The lawsuit, filed over the weekend, points fingers at Ye, Yeezy, and Milo Yiannopoulos, the rapper's former chief of staff. It alleges that the workplace under their management was marred by racial discrimination and failure to compensate employees for their efforts. According to the complaint, the plaintiffs, aged 14 to 24 and from various parts of the globe, were recruited to develop a streaming app called YZYVSN for Ye's upcoming album "Vultures 2," featuring Ty Dolla Sign.
The development process, as described in the lawsuit, required the plaintiffs to sign NDAs and "volunteer" agreements upon Yeezy's acquisition of the app in April. Communications primarily took place via Discord, a group chat service, where the atmosphere allegedly turned hostile. The lawsuit details instances where channels were named provocatively, such as "New Slaves," evoking parallels to one of Ye's past songs. Allegations include racist behaviors perpetuated by Yiannopoulos, who reportedly used derogatory language and emojis targeting Black developers.
Moreover, the plaintiffs claim that Yiannopoulos fostered an environment where white developers were promised jobs while Black and African developers faced discrimination and harassment. The suit further alleges that the working conditions were strenuous, with demands for long hours during "rush week" to meet deadlines aligned with the album release schedule. Despite the completion of the app in early May, the promised payment has not been received, and the album's release remains pending.
Disturbingly, the lawsuit also mentions exposure to inappropriate content on company Discord chats, including pornography. Reports indicated Ye's interest in establishing an adult content studio, and allegations suggest that explicit material was shared within the developer community. These claims paint a picture of an environment where misconduct allegedly went unchecked despite awareness among the defendants.
In response to the lawsuit, Yiannopoulos has vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing them as baseless and labeling the lawsuit a "joke." He refuted claims of fostering a hostile workplace and emphasized efforts to secure payments for the developers involved. Despite his denial, the plaintiffs assert enduring psychological and emotional distress due to their experiences at Yeezy, prompting them to seek damages for unpaid wages, emotional suffering, and other health concerns stemming from their time at the company.
Prior to filing the lawsuit, the plaintiffs reportedly filed complaints with the California Civil Rights Department, which granted them permission to proceed with legal action. Attorney Thigpen underscored the significance of accountability, expressing confidence that a jury trial will hold the defendants responsible for their actions.
The unfolding legal saga underscores the challenges faced by high-profile figures like Ye in managing their business ventures amidst allegations of misconduct. As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how the courts will adjudicate the claims brought forth by the plaintiffs seeking justice for their alleged mistreatment at Yeezy.
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