Cardi B has discussed the ‘insulting’ pay disparity in the record and fashion industry in a new candid interview with Mariah Carey.
The WAP hitmaker, 28, said that she has felt ‘prejudice’ during her career and that she has formerly been paid less for endorsement deals compared to ‘certain white people’.
Cardi admitted that it is ‘insulting’ and that she always does her ‘research’ so she knows how much money she really made that company.
‘insulting’: Cardi B has discussed the ‘insulting’ pay disparity in the record and fashion industry in a new candid interview with Mariah Carey (pictured in December)
The rapper was asked by Mariah, 50, whether she finds the record and fashion industry ‘inherently racist’ during her chat with Interview magazine.
Cardi said: ‘I don’t know if I would use the word “racism,” because everything is so technical right now. I have felt prejudice.
‘I have been involved in endorsement deals, and then I found out that certain white people got more money for their deals from the same company. I do my research. I know how much money I made that company.
‘My fans buy my s**t. So it’s like, “When you’re not paying me what you’re paying these other people, why is that?” It’s kind of insulting.’
‘Prejudice’: The WAP hitmaker, 28, said that she has felt ‘prejudice’ during her career and that she has formerly been paid less for endorsement deals compared to ‘certain white people’
Cardi added that ‘Black artists have the hardest time getting pulls from designers’ and ‘barely get endorsed by big fashion brands’ despite hip-hop being a ‘big influence’.
To which Mariah admitted she ‘feels the same way’ and said that people need to listen to Cardi’s ‘firsthand experience’ so the pay disparity can be ‘fixed’.
Cardi, who is said to have earned eight figures last year, has had a successful few months after the video for her hit single WAP shattered YouTube records earning the biggest ever debut week for an all-female hip-hop collaboration.
The video, which is said to have cost $1 million to shoot, has amassed more than 325million views.
Interview: The rapper was asked by Mariah, 50, pictured in 2016, whether she finds the record and fashion industry ‘inherently racist’ during her chat with Interview magazine
Yet in October Cardi was forced to hit back at racist trolls after they argued that Hermès’ notoriously exclusive line of Birkin bags have ‘lost their value’.
The 28-year-old posted a video to IGTV, responding to a tweet that criticised her collection of the pricey bags (which have ranged in price from $9,000 to $500,000).
Her husband Offset later shared an Instagram Story of Cardi’s receipt which revealed that she had spent nearly $130K at the luxury store.
She said: ‘I’ve been seeing this tweet, right? It had me and it had other female rappers on it. They were talking about if we could get Birkins from the Hermés store and they was also saying how we depreciate the value of a Hermés Birkin bag.
Amazing: Cardi, who is said to have earned eight figures last year, has had a successful few months after the video for her hit single WAP shattered YouTube records earning the biggest ever debut week for an all-female hip-hop collaboration (above with Megan Thee Stallion)
‘And I find that really interesting because, first thing first, I definitely could get a bag. Actually, I got four bags today from the Hermés store. I don’t wanna brag, but it’s like…’
Cardi went on to explain that white celebrities don’t get the same scrutiny and asked why female rappers were being targeted.
She said: ‘Second of all, why is it that yall asking female rappers if they could get a bag from the Hermes store. Yall dont do this to these white celebrities… So why is it that y’all gotta be asking us?
‘What the f***? It just makes you want to brag like, “B**** do you know who the f*** you’re talking to?” But no, I’m not even going to take it there.
Hitting back: Yet in October Cardi was forced to hit back at racist trolls after they argued that Hermès’ notoriously exclusive line of Birkin bags have ‘lost their value’
‘Another thing is that they’re saying we’re depreciating the value. Actually, we add value because when we mention brands in hip-hop, their s*** go up.’
She referenced her 2017 breakout single Bodak Yellow, which sparked a 217 percent spike in searches for Christian Louboutin shoes, according to Business of Fashion.
The WAP artist said: ‘And another thing is, why when a Black girl, why when a Hispanic girl have a bag you have to question it? “Oh is it fake?” or “she’s a scammer” or “she’s f***ing a n***** for it.” There’’ a lot of boss-a** b****es out here.’
Offset also chimed in on his own Instagram, writing: ‘Stop letting people on the internet tell ya’ll who can get a Birkin at the store, and how many Birkin’s you can get.
Double standard: Cardi said in the video: ‘Second of all, why is it that yall asking female rappers if they could get a bag from the Hermes store. Yall dont do this to these white celebrities… So why is it that y’all gotta be asking us?’
‘Black people having access to luxury shouldn’t be a debate…by the way hip hop starts the trends !’
Cardi later took to her Instagram Story with a screenshot of the original post, writing to her 83.7 million followers: ‘By the way this is the tweet before ya start wit the fake drama.’
The post read: ‘Sorry idc if this comes off as anti black but it is what it is. Birkins have literally lost their value. The city girls and Cardi have got y’all convinced that these birkin bags are easy to get.
‘There’s a certain number of Birkin’s that are made per year. There are BILLIONAIRES who are spending months/years on a waiting list just to get one. These bags are supposed to be exclusive and you’re supposed to be big in the fashion world and have relationships with these people to get one.
Trolls: Cardi later took to her Instagram Story with a screenshot of the original post, writing to her 83.7 million followers: ‘By the way this is the tweet before ya start wit the fake drama’
‘That’s why rihanna has a birkin bag that was only made twice, with Beyoncé having the other one. A little rap duo from Miami who can’t even land a vogue cover or a number #1 do not have authentic birkin bags sorry.’
Cardi has long been known as an influential figure in both hip hop and fashion, becoming the face of Balenciaga, modelling for the luxury brand on a billboard outside the Louvre in Paris.
She’s also made her love of Birkins clear, showing off her collection earlier this year on Instagram, featuring one in nearly every colour.
The Hustlers actress and Offset faced backlash in July, when they gifted daughter Kulture a $9,000 mini pink Birkin for her second birthday.
She responded on her Instagram Story, stating: ‘If I’m fly and daddy’s fly, then so is the kid. If I’m wearing Cha-nay-nay, my kid’s having the same same. It’s not up to what the kids like. If it was the kids, they would be outside in diapers. No.
‘Cause if I was looking like a bad b****, expensive bitch, and I have my kid looking like a bum bum, then y’all would be talking s***. So I’m not mad that daddy bought baby a Birkin. She gonna match mommy.’
Baby’s first Birkin: The Hustlers actress and Offset faced backlash in July, when they gifted daughter Kulture a $9,000 mini pink Birkin for her second birthday