and told his staffer, “I was going to punch you in the face.” On top of all of this, the private Christian school founder allegedly expressed interest in shaving student’s heads and locking them in cages.
Interestingly, it was little more than a month ago that Ye announced the return of his controversial Donda Academy under a slightly different name, along with a few other changes. However, no matter how much he alters his programs, freedom of expression will always remain at the heart of his school’s core values. Read more about what Yeezy is planning for future students at the link below, and check back later for more music/pop culture news updates.
Kanye West has come through with a ton of different ventures over the course of his career. Overall, music has been his number one export. However, he has become a massive staple in the fashion world. Furthermore, he attempted to get into the education game a couple of years ago. Of course, this was thanks to Donda Academy. This was a private school that was supposed to lean on faith-based education. Unfortunately, the school was a bit of a disaster thanks to a disorganized curriculum and poor treatment of educators.
In fact, Ye has been at the center of some lawsuits as it pertains to the school. For instance, some of the teachers say they didn’t get paid properly. Meanwhile, others have said they were let go without any valid reasons. According to The Sun, Ye is actually looking to bring the school back in full force. However, there are going to be some major changes coming. One big change will be the name. Now, it will go by Donda Ray Academy. It is a small change, but it will certainly go a long way in distancing itself from the original institution.
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 23: Ye attends the Kenzo Fall/Winter 2022/2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 23, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
While freedom of expression will still be encouraged at this new version of the school, there will reportedly be more structure. Given the lack of structure at Donda Academy, this change is probably for the best. That said, it still remains to be seen if and when the school will officially start up again. This rebrand could take a while, especially if Ye is busy working on music now. After all, he is supposed to be dropping an album on Friday. He even has one coming out on April 5th, for good measure.
Let us know what you think of Ye’s plan to bring back Donda Academy, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists.
