Dame Dash trashed Jay-Z’s viral freestyle from The Roots Picnic, offering a candid critique that mixed concern with disappointment about his former business partner’s current state.
In a recent interview with The Art of Dialogue, Damon Dash responded to the performance that had fans speculating about shots directed at him.
Rather than getting defensive, Dash expressed something more complex: a mix of brotherly concern and professional disappointment.
“Contrary to what everyone may believe, I really still look at Jay as my brother,” Damon Dash said. “I know Jay, and I was like all these years just even amongst my crew, we would be like ‘he ain’t going to never say nothing until he’s broke.’ So he hasn’t said anything for 20 years and I’m like, ‘damn, I hope he’s not broke.’”
Damon Dash’s primary focus wasn’t the lyrical content; it was Jay-Z’s appearance.
The hairstyle and fashion choices at the performance became the centerpiece of Dash’s critique, as he questioned who had advised such styling decisions.
“I felt bad because I was like, ‘it must be embarrassing for him to now have to be on that stage,’ not the same version of himself and still have to work at that age because he has to,” Dash explained. “When we were younger when he was this age, he hated talking to people…he was retiring since Reasonable Doubt for him to have to come outside 20 years later. I just know I just felt kind of like embarrassed for him.”
Dash went further, suggesting Jay-Z’s relevance depends on his presence.
“I do feel like if I’m not around, he’s not relevant. I feel like that’s the reason why they have to bring my name up all the time. I thought that rap was bad. It was terrible.”
When asked about the line referencing his teeth, Dash dismissed it as outdated material.
“That’s an old joke. That was corny. They didn’t tumble out, but if they did, that was two years ago.”