Former employee Trevor Phillips has filed a lawsuit against rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, alleging mistreatment during his employment at Yeezy and Donda Academy. Phillips claims that Ye wanted to implement disturbing practices at his school, including installing a jail to cage students.
“It was immediately apparent that Ye treated the Black staff considerably worse than white employees,” Phillips stated in the lawsuit. “He would scream and berate Black employees, while never even raising his tone at the white staff.”
Phillips joined Yeezy in November 2022, tasked with overseeing projects related to growing materials for the brand. However, his role quickly expanded to include work for Donda Academy and a self-sustainable community project. Despite promises of $100 per hour, Phillips alleges he was paid less, and some payments were delayed due to frozen bank accounts.
The lawsuit describes instances of Ye’s problematic behavior, including spreading antisemitism and threatening physical violence. Phillips claims Ye made disturbing statements in front of students, such as wanting them to shave their heads and expressing intentions to build a jail at the school.
“When I tried to push back against Ye’s bigotry, he responded with harassment, humiliation, and attempts to destroy me,” Phillips said. “He even threatened me with physical violence.”
According to the lawsuit, Ye’s erratic behavior included forcing Phillips to watch movies on mute and making inappropriate comments about race and weight. Phillips also detailed a distressing encounter where Ye allegedly engaged in lewd behavior and made explicit remarks during a meeting at a hotel.
In May 2023, Phillips alleges Ye threw a temper tantrum and threatened him, leading to his eventual firing. Despite being allowed to finish out the school semester, Phillips claims he faced discrimination and a hostile workplace environment.
Phillips is seeking at least $35,000 in damages, citing whistleblower retaliation and discrimination among other causes of action. Ye’s representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit.
Source: Rolling StoneÂ