April 28th 2024.
A former security guard, Benjamin Deshon Provo, has recently filed a lawsuit against rapper Kanye West for alleged racial discrimination. The 46-year-old rapper, known for his hit song "All Day", employed Provo at his Donda Academy school and at a warehouse used for storage of his Yeezy clothing line. Provo claims that he and other Black employees were subjected to unfair treatment compared to their white counterparts.
According to documents obtained by People, Provo stated that Kanye would often yell and berate Black employees and even fired him for refusing to cut his dreadlocks. He further explained that he started working for Kanye in August of 2021 and was later assigned additional duties, including providing security at the rapper's Sunday Service events and at the Yeezy warehouse.
Provo's lawsuit alleges that Kanye's mistreatment of Black employees was evident in various aspects, such as pay disparity and being asked to put themselves in harm's way by snatching cameras from waiting paparazzi. Provo also claimed that Kanye requested all books related to prominent black figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X to be disposed of, and that he was paid less than his non-Black colleagues for no reason.
The lawsuit also accused Kanye of displaying a clear difference in the way he treated Black employees compared to others, describing him as "always abrupt, abrasive, and demeaning" towards Provo and his fellow Black coworkers. When Provo raised concerns about the pay disparity, his line manager, John Hicks, advised him not to bring it up to Kanye. Shortly after, Provo noticed a decrease in his paychecks, while his white colleagues did not experience the same.
In April of 2023, Kanye allegedly began demanding that Provo and other employees shave their heads, despite Provo wearing dreadlocks as an expression of his Muslim faith. When Provo refused, his employment was terminated. The lawsuit claims that Kanye and Hicks pressured Provo to comply with the demand, with Kanye becoming increasingly aggressive and even threatening to fire Provo if he didn't shave his head.
Provo is seeking damages for discrimination, retaliation, a hostile work environment, and labor code violations, as well as covering attorney fees. He is also requesting a preliminary and permanent injunction against all defendants, prohibiting them from owning or operating any educational school for minors in the state of California.
Representatives for Kanye West have been contacted for comment. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, the entertainment team at The Agency would love to hear from you. You can reach out to them by email, phone, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page.
In other news, Kaleb Cooper, star of Clarkson's Farm, has recently opened up about his health ailment, blaming ITV for it. And in more heartwarming news, a blind pianist who won a Channel 4 show at the age of 13 continues to be a "miracle kid".
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