Cardi B Settles $30 Million Legal Battle with Former Manager

Cardi B is putting her legal drama behind her.

The rapper has settled a two-year, $30 million battle with her former manager, Klenord “Shaft” Raphael. On Christmas Eve, the case was dismissed with prejudice after both parties reached an agreement, according to legal documents obtained by AllHipHop.

Shaft, who runs World Star Marketing Group, filed a $10 million breach of contract lawsuit against Cardi in 2018, alleging that the “WAP” hitmaker disregarded their agreement to sign with Quality Control Management, and that her husband Offset threatened him in the process.

“This action, including all claims and counterclaims, is hereby dismissed in its entirety with prejudice against all parties,” reads the court documents. “The parties have further agreed that all parties to this action shall bear their own costs and attorney’s fees.”

In his original lawsuit, Shaft claimed he gave Cardi her big break by landing her a spot on “Love & Hip Hop,” and connecting her with the publishers and producers behind her breakout hit “Bodak Yellow.”

Cardi filed a $30 million counterclaim, alleging Shaft breached their original agreement by failing to provide an accurate accounting of her earnings and taking a bigger cut of her earnings illegally. Cardi also says she signed the deal without a lawyer.

The lawsuit has reportedly held up millions in royalties from her label Atlantic Records for over two years. “It just can’t be touch[ed] till we solve the dispute,” Cardi told a fan in July. “But when that fat ass check hit my account all at once it’s gonna be lit.”

The settlement should pave the way for a new album from Cardi, who also plans to submit her earnings to Forbes in the future.

“I’m going to start submitting my $ on Forbes,” she tweeted. “I had to be low key due to my litigation. I don’t wanna brag but imma have to brag.”