Kanye West’s controversial behavior continues to cost him money. A new report says the rapper had to pay a former employee an undisclosed settlement after using antisemitic language in the workplace.
According to NBC News, six people who’ve worked with the rapper over the years came forward alleging he used antisemitic rhetoric on multiple occasions, even praising Adolf Hitler and repeating conspiracy theories about the Jewish community.
One of the employees, conceptual artist Ryder Ripps, described Kanye’s comments as “dangerous and disgusting and actually violent.” He recalled several instances in which Ye praised Hitler and the Nazis.
Ripps – who is Jewish and worked on-and-off for Kanye between 2014 to 2015 – said he tried to push back against the rapper’s comments, but didn’t think they seemed “dangerous” at first. But now, the ex-employee’s opinion has changed.
“With this pattern that’s happening and with the doubling and tripling down of all this, it’s pretty obvious that this is some kind of disgusting, hate-filled, strange Nazi obsession,” he stated.
Kanye recently made headlines for making antisemitic comments. However, based on the complaints from his former employee, it appears Ye has been using this rhetoric for years.
In a video posted online, the Yeezy founder didn’t apologize for his antisemitic comments but tried distancing himself from hate groups.
“I have no association to any hate group,” Kanye said in the video while concluding with a prayer. “If any hate happens upon any Jewish person, it is not associated [with me] because I am demanding that everyone walk in love.”
It's unclear how much Kanye had to pay to the former employee. The ex-staffer’s identity is also being hidden from the public. It’s unknown if Ye will pay settlements to any of the other employees who’ve come forward in response to his antisemitism.
NBC notes that a different business executive who worked with Kanye was also paid a settlement recently over antisemitic comments.
“CNN reported last Thursday that a business executive who worked for Ye had accused him of creating a hostile work environment through an ‘obsession’ with Hitler and had received a settlement. NBC News has not confirmed the settlement, which appears to be separate from the case of the former employee who shared settlement documents with NBC News,” the publication reported.
Kanye has come under fire for a string of controversial behavior recently, not only limited to his antisemitic remarks. He’s been dropped by a number of companies (including Adidas), which has reportedly stripped him on his billionaire status.