Photo: Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Kanye West, now legally known as Ye, faces a lawsuit filed by former Yeezy project manager Murphy Aficionado, who worked with West’s Yeezy company for nine months. Aficionado has lodged 12 complaints against West, his companies Yeezy LLC, and Donda Academy, alleging discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination. He is seeking a jury trial to address these claims, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE. West’s representatives have not yet commented on the matter.
Aficionado alleges that his time at Yeezy was marred by “unlawful termination” and unpaid wages. During his tenure, Aficionado claims West made anti-Semitic statements, once remarking, “the Jews got [ex-wife] Kim [Kardashian] and my kids.” Additionally, West reportedly made discriminatory comments about Aficionado’s Filipino heritage, allegedly instructing him to remove his “ugly” traditional Filipino tattoos, known as “Batok.”
The complaint also alleges an incident in which West asked Aficionado to come to his hotel room while he engaged in intimate acts with his then-girlfriend, Bianca Censori. Aficionado claims he was subject to a hostile work environment, working 50-70 hours per week and often sleeping in the office. told by The Mirror, In February 2023, West allegedly asked Aficionado to relocate Donda Academy, but became irate when informed of necessary building permits, reportedly yelling that he wouldn’t “accept waiting or using permits.”
In July 2023, a representative from Donda Academy informed Aficionado that the school would “no longer be in operation.” Shortly after, he claims his assignments with Yeezy were revoked, effectively ending his employment.
Aficionado’s lawsuit outlines a range of damages, including economic and non-economic losses, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. It further claims that “Defendants violated these laws by failing to provide plaintiff’s last paycheck promptly and failing to pay penalties, including additional wages, interest, and fees.”
West has yet to respond publicly to these allegations. This lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal battles surrounding Yeezy and Donda Academy, raising serious questions about working conditions and West’s role in his companies.
