A new complaint claims West subjected Black employees to “less favorable treatment than their White counterparts”

Kanye West in February 2024. PHOTO: SWAN GALLET/WWD VIA GETTY

Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, is facing allegations from a former security guard that he subjected Black employees to “less favorable treatment than their White counterparts.”

In a new lawsuit filed by Benjamin Deshon Provo — who worked security for West, 46, at both his private school Donda Academy and at a warehouse where the creative stored his Yeezy brand clothing — the security guard accuses West of having “frequently screamed at and berated Black employees” and firing him for refusing to cut his dreadlocks.

It marks the most recent complaint against West, who as of earlier this month, is already facing a complaint from another employee who claimed he suffered “severe discrimination, harassment” while working for him at the Donda Academy school and as part of his Yeezy brand.

As of April 27, a representative for Kanye West had not responded to requests for comment regarding the legal matters involving the rapper.

Kanye West in February 2024.ARNOLD JEROCKI/GETTY

In the most recent complaint filed on Friday, April 26, in Los Angeles, it is noted that the plaintiff, Provo, began working for the rapper known as Vultures around August 2021. He then spent six months at Donda Academy before the school relocated to a new site. At the new location, Provo was assigned additional job duties due to a staffing shortage. He also provided security services for Kanye West’s Sunday Service events and at his Yeezy warehouse.

According to the plaintiff, he was asked to put himself and paparazzi “in harm’s way” by confiscating cameras. Additionally, he alleges that West required anyone associated with Donda to dispose of books related to prominent figures in the Black community, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

The complaint further claims that Provo observed a significant difference in the way Kanye treated him and other Black employees compared to their non-Black counterparts. He alleges that he was paid less than non-Black employees without any discernible reason. Provo also asserts that Kanye West consistently exhibited abrupt, abrasive, and demeaning behavior towards him and his Black colleagues.

When complaining about the pay disparity to direct manager John Hicks, Provo allegedly received the response: “Don’t bring up money to Ye. He doesn’t like to talk about money.”

The security guard also saw a “decrease in his paychecks” at one point shortly after raising complaints, something he claims his non-Black colleagues did not experience, as he was told by Hicks that West “can’t afford security right now.”

Per the complaint, in April 2023, West “unjustifiably and unreasonably began demanding that Plaintiff and others shave their heads,” despite Provo wearing his hair in dreadlocks “as an exercise of his Muslim faith.”

“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, demanding” by announcing “it is time for you to shave your heads. I am not messing around.”

The complaint details an incident where Hicks, an individual associated with Kanye West, allegedly approached the plaintiff, Provo, and instructed him to shave his head. When Provo refused, Hicks reportedly conveyed Kanye’s directive to shave his head or face termination. Provo persisted in refusing to comply with this demand, resulting in the termination of his employment.

In addition to seeking damages for alleged discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment, and labor code violations, Provo’s complaint includes a request for attorney fees and various other claims. It also seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction, as well as a public injunction against all defendants, prohibiting them from owning and operating any educational school for minor children under the age of 18 in California.

This lawsuit comes amidst another legal matter involving Kanye West. Former employee Trevor Phillips filed a lawsuit earlier this month, alleging that West made hateful, antisemitic, and anti-LGBTQ+ remarks within earshot of students. Phillips also claimed that West once suggested putting a jail at the school where students could be locked in cages.

The previous suit also claimed that the musician would often “scream [at] and berate” his Black employees and that he told his staffers he would fire people who were “fat,” adding that he allegedly told students he “wanted them to shave their heads.”