From Brotherhood To Ultimate Betrayal: Jay-Z And Dame Dash's Friendship Timeline

Jay-Z and Dame Dash weren't just friends — hey, along with Kareem "Biggs" Burke, built an empire together. In the mid-'90s, they created Roc-A-Fella Records, an indie label that revolutionized hip-hop.

While most rappers signed with big labels, Jay couldn't get signed. Thanks to a distribution deal with Priority Records, they dropped Jay-Z's debut Reasonable Doubt. The album featured guest spots from Mary J. Blige, The Notorious B.I.G., and even some vocals from Nas.

Their partnership was more than just business—it was built on loyalty and a shared dream. Jay and Dame moved like brothers, helping one another make big moves. In 1998, Jay's career took off with the release of Vol 2...Hard Knock Life, proving he was Roc-A-Fella Records.

From the late '90s to 2003, Roc-A-Fella Records dominated the hip-hop scene with chart-topping albums and a star-studded roster. Led by Jay-Z, the label became a powerhouse, producing hit records that defined the era.

As the new millennium approached, Roc-A-Fella expanded beyond music, venturing into fashion with Rocawear and dabbling in film with Roc Films, creating beloved movies such as Paid In Full and Paper Soldiers.

This period marked their transition from a street-level independent label to a multi-faceted empire influencing culture and business. But as Roc-A-Fella blew up, tensions started to rise. The friendship that built the empire was about to break down.

The Jay-Z and Dame Dash friendship timeline took a significant hit around 2004. Jay' s career was skyrocketing, and Dame Dash wasn't shy about making moves that put him at odds with the rapper. Roc-A-Fella had reached a turning point.

According to Complex, in 2004, Jay accepted an offer to become president of Def Jam, a position that gave him more industry influence but signaled the end of Roc-A-Fella as it was. However, there were rumors about issues for a couple of years before this deal.

By the time the split occurred, Jay, Dame, and Biggs had sold their 50% share to Def Jam; therefore, the label owned everything. As the CEO, Jay would control Roc-A-Fella Records. Dame and Biggs, feeling blindsided, saw this move as a betrayal.

"So I was like, let me get 'Reasonable Doubt' and I'll give up the rest of my masters. I'll give up Roc-A-Fella Records, I'll give up president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings—everything. Just give me my baby to hold on to so 10 years down the line, I can look back and I got something—I'm not empty-handed. And I was the one being offered everything," the "Big Pimpin'" rapper told XXL.

"I thought it was more than fair... And when that was turned down, I had to make a choice. I'll leave that for the people to say what choice they would've made. That's about it. I don't really wanna talk about Dame or Biggs. I don't have nothing negative to say about them," he continued.

Dame Dash and Biggs would create Dame Dash Music Group, with artists like Cam'ron publicly dissing Jay. After three years, Jay ended his time as president at Def Jam.

During an interview in 2023, Dame opened up about his estranged relationship with former business partner and friend.

"When I look at what happened between me and Jay, it's like I blame Jay for letting it happen, but all the people that really made it happen are the ones that are...benefiting from him the most now," Dame said. "I was stopping them from getting money."

"My friendship comes before the business," he continued. "Either way, unless he [Jay-Z] was down with it, then it wouldn't [have] happened."

Dame admitted he's open to reconciliation.

"Where I'm at now is that if Roc-A-Fella and the ones that weren't billionaires want to get money on the right terms, I'm down," he said. "I'm telling you publicly I will [have the conversation]. And I've never not said that. But Jay's never had that accountability to have that real conversation with me."

"I always said as a man that we could always talk it up," he continued.

Dame further insisted that there is no bad blood.