JAY-Z has made a decisive move to protect the most prized asset of Roc-A-Fella Records as the legal battle over Dame Dash’s shares reaches a critical point.
According to newly uncovered court documents, the rapper and business mogul has ensured that whoever buys Dash’s shares in the iconic label understands the fate of its most valuable property— the copyright to JAY-Z’s classic debut album, Reasonable Doubt.
The legal filing, first reported by TMZ Hip Hop, reveals that Roc-A-Fella’s ownership of the copyright will expire in 2031. After that, the rights will revert solely to JAY-Z, legally known as Shawn Carter. This copyright covers not just the album itself, but also every individual track on the 14-song project that solidified JAY-Z’s position in hip-hop history.
While such legal maneuvering might have gone unnoticed, it has attracted attention due to the ongoing drama surrounding Dame Dash’s one-third stake in Roc-A-Fella. Dash, who co-founded the label with JAY-Z and Kareem “Biggs” Burke in 1994, is being forced to sell his shares at a public auction in New York City on August 29. The sale is meant to settle a $823,000 debt owed to movie producer Josh Weber over a copyright infringement and defamation lawsuit.
Despite the seemingly lucrative opportunity, the buyer of Dash’s shares might face significant challenges. As a minority owner, the purchaser will have no official say in company decisions, as these require a majority vote. Furthermore, the revenue potential is limited, given the expiration date on the master ownership of the label’s assets.
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Earlier this year, after a judge ordered Dash to sell his shares to settle his debt, both JAY-Z and Biggs objected, citing company bylaws that require board approval before any stake in the label can be sold. However, U.S. Magistrate Robert W. Lehrburger ruled that Dash’s one-third ownership could be seized to cover the judgment, as it is considered his personal property.
