Tension boiled over at Kanye West’s (Ye) Yeezy headquarters in Hollywood as law enforcement was called to the location early Monday morning after a swastika was discovered spray-painted on the side of the building. The alarming graffiti comes as West continues to face intense backlash over a series of inflammatory, antisemitic posts shared on his social platforms in recent weeks.
According to the Daily Mail, LAPD officers responded to the 7200 block of Melrose Avenue around 6:45 a.m. after a passerby reported the symbol tagged in black paint on the side of the Yeezy building, which houses creative operations for West’s fashion and footwear brand. The incident is being investigated as a hate crime.
One officer at the scene described the act as “deliberate and loaded,” calling the timing and location “deeply troubling.” Surveillance footage is being reviewed, and the area was closed off as a hate crimes unit collected evidence.
Kanye West, who now legally goes by Ye, has been the center of attention over the past two years for repeatedly amplifying antisemitic conspiracy theories, using offensive imagery, and aligning with controversial far-right figures. Despite facing bans from social platforms, widespread condemnation, and the loss of several partnerships, including Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga, Ye has doubled down on his statements, referring to them as “free thought.”
While Ye has yet to release an official statement, many in both the fashion and entertainment industries are calling for accountability, especially as the swastika, a globally recognized hate symbol, is now physically associated with his brand’s headquarters.
Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center issued a statement: “This isn’t graffiti, it’s a symbol of genocide and terror. Kanye West’s repeated use of antisemitic rhetoric opens the door to this kind of hate. We urge authorities to pursue this fully and call on influencers to condemn this outright.”
Local activists gathered near the site by afternoon, placing signs that read “Hate Has No Home Here” and “Stop Normalizing Antisemitism.” The Yeezy offices remained closed to the public as of press time.
While some brands have distanced themselves from Ye, others have kept quiet, and his cult fan base continues to support his music and Yeezy brand.
As the investigation unfolds, Los Angeles officials are urging community leaders and public figures to be proactive in denouncing antisemitism in all its forms, especially when words spark actions.
