A public feud has erupted between record executive Dame Dash and rapper N.O.R.E., ignited by serious allegations facing Dash's former business partner, Jay-Z. This conflict arose after Dame made comments defending Jay-Z during his legal turmoil, prompting N.O.R.E. to lash back on social media.
Jay-Z, who recently found himself embroiled in sexual assault allegations initially directed at Sean "Diddy" Combs, has been accused by a woman claiming she was assaulted at the age of 13 during Diddy’s 2000 MTV VMAS after party. The accusations have sparked intense scrutiny and reactions from various figures within the hip-hop community.
During an interview with The Art of Dialogue, Dame Dash—a co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records—expressed his views on the media's treatment of Jay-Z amid the scandal. "Drink Champs can’t get him out of this one and neither can Charlamagne. 'Cause those are the guys who hold him down no matter what he does. So he got to get to People magazine and Entertainment Tonight right now ’cause they on his head,” Dash remarked, emphasizing the need for Jay-Z to seek validation from mainstream media to salvage his reputation.
N.O.R.E., the host of the popular podcast Drink Champs, did not take Dash’s comments lightly. Responding swiftly on Instagram, he referred to Dash as "Lame dash, more clueless than Stacey," alluding to the character from the 90s film Clueless. He later uploaded video content addressing Dash more directly, stating, "You’ve been coming at me. You think I ain’t got time. I’m not like these other people. I got time." This pointed retort illustrated N.O.R.E.'s irritation over Dash’s comments and clarified his stance on the matter.
He continued by saying, "No one’s trying to disrespect you. We tryna show you love but you keep coming at everybody. If you got beef with one person, you supposed to keep it with one person. You got beef with everybody around [Jay-Z]." N.O.R.E. expressed respect for Dash, yet remarked, "You became the lame chatty patty person you said you were against. Get your life together. My number’s the same if you wanna work it out." N.O.R.E.’s attempt to extend the olive branch came amid his frustration with Dash’s public sparring.
This feud isn’t new, as traces of tension between the two men date back to 2020. At the time, Dash accused N.O.R.E. of trying to pressure him to drink Cîroc on Drink Champs, leading to allegations concerning financial disputes over unpaid contributions to Roc-A-Fella projects.
Dame Dash has not only criticized N.O.R.E. but also raised concerns about Jay-Z’s current legal strategy. He urged Jay-Z to present his own side more actively instead of allowing his lawyer, Alex Spiro, to speak on his behalf. He stated, "I don’t trust Alex Spiro. He’s an ill dude. He’ll say anything. He’s crazy.” Dash underscored the importance of transparency for Jay-Z at this pivotal moment, arguing it’s no longer viable to remain silent due to the rapid spread of information through social media.
Meanwhile, Jay-Z has responded to the allegations by vehemently denying them, asserting through social media channels managed by Roc Nation, "This is ridiculous, and we will fight it." His legal team has been engaged in back-and-forth exchanges with the lawsuit's attorney, Tony Buzbee, as they attempt to navigate the contentious waters surrounding this case.
Overall, the public quarrel between Dash and N.O.R.E. sheds light on the broader narrative involving Jay-Z’s legal battles and the alliances and animosities existing within the hip-hop industry. Their disagreement not only fuels interest among fans but also highlights intrinsic industry pressures as they deal with accusations and public perceptions. With the media spotlight firmly fixed on Jay-Z, it remains to be seen how these dynamics will evolve moving forward.
