MAN WANTS DAME DASH ARRESTED

Filmmaker Josh Webber is intensifying his legal pursuit against Damon "Dame" Dash, the co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, pushing for Dash's arrest due to non-compliance with court orders. This ongoing legal battle stems from a dispute over the 2016 film Dear Frank, where Dash was initially hired as a co-director but was later fired for alleged unprofessional behavior, including intoxication on set. The conflict has since escalated, with Webber accusing Dash of attempting to pitch the film to networks like BET under a different title, The List, without permission.

In April 2024, Webber filed a defamation lawsuit against Dash, claiming that Dash's comments on the Earn Your Leisure podcast caused him to lose a $4 million producing and directing job. Webber alleged that Dash falsely claimed he "stole" from him regarding the Dear Frank project. A court ruling in March 2025 ordered Dash to pay a $4 million default judgment for the defamation case, further straining his financial situation.

The situation took a critical turn when, on April 29, 2025, Judge Robert W. Lehrburger ruled that Dash failed to provide evidence of his assets, which was required to enforce judgments from two lost lawsuits, including Webber's. The court had set a deadline of March 10, 2025, for Dash to comply, but he did not, prompting a new deadline of May 9, 2025. The judge warned that failure to meet this deadline could result in Dash being held in contempt, with a potential arrest warrant issued to compel his appearance in court. The ruling stated, "If Defendants fail to comply, the Court will find Defendants in contempt and may issue an arrest warrant for Mr. Dash to bring him to Court to respond to the discovery sought," adding that sanctions, including monetary penalties or adverse inferences, could also be imposed.

Webber's legal team has also moved to seize and auction Dash's intellectual property and personal assets, including his engagement ring and the cult-classic film State Property, to cover the debts. This push for asset seizure was reported in April 2025, with Webber seeking to recoup losses from the defamation judgment and other financial disputes. Additionally, Dash's legal team withdrew from the case in April 2025, citing his intent to file for bankruptcy, which has further complicated his ability to respond to these legal challenges.

The legal feud has drawn significant attention, with posts on X highlighting the escalating tensions, including a July 14, 2025, post from @allhiphopcom stating that Webber is moving to arrest Dash for derailing a planned auction of his assets. Dash's financial troubles are not new; he has faced similar issues in the past, including a 2019 arrest for owing over $400,000 in child support, which he resolved by paying over $1 million. However, the current battle with Webber poses a significant threat to Dash's remaining assets and reputation.

As the May 9, 2025, deadline has passed, the hip-hop community and legal observers await further developments to see if Dash will comply or face arrest. This saga underscores the challenges Dash faces in navigating his legal and financial obligations while maintaining his legacy as a pivotal figure in hip-hop culture.

Damon "Dame" Dash, once a towering figure in hip-hop as the co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, has faced significant financial and personal challenges in recent years, marking a stark contrast to his earlier success. From a reported net worth of $50 million at his peak to an estimated $100,000-$400,000 today, Dash's financial woes have been compounded by legal battles, business setbacks, and strained relationships with former associates. His recent public outbursts, particularly aimed at artists he once helped propel to fame, reveal a mix of frustration, pride, and a refusal to accept his current circumstances quietly.

Financial and Legal Troubles

Dash's financial struggles have been well-documented. In January 2024, he requested a court to lower his child support payments to $428 a month, citing an income of just $5,140 for the entirety of 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic and failed business ventures, including his streaming platform Dame Dash Studios, have significantly impacted his earnings. Dash has openly described himself as "proud broke," attributing his financial state to his relentless pursuit of entrepreneurial dreams rather than mismanagement. However, former associate Cam'ron, who was signed to Roc-A-Fella from 2001 to 2005, has suggested otherwise, pointing to Dash's lavish spending habits—such as owning two London mansions and frequent private jet travel—as a key factor in his financial decline.

