Cardi B says she has been paid less for endorsement deals with big brands than other white celebrities, revealing that despite her star power, she has felt prejudice regularly.
Speaking with Mariah Carey for Interview magazine, the rapper was asked about inherent injustices in the fashion and recording industry.
"I don’t know if I would use the word 'racism,' because everything is so technical right now," Cardi told Mariah.
"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."
Insisting that she "does her research," the 'WAP' hitmaker said she knew how much money she made for the companies she worked with.
"My fans buy my shit," she said.
"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."
The 28-year-old rapper said she felt the problem was present in the fashion industry, too.
"When it comes to fashion, hip-hop is a big influence. And yet, Black artists have the hardest time getting pulls from designers and the hardest time getting seats at their fashion shows, and barely get endorsed by big fashion brands that we literally make trend," she said.
Last year, Cardi B hit back at critics of her designer handbag collection after a racist tweet suggested she and other Black female celebrities would "depreciate the value" of exclusive high fashion accessories.
"Why is it that y'all asking female rappers if they could get a bag from the Hermès store?" the Grammy winner replied in an Instagram video in October.
"Y'all don't do this to these white celebrities... So why is it that y'all gotta be asking us?"
Cardi B also highlighted the jump in sales some fashion houses like Balenciaga and Louboutin had seen after the chart-topper mentioned them in her songs.
"Actually, we add value," she said.
"When we mention brands in hip-hop, that shit go up."
Elsewhere in her candid chat with Mariah, Cardi B discussed her new album, her time as a stripper, and her childhood growing up in the Bronx. The pair also vowed to one day make a song together.
"I would love that. I would love to do a record that touches souls," Cardi told Mariah.
"You had me heartbroken when I was 11 years old and I didn’t even have a boyfriend."
