Damon Dash Hit with $10M Lawsuit
Roc-A-Fella co-founder Damon "Dame" Dash was served a $10 million defamation lawsuit moments before an interview with boxer Andre Berto. In the candid conversation, Dash admitted to exploiting Jay-Z and shared that he wasn't fond of their social dynamic. The revelations offer rare insight into the duo's relationship and business history during Roc-A-Fella's heyday.
The $10 million lawsuit was filed by filmmaker Josh Webber, who alleges that Damon Dash's public accusations of racketeering cost him a lucrative film deal. This legal battle is the latest in a long-running feud between the two, which began over the independent film "Dear Frank" and has resulted in previous judgments against Dash for copyright infringement and defamation. Moments after being served, Dash proceeded with an interview on the "Square Up" podcast, where he was remarkably candid about his beginnings with Jay-Z. He admitted that his initial motivation for partnering with the artists at Roc-A-Fella Records was purely transactional, stating, "Initially, I was exploiting them... I was only there to make money off of." Dash also revealed that the tight-knit "brotherhood" portrayed in the media was not the reality, claiming he never socialized with the artists by choice. He explained that the real money wasn't in the music itself but in ancillary businesses like merchandise and endorsements, which is why he strategically named his clothing line Rocawear to avoid splitting profits with their record label partners at Universal. The rift between Dash and Jay-Z deepened significantly in 2004 when Roc-A-Fella Records was purchased by Def Jam Recordings. Jay-Z accepted the role of Def Jam's president, a move Dash viewed as a betrayal, and in late 2005, Jay-Z bought out Dash's stake in Rocawear, further solidifying their separation. This isn't Dash's only recent financial struggle; he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in September 2025, listing $25 million in liabilities. Despite his ongoing legal and financial troubles, Dash, now 54 and living in Florida, maintains he has made peace with his past business decisions.
