Welcome to AllHipHop.com: Black History Year Sign in | Join

EDITORIAL

Ain't No N***a Like...Dame Dash

Friday, March 27, 2009 12:19 AM | 38 comments
By Russell Simmons
Sitting in the audience last night inside the crowded 37 Street Arts Theater in Manhattan Off Broadway, I witnessed another great Damon Dash contribution, one that takes hip-hop culture to another significant level of accomplishment.
      
Sony Entertainment and Damon Dash produced, "Hip-Hop Monologues: the Life and the Mind of Jim Jones." It was a fantastic show that portrays the evolution of hip-hop through the life Jim Jones.
   
I have to say, Damon Dash is a hip-hop genius who should never be underestimated. I have watched Dame's growth, development and entrepreneurship over the years--not from a distance but from first hand observation. He was one of the creative forces behind Roc-a-fella Records, the architect of Rocawear Fashions, he's made significant culturally relevant films with Dash Films and made other creative cultural installments through Dash Enterprises. 

On another great note... He's the only husband beside one other that I know, who spent a small fortune developing a major talent and women's brand by supporting his women to the hilt!!
      
In our early days, Lyor Cohen and I used to shout at Damon and he would shout back. Then we would hug and go handle our business. That was our way of communicating.  Eventually, Lyor got old and I did more yoga and we both stopped shouting so much. Dame eventually made a few bad choices and a few things went sour.  We know haters love a man who's been hot to catch a lil cold. Hate spreads. But like Tony Montana in "Scarface" said, "two qualudes ..... And they gonna love him again."
        
So haters, it really doesn't matter about your blogs from the sidelines.   Dame's gonna help heat the economy again!! If he got hit by a truck today remember this, Dame's a giver by nature. That's why he has already received so much. He was the biz leader,  architect and one of the creative forces that built Rocafella Records into an empire. I remember that it was Damon who came on my office after we signed Jay-Z to be on the "Nutty Professor" soundtrack with a bag of cash ready to put his money where his mouth was :-).  But the record "Ain't No n*gga" didn't need his cash. It was a masterpiece and so was his artist, Jay-Z the greatest rapper of all time.
 
I saw countless displays of vision and faith all the way up to and beyond his struggle to convince everyone (no one believed) of the artistry in Kanye West. In this business, in order to be successful you have to have both business sense and great creative instincts (The latter is intuitive and cannot be learned).  Damon has once again proven that he is a great innovator with amazing vision. 
    
Now, he is helping Jim Jones in a powerful manner that combines their collective experiences--from being born and raised in Harlem. They've taken that culture to Broadway theaters with a live hip-hop band, dance routines, multimedia use and the dynamics of theatrical stage presentation to show the struggles of life through the lens of hip-hop.

I have 2 responses:
1) Respect Dame's gangster.
2) Go see the play immediately.

-Russell Simmons


Comments

 

DaKidHue said:

nigga please
March 27, 2009 12:27 AM
 

theillseed said:

i like this line "So haters, it really doesn't matter about your blogs from the sidelines. "
March 27, 2009 12:39 AM
 

ARKANSAS_HOV said:

only thing  i can cosign that Russell said is jay-z is the greatest rapper of all times
March 27, 2009 12:49 AM
 

D-block 4life said:

Russell , Russell ,Russell SMH. 1st off dame don't have a career to revive,but it look like uncle RUSS shore is trying 2 do that.
It's nice 2 See blacks helping blacks tho.


**** Special shout out 2 Ryan Moats *********
       Stay strong player***************
March 27, 2009 12:57 AM
 

La$t Don Warrior said:

Nice look Russ but man dame is a bitch n i dnt mean him any bad ish bt he gotta find something different he promoting some half ass jokers lyk Jimmy c`mon he killing e art part of hip hop. Africa all day Peace.
March 27, 2009 2:50 AM
 

IamLegend305 said:

Word? Uncle Russ thinks Jay's the G.O.A.T.? Co-sign
March 27, 2009 3:03 AM
 

Myspace.com/Ijemin said:

dame got it like that?
March 27, 2009 3:14 AM
 

Entiel said:

The Rising Is Coming.

http://www.lyricalthreat.com/
March 27, 2009 3:23 AM
 

theillseed said:

the game was better with dame...real talk, people. love or hate.
March 27, 2009 3:37 AM
 

SunKing20 said:

I agree with illseed, the game was better with Dame around. He was that dude. So what he arrogant as fuck. what that got to do with me? I don't know him personally and he didn't do me nothing so I have no reason to hate on this man. All I can do is take notes on what to do and what not to do.
March 27, 2009 3:51 AM
 

london_town said:

I agreed with everything but jay is the g.o.a.t
Dont get me wrong, he is one of the greatest but not THE greatest...IMO NAS IS THE G.O.A.T...dont know how many would agree with me but fuck it, just my honest opinion :D

