Since rapper and fashion designer Ye was suspended from both Twitter and Instagram last week for sharing antisemitic posts and conspiracy theories, he has taken to YouTube and TikTok to share content.
On October 10, Ye uploaded a 30 minute documentary titled "LAST WEEK" to his YouTube channel. It includes a clip from a business meeting with executives fromGerman owned athletic brand Adidas.
The clip sparked major criticism and accusations of sexual harassment in the workplace.
\u201cKanye West shares clip from a meeting with Adidas executives and pulls out his phone to show them a porn video. \n\nWest then tells an executive that the voice of an actor in the video sounds like that of the exec.\u201d— Pop Crave (@Pop Crave) 1665426038
The meeting with Adidas began at the 10:26 mark of the YouTube video.
Ye was standing amongst a group of men—both Adidas execs and Ye's representatives—who are seated on stools in a horseshoe position. Ye then brought his phone in front of a man's face and commented the male in the video sounded similar to the executive.
Once the man realized what was on the screen, he asked:
"Is this a porn movie?"
After Ye responded in the affirmative, the executive leaned back and uttered, "Jesus Christ."
Ye continued to push the phone closer to the man's face, trying to force him to continue to watch.
Finally, the man moved Ye's arm and said, "Come on." Eventually, Ye did put his phone away.
He sat back down and explained:
"You guys have done wrong by the company, by the business, and by the partnership."
"The whole concept of the video is that this guy has cheated. So then the girl was like, 'Well I'm gonna do the thing that is your worst nightmare'."
Ye finished:
"This is your worst nightmare."
"Your worst nightmare is not me hitting you. Your worst nightmare is not me playing the porn."
"Your worst nightmare is not me screaming. We've done all this."
One of Ye's representatives then stepped in with an attempt to clarify.
"What you're feeling right now is extreme discomfort, and that is exactly the point."
"Because when someone steals this man's ideas, his creations...it's like you're stealing a child."
"These are all children of his mind, and you've kidnapped them."
"You guys know you did wrong."
The backlash came swiftly on Twitter.
\u201c@PopCrave If someone in a BUSINESS MEET do that, deal is immediately terminated. Like 1, not the time or the place 2. How u gonna disrespect my staff as well as my time and eyesight?!?\u201d— Pop Crave (@Pop Crave) 1665426038
\u201c@PopCrave He's allegedly been doing to various people for years. Dude seems to have a bad problem and it's no wonder why his business relationships have soured if this is what he does in meetings...\u201d— Pop Crave (@Pop Crave) 1665426038
\u201c@PopCrave That is so embarassing. What is his team doing about his behavior?\u201d— Pop Crave (@Pop Crave) 1665426038
People noted in the United States Ye's actions could lead to civil charges of workplace sexual harassment resulting in nullification of his contract and potential fines.
Whether he also violated German labor laws wasn't verified nor was it clear where the meeting occurred.
\u201c@PopCrave This is distribution of porn , sexual harassment, public indecency. He is racking up charges at this point\u201d— Pop Crave (@Pop Crave) 1665426038
\u201c@PopCrave this whole situation is inappropriate, offensive, degrading, like.. he's pulling the aces that are ruins of ruins of ruins. we need to redirect platform to someone with better message to send. this making me uncomfortable to watch. it's enough.\u201d— Pop Crave (@Pop Crave) 1665426038
\u201c@PopCrave is he showing someone a porn video without them knowing what it is and without their permission? this is disgusting\u201d— Pop Crave (@Pop Crave) 1665426038
\u201c@PopCrave In the corporate world this is considered sexual harassment.\u201d— Pop Crave (@Pop Crave) 1665426038
\u201c@PopCrave this is awful\u201d— Pop Crave (@Pop Crave) 1665426038
\u201c@PopCrave Wrong time, wrong place, wrong people. Wow.\u201d— Pop Crave (@Pop Crave) 1665426038
\u201c@PopCrave If "unhinged" was a person.\u201d— Pop Crave (@Pop Crave) 1665426038
Ye stated in the past he believed Adidas had stolen his designs along with various other claims.
It appears, however, his antics aren't without consequences.
Last week, Adidas announced its partnership with Ye is "under review." While the collaboration proved profitable, it may be time to cut their losses.
NBC News via Lisa Anderson
