Rapper Cardi B is suing her ex manager for $15 million after he launched a lawsuit against her for $10m earlier this year, claiming that he attempted to take control not only of her career but also for her personal life.

Klenord ‘Shaft’ Raphael was manager of the star early on in her career, but she left his company several years later. He believes that he played an “integral role” in her career, and alleges that she “froze him out”. 

But Cardi B says that Shaft attempted to  “take complete control over all legal documents and virtually every dollar” that she earned – and tried to stop her from seeing romantic partners, including now-husband Offset. 

“He unconscionably used his position of trust as a fiduciary to extract a larger portion of [Cardi B’s] earnings,” the lawsuit says. 

“Since discovering Cardi B in 2015, Shaft has played an integral role in developing her music career and public image,” a press release accompanying the lawsuit said. 

“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.”

She also hit back at critics who believed the pregnancy meant her career was over. 

“It just really bothers me and it disgusts me because I see a lot of women online like ‘I feel sorry for you. your career is over’ and it’s like why can’t I have both?” she explained during a radio appearance. 

“Why do I gotta choose a career or a baby? Why can’t I have both. I want both. You know what? I’m a grown woman, I’m 25 years old, I’m a schmillionaire and I’m prepared for this.”

Images: Getty