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A high-stakes legal battle has erupted in the Southern District of New York, where Cardi B’s former manager Klenord “Shaft” Raphael, along with WorldStar Marketing Group and KSR Group, has filed a lawsuit against the Grammy-winning rapper and her current team. The complaint seeks at least $10 million in damages, alleging breach of contract, unjust enrichment, defamation, and tortious interference.
According to the filings, Shaft and his companies played a pivotal role in transforming Cardi B from an outspoken Instagram personality into one of the most successful female rappers of her generation. Before their professional relationship began in 2015, Cardi B was a relatively unknown figure, building a modest following online while working as a dancer in New York City.
The lawsuit credits Shaft with recognizing her potential, arranging club appearances, securing her breakout role on VH1’s Love & Hip Hop, and ultimately landing her a major recording deal with Atlantic Records through KSR Group. Under his guidance, Cardi B scored career-defining successes, including her hit single Bodak Yellow, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and garnered Grammy nominations.\
The plaintiffs allege that despite binding management and recording agreements, Cardi B abruptly severed ties with Shaft in late 2017 after being influenced by her confidante and publicist, Patientce Foster, and her fiancé Offset, a member of the rap group Migos. Offset’s management company, Quality Control, led by Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “Pee” Thomas, allegedly maneuvered to replace WorldStar and KSR as Cardi B’s management team.
Court papers accuse Foster and Quality Control of intentionally interfering with existing contracts, misleading Cardi B about Shaft’s role in her career, and persuading her to abandon the agreements that entitled WorldStar and KSR to substantial commissions and rights.\
Beyond breach of contract, the lawsuit highlights serious allegations of defamation. Cardi B is accused of publicly and privately claiming that Shaft was “robbing” her. According to the filings, these accusations, repeated on Instagram Live and amplified by gossip blogs, damaged Shaft’s reputation in the music industry and fueled a false narrative that he had exploited the star he helped create.
The complaint also points to a post on Cardi B’s Instagram in April 2018, where she wrote, “Me trynna find the person that’s been spending my money,” which her followers interpreted as a direct accusation against Shaft. Plaintiffs argue these statements were malicious, false, and devastating to their credibility and business.
The plaintiffs seek no less than $10 million in damages for each of the claims, including breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and defamation. They are also asking the court to declare the management and recording agreements valid and enforceable through their full terms.
If successful, the lawsuit could force Cardi B and her current management team to pay significant sums while validating the contracts she attempted to void. For Shaft, the case represents an attempt to reclaim not only financial compensation but also his reputation as a trusted figure in the music industry.
The lawsuit underscores a recurring theme in the entertainment world: the volatile relationships between emerging artists and the managers who help shape their careers. As artists rise to fame, disputes over money, loyalty, and control often lead to bitter legal showdowns.
For Cardi B, whose debut album Invasion of Privacy skyrocketed to success under her new team, the lawsuit presents a different kind of challenge—one that could put a spotlight on the often-hidden power struggles behind the scenes of music stardom.
As the case moves forward, it will test not only the validity of the contracts but also the balance between loyalty, ambition, and the business realities of the music industry.
