After years of silence Roc-A-Fella Records co-founders Dame Dash and Jay Z found it within themselves to find common ground and end their cold war at a birthday party for Chaka Pilgrim in Williamsburg’s King and Grove last night. Credited with launching the careers of superstar rappers Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, and Memphis Bleek as well as the release of all Jay Z albums, music by Cam’ron, The Diplomats and Freeway together the long time friends built a hip-hop music empire only to have that same empire tear them apart. When the label was purchased by Def Jam in 2004 and Jay Z was offered the position as company president his acceptance left Dash in the cold alongside Kareem Burke, a fellow co-founder.
Since the duo’s unfortunate split Dash has encountered numerous legal and financial issues and hasn’t always had the kindest of words to say about his former partner. Dash stating previously, “the people that I was helping, once they realized their dreams, they did what a criminal would do. They stabbed you in the back. Think about the frustration of building a brand for years that should be taking care of your family, and then the person that was the closest to you saying, ‘Nah, you can’t have no parts of it,’ and flushing it.” Although statements such as these reflect clear animosity between the duo, both parties have recently expressed a desire to make amends.
After a video featuring Dame praising Jay Z’s new album Magna Carta Holy Grail appeared online Jay Z was recorded stating “we created something that’s going to go down forever, so I can only have love for Dame. I just don’t know where we are in our life. Were we the same two young men at that time? Or will we gel in that way? I haven’t sen him in a while. I have ultimate confidence in him that he’ll find his way, because he’s an amazing and really smart guy.”
Exchanging a handshake and a hug at the afore mentioned birthday party last night the moment was captured by Dash and posted online via Instagram and is featured above.