Roc-A-Fella and Damon Dash End Lawsuit Over Controversial NFT

Roc-A-Fella has reached a settlement with Damon Dash over his plans to sell an NFT

Roc-A-Fella Records reached an agreement settling the lawsuit between the label and its co-founder Damon Dash.   In July of last year the label sued Dash due to his plans to auction off his rights to Reasonable Doubt as an NFT. According to Billboard the lawsuit centered on if Damon Dash could in fact sell off his rights to the album as an individual or if the album was owned by the label. 

Monday June 14th, both parties agreed that Reasonable Doubt was owned by RAF Inc. meaning no singular owner could sell off his rights to the iconic album.  Of note Damon Dash is still allowed to sell off his share of the company. It is unknown if he will do so.

The primary reason behind the label’s success is because of the status of the album.  Reasonable Doubt began the storied career of rapper and media mogul Jay Z.  The album’s place in hip hop history made it so valuable Roc-A-Fella sued before a sale could even begin.  This lawsuit is simply the latest in series of clashes between Dash and the label he helped to start.

A Longstanding Beef

  Dame Dash and Jay Z’s longstanding beef produced numerous articles, tweets, and discussions.  The former business partners and friends seemed to quash the feud during Jay Z’s acceptance speech for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  However, the good will was short lived.  Not long after that the lawsuit was filed leading to more tension between the two.

This decision impacts many parties.  However, the most impactful is on the hip hop world’s use of NFTs.  Other rappers or producers looking to make use of NFTs as a money making option might be warry following this case.  While the case is settled more developments from Dash and Roc-A-Fella are expected.  

Ryan Fields