Rap sensation, Cardi B, is being sued for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and defamation by her former manager, Shaft, who discovered her.
Shaft whose real name is Klenord Raphael claims in a new lawsuit that he began working with Cardi B in 2015 and was part of her rise in the music industry, before he was kicked out of the picture.
He also alleged he linked her up with VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop” and that his contacts and personal team of writers and producers are responsible for her hit song, “Bodak Yellow.”
Court documents obtained by Complex show that Shaft claims Cardi “falsely communicat[ed]” to her fiancé Offset and members of her entourage that “‘Shaft is robbing me.’” Furthermore, Offset was allegedly responsible for convincing her to sign with QC.
The suit further claims that before meeting Shaft, Cardi B had about 100,000 Instagram followers and had not rapped or performed music. Shaft then made Cardi B a “party host,”travelling the country with DJ Self, who Shaft also discovered, which paved the way for her appearance on Love & Hip Hop.
In the lawsuit, Shaff also blamed Cardi’s makeup artist/ publicist, Patience Foster, for turning the rapper against him.
In a statement to Complex, a spokesperson for Shaft said: “Since discovering Cardi B in 2015, Shaft has played an integral role in developing her music career and public image.
While he is proud of their successful collaborations as she evolved from Instagram influencer to music megastar, Shaft 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.”
A source close to the situation also told the site that Shaft played a role in Cardi’s involvement with VH1’s Love & Hip Hop, as well as megahit “Bodak Yellow.”
Shaft is suing Cardi B for $10 million for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and defamation among others.
