Cardi B's Team Says Jamaica Festival Organizers Did Not Pay Her in Full

By Miles Carter, November 12, 2026

A representative for Cardi B told Billboard, in an exclusive statement published Nov 11, 2026, that she "was not paid in full" for her scheduled BZR WKND Jamaica appearance and that organizers "failed to fulfill their contractual payment obligations, constituting a material breach of the agreement." The statement said that breach left her "with no choice but to cancel her participation," and that any suggestion she received full payment and then withdrew without justification "is false."

Promoter Ryan Burke has given a competing account. Billboard also published a statement from BZR WKND representatives saying that, after an initial deposit, "despite making the agreed-upon payments in full directly to Cardi B," the organizers "are taking steps to pursue legal action." The Jamaica Gleaner reported that Burke told CVM TV she was paid US$2.5 million in full for the October date and that the company intended to sue. Those payment figures remain disputed. Both sides have described plans to pursue legal action.

What each side says about the money

The Gleaner reported that Cardi B has said she received US$900,000, that a production payment due September 17 arrived late, and that she returned a later US$750,000 transfer. Her agent, Mike Guirguis, posted on X that she "never received her full fee for the Jamaica show" and that "any claim that she was paid in full is false." The Gleaner also reported that she said she would not return the deposit.

The Jamaica Observer reported that Cardi B apologized to the Jamaican government after saying organizer messages had described government investment in the festival. The Observer, and the Gleaner, reported that the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport said it made no commitment or payment toward the appearance and that the event was a private commercial engagement.