City Council members unsure why NY rapper Cardi B got Detroit award

After New York-based rapper Cardi B received the Spirit of Detroit award at her show in Detroit, some are questioning whether she deserves one of the city's highest honors.

"Thank you Detroit, thank you city council of Detroit for giving me the Spirit Big Detroit Award," she said in an Instagram video.

 

A councilmember was supposed to present the award but they didn't show, according to Hot 107.5 morning host Deelishis. That's when he stepped in, saying he was pleased to see the rapper posting about her new trophy.

"She had 12 million people looking at Detroit and seeing Detroit is loving, Detroit does give back," Deelishis said.

But many Detroiters took to Twitter, including Detroit rapper Kash Doll, tweeting that it was disrespectful, saying "I already got one, it's just weird. Nothing against her. I just thought u had to put work in the city to get it like other artists in Detroit."

"I know where the root of her issue came from - I don't think she knew the definition of the Spirit of Detroit Award," said Deelishis. "A lot of people assume this should only be for Detroiters."

The city says a Spirit of Detroit  Award can come from any council member for a person, event or organization being  honored for an outstanding achievement or service to the citizens of Detroit.

The office of each member of Detroit City Council and the mayor's office tells FOX 2 they all had nothing to do with Cardi B receiving the award.

"That's unfortunate because their signatures are all on there," Deelishis said.

According to Councilman James Tate's Facebook page, those signatures are pre-printed and available for any council member. In this case, Council President Brenda Jones says 107.5 requested the award for Cardi B's achievement as the top female rapper on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She says her office honored the request.

"It's an award from Detroit to amazing people," Deelishis said. "And if you happen to be from the city it's even more amazing."

While Tate also says, this is "not even close to the biggest issue we're facing in our city," he adds - they were trying to figure out who provided the award, adding in a Facebook post, "Gotta put more checks and balances in place for all of these 'awards.' If everyone gets them, it cheapens the meaning behind them. " 

But those with 107.5 stand behind their decision.
 
"She is donating a very large amount of money to one of our inner-city schools," Deelishis said. "If I could give her another one today, I would.

"If you felt we did something wrong or it was an oversight on our part in any way at 107.5, charge it to our heads and not our hearts. Because that wasn't our intention."

Councilwoman Mary Sheffield weighed in as well, saying she was not behind the award.

"My office did not present Cardi B with a Spirit of Detroit Award last night at the Masonic Temple. This is no disrespect to her, I just want to be clear. Every artist that I have given an award to has worked with me personally to uplift and empower our youth in the city of Detroit."