Dame Dash responded to Jay-Z’s explosive Roots Picnic freestyle, offering candid criticism of the performance and questioning his former costar’s relevance.
Dame Dash has slammed Jay-Z’s much-publicized ad-lib performance on The Roots Picnic, offering candid criticism laced with concern and disappointment about his former business partner’s current situation.
In a recent interview with The Art of Conversation, Damon Dash responded to fan speculation that the camera was aimed at his performance.
Instead of getting defensive, Dash expressed something more complex: fraternal concerns and professional disappointment.
“Contrary to what everyone may believe, I still consider Jay my brother,” Damon Dash said. “I know Jay, and over the years, even on my team, we’ve said, ‘He’ll never say anything until he’s broke.'” So he hadn’t said anything in 20 years, and I was like, ‘Damn, I hope he’s not broke.’ ‘”
Damon Dash’s main focus isn’t the lyrical content; rather it’s the presence of Jay-Z.
Hair and fashion choices in the show were at the center of Dash’s criticism, as he questioned who suggested such styling decisions.
“I felt bad because I thought, ‘It must be embarrassing that he has to be on that stage now,’ not being the same version of himself and still having to work at that age because he has to,” Dash explained. “When we were younger, when he was his age, he hated talking to people… Since Reasonable Doubt, he retired and after 20 years he had to walk out. I just know I’m just a little embarrassed for him.”
Dash goes a step further, arguing that Jay-Z’s relevance depends on his existence.
“I do feel like if I’m not around, he doesn’t matter. I feel like that’s why they have to keep bringing up my name. I think rap is bad. It’s so bad.”
When asked about the quote’s reference to his teeth, Dash thought it was outdated.
“It’s an old joke. It’s a cliché. They didn’t fall, but if they did, it was two years ago.”
