According to the Los Angeles Times, a man using the pseudonym John Doe (a common name for male victims wishing to remain anonymous) filed a lawsuit against Kanye West in Los Angeles Superior Court on 13/4. In the complaint, he accused the rapper of assault and battery.

The incident reportedly occurred in the courtyard of the Chateau Marmont hotel in West Hollywood, US, around 11 PM on 16/4/2024. At that time, Kanye West, also known as Ye, allegedly approached the plaintiff's table and punched him in the face. The punch caused the victim to fall, hit his head, and lose consciousness. The rapper continued to strike John Doe while he lay unconscious on the ground.

Rapper Kanye West, 49. Photo: GC Images

John Doe asserts that he did not provoke the artist, leading to the attack. He also accused Ye of leaving him on the ground and walking toward the security team.

Furthermore, John Doe alleges that Ye "defamed" him by claiming he insulted an unnamed woman at the scene. Doe states that video footage of the incident proves he did not act as the rapper described. In the complaint, the plaintiff noted that his brother was also present and affirmed that neither of them behaved disrespectfully toward the woman.

According to court documents, the man accusing Kanye West has a business that relies on "personal reputation, professional relationships, and public perception." The rapper's false statements about the incident were reposted and spread across social media, leading to John Doe facing contempt, suspicion, and ridicule. He suffered emotional distress, lost credibility within his community, and incurred damage to his business dealings. Doe requested a jury trial for the lawsuit, seeking unspecified damages, including compensation for lost income.

John Doe's lawyer and Kanye West's representatives have not yet responded to the matter.

Kanye West and his Australian wife, Bianca Censori, 31, at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Photo: FilmMagic

The new lawsuit reopens allegations that Ye previously punched an unidentified person in 4/2024. At the time, TMZ reported that the rapper assaulted a man who grabbed his wife, architect Bianca Censori, at the Chateau Marmont hotel. Ye's representatives denied his involvement, stating in an email to the media that "police are not even investigating anymore."

This marks Kanye West's latest legal issue. According to People in March, a Los Angeles Superior Court jury concluded that the artist must pay 140,000 USD in compensation to his former estate manager because the rapper failed to pay wages and unlawfully terminated the employee. Subsequently, Ye filed a motion asking the judge to overturn the verdict.

Kanye West, born in 1977 in Atlanta, US, began his music career in 1996. He later became one of the most successful artists of the 21st century, selling over 140 million records and winning 24 Grammy Awards. In 2022, after divorcing billionaire Kim Kardashian, he married Bianca Censori, who was formerly his employee.

For years, the rapper has drawn attention for his antisemitic and pro-Nazi statements. On 7/4, the UK Home Office blocked Ye's entry permit application following a wave of protests against the artist performing at a music festival in London in July. In 2025, the Australian government revoked his visa and banned him from entering the country. On X on 14/4, the artist announced the postponement of an upcoming concert in Marseille, France, after the office of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed it was reviewing a ban on his performance.

In January, Ye published an apology in the Wall Street Journal, explaining that his bipolar disorder caused his inappropriate actions. In late March, he began his return to music with the release of his new album Bully, and successfully held two concerts at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in early April.

Phuong Thao (according to Los Angeles Times, People)