The emergence of multiple lawsuits since her catapult to the top of charts is showing Cardi B there are many prices to fame.
Just a week after the world learned her former manager, Klenord Raphael, sued her for $10 million (click here to read more on that), news is indicating a previous headline-grabbing lawsuit – filed to the tune of $5 million – will be moving forward despite the rapstress’s legal teams attempt to stop it.
In this case, the plaintiff – Kevin Brophy Jr – claims Cardi used his likeness without his permission and, in the process, put him in a “submissive and embarrassing position.” Details inside:
As our friends at XXL reported in October 2017 (via the tweet above), the cover of Cardi’s ‘Gangsta Bitch Music Vol. 1’ mixtape sees the ‘Lick’ rapper enjoying just that while drinking a 40 ounce. The sexual depiction is not the issue, however, it’s the shirtless man providing the service (with a very distinct tattoo of a tiger and a snake on his back). Kevin Brophy Jr. claims to have never met the soon-to-be-Mrs. Cephus, but says she stole his likeness by copying his “one of a kind” tattoo for the mixtape cover.
Brophy says the mixtape’s popularity has made him recognizable because of the unmistakable tattoo, attention he claims “depicts him in a submissive and embarrassing position.” Arguing the usage of his tattoos on the cover is a clear copyright violation, he’s seeking $5 million in damages. Cardi’s legal team clapped back with a motion to dismiss the case in April by opting to prove the individual in the photo is not Brophy, but this week the judge presiding has opted not to dismiss.
Keep it locked to That Grape Juice for more on this story as it develops.