Dame Dash Reflects on Roc-A-Fella’s Image After Jay-Z’s Apology to Nas

In a recent interview on The CEO Show, Roc-A-Fella co-founder Dame Dash delved into the past and shared his perspective on the feud between Jay-Z and Nas, expressing how Hov’s apology to Nas had a profound impact on the label’s image.

During the conversation, Dame Dash expressed his admiration for Nas and discussed how he has maintained his integrity throughout his extensive 30-year career. Dash also shared his initial reaction when Nas mentioned him in his iconic diss track, “Ether.”

“I was in shock but I was happy. I wasn’t hurt,” he said. “I’ma tell you right now what happened. I was hyped that he said my name but also I knew what homie was doing and I thought it was a distraction. I’m like, ‘This is bubblegum sh**.'”

Dame Dash went on to recall a particular incident that made him feel uneasy about the situation. “I go to do a f***ing Rocawear campaign in Arizona, with Freeway I think, he was there. I land and this dumb sh** is on the radio and we took an L because he got in this man’s emotions.”

Dash continued by expressing his respect for Nas as an artist. “Yo, I f**k with Nas. I think he’s one of the cooler ones. You see how cool somebody is when they’re older. It’s easy to be cool when you 21. Like, reckless — you supposed to be that. But sometimes after 30, you don’t change your jeans and your cut is different and you start to get corny and you don’t even know it.”

However, Dash couldn’t help but point out the impact of Nas’ diss track. “Nas managed to rattle Jay in a way that no one else had. It was so intense that I couldn’t even have a conversation with Jay about it for three weeks.”

Dame Dash then turned his attention to Jay-Z’s unexpected apology to Nas, attributing the decision to Irv Gotti. “When he apologized and sh**, I was like, ‘No!’” he said. “I was hitting him from the thing like, ‘Get off the radio! We looking crazy!’ And Irv did that sh**. A Queens n***a, he gave him — pause — the banana in the tailpipe. That was a Queens thing — he didn’t even see that. Yo Irv, stay out my business,” Dash remarked humorously.