Jay-Z Targeted By Lawyers For Mishandling Roca-Fella Records Sale

JAY-Z may be in hot water with New York court.

The City of New York is taking legal action against JAY-Z over his involvement in the attempted sale of Dame Dash’s shares in Roc-A-Fella Records. The dispute centers on JAY-Z’s recent statements regarding the potential ownership of the copyright to the iconic album Reasonable Doubt.

Gerald E. Singleton, representing The City’s Department of Social Services, has requested a pre-motion conference and a stay on the auction sale. The action follows JAY-Z’s declaration that the copyright ownership of Reasonable Doubt will automatically revert to him in 2031, regardless of who purchases Dame Dash’s shares.

PUBLIC STATEMENT IN QUESTION

“JAY-Z has issued widely publicized statements warning potential bidders that copyright ownership will revert back to him in 2031,” Singleton stated in a letter addressed to Judge Robert W. Lehrburger, as reported by AllHipHop. “These statements are false and extremely damaging to the City’s interests in ensuring that the auction will generate sufficient funds to satisfy all existing child support arrearages and secure future child support payments.”

Additionally, Singleton noted that Roc-A-Fella’s legal team is allegedly withholding vital royalty information. As a result, The City may seek turnover orders against the company. “The auction should be conducted in a manner that will bring the highest price for the benefit of affected judgment creditors,” Singleton emphasized.

DAME DASH REACTION

In response to the latest developments, Dame Dash took to Instagram on Sunday night to refute JAY-Z’s claims, asserting that the rapper’s statements have tainted the auction’s environment. “The State of NY has stepped in and filed the following to the courts… Jay-Z’s statements to the press have poisoned the environment for the auction,” Dame Dash wrote. He went on to challenge JAY-Z’s assertion of a copyright termination right under the Copyright Act, explaining that Roc-A-Fella Records (RAF) is entitled to a renewal term of 67 years, extending until 2098. “The highest possible auction price could be more than ten times higher than is likely now, given Jay-Z’s and RAF’s actions,” Dash argued, criticizing the company’s silence on the matter.

Dame Dash’s decision to sell his shares is part of his effort to cover a judgment against him by film producer Josh Webber regarding their dispute over the film Dear Frank.