Dame Dash has criticized JAY-Z following the disappointing auction of his shares in Roc-A-Fella, which failed to meet his expectations. Dash, who co-founded the iconic label, was hoping for a higher return from the sale of his one-third stake. Instead, the New York State government bought his shares for just $1 million. In a recent discussion on his America Nu Network, Dash expressed his disillusionment with his former business partner, saying that JAY-Z’s influence wasn’t as significant as portrayed. Dash also revealed that rapper Drake had initially placed a $6 million bid but later withdrew without explanation. The auction was part of Dash’s efforts to settle almost $10 million in debts.
Dame Dash, the co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, has once again taken aim at his former business partner, JAY-Z, after a disappointing auction of his shares in the label. The auction, which was meant to resolve Dash’s financial struggles, raised far less than he had hoped. His one-third stake in Roc-A-Fella was purchased by the New York State government for just $1 million, a sum far lower than the $3 million Dash had anticipated. Speaking on his America Nu Network, a frustrated Dash expressed his dismay at the auction results.
“What this really taught me was that, in the world, homie isn’t as big as he portrays,” Dash said.
He went on to reveal his shock that no one showed up to bid, not even JAY-Z himself. “Jay didn’t even make a bid. He didn’t think it was worth $3 million. A billionaire, supposedly,” Dash added, suggesting that the lack of interest in the auction reflected poorly on JAY-Z’s business acumen and influence.
Dash’s remarks come amid an ongoing public dispute with JAY-Z over their shared history in the music business. The sale of Dash’s shares in Roc-A-Fella was part of an attempt to settle significant debts, including $8.7 million in back taxes owed to the State of New York, as well as unpaid child support and a lawsuit from filmmaker Josh Webber. Dash’s financial troubles have put him in a tough spot, and the sale of his shares in Roc-A-Fella was seen as a potential way to resolve some of those issues. However, the auction did not yield the expected results, leading Dash to question the value of the company and its association with JAY-Z’s brand.
In addition to criticizing JAY-Z’s failure to participate in the auction, Dash revealed that rapper Drake had once shown interest in purchasing his shares in Roc-A-Fella. According to Dash, Drake placed a $6 million bid for the shares but mysteriously withdrew without explanation. “Drake did put a bid in for $6 million, but then he disappeared. I don’t know what happened,” Dash explained. This revelation has added to the intrigue surrounding the sale and Dash’s deteriorating relationship with his former collaborators. The public auction was meant to resolve Dash’s debts and was seen as an attempt to sever financial ties with the company. However, it has sparked more controversy, with Dash’s claims about Drake’s involvement adding another layer to the complex story of Roc-A-Fella’s downfall.
The controversy surrounding the auction is also tied to ongoing disputes over the ownership of Roc-A-Fella’s most valuable asset: JAY-Z’s debut album Reasonable Doubt. Dash has previously accused JAY-Z of trying to undermine the value of the auction by casting doubt on the copyright status of the album. According to Dash, JAY-Z claimed that Reasonable Doubt would revert back to him in 2031 due to copyright termination laws. However, New York State lawyers argued that the album’s rights would remain with Roc-A-Fella Inc. until 2098, and they also criticized the label for failing to provide proof of the royalties the album was generating. A judge ultimately refused to settle the matter before the auction, citing a lack of legal authority to rule on disputes related to copyright law.
Dash’s frustrations with JAY-Z are also rooted in his belief that the Roc-A-Fella founder failed to adequately support the label’s artists. In previous interviews, Dash has called JAY-Z the “worst marketer of all time,” accusing him of neglecting the potential of other Roc-A-Fella acts. Dash’s dissatisfaction with how the label was managed, combined with his current financial struggles, has led him to lash out at JAY-Z in the public eye. Despite Dash’s criticism, JAY-Z’s success and influence in the music industry remain undeniable, and many continue to view him as one of the most powerful figures in hip-hop.
In a statement about the ongoing feud, hip-hop industry insider Sean Carter said, “While Dame Dash’s frustration is understandable, it’s clear that JAY-Z’s impact on Roc-A-Fella and hip-hop culture is far from over.”
As Dame Dash navigates the fallout from the Roc-A-Fella auction and his financial troubles, it’s clear that his relationship with JAY-Z will remain a point of contention for years to come. The future of Roc-A-Fella and its iconic catalog remains uncertain, but Dash’s criticisms of his former partner highlight the ongoing tensions that still exist between the two moguls.
