Rap phenomenon Cardi B is being sued by her former manager for US $10 million over claims the Invasion Of Privacy juggernaut breached their contract and defamed him in the process.
Legal documents obtained by The Blast show Klenord “Shaft” Raphael claims he was pivotal in Cardi B’s career progression from social media personality and stripper to chart-topping artist.
The suit alleges that when Shaft came across her in 2015, she wasn’t yet a rapper, and that “her rapid rise as a recording artist and performer is attributable to” him (Shaft is listed as a co-writer of her breakout hit Bodak Yellow).
The suit goes on to claim that Cardi B’s stylist falsely alleged Shaft was making side-deals without her knowledge, which lead to their professional separation late last year.
The suit alleges Cardi B “repeatedly defamed Shaft” by echoing those claims of dodgy deals to her fiancée Offset, who eventually convinced her to swap over to Quality Control management – the firm which handles Offset’s group, Migos.
Shaft is also seeking US $10 million from Quality Control.
In a statement provided to Billboard, a representative for Shaft said he “is disappointed by her actions to freeze him out of her career, which are detailed in the complaint.
“Shaft is confident that his lawsuit will validate his conduct and substantiate his legal claims.”
Meanwhile, Cardi B has cancelled the majority of her scheduled shows to focus on her pregnancy, but said she’ll seal off the remainder of her scheduled commitments.
Okay so i might be off from doing performances for a couple of months but in the meantime imma be working my ass off .So many songs, features to do .Working on a lot of deals i sign up for and most importantly nesting .I️m already overwhelmed from the new work😩
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) April 26, 2018
