Latest news with #Roc-A-FellaRecords
New York Post
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Washed-up rap mogul who founded hit-making record label with Jay-Z on cusp of losing it all — or going to jail
Ex-Jay-Z partner and Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash could lose everything — or even end up in jail — after allegedly trying to get out of paying $1 million to creditors by hiding money, destroying evidence and refusing to comply with court orders. The washed-up rap mogul has allegedly sought to evade paying out a pair of judgments handed down in Manhattan federal court by claiming he owns nothing — not even the flashy jewelry he's worn for decades. But Dash's apparent hopes for evading the payouts were dashed when the judges in each of the cases on Monday ordered him to either face the music, or the handcuffs of a US Marshal. 'If Defendants fail to comply,' Judge Robert Lehrburger wrote in his ruling, 'the Court will find Defendants in contempt and may issue an arrest warrant for Mr. Dash' to haul him to court to answer the claims. 5 Former Jay-Z business buddy Damon Dash got handed a pair of judicial orders slamming him for destroying evidence and not complying with court orders. GC Images Dash has allegedly dodged paying a nearly $900,000 judgement in that lawsuit — a defamation claim brought by filmmaker Josh Webber — by slow-walking demands to reveal his assets, since a jury found him guilty back in 2022. 'He's not turning over the evidence relating to the companies that he claims he owns on his tax returns,' says attorney Chris Brown, who represents Webber an another client with a case against Dash. The fallen producer also got ripped in that lawsuit by a federal judge — who ruled that Dash had destroyed evidence 'highly relevant to current and future litigation.' In that case, Dash was accused by jilted author Edwyna Brooks of fraudulently hiding funds to dodge paying her a nearly $100,000 judgment. Brooks, who won a previous $300,000 copyright infringement case against Dash in 2020, was looking to collect the judgement from a failed countersuit he filed, but claimed he was keeping his assets hidden in a web of corporate transfers. 'There is no meaningful way to cure this prejudice short of awarding default judgement,' Judge Jed Radkoff wrote Monday, ruling in favor of Brooks, who is also represented by Brown. 5 Jay-Z and Damon Dash attending the 'How To Be A Player' party at the Palladium, N.Y.C. August 1997. Pay Per Use The attorney — who claimed he is also owed $125,000 in his own defamation case against Dash — said the record executive needs to fess up and admit he owns fancy duds that could go toward paying the judgements. 'He's saying: 'I don't know whose necklace this is around my neck. I don't know who's diamond watch this is on my wrist. I don't know whose diamond earrings these are in my ears,'' Brown told The Post. 'I show him wearing the Rock-A-Fella chains that were made back in the early 2000s. He says he doesn't know who owns those.' 5 Director Josh Webber won a jury trial against Dash for defamation in Manhattan, and sued him for defamation a second time in California for comments he made following the New York verdict. Getty Images for Muddy Waters Pictures/Webber Films Dash's alleged latest delay tactic appears focused on an intention to file for bankruptcy — but never actually doing so, court documents show. Even if Dash finally files for bankruptcy, Brown said, he'll find out, like former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani did, that 'bankruptcy laws will not allow you to discharge that debt,' since they were part of an 'intentional tort.' Dash's 'failure to timely cooperate with our Firm and respond to these requests' has even led his attorney of the last six years to ask permission to drop the difficult Dash, the lawyer, Natraj S. Bhushan, wrote in a court filing. 5 'He's saying: 'I don't know whose necklace this is around my neck. I don't know who's diamond watch this is on my wrist. I don't know whose diamond earrings these are in my ears,' says the attorney trying to collect roughly $5 million in legal judgements against Dash. Getty Images But Lehrburger, who threatened Dash with arrest, wrote that he would not allow his lawyers to jettison Dash right away, since his commitment to 'drawing out and evading enforcement proceedings' are part of a 'strategy.' 'Moreover, there is no reason to believe that Defendants would cooperate with new counsel any more than with current counsel, who has represented Defendants in these proceedings since they began approximately six years ago,' Lehrburger wrote. 5 Damon Dash, Jay-Z and others at one of Sean Comb's notorious 'white parties' on July 4, 2000. Patrick McMullan via Getty Images What appears to be a simple order has major implications for Dash — who owes roughly $5 million in outstanding legal judgments, said Brown. The attorney said the default judgement grants him and Brooks their contention that the company Dash created to allegedly hide his assets and avoid judgements construed a fraudulent transfer of assets. 