Rap icons Nicki Minaj and Future have found themselves unwittingly entangled in a massive concert fraud orchestrated by Carlos Desean Goodspeed. The scheme, which lured investors with promises of sold-out shows and exclusive access to music royalty, has resulted in losses exceeding one million dollars and has sent shockwaves through the music industry and investment world alike.
Goodspeed, operating under the guise of "Straight Like That Entertainment," allegedly siphoned off funds from unsuspecting investors for personal use, leaving behind a trail of broken promises and shattered dreams. The phantom concert tour, which was supposed to feature A-list artists like Nicki Minaj and Future, turned out to be nothing more than a cruel hoax designed to line Goodspeed's pockets.
"Goodspeed, a master manipulator, painted a vivid picture of packed arenas, adoring fans, and exclusive access to music royalty," said a source close to the investigation. "Investors were seduced by the prospect of doubling their investments in no time. It was a tantalizing offer that proved too good to be true."
The elaborate facade constructed by Goodspeed began to crumble when it was uncovered that he had misappropriated a staggering $400,000 from one victim in July 2018, claiming it was for the Nicki Minaj and Future tour. Instead, he diverted a significant portion of the funds for his own expenses, leaving the investor in a state of disbelief and financial loss.
The deceit continued in January 2022, when Goodspeed swindled another investor out of $50,000 under the pretense of purchasing tickets and suites for an upcoming Tyler, the Creator show. Once again, the promised returns failed to materialize, resulting in a collective loss of over one million dollars for the victims.
As the legal consequences of his actions catch up with him, Goodspeed now faces three counts of wire fraud following his indictment on April 16. His arrest at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport marked the end of his fraudulent escapade, and if found guilty, he could potentially face a lengthy prison sentence of up to 60 years.
The cautionary tale of Goodspeed's deception serves as a stark reminder for investors to exercise caution and due diligence when presented with investment opportunities, especially within the entertainment realm. The allure of quick riches and exclusive access to music royalty can be tempting, but as this case demonstrates, the consequences of falling prey to such schemes can be devastating.
In an unrelated incident, Nicki Minaj recently made headlines when she was forced to confront a fan who threw an object at her during a performance on her ongoing Pink Friday 2 World Tour. The rapper, who narrowly dodged the flying item, picked it up and threw it back into the crowd, visibly upset by the incident.
This incident is just one in a series of similar occurrences that have plagued musicians over the past year, with artists like Bebe Rexha falling victim to assault by concertgoers throwing objects on stage. As the music industry grapples with these challenges, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure the safety and well-being of performers.
