Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B is facing a civil lawsuit for alleged battery, assault, and negligence following a viral 2023 incident in which she threw a microphone into the crowd during a Las Vegas performance. The incident took place at Drai’s Beachclub, where Cardi B had encouraged fans to splash water on her to help cool her down due to the extreme heat. However, things escalated quickly when she appeared to react angrily to water being thrown and hurled her microphone into the audience.
The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe in court filings, claims the microphone hit her directly, causing both physical and emotional harm. According to the complaint filed in Clark County, Nevada, the woman is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She alleges that Cardi B’s actions led to physical injuries, public humiliation, media harassment, and long-term emotional distress.
The lawsuit also points fingers at the venue, Drai’s Beachclub, for alleged negligence, noting that a similar microphone-throwing incident involving the rapper had occurred the day before. The plaintiff further claims that the microphone used in the incident was later sold at auction for nearly $100,000, which she argues added to her humiliation.
Although Cardi B was not charged criminally—Las Vegas authorities closed the case citing insufficient evidence—her legal team has dismissed the civil suit as an opportunistic “cash grab.” Her attorney, Drew Findling, labeled the lawsuit a “transparent and pitiful attempted financial shakedown,” maintaining that Cardi B acted in the moment and without malicious intent.
The case highlights growing concerns about the unpredictable nature of fan-artist interactions during live performances, especially in the age of viral moments. Whether the court rules in favor of the plaintiff or dismisses the claims, the outcome is likely to stir further debate about boundaries, responsibility, and accountability on the concert stage.