'Everybody was saying we don't have any money,' Brown said. 'Now I can collect all of my other judgments.' Brown also represents Webber in a California defamation case where a judge awarded him $4 million last month. Representatives for Dash did not reply to a request for comment. Dash and the famed Brooklyn rapper Jay-Z co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records —which made hits such as 'Hard Knock Life' and '99 Problems' — in 1994 but have since had a falling out over finances. Last fall, New York State bought up Dash's share in Rock-A-Fella Records at an auction for $1 million, in a effort to collect the $8.7 million he owes the state in back taxes.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Damon Dash Could Go To Prison If He Doesn't Comply With Court Orders, Warns Judge
Damon Dash, the outspoken music mogul and co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, is facing serious legal consequences as he continues to defy court orders in an ongoing lawsuit. A federal judge has warned that if Dash and his company, Poppington LLC, fail to comply with court-mandated discovery demands by May 9, he could be held in contempt and a bench warrant may be issued for his arrest, potentially resulting in jail time. According to AllHipHop, the court's frustration with Dash has reached a breaking point. The ultimatum comes amid Dash's ongoing legal dispute with filmmaker Josh Webber over the 2019 movie Dear Frank. Dash was originally involved in the film's production, but was later removed from the project due to alleged unprofessionalism and erratic behavior. Following his ouster, Dash continued to promote the film as his own, leading to a lawsuit from Webber and his team. Dash ultimately lost the case, and the court ordered him to pay damages. However, Dash's legal troubles have only deepened since the judgment. His attorneys recently filed a motion to withdraw from the case, citing their inability to persuade him to comply with the court's orders. Specifically, Dash has refused to turn over records of his assets as required, telling his legal team that doing so would be 'futile' and insisting that they 'wait for the bankruptcy process' to resolve the issue. The judge's warning signals that patience is wearing thin and that Dash's noncompliance is being taken seriously. If he fails to act by the May 9 deadline, he could be forced into court by warrant and potentially face incarceration for contempt. Once hailed as a trailblazing entrepreneur and cultural tastemaker, Dash's legal entanglements continue to overshadow his past successes. With time running out, the once high-flying executive may now find himself behind bars if he doesn't heed the court's demands. More from Damon Dash's Lawyers Withdraw From Representation Amid Bankruptcy And $4 Million Legal Battle With Filmmaker Damon Dash In Danger Of Losing Ownership Of 'State Property' Film At Auction Dame Dash Ordered To Pay $4M In Defamation Lawsuit
Express Tribune
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Damon Dash hit with $4 million judgment in defamation lawsuit from filmmaker Josh Webber
Damon Dash, co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, has been ordered to pay $4 million in a defamation lawsuit filed by filmmaker Josh Webber. As per TMZ, the hefty judgment comes after Dash failed to comply with court orders, skipping mandatory mediation sessions and not submitting required pre-trial documents. These violations led to the California judge's decision, which found Dash at fault for the damage caused to Webber's reputation. The legal dispute stems from Dash's comments on the 'Earn Your Leisure' podcast in March 2024, where he accused Webber of theft and insulted him with derogatory remarks. Dash alleged that Webber and attorney Chris Brown 'trigger me and steal my s###,' which Webber claims caused him to lose a lucrative $4 million movie deal. Webber was set to direct and produce a film starring Billy Bob Thornton, but Dash's inflammatory remarks, which gained widespread attention, reportedly torched the opportunity. The legal drama is rooted in a previous legal battle between Dash and Webber over the film Dear Frank, which had a damaging outcome for Dash. He was ordered to pay Webber and other producers over $800,000 in a separate case. Webber argued that Dash's comments, which garnered significant online attention, led to a significant loss of reputation and business opportunities. Dash, known for his outspoken nature, suggested in his podcast appearance that his freedom of speech was being unfairly targeted. Despite his claims, the court ruled against him, and Webber's legal team has requested that Dash's engagement ring be auctioned off to help satisfy the judgment. The $4 million judgment adds to Dash's growing list of financial and legal troubles, leaving him with the daunting task of settling the amount or risking further personal losses.
