Kanye West In Hot Waters Over “White Lives Matter” Spat With ‘Vogue’ Editor

In addition to getting himself into additional legal trouble as a result of his online shenanigans, Kanye West now seems to hardly ever make the press for his music. The rapper and producer is once again in hot water after sharing an image to social media without the photographer’s consent, according to Media on Friday, June 9. He now faces a new legal battle as a result.

Ye came under fire from Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, a contributing editor for Vogue, in September for supporting and wearing shirts with the message “White Lives Matter” at his Yeezy Season 9 fashion presentation in Paris. The contentious outfit was viewed by many as doing the Black Lives Matter movement, which aims to end racism and police brutality in the US and worldwide, a huge disservice.

Kanye responded to Karefa-Johnson’s comments in a since-deleted Instagram post. He used a picture of her and wrote the following as the caption: “This is not a fashion person. You speak on Ye Ima speak on you.”

Kanye West mocks fashion editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson after she criticized him for wearing a ‘White Lives Matter’ shirt alongside Candace Owens. pic.twitter.com/NNHFHxeZwg

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) October 4, 2022

In a second post, the creator of Yeezy focused on a close-up of her shoes in the same picture and used the ironic comment, “I KNOOOOOOW ANNA HAAATES THESE BOOTS,” in reference to the longstanding editor-in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour.

Ye never received permission from the photographer, Michaela Efford, to use the image. She further asserts that Kanye’s derogatory usage of the shot damaged its marketability and made it harder for the photographer to earn money using the image. She is pursuing reimbursement in court, albeit the exact amount is unknown.

A former academic instructor at Kanye West’s Donda Academy, Timanii Meeks, filed a complaint against him just a few days prior. She is the third former teacher from his Christian school to file a lawsuit against him, claiming that she lost her job because she alerted the authorities to the dangers of the structure.

Soon after that, Ye was sued for assault, battery, and negligence by photographer Nichol Lechmanik in connection with an encounter from earlier this year. She claims that when the Chicago native saw that she was videotaping him on her phone, he took it and threw it away, leaving her feeling “traumatized and humiliated.” Ye approached their car window after learning he and his wife, Bianca Censori, were being followed, according to Lechmanik’s business partner’s event video. He can be heard telling her in the video, “You all ain’t gonna run up on me like that.” If I tell you to stop, turn off your cameras.