Dame Dash Criticizes JAY-Z After Roc-A-Fella Share Auction Disappoints
Dame Dash has expressed frustration and disappointment following the underwhelming auction of his one-third stake in Roc-A-Fella Inc. Despite high expectations, his shares were sold to a New York State government employee for just $1 million—far below the $3 million Dash had hoped for.
Speaking candidly on his America Nu Network, Dash took the opportunity to downplay JAY-Z’s perceived influence. “What this really taught me was that, in the world, homie isn’t as big as he portrays,” Dash stated. “I thought more people would be interested in buying it […] Jay didn’t even make a bid. He didn’t think it was worth $3 million. A billionaire, supposedly.”
A Missed Opportunity with Drake
Dash also revealed that Canadian rapper Drake had once shown interest in purchasing his shares, allegedly offering $6 million. However, Drake later withdrew without explanation, leaving Dash perplexed. “Drake did put a bid in for $6 million, but then he disappeared. I don’t know what happened,” he said. Beyond Drake’s fleeting interest, Dash claimed there was little enthusiasm from others, saying, “No one wanted that shit, period.”
Financial Woes and Legal Battles
The sale of Dash’s Roc-A-Fella stake was prompted by his significant debts, which reportedly total nearly $10 million. These include $8.7 million in back taxes owed to New York State, $145,000 in unpaid child support to New York City’s Department of Social Services, and $823,000 awarded to filmmaker Josh Webber after a successful lawsuit for copyright infringement and defamation related to the 2019 film Dear Frank.
The anonymous buyer who secured Dash’s shares intends to resell them at a higher price, with proceeds going towards Dash’s mounting debts.
Ongoing Disputes Over Reasonable Doubt
The contested Roc-A-Fella shares include rights to JAY-Z’s iconic debut album, Reasonable Doubt, the sole asset of Roc-A-Fella Inc. This does not include Roc-A-Fella LLC, which oversees the label’s broader catalog. Legal battles have surrounded the rights to the album, with Dash accusing JAY-Z of attempting to “poison” the auction by asserting that the copyrights for Reasonable Doubt would revert to him in 2031 due to termination rights under copyright law.
Lawyers representing New York State countered this claim, arguing that the copyrights will remain under Roc-A-Fella Inc. until 2098. A judge declined to make a ruling on the copyright disputes prior to the auction, citing a lack of authority to resolve such matters.
The disappointing auction underscores the complicated legacy of Roc-A-Fella Records and its co-founders. While JAY-Z has risen to billionaire status, Dash has faced mounting legal and financial challenges. The saga of the Reasonable Doubt rights remains unresolved, leaving lingering questions about the future value of Dash’s former stake in the legendary label.