------------------------------------------------------

London stand up!!
March 27, 2009 6:07 AM
 

Ain't No N***a Like...Dame Dash - The BN Village said:

March 27, 2009 6:22 AM
 

Breed500 said:

Dame got addicted to fame and got sidetracked...he forgot that valuable lesson..don't bite the hand that feeds you..Dame created Roc a Fella with Biggs and Jay..Biggs played his position and is still doing good..Dame went all over the place,buying(or licensing actually) Pro-Keds and all that other stuff and spread himself too thin. He's a great manager..he made Jay a brand and very rich,but Dame overestimated himself..and fell short..can he come back? he needs a new artist and Jim Jones is not that artist..
March 27, 2009 7:55 AM
 

everybodyisasnitch said:

Dame ego got the best of him...............I love it. I've seen him treat people like ants.
March 27, 2009 8:23 AM
 

jay8338 said:

Fuck Damon Dash and what hustle does he have. This is the same guy who messed up his friend and only cash cow in Jay Z. Instead of taking care of his business he was all about dancing around and burning bridges. And now the only thing that he has left is a fake blood JimJones to push who btw takes his name from a white guy who raped and murdered 1000s of black people. He lost everything that he's had Jay Z, Camron, Roc Label, Artist, Roca Wear Clothing, Armadale Liquor, Pro-Kids, DDash Records, Wife,etc..... He's not a mogal but he is a good road manager,that's it. Dash is the blueprint of failure.
And to think that he's said that he made Jay Z, well Jim Jones aint in no where close to Jay Z. And to everyone talking about how sorry they feel remember that no one took his millions of dollars, he spent them on burning bridges. Shameful maybe he should listen to Jay Z's track "Falling".
March 27, 2009 8:48 AM
 

leftlanecoo said:

everybodyisasnitch said:
Dame ego got the best  
co-sign

Dame is a great business man but when you get on top you still got to remember the lil people and I bet this time he will be more humble and not treat people like shit if he gets back to the top.
March 27, 2009 8:50 AM
 

leftlanecoo said:

jay8338 said:
Fuck Damon Dash and what hustle does he have. This is the same guy who messed up his friend and only cash cow in Jay Z. Instead of taking care of his business he was all about dancing around and burning bridges. And now the only thing that he has left is a fake blood JimJones to push who btw takes his name from a white guy who raped and murdered 1000s of black people. He lost everything that he's had Jay Z, Camron, Roc Label, Artist, Roca Wear Clothing, Armadale Liquor, Pro-Kids, DDash Records, Wife,etc..... He's not a mogal but he is a good road manager,that's it. Dash is the blueprint of failure.
And to think that he's said that he made Jay Z, well Jim Jones aint in no where close to Jay Z. And to everyone talking about how sorry they feel remember that no one took his millions of dollars, he spent them on burning bridges. Shameful maybe he should listen to Jay Z's track "Falling".

Damn my G you right on the money CO-SIGN!!!!!!
March 27, 2009 8:52 AM
 

DJ_GMD said:

Jay is the G.O.A.T. according to who? The ILLUMINATI! He keeps those subliminals coming & the masses unknowingly complies......now that's deep!!!!!!
March 27, 2009 9:11 AM
 

Hemi said:

That was a good article. I did not know Rus loved and respected Dame like that.

We all know Dame was the real brains behind Rockafella and Jay took the label and the brand but it has not been the same since Dame left and will never be the same.

I agree with illseed the game is better with Dame. It is funny how Kanye went with Jay when Dame made him. he brought State Property to the game as well.

I hope Dame is back on top one day because he offers something to the game that many other don't
March 27, 2009 9:21 AM
 

SaluateYaGeneral said:

DAME I GOT VISIONS OF THE ROOFTOP!!!!!

SHOUT OUT TO THE BEST OUT CREW!!!!!!!!!!!!

BIGGS HOFFA AKA SILENT PARTNER...I SEE YOU BOY

CAM NEW LP COMING SOON!!! KILLA SEASON IS IN THE AIR!!!!
March 27, 2009 9:22 AM
 

SaluateYaGeneral said:

DAME I GOT VISIONS OF THE ROOFTOP!!!!!

SHOUT OUT TO THE BEST OUT CREW!!!!!!!!!!!!

BIGGS HOFFA AKA SILENT PARTNER...I SEE YOU BOY

CAM NEW LP COMING SOON!!! KILLA SEASON IS IN THE AIR!!!!
March 27, 2009 9:23 AM
 

OnDeckMeno said:

Yeah, nigga ain't checking for dame huh. Well I will always love this man he took a chance on everything and how many nigga in the game after R. Kelly been with lyiah? She was young and beautifull with all types of talents and she was a trend setter the only nigga in the game that was with her in public and she love it. Not only that look at The Roc period, if it wasn't for his great marketing skill and vision, Jigga wouldn't of been who he is now. He would of been know but not to the level that he is now, dame market the shit out of Shawn and the entire roc crew. Don't even try to say it ain't true because if it was all like that why didn't shawn blow before???? People help people get where they are and Dame help the Roc. Point blank period. That Russell for the truth.
March 27, 2009 9:23 AM
 

NightFall914 said:

Some folk are gonna say Fuc Dame regardless.

