Dame Dash Criticizes Jay-Z Following Roots Picnic Performance

Dame Dash has once again shared his thoughts on Jay-Z, this time taking aim at the rap icon's recent appearance at the Roots Picnic and even commenting on his current hairstyle.

The history between Dash and Jay-Z stretches back to the 1990s, when they, alongside Kareem "Biggs" Burke, co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records. Together, they built one of hip-hop’s most influential labels, helping redefine artist ownership and entrepreneurship in the music industry. While Jay-Z became the label’s biggest star, Dash played a key role behind the scenes, helping transform Roc-A-Fella into a cultural and business powerhouse.

Although the two were once close collaborators, their relationship has deteriorated over the years. Dash has remained one of Jay-Z’s most vocal critics, frequently commenting on his former business partner’s career and public appearances.

Following Jay-Z’s performance at the Roots Picnic, where he appeared to address longtime critics through his lyrics, Dash shared his reaction during an interview with The Art of Dialogue. Rather than praising the performance, he expressed sympathy for Jay-Z, arguing that he never expected to see him still performing at this stage of his career.

Dash suggested that the version of Jay-Z he once knew would have responded to criticism in a more creative way. He went on to claim that it felt unusual to watch the billionaire rapper continue performing decades after first discussing retirement, arguing that it seemed more like an obligation than a choice.

He also pointed to Jay-Z’s long history of retirement announcements, noting that such conversations date back to the era of Reasonable Doubt. According to Dash, seeing Jay return to the stage after so many years left him feeling uncomfortable rather than impressed.

In addition to criticizing the performance, Dash took shots at Jay-Z’s appearance, specifically commenting on his hairstyle after the rapper recently combed out his locs. He joked that fans should be questioning the new look and making lighthearted remarks about it.

As expected, Dash’s comments sparked debate online. While some agreed with portions of his criticism, many fans pushed back, arguing that Jay-Z’s continued performances are driven by passion rather than necessity and pointing to his immense success both inside and outside of music.

Regardless of where fans stand, the latest remarks serve as another chapter in the long-running and highly publicized tension between two of hip-hop’s most influential figures.