Damon Dash
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Damon Dash | |
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| Born | May 3, 1971 Harlem, New York City, U.S. |
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| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Spouse | Rachel Roy (2005 — present) |
Damon Dash (born May 3, 1971 in Harlem, New York) is an African-American label executive; the former CEO and co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records with Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Roc-A-Fella, specializing almost exclusively in hip-hop music, branched out with several spin-off ventures into other fields as well, notably hip-hop fashion (Rocawear Clothing) and film (Roc-A-Fella Films and, later, Dash Films).
He is also known in Europe for his ambitious project with pop singer Victoria Beckham. He produced an album worth of hip-hop inspired tracks for the pop star in 2003 which culminated with the release of her double-A sided single "This Groove/Let Your Head Go." which reached #3 on the UK charts. After public disputes with her manager Simon Fuller of 19 Management over the "urban sounds," Beckham's album "Come Together" produced by Damon Dash was eventually shelved. Tracks featuring Cam'ron, M.O.P, and other members of Cam'ron's Diplomats crew have been leaked on the Internet. He also signed Beckham as the face of Rocawear in 2003. Dash later sold his stake in Rocawear for $30 million to former partner, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter.
In late 2004, Dash sold his interest in Roc-A-Fella to parent company Island Def Jam Records for $10 million, and founded the Dame Dash Music Group as a new venture with the senior record company. Dash's other businesses include America Magazine, Armadale Vodka, Dash Management, PRO-KEDS, Team Roc, Tiret Watches, the Rachel Roy Clothing Line, an investment in New York nightclub The Plumm, Dash/DiBella Boxing and his new CEO Clothing line.
Damon Dash produced a reality show for BET called "Ultimate Hustler", in which Dash determined which one of 15 entrepreneurs was the "ultimate hustler" through a series of business challenges. John Coleman and John Rhodes filed a lawsuit against Dash, BET, Damon Dash Music Group, Dash Films and Huck Films claiming they originated the "Ultimate Hustler" concept. Dash was featured in another reality show pilot centered around late rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard, who Dash signed to a record deal shortly after the rapper's release from prison.
Dash's forays into film, both under the Roc-A-Fella Films banner and later under the Dash Film banner, have resulted in at least one critically acclaimed film (The Woodsman starring Kevin Bacon and Mos Def) and another well-received film, Paid in Full (starring Mekhi Phifer). Lesser acclaimed film endeavors by Dash include State Property and its commercially more successful sequel. He also appeared as an immortal in the movie Highlander: Endgame and as himself on the hit news program The O'Reilly Factor. He has also appeared in the 2005 documentary film Just for Kicks.
In June of 2008 Jones Apparel Group purchased a 50% Equity Stake in Rachel Roy's, fashion Brand along with TSM Capital.
[edit] Personal life
Damon Dash has Diabetes Mellitus - Type 1 and is an advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). He recently appeared on the new CNBC show dLife to discuss his experiences with the condition.
He is married to fashion designer Rachel Roy with whom he has a daughter. He is the cousin of actress Stacey Dash[1] and dated R&B singer Aaliyah until her death in August 2001[2]. He also has a daughter, Ava. Dash is working to launch his CEO Clothing line[3] but it has not been seen by the public. The clothing line was featured in a magic trade show in Las Vegas. His current net worth as of 2007 is approximately $250 million. Also Dash has launched a social network website called BlockSavvy. His accountant has led Dash to being 2 million dollars in debt to the government in back taxes, which led to be false. Dash said he's been paying taxes all his life. Dash has been talking about being the next president of record label Def Jam.
