Cardi B Faces Trial After Model Sues Her For Using His Image On Mixtape

LOS ANGELES- Cardi B is back in court, after being sued by a model who claims the reality star turned rapper used his image for her 2016 mixtape cover art without his permission.

Kevin Michael Brophy is suing Cardi B for $5 million for copyright infringement in federal court.

During opening arguments on Tuesday, Kevin Michael Brophy’s lawyer said he was “humiliated” and that Cardi allegedly misused his likeness for her mixtape cover, reports The Los Angeles Times.

Brophy’s attorneys say his life was “disrupted” and that he suffered “distress”, according to reports.

Brophy’s lawyer said photo-editing software was used to place his back tattoo, which has appeared in magazines, onto the male model that was on the mixtape cover.

The image shows Cardi sitting down on a coach, drinking a 40oz of beer, with her legs open and the man with his head between her leg’s, but his face can’t be seen.

Cardi B is expected to testify during the trial, and she claims the artist used a “small portion” of the tattoos without her knowledge and that the cover art, which was made by Timm Gooden, was fair use of Brophy’s likeness.

Cardi’s lawyer said during his opening statement that “Brophy’s face wasn’t on the mixtape”, adding that Cardi “was already popular” and “it has nothing to do with Brophy.”

The rapper pleaded guilty to assault and reckless endangerment last month that stemmed from a brawl at a Queens strip club that involved rapper 6ix9ine’s girlfriend Jade and her sister.

Cardi was also ordered to perform 15 days of community service.