Kanye West EFE

A past staffer of Kanye West is taking legal action against him, alleging racist behavior and discriminatory treatment based on skin color.

The ex-employee claims that West differentiates in his treatment of workers based on race and terminated him for refusing to cut his dreadlocks, a requirement he deemed unnecessary for his role as a security guard.

Various American media outlets, including People magazine, have reported on the accusations made by Benjamin Deshon Provo.

Provo asserts that he initially served as part of Kanye West’s security team and later worked in other ventures associated with the rapper.

When was the lawsuit filed?

In a lawsuit filed on April 26 in Los Angeles, Provo alleges that West frequently subjected black employees to verbal abuse and unfair treatment compared to their non-black counterparts.

The complaint highlights instances where Provo observed significant disparities in how West interacted with staff based on their race, including paying black employees less without justification.

“Kanye and members of his management team subjected Provo and other black employees to less favorable treatment than their white counterparts,” the lawsuit stated.

Provo is seeking damages for discrimination, retaliation, creating a hostile work environment, and violations of labor laws. He explains that West imposed additional tasks on him due to staffing shortages and assigned duties outside of his job description.

The whistleblower also reveals West’s sudden and extreme decisions, such as mandating all employees to shave their heads, a directive Provo refused to comply with due to his dreadlocks being a manifestation of his Muslim faith.

Despite his protest, Provo claims he was terminated as a result, and in theory that could open up a case of wrongful dismissal in addition to the allegations of racist behavior.