After Ye – an artist formerly known as Kanye West – publicly made a string of antisemitic comments this month, another allegation regarding his history with antisemitism has come to light.
According to NBC News, West “paid a settlement to a former employee who alleged that he had used antisemitic language in the workplace.”
A settlement reviewed by the outlet claims that a former employee of West “alleged having witnessed more than one incident in which Ye praised Hitler or Nazis in business meetings,” though West denied the claims.
“The former employee spoke on the condition of anonymity, having signed a nondisclosure agreement,” said NBC News. The outlet added that it is “withholding certain details about the settlement to protect the person’s anonymity,” and that it “reviewed the settlement, along with other correspondence and proof of the payment the former employee said they had received.”
Representatives for West did not respond to requests for comment, said NBC.
Apart from this settlement, the outlet reported that six people who have worked with West or witnessed him in professional settings over the past five years said they had heard him praise Adolf Hitler or mention conspiracy theories about Jewish people. Of the six, three said they witnessed West go on an antisemitic tirade during an interview at TMZ’s offices.
“Their accounts, as well as the settlement, suggest that Ye has used such language for years in more instances than previously known to the public, well before his recent antisemitic comments online and in interviews came to light,” NBC said.
Ryder Ripps, a Jewish conceptual artist who worked with West on and off from 2014 to 2018, said he recalled multiple times when West spoke positively about Hitler and the Nazis or mentioned anti-Jewish conspiracies during meetings in the summer and fall of 2018, per NBC.
“This is dangerous and disgusting and actually violent,” said Ripps after West’s recent comments.
KNX and Audacy have reported on the fallout from West’s antisemitic comments, from his being dropped by talent agency CAA to losing partnerships with a host of companies, including Adidas and Balenciaga and his billionaire status along with them. After West posted comments on Twitter, demonstrators were also spotted gathered on a 405 Freeway overpass with banners praising West and giving Nazi salutes.
Last week, KNX reported on West’s visit to Skechers’ corporate office in Manhattan Beach. He was escorted out of the office, the shoe company confirmed. Saturday Night Live referenced the incident over the weekend.
Donda Academy, a private school West founded in Simi Valley, also abruptly closed its doors Thursday for the remainder of the school year, per KNX reporting.
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