Jay-Z Finally Reveals His Side Of Dame Dash Betrayal Story
In a recent interview, Jay-Z opened up about his strained relationship with Dame Dash, shedding light on their tumultuous past at Rockefeller Records. The saga began in 1995 when Jay-Z, alongside Damon “Dame” Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke, launched Rockefeller Records after facing rejection from major labels. They quickly made waves, securing a distribution deal and releasing Jay-Z’s debut album, “Reasonable Doubt,” in 1996.
However, tensions surfaced over the years, exacerbated by Dame’s media presence and Jay-Z’s growing distance. By 2004, rumors swirled about Rockefeller’s closure, with Jay-Z ultimately succeeding Lyor Cohen as Def Jam’s president and buying out Rockefeller’s remaining stake. This move, though strategic, sparked controversy as it left Dame and Biggs feeling sidelined.
The fallout intensified as artists like Cam’ron sided with Dame’s new label, alleging mistreatment and business maneuvering by Jay-Z. Dame, in turn, accused Jay-Z of aligning with Cohen to undermine black artists, citing divide-and-conquer tactics and cultural exploitation.
Jay-Z defended his actions, claiming he offered fair terms to Dame and Biggs, including relinquishing rights to his debut album’s masters. Despite the discord, Jay-Z emphasized mutual respect among them as business leaders.
The rift between Jay-Z and Dame Dash illustrates the complexities of loyalty, business, and cultural influence within the music industry, leaving a lasting impact on both their careers and the legacy of Rockefeller Records.
