Soulja Boy has been sued for assault and sexual battery by his former assistant.
According to Pitchfork, the rapper is also being sued for false imprisonment, infliction of emotional distress, gender violence, a hostile work environment, failure to pay minimum wage, unpaid overtime and reimbursements, inaccurate wage statements, and more.
“Soulja would never put his hands on a female,” the rapper’s representative told TMZ. “He wouldn’t beat a woman or put his hands on a woman... this is nonsense.”
The Independent has contacted the representatives of Soulja Boy – real name DeAndre Cortez Way – for further comment.
The woman, listed under the pseudonym Jane Doe, claims in the lawsuit that she began working for Soulja Boy in late 2018. She alleged that the artist locked her in a room “for three days against her will” and raped her “on numerous occasions”.
“[Soulja Boy]’s treatment of our client, as an employee and as a person who deserves respect, has traumatised and filled her with fear,” her lawyer Neama Rahmani said in a statement. “His abuse imprisoned her physically, mentally and emotionally. When she mustered the courage to flee, he impoverished her.
“His exploitation severely hampered our client’s ability to re-establish herself in the workplace and in society. We believe he should be held accountable.”
Soulja Boy is recognised for tracks such as “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” and “Kiss Me Thru the Phone”.
You can find more information and advice for people affected by rape and sexual abuse at Rape Crisis or you can call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247