Legal battles have further eroded Dash's wealth. In 2023, he was ordered to pay $800,000 in a copyright infringement and defamation lawsuit related to the 2016 film Dear Frank, from which he was removed as director. To settle this debt, his one-third stake in Roc-A-Fella Records was auctioned off by the federal government in August 2024, with a minimum bid of $1.2 million. Dash also faced a $30,000 defamation payment in a 2019 sexual assault lawsuit, though he was cleared of the assault allegations. Additional lawsuits, including a $1.5 million claim by rapper Curren$y in 2012 for unauthorized music releases and a $300,000 judgment in favor of filmmaker Edwyna Brooks, have added to his financial burdens. In May 2025, Dash was ordered to turn over more assets to satisfy an additional $78,000 debt, and he faces potential arrest for allegedly hiding assets, with a possible $4 million payout looming from recent court violations.

Lashing Out at Former Artists

Amid these struggles, Dash has publicly expressed frustration with former Roc-A-Fella artists, particularly those he believes owe him financial gratitude for their success. In a 2024 interview with The Art of Dialogue, Dash argued that artists like Kanye West and Kevin Hart, whom he helped promote, should compensate him for his role in their rise. He suggested that their success was partly due to his efforts and that he should not have to continue working as a result. This sentiment sparked a public feud with Cam'ron, who dismissed Dash's claims, stating, "If you live like that, you got to keep hustling," and attributing Dash's financial woes to poor money management rather than a lack of support from others.

Dash also reignited tensions with 50 Cent, who called out Dash's diminished financial status after Dash had previously downplayed 50 Cent's $1 million Shady Records deal as insignificant. In response, Dash took to Instagram Live and The Art of Dialogue, accusing corporate America of using 50 Cent to undermine him and claiming that those he helped had "f*cked him over." He expressed a desire for an "Eminem or Dr. Dre" figure to have protected him from being blackballed in the industry, suggesting that his outspoken nature and refusal to conform led to his exclusion.

Strained Relationships and Public Perception

Dash's outbursts have not been limited to artists. He has also clashed with former business partner Jay-Z, with whom he co-founded Roc-A-Fella and Rocawear. Dash has spoken about feeling betrayed by Jay-Z, particularly after the 2004 Def Jam acquisition of Roc-A-Fella, which left Dash with only $3 million, and the subsequent sale of his Rocawear stake for $30 million in 2005. On the Get Yo Ass Up podcast, Dash lamented that Jay-Z's pursuit of wealth and power overshadowed their friendship. Meanwhile, music executive Steve Stoute, on Club Shay Shay, attributed the deterioration of their relationship to Dash's "childish antics, anger issues, and disrespecting people."

Public sentiment, as seen on platforms like Reddit, reflects a mix of sympathy and criticism. Some fans lament Dash's downfall, noting his contributions to hip-hop, while others argue his ego and erratic behavior—such as lashing out at Def Jam executives during the Hard Knock Life tour or clashing with Lifetime producers over a project involving his past relationship with Aaliyah—contributed to his isolation. One Reddit user remarked, "Hard head, soft bottom," highlighting Dash's stubbornness as a factor in his struggles.

A Legacy at Odds with Circumstance

Despite his challenges, Dash remains defiant, framing his financial struggles as a byproduct of his commitment to independence and creativity. He continues to pursue projects like Dame Dash Studios and a visual album titled Playtoy, set for release in 2023. However, his decision to auction an original Roc-A-Fella chain alongside his label stake, with a minimum bid of $10 million, has been criticized as cheapening the legacy he helped build. As The Black Negotiator noted, Dash's actions risk dragging others down rather than owning his mistakes, a sentiment echoed by those who wish he would focus on uplifting others instead of public feuds.

Dame Dash's story is a cautionary tale of hip-hop's highs and lows. Once a visionary who shaped the careers of icons like Jay-Z and Kanye West, he now grapples with financial ruin and fractured relationships. His refusal to accept help and his public lashing out at former artists underscore a complex legacy—one of ambition, resilience, and self-inflicted wounds..