Controversy and legal battles have often followed Kanye West, from public disputes to courtroom clashes tied to his business and property ventures. The rapper and fashion mogul has faced multiple run-ins with lawsuits and enforcement actions over the years. But this time around, the stakes come with a price tag, a massive $140,000 to be precise

A Los Angeles Superior Court jury delivered a mixed verdict against Kanye West in a dispute with his former Malibu mansion project manager, Tony Saxon. The panel awarded Saxon $140,000 in damages along with attorney fees and court costs, but rejected his push for $1.7 million in full compensatory relief and any punitive damages.

The two-week trial, which wrapped up last week, featured unusual details about West's vision for the Tadao Ando-designed architectural gem. Saxon described round-the-clock duties that blended project oversight with security, including the rapper's alleged demands to strip plumbing, electricity, and stairs for an off-grid setup. He also claimed he once had to tow West when the rapper's car stalled. The rapper and his wife, Bianca Censori, were also briefly present to testify.

Defense attorneys challenged Saxon's back and neck injury claims with footage of his lively post-incident band performance. West's courtroom presence also drew attention for apparent drowsiness. The rapper is reported to have often relied on passive responses, claiming not to remember most of the details, though his lawyer said it was simply boredom with routine proceedings.

Fresh off the courtroom loss over unpaid wages, another legal issue resurfaced from West's past collaborations.

Kanye West and trouble go hand in hand

Gospel artist Victory Boyd continued pursuing infringement claims against Travis Scott, SZA, and Future over their 2023 track 'Telekinesis,' which peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. Boyd alleged the artists used her 2019 demo 'Like the Way It Sounds' without permission. The demo had originally been created during Jesus Is King sessions with Kanye West.

A New York federal judge rejected the artists' attempt to dismiss the case early, ruling that there was not enough evidence to show West had cleared the demo for adaptation. While Scott's team argued Boyd exaggerated her authorship and pointed to registration issues, the court said the collaborative details remained too unclear for summary judgment.

Labels such as Sony Music and Cactus Jack Records remain defendants as discovery approaches, which could involve deeper reviews of emails and depositions. West himself, however, is not directly involved in the case, but both situations reflect his history of disputes emerging from ambitious creative ventures.

What do you think of Kanye West's court woes? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Pratham Gurung

Edited by

Adiba Nizami