Dame Dash is one of hip-hop’s most interesting figures. While he frequently goes viral for his controversial takes, such as his stance on men never having a “boss,” Dash’s impact on the culture is solidified, with his biggest contribution being the launch of Roc-A-Fella Records in 1994, alongside Jay-Z and Kareem Burke. Their label helped launch the incomparable music career of Jay-Z and years later, the label’s glory days are still heavily discussed.
Unlike Jay-Z and Burke, once Roc-A-Fella dismantled for good, Dash experienced a mountain of financial setbacks. This was even apparent in recent years when he and Jay-Z sparred in court over one of the label’s most iconic creations. Personal losses have also put a dent in his pockets, greatly affecting Dame Dash’s net worth, which reportedly once stood at $50 million.
Roc-A-Fella Was His Most Profitable Venture
After its 1994 launch, Roc-A-Fella Records got its first release with Jay-Z’s 1996 classic, Reasonable Doubt. The following year, Roc entered a joint partnership with Def Jam and released Jay’s second album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Dash and Roc-A-Fella saw their first major success when Jay unveiled Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life, spawning the label’s first platinum single, Hard Knock Life.
Seeing his business partner and artist’s rapidly increasing popularity, Dash organized Jay’s first major tour in 1999, which earned a reported $19 million. That same year, he founded the label’s official clothing line, Rocawear, alongside his superstar friend. At its height, the brand brought in $700 million annually. In 2004, Def Jam purchased Roc-A-Fella, with Jay-Z getting a job as president of his new parent label. Surprisingly, Dash got only $3 million from this deal. However, the very next year, Dash sold his 25 percent stake in Rocawear to Jay-Z for $30 million. In just a few short years after the Def Jam merger, Dash was no longer working with the beloved music imprint he started. Thankfully, this did not deter him.
Dame Dash Has Long Been Involved in Film and Television
Before Roc-A-Fella went under, Dame Dash produced several films under the company’s film division. One of the most popular is 2002’s Paid In Full, a true story based on the life and death of Harlem drug dealer, Rich Porter and his partners Azie Faison and Alpo Martinez, who would eventually claim his life. Dash also played a role in helping jump-start the career of Kevin Hart, who made his film debut in the production, Paper Soldiers. After his
He would go on to launch his media collective, DD172. The group consisted of an art gallery in Manhattan, BluRoc Records, and America Nu, a magazine-turned-production house. The serial entrepreneur did go through his own set of challenges with DD172, including a 2012 lawsuit from rapper Curren$y accusing Dash of releasing his music without permission. Thankfully, in recent years, America Nu has seen success, thanks to its app and several movies landing on BET, including The Prince of Detroit.
Money Woes Impacted His Finances
Despite the 53-year-old’s perseverance and millions made throughout his career, Dash’s current net worth sits at just $100,000. This can be attributed to his many legal issues. Two years after Curren$y dragged him to court, the embattled mogul was ordered to pay his ex, Linda Williams, $50,000 stemming from allegations that he pushed her to be prosecuted for harassment. The two share a son, Boogie. Their child support situation is unknown but Dash experienced more money drama when his ex-wife and mother of his two daughters, Rachel Roy,
In November 2019, Dash was taken into custody for failing to pay over $400,000 in child support to Roy and another woman, Cindy Morales, who shares a son with Dash. Roy was owed $341,991 plus attorney fees. Morales was owed $62,553. Dash reportedly paid the bill in full to be released from custody.
In 2021, Jay-Z ordered a restraining order against Dash, who was attempting to sell a portion of Reasonable Doubt as an NFT. They settled this case in 2022. In 2024, the former rap titan put the last pit of Roc-A-Fella’s past behind him when his final one-third share of the label was auctioned off to help pay down his $8.7 million tax debt. The state of New York placed the winning bid. As of December 2024, things are much quieter for Dash, with much of his cash problems behind him. However, it’s evident that his multi-millionaire status is behind him.
The post Dame Dash Net Worth: From Multimillionare To Modest Earnings appeared first on Blavity.
