Cardi B's former manager, Klenord "Shaft" Raphael," is suing the "Bodak Yellow" rapper for breach of contract. He is demanding a minimum of $10 million.
Raphael, his label KSR, and the management company WorldStar Marketing Group filed the complaint on Thursday, April 26, in New York City.
Behind The Success
In the copy of legal documents obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Raphael is taking credit for the 25-year-old's meteoric rise to success. The plaintiff said that he "conceived, arranged, and orchestrated" the rapper's career, landed her a spot on the reality show Love & Hip Hop, and secured her a major record deal.
Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almanzar, left Raphael last month for Solid Foundation, the management wing of Quality Control.
Kevin Lee and Pierre Thomas of Quality Control are also named in the lawsuit as well as publicist and stylist Patientce Foster.
The complaint alleges that the deal between the rapper and Solid Foundation is not valid due to her existing contract with WorldStar. In 2015, Cardi B signed a one-year exclusive management deal with WorldStar with the option to extend for an additional four years.
WorldStar also got 20 percent of her gross income.
Raphael and WorldStar are insisting that their deal with Cardi B is still in place. The talent manager is also unhappy with what the hip-hop star is writing about his companies on social media.
He specifically recalls a post in March wherein the rapper and former reality television star told fans that she had to cutoff a few people, including friends and management, from her life because they do not care about her.
The plaintiff claims that the mom-to-be never denied the rumors and allegations that Raphael was stealing from her, "thereby validating that falsehood by her silence."
Raphael is suing for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, declaratory judgment, and defamation. He is seeking not less than $10 million in damages.
Cardi B is yet to make a public comment about the lawsuit.
Cardi B Takes A Break
The award-winning rapper has recently canceled a number of live performances this summer due to her pregnancy. The "Bartier Cardi" rapper took to Instagram to announce the sad news.
"I be looking like I be moving and everything but in reality, a b**** barely can breathe," she shared.
The news comes a few days after her lauded debut performances at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Cardi B's final performance before she gives birth will take place at this weekend's Broccoli City Festival in Washington D.C. Migos, Rich The Kid, Daniel Caesar, and more are also set to appear.
