Controversial rap mogul Kanye West has been accused of discriminating against his black employees, after he reportedly berated and fired a worker than refused to cut his dreadlocks.
Benjamin Deshon Provo — who was hired in August 2021 to work as a security guard in the rapper’s Christian school Donda Academy — claims he suffered “severe emotional distress” as a result of West’s alleged actions.
“Kanye and members of his management team subjected Provo and other black employees to less favorable treatment than their white counterparts,” read the lawsuit, in part.
“Specifically, Kanye frequently screamed at and berated black employees, while in contrast, he never so much as raised his tone of voice toward white staff.”
According to Provo, West would repeatedly give tongue lashings to his employees that spotted dreadlocks.
“Kanye and members of his management team required Provo to choose between these critical aspects of his self-identity and financial stability,” the complaint continued.
“Indeed, at the direction of Kanye, Provo was given the ultimatum, cut his hair, or be fired.”
In addition to being forced to cut his hair, Provo alleged that Kanye West would ban books from prominent Black leaders, including Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Daily Mast