The Independent
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Tina Knowles shares pointed message about ‘ignorance' after Kanye West's attacks on Jay-Z and Beyoncé's children
Tina Knowles swiftly spoke out to defend her family, after Kanye West attacked Beyoncé and Jay-Z 's children. In a since-deleted post shared on X on Tuesday, West peddled rumors that Beyoncé used in vitro fertilization (IVF) to conceive her and Jay-Z's seven-year-old twins, Rumi and Sir Carter. The longtime couple also have a 13-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy. West used offensive language to question Rumi and Sir's cognitive development, saying: 'Wait has anyone ever seen Jay-Z and Beyonce's younger kids they're r*******.' Hours later, Beyoncé's mother posted a video to Instagram where she appeared to mock the rapper's behavior. 'So I'm on the set of a photoshoot today for my book, and I wanted to tell you a corny joke,' she told viewers. 'What happens when a snowman throws a tantrum? He has a meltdown. Y'all know that's funny.' 'It's hard to remain positive and classy in the face of ignorance and evil,' she wrote in the caption, which has since been edited. 'But I know that no weapon formed against me or my family shall prosper. This battle is not mine, but the Lords, I know that God has got this.' After West's deleted post about Jay-Z and Beyoncé's children, he shared another message on X to say he loved the fellow rapper and felt 'bad.' He said he felt hurt by Jay-Z's decision to skip West's first wedding to his ex-wife Kim Kardashian, before making claims about the musician's behavior. 'I FELT LIKE BOTH HIM AND HIS WIFE COULD HAVE HELPED ME HAVE MORE LEVERAGE WITH MY KIDS,' West wrote, referring to his four children with Kardashian. His post also came after he claimed in another since-deleted post that Kardashian took away his parenting rights to their children. He went on to claim that Jay-Z and Beyoncé 'COULD HAVE USED THEIR CULTURAL POSITION TO NOT JUST WATCH THE KARDASHIANS RUN' him over. 'S*** HURTS SO F*** BOTH OF THEM CAUSE WHEN I NEEDED THEM IT WAS F*** ME,' he concluded. Jay-Z and West have fallen out multiple times throughout the years since their first meeting in 2000 when West produced a track for Beanie Sigel, a signee to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records. Their first major public rift occurred after Jay-Z and Beyoncé decided to skip West's wedding to Kardashian in 2014. West told Charlamagne tha God he 'was hurt' on iHeartRadio's The Breakfast Club in 2018. That same year, however, Jay-Z told David Letterman that West was his 'little brother.' By 2022, West said that Beyoncé should let her husband cheat on her. West has faced severe backlash for his antisemitic, homophobic, and misogynistic remarks on the platform in recent weeks. He sparked outrage as he was recorded wearing a swastika chain around his neck alongside white supremacist Nick Fuentes. about working with her and West's 11-year-old daughter, North. 'HEY NORTH YOUR DAD GAVE ME MY BIGGEST SONG AND CO SIGN AND I LEFT HIM OFF OF MY ALBUM BECAUSE OF HIS TWEETS,' West wrote. 'OH BUT NORTH YOU MY NIECE I GOTTA USE YOUR VOCALS.' Carti hit back on X: 'YE, STFU [shut the f*** up].'
The Independent
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Kanye West launches unhinged attack on Jay-Z and Beyonce's children
Kanye West launched into a social media tirade against his former mentor Jay-Z and Beyoncé's seven-year-old twins as the rappers' tumultuous relationship reached a crescendo. West, 47, peddled rumors that the Texas Hold 'Em hitmaker used in vitro fertilization to conceive Rumi and Sir Carter while questioning their cognitive development in an X post which was later removed and then reposted. 'Wait has anyone ever seen Jay-Z and Beyonce's younger kids they're r*******,' he tweeted Tuesday. 'No like literally and this is why artificial insemination is such a blessing having r******* children is a choice.' West reuploaded the post early Wednesday morning, with the addition: 'If Twitter take my s**t down them so be it but I need yall to no Jay Z or nobody have no power over me.' The rapper, who has faced severe backlash for his antisemitic, homophobic and misogynistic remarks on the platform in recent weeks, went on to post another seven times about Jay Z and Beyoncé seven in just over 20 minutes. 'Concerning the Jay Z and Beyoncé tweet n***** said I woukd [sic] regret it,' he wrote in his most recent post. 'I regret taking it down… my Twitter is a one way conversation.' The rappers have fallen out multiple times throughout the years since their first meeting in 2000, when the West produced a track for Beanie Sigel, a signee to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records. Their first major public rift occurred after Jay-Z and Beyoncé decided to skip West's wedding to Kim Kardashian in 2014. West told Charlamagne tha God he 'was hurt' on iHeartRadio's The Breakfast Club in 2018. After Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in Paris in 2016 while West was performing in New York, the rapper reflected later while on stage that same year, alleging that Jay Z wasn't supportive of him. The next day, West was hospitalized for stress and exhaustion, reportedly suffering from hallucinations. In 2018, however, Jay-Z told David Letterman that West was his 'little brother.' By 2022, West said that Beyoncé should let her husband cheat on her. Just hours before attacking Jay-Z and Beyoncé on X, West unloaded on rapper Playboi Carti – who was arrested on aggravated assault charges for an alleged incident involving his girlfriend in 2023 – claiming that they were both violent towards women. 'Carti beat women, I beat women but everybody hate Diddy,' West tweeted on Tuesday evening. Sean 'Diddy' Combs awaits trial for a litany of charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. West followed up the X post by tweeting: 'Make up sex be crazy after a big fight.' The 24-time Grammy Award-winning artist has also attacked other hip-hop stars in recent days, including Cardi B, Iggy Azalea and Kendrick Lamar.
