Kanye West faces two class-action lawsuits

Rapper apparently hasn’t paid Sunday Service crew

Kanye West is currently facing two class-action lawsuits alleging mistreatment of performers and staff of his extravagant Sunday Service shows, according to Page Six.

Filed last summer in Los Angeles, the lawsuits are reportedly divided between performers and crew: Frank Kim is repping more 500 performers, while attorneys Harris & Ruble are concentrating on the approximately 300 crew members.

Some of the stories from the lawsuit are shocking, if by now sadly predictable, tales from the gig economy: A hairstylist had to wait 120 days for a $550 paycheck from work done in November 2019, which was then less a $20 wire fee deducted by West’s company. A performer alleged he was paid a flat day rate of $250, and regardless of his hours, was not permitted a meal or restroom breaks. He also claimed that performers stood all day or sat on the floor because not enough chairs had been sourced and walked home when a shuttle wasn’t provided for them.

The suits also pertain to West’s “opera,” the Nebuchadnezzar, which allegedly violated California labour laws by not paying employees on time — or ever — and denying overtime, meal and bathroom breaks.
Lawyers are tracking down further members of the Sunday Service series and believe the final number of plaintiffs could reach closer to 1,000 people. “No one knows how involved Kanye himself was, if he knew what was going on, as it was all so last minute, it was terribly ran. Whether it was mismanagement, accidental or on purpose, this is a very strong case,” the source told the outlet.
The other lawsuit alleges that employees were stiffed for six months of work on Sunday Service-related technology. The suit, filed in August 2020, claims that West’s lack of payment is tantamount to theft of the tech.
We suppose this means that West’s September claim of spending $50 million on Sunday Services in 2019 will have to undergo an audit. And of course, all of this comes as West is preparing for his divorce from Kim Kardashian. Earlier this week, he returned to LA from Wyoming.