In a shocking turn of events, Kanye West—now legally known as Ye—has found himself facing serious allegations from a former employee of his Yeezy brand. Murphy Aficionado, who worked as a project manager for Yeezy and its associated businesses for nine months, has filed a lawsuit accusing the rapper and his companies, Yeezy LLC and Donda Academy, of unlawful termination, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
The 12 complaints against West are deeply troubling, with Aficionado accusing the rapper of making antisemitic remarks, discriminating against Aficionado’s Filipino heritage, and engaging in inappropriate and uncomfortable behavior during work hours. The complaint, obtained by PEOPLE, paints a disturbing picture of Aficionado’s experiences while working for West, which eventually led to his firing and a series of emotional and financial damages.
Aficionado’s grievances began almost immediately upon starting his position with Yeezy in October 2022. According to the complaint, West made it clear that his views on certain groups were far from tolerant. Aficionado claims that West frequently voiced his belief that “the Jews” were behind various personal and professional issues in his life, including his ex-wife Kim Kardashian and their children. He allegedly told Aficionado, “The Jews got Kim and my kids,” and added that “the Jews are out to get me” and had frozen his bank account.
But the alleged antisemitic comments didn’t stop there. West reportedly went further, accusing Kardashian of being manipulated by “Jewish masters” and claiming that his estranged wife had been influenced by “Jewish people.”
Alongside these inflammatory remarks, West reportedly targeted Aficionado’s Filipino heritage. The lawsuit alleges that West disparaged Aficionado’s “Batok” tattoos—traditional Filipino tattoos—calling them “ugly” and suggesting that they should be removed.
The lawsuit takes an even more unsettling turn with allegations of sexual harassment and uncomfortable work situations. In November 2022, Aficionado claims that he was “summoned” to West’s hotel room at the Beverly Hills Waldorf Astoria for a work meeting. Upon arriving, Aficionado reportedly found West and his then-girlfriend, Bianca Censori, in an intimate state.
Aficionado alleges that after greeting him, West demanded that he “sit down” in the room and stay put while the rapper went into the adjoining bedroom. What happened next allegedly added to the atmosphere of unease—Censori tried to close the bedroom door, but West allegedly opened it wide, exposing Censori’s nude body.
As the bizarre situation unfolded, West allegedly made disturbing comments about Candace Owens’ lawyer, referring to him as a “Jewish spy” in what appeared to be another instance of antisemitic behavior. Then, in a move that would later be described as deeply uncomfortable, West returned wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with a swastika. According to Aficionado, West asked him, “Don’t you like my shirt?” Aficionado, reportedly intimidated by the situation and concerned for his job, described the shirt as “unique.”
The tension escalated further when West allegedly began showing Aficionado nude photos of his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, on his phone without warning.
Aficionado claims the uncomfortable encounters did not end there. Later that same week, he was allegedly asked to return to West’s room, where he found the rapper and an unnamed “famous NFL wide receiver” in towels, awaiting massages. Despite Aficionado’s apparent discomfort, West allegedly ordered him to stay in the room while the pair were given their massages.
As the room became filled with tension, Aficionado claims that he attempted to focus on the work discussion but was increasingly disturbed by the background sounds of sexual activity—specifically, West reportedly engaging with his masseuse. Aficionado remained in the room, attempting to ignore the situation, but the filing notes the emotional strain this caused.
Aficionado claims that after the tumultuous series of events, his assignments with Yeezy were abruptly revoked. He was allegedly told that his services were no longer needed, and he was informed that he was no longer welcome in the office spaces. The lawsuit asserts that Aficionado was not compensated for his work, including his final paycheck, and that Yeezy and Donda Academy violated labor laws by failing to pay the appropriate penalties and wages.
As a result, Aficionado is seeking significant compensation for the emotional and financial damages caused by the alleged harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. The lawsuit includes claims for punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and compensation for the exhaustion of administrative remedies.
As this lawsuit unfolds, Kanye West finds himself at the center of a growing controversy that further taints his already complicated public image. Known for his controversial statements and actions, West now faces a legal battle that could have far-reaching consequences, both personally and professionally.
A representative for West did not respond to requests for comment from PEOPLE at the time of publication, leaving many to wonder how the rapper will address these serious allegations in the months to come. As the case progresses, the world is watching closely, waiting to see how it will affect West’s businesses, including Yeezy and Donda Academy, as well as his already rocky relationship with the public.
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