Kanye West in 2010 © Fabien / Universal Music via Wikimedia Commons
A Miami art gallery has filed a lawsuit against Kanye West
Surface Area, a gallery and showroom near the Institute of Contemporary Art in Miami, filed a complaint with Florida's Southern District Court this week saying that Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, owes $145,813 for "reserving, customizing, and using its rental space as a recording studio." Surface Area says Ye and his team agreed on January 5 to rent out the gallery space for the rest of the month for $5,000 a day, plus $20,000 for moving costs and chair rentals. The complaint says that Ye's manager Steven Victor and general manager Laurence Chandler agreed to all of the costs.
It seems that Ye and his team never paid
The complaint says that once prices were agreed upon, Surface Area got rid of $50 million worth of art from the gallery to make room for music recording equipment that came in on the 6th. After the equipment was brought in, rappers 88-Keys, Pardison Fontaine, and "others" started making music. Based on the court documents, it looks like Ye and his team moved out at the end of the month but never paid. "Defendant has not paid Plaintiff any money at all," the complaint says.
After the series of scandals, the artist is now sued
After a string of scandals and controversies, the artist is now being sued. Ye has said a lot of hurtful things about Jews in interviews on TV and podcasts and in posts on social media. Adidas, Gap, and the Creative Artists Agency, among other companies and celebrities, have cut ties with the once-famous musician and clothing designer.
Selena Mattei