Dame Dash, co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, has stirred up attention once again by seemingly offering his interest in JAY-Z’s debut album, despite a 2022 court ruling.
On Friday, July 19, Dash took to Instagram to post a photo of “Reasonable Doubt” alongside a promotional photo featuring himself, JAY-Z, and Kareem “Biggs” Burke, the label’s third founder. In the post, Dash cryptically stated, “This shit is for sale 1/3 … only real inquiries only.
The 2022 court ruling explicitly prohibited Dash from selling any part of JAY-Z’s classic debut album without the permission of Roc-A-Fella. However, he retained the right to sell his one-third stake in the overall business.
The ruling detailed that Roc-A-Fella Records owns all rights to the album “Reasonable Doubt,” including its copyright. It prohibited altering, selling, or disposing of any part of the album without authorization from the label. Nonetheless, Dash could sell his one-third ownership interest in Roc-A-Fella Records.
This legal decision came after Dash attempted to auction off a stake in “Reasonable Doubt” as a non-fungible token (NFT) in 2022, leading to the lawsuit and subsequent ruling. While it remains unclear whether Dash’s recent Instagram post implies he intends to sell part of the album—an action not permitted without Roc-A-Fella’s consent—or if it refers to his entire stake in the label, it has certainly reignited discussions around his business moves.
Related stories
Adding to the intrigue, Dash recently revisited his tumultuous history with JAY-Z in an interview. He expressed his willingness to speak out against the rap mogul in ways others might not dare. In a candid conversation, Dash used a colorful metaphor to describe his grievances, suggesting that JAY-Z had mistreated him in their business dealings. He likened the situation to a drug deal gone wrong, implying that he felt betrayed and unfairly treated by his former partner.