I'm not one of them. NOBODY on this board has been in the game as intimately as Russell Simmons.No man's word is law but in Hip Hop Russell is as close to it as you can get.Bloggers and website comments can drop opinions and views but Russell's words here are facts.I wish the best for Dame for real.
March 27, 2009 9:39 AM
 

jay8338 said:

I like Russell Simmons and all but lets not forget he too benefited from other people and wasnt ignorant and didn't bite the hand that fed him and others, after all Def Jam was founded by Rick Rubin in his dorm room.
March 27, 2009 9:50 AM
 

poe said:

Jay & Dame should link back up.
March 27, 2009 10:08 AM
 

Hoeyuno said:

Russ has been involved in hip hop practically from day one, who the fuck are we to judge this mans opinion.
March 27, 2009 10:10 AM
 

Russell Simmons: “Damon Dash Is A Genius” « Media Outrage said:

March 27, 2009 10:15 AM
 

Grumpy said:

Rush has a unique vantage point

Dame had to be an asshole at times. It's part of the biz. Remembering that scene from 'Backstage' where Liles comes in the room and passes out Def Jam jackets to the Roc/State Property cats and they put them on rockin' em til Dame shows up and screams on Liles for trying to co-opt his people. He said 'We don't work for you, we're in a 50-50 partnership and you show up with Def Jam jackets for Rocafella artists!!??'

Right there, that showed how sneaky shit gets and how easy folks can be influenced.

Now he didn't have to be an asshole where Choke-No Joke was concerned; gotta give credit where it's due. Karma and all...

But here's the thing: Dame is a self admitted asshole and cake-a-holic who reps Uptown to the fullest. Harlem is the home of the hustlers and he let a BK dude get the best of him. And of Biggs too. It was really 2 against 1 at some point with Kareem being on Dame's side and Jay merked them both. Add in Dipset being on Dame's side too and not liking Jay either. He got the best of all of 'em. He got the whole empire in return for some cash and Reasonable Doubt.

That's gotta burn worse than almost anything
March 27, 2009 10:49 AM
 

jay8338 said:

Rush was right about one thing and that is Damon Dash is truly the definition of a NIGGA!
March 27, 2009 11:07 AM
 

Russell Simmons Says, “Ain’t No Ni&&a Like Dame Dash…” | the.LIFE Files - "Welcome To Exclusiveness" said:

March 27, 2009 11:25 AM
 

Huey vs Riley said:

wtf
March 27, 2009 11:44 AM
 

Topics about Dance » Editorial : Ain't No N***a Like…Dame Dash said:

March 27, 2009 1:28 PM
 

Professor Knowledge said:

"He's the only husband beside one other that I know, who spent a small fortune developing a major talent and women's brand by supporting his women to the hilt!!"

And how did that end up for the both of you? Dame is broke and the brotha from Amistad gets to beat Kimora. I co-sign everyone that said Dame's business game is weak. Anybody on this site would have been rich partnering with Jay. Real businessmen prepare financially for the worst case scenario instead of bragging about how much they spend.
March 27, 2009 1:52 PM
 

XXLmag.com - » Editor’s Note to Russell Simmons: Ain’t No Nigga Like… The One I Co-Signed said:

March 27, 2009 4:08 PM
 

ANACOSTIA said:

Say your piece about Dame, it doesn't really matter.

But when Rush speaks you gotta listen to this man.  

As BDK said "nuff respect due"!
March 29, 2009 3:25 PM
 

sL0 said:

Hoeyuno said:
Russ has been involved in hip hop practically from day one, who the fuck are we to judge this mans opinion.
March 27, 2009 10:10 AM

cosign my nigga
April 1, 2009 4:16 AM
 

Mil-town_414_ said:

ftlanecoo said:
everybodyisasnitch said:
Dame ego got the best  
co-sign

Dame is a great business man but when you get on top you still got to remember the lil people and I bet this time he will be more humble and not treat people like shit if he gets back to the top.
March 27, 2009 8:50 AM  
I agree, but I think Dame forgot being rich ain't shit to people that's wealthy, and that's what J knew. That cocky attitude was a turn off to that corporate world, I believe that's why Lyor wanted to fuck with J but not Dame.
April 2, 2009 2:47 PM
 

Mr.WickedJones said:

u niggas act like u know dame personally, guess what, he's a rainmaker and you are not.
April 2, 2009 7:44 PM
Anonymous comments are disabled. Sign up or Login

Copyright © 1998 to Infinity, Allhiphop.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.