Kanye West Allegedly Told Man “You Can’t Leave” and Ordered Him to Live in Beach House During Demolition

Inside the intense Malibu mansion saga where Kanye West allegedly controlled every inch of his project manager’s life, including locking him in during demolition.

When you think of Kanye West, you picture the larger-than-life artist, the boundary-pushing musician, the fashion icon. But behind the scenes of his Malibu mansion renovation, things got far more intense—and, frankly, unsettling. Imagine being told by Kanye himself, “You can’t leave,” and being ordered to live full-time in a house undergoing a radical demolition. That’s exactly what Tony Saxon, a former employee, testified in a gripping court case that unfolded recently.

Locked In and Locked Down: The Malibu Mansion Nightmare

Tony Saxon, who once worked closely with Kanye West, is suing the superstar over injuries he claims happened during the demolition of Ye’s Malibu beach house. Saxon’s story, shared in court, paints a picture of a demanding, borderline controlling employer who expected total devotion—even at odd hours.

Saxon was hired as a project manager, full-time security, and live-in caretaker for Kanye’s $57.3 million Malibu estate, which West purchased earlier in 2021. But what started as a professional gig soon turned into a bizarre ordeal. According to Saxon’s testimony on February 25, the rapper explicitly told him he wasn’t allowed to leave the property. Yes, you read that right—“You can’t leave.”

“He stood over me and asked, ‘Why are you not working?’ It was like three or four in the morning. I said, ‘I have to sleep sometime,’” Saxon recalled. Kanye “chuckled” at his reply.

This wasn’t just some hyper-focused boss checking in after hours—it was a demand to live and breathe the project 24/7, with Saxon sleeping on a small mattress on a concrete floor, as shown in court images. The relation between the two wasn’t without its warmth, though. Text messages presented to the jury showed the pair calling each other “brother” and exchanging heart emojis, suggesting a complicated dynamic filled with both camaraderie and control.

A Radical Renovation: Turning a Mansion into a Bunker

So, what was Kanye’s vision for this colossal house? According to Saxon, Ye wanted to transform the sprawling Malibu mansion into an off-the-grid, open-concept bunker, complete with privatized Wi-Fi, renewable energy, and zero ties to the city’s power and water supplies.

Saxon detailed the extensive demolition work, which included stripping out all wiring, plumbing, a jacuzzi, a chimney, and even a black-marble bathroom. The craziest part? Removing every single window and piece of glass to make the house “open, very bare, minimalistic.” This wasn’t your typical home renovation—it was more like a futuristic fortress build.

The work was grueling. Saxon even suffered a serious back injury while demolishing two chimney stacks, describing it as being “whiplashed” by the falling spire. Despite the injury, Saxon testified that Kanye ignored his requests for time off.

From Project Manager to Security Guard

One particularly intense moment Saxon recounted was when he arrived at the mansion to find the night watchman had been fired. Kanye then ordered Saxon to take over the security shifts, reinforcing the “you can’t leave” directive.

“Since you’re going to be there so much, running shifts, you should be the security,” Saxon said Kanye told him.

This complete takeover of Saxon’s time and space contributed to the heart of the legal battle. Saxon filed a lawsuit claiming he was owed $1 million for unpaid wages and lost earnings after being unlawfully fired for refusing to comply with Kanye’s “dangerous” demands.

A Clash Over Employment Status and Responsibility

Kanye’s legal team pushed back hard, arguing that Saxon was actually an unlicensed independent contractor, not an employee. They claimed Saxon had “destroyed” the architectural masterpiece with his reckless work, trying to keep the demolition “under the radar” to avoid inspections and shutdowns.

Attorney Andrew Cherkasky highlighted text messages where Saxon suggested chilling on the noise to avoid drawing attention. Kanye apparently worries about a generator’s noise level and complimented Saxon’s discreet removal of trash with a heart emoji.

But when it came to Saxon’s injury, Kanye’s side insisted there was “not a single medical record” proving the injury happened while working for West. Saxon’s lawyer explained that his client didn’t seek immediate treatment, making the lack of records understandable.

The Human Side Behind the Headlines

Despite the hard-charging narrative, Saxon also recalled moments where Kanye showed kindness. For instance, when he noticed Saxon hadn’t showered for days, Kanye took him to Malibu’s Nobu Hotel in Kim Kardashian’s Lamborghini—a surprising act of care amid the chaos.

A History of Legal Troubles and Controversies

This lawsuit isn’t the first time Kanye West has found himself in hot water with former employees. Over recent years, he’s faced various complaints, including discrimination lawsuits and accusations of fostering bullying at his Donda Academy. There have also been disturbing reports of inappropriate messages sent to staff and allegations of psychological mind games at Yeezy and Adidas workplaces.

In 2022, Kanye even avoided battery charges related to an incident where he threw a woman’s phone in the street. Despite these controversies, Kanye continues to maintain his presence in music and public life, recently apologizing for past anti-Semitic remarks and announcing his first European headline show since 2014 in the Netherlands.

What’s Next for the Trial?

Tony Saxon’s testimony is ongoing, with more revelations expected as the trial continues. Kanye West himself is slated to take the stand soon, promising to add his side of the story in what looks like a lengthy legal showdown.

What do you think about this dramatic glimpse behind Kanye West’s legendary, yet turbulent, Malibu mansion project? Would you have survived working under those conditions?

FAQ

• What was Tony Saxon's role at Kanye West's Malibu mansion?
  Tony worked as a project manager, full-time security, and live-in caretaker during the mansion’s demolition.
• Why is Tony Saxon suing Kanye West?
  He alleges unpaid wages and lost earnings totaling around $1 million, plus claims of injury and unlawful firing.
• What unusual demands did Kanye West make during the renovation?
  Kanye required the house to be stripped bare, off-grid, with no windows, private Wi-Fi, and renewable energy systems.
• Was Tony Saxon allowed to leave the property during his work?
  According to Saxon's testimony, Kanye told him, “You can’t leave,” effectively making him live on-site full-time.
• What is the legal dispute regarding Tony Saxon's worker status?
  Kanye's lawyers claim Saxon was an unlicensed independent contractor, not an employee, which affects liability and wage claims.

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