Dame Dash Insists JAY-Z’s Legal Move Won’t Halt Roc-A-Fella Stake Auction

Damon Dash has responded to the news of JAY-Z’s legal notice concerning the master recordings of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt.

Earlier this week, reports emerged that JAY-Z’s lawyers had filed a legal notice aimed at potential bidders. The notice informed them of JAY-Z’s intention to reclaim the master recordings of Reasonable Doubt in 2031, no matter who holds ownership of the album at that time.

Undeterred by JAY-Z’s legal move, Damon Dash reiterated his plans to proceed with the auction. Taking to social media, he emphasized that bidders would not merely be purchasing copyright, but a share in one of Hip-Hop’s most iconic labels.

“They can say what they want, this sh*t is still for sale,” wrote the Harlem native in an Instagram post featuring the Reasonable Doubt album cover. “You’re not buying a copyright, you’re buying a piece of a company, ROC-A-FELLA INC.”

The legal notice makes it clear that anyone purchasing Dash’s stake would only be able to profit from the proceeds generated by Reasonable Doubt for about five more years. After this period, ownership of the album would revert to JAY-Z.

Under Section 203 of the Copyright Act, artists can file for ownership rights to their copyrighted work 35 years after its release. Since Reasonable Doubt was released in 1996, JAY-Z is legally entitled to reclaim ownership of the album.

Earlier this year, Dash was ordered to sell his stake in Roc-A-Fella Records to settle an $823,000 debt owed to movie producer Josh Weber. This debt stemmed from a copyright infringement and defamation judgment related to the 2016 film Dear Frank.

JAY-Z and fellow Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Kareem “Biggs” Burke attempted to block Dash from selling his share. However, U.S. Magistrate Robert W. Lehrburger ordered the label to relinquish Dash’s stock certificate to the U.S. Marshals Service for auction within 180 days.

Dash’s auction for his ownership stake in Roc-A-Fella Records is scheduled for August 29 in New York City. The minimum bid for the auction starts at $1.2 million.

Along with these developments, Dash shared his announcement on social media, adding extra intrigue to the upcoming auction as both fans and potential bidders await the outcome.

See Dame Dash’s Instagram post below.