The ever-savvy businessman JAY-Z is celebrating the anniversary of his debut album while also proverbially spitting in the face of his ex-business partner.
In a clear-cut power move, JAY-Z commissioned “multidisciplinary” artist Derrick Adams to carve out a Reasonable Doubt non-fungible token (NFT) released on Friday (June 25) — exactly 25 years after its initial release date through Jigga and Damon Dash’s ex-record label, Roc-A-Fella Records.
However, it was just three days ago on Tuesday (June 22) when a New York judge ruled in favor of JAY-Z against Dame Dash’s attempt to sell his own Reasonable Doubt NFT, likely to also commemorate Friday’s 25th anniversary. While the ruling was determined to be temporary, JAY-Z’s legal team were able to convince the court of their plight despite Dash describing their tactics as “bullying.”
To hammer home his stance, the press release firmly states, “The auction is also the only official event authorized by JAY-Z to commemorate Reasonable Doubt’s historic 25th anniversary.
The digital piece illustrates JAY-Z in his infamous tuxedo garb from the 1996 Hip Hop classic insert, complete with billows of cigar smoke, shot by Jonathan Mannion at the time (more on that later).
JAY-Z Scores 'Reasonable Doubt' NFT Victory Over Damon Dash
An appreciative Derrick Adams explained how his work was able to reach the radar of the Hip Hop billionaire. Being born in Baltimore and having his talent thrive in Brooklyn allowed him to make invaluable connections with his art.
“Over the years, JAY-Z has collected and supported my work, and so this collaboration is particularly fulfilling,” Derrick Adams told Sotheby’s. “With this NFT project, we jointly embrace the opportunity to further the conversation about how artists of different mediums contribute to a more inclusive society. JAY-Z’s album Reasonable Doubt changed the game 25 years ago, and continues to influence so many of us. It tells the story of someone from Brooklyn occupying the urban space — a place that is as central to my own work as it is to his.
“My portraits aim to capture the sensibility, optimism and beauty of urban life, and in JAY-Z’s work I’ve found tremendous kinship.”
Bidding for the Reasonable Doubt NFT begins at $1,000 and the auction will run through July 2 while being hosted virtually through Sotheby’s gallery in the Voltaire Art District in Decentraland. It’s also for a good cause — with a portion of the proceeds going to The Shawn Carter Foundation and its fight to end socio-economic hardships for people nationwide.
Sporting some of Hov’s most well-respected songs such as “Dead Presidents II,” “Brooklyn’s Finest” (featuring the late Notorious B.I.G. a.k.a. Biggie) and “Ain’t No Nigga” which introduced a young, spitting Foxy Brown to the world, Reasonable Doubt wasn’t an initial critical success – nor acclaimed project upon its release. The album debuted at No. 23 on the Billboard 200 and received 4 mics from The Source magazine – with the year 2002 seeing the LP being bestowed with both a platinum certification and an upgrade to a perfect 5 mics as word of its quality got around.
On his 1998 platinum single “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem),” JAY-Z even quipped, “I gave you prophecy on my first joint, and y’all lamed out/Didn’t really appreciate it ’til the second one came out.”
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Nonetheless, it was the witty metaphors, soulful samples from producers DJ Premier, Ski, DJ Clark Kent and more and layered storytelling that made Reasonable Doubt a revered album as JAY-Z’s status as a rapper and celebrity both grew.
Damon Dash’s legal inquiries haven’t been JAY-Z’s only Reasonable Doubt battle as of late. Last week, JAY-Z filed a lawsuit against trusted Hip Hop photographer Jonathan Mannion for what he calls a greedy attempt to “squeeze dollars” out of every photo he ever snapped of him.
Like Damon Dash’s case, that one remains ongoing as well.
Revisit JAY-Z’s Reasonable Doubt album below on TIDAL — which has a score of interviews, deep dives, videos, and interactive credits underneath the Tidal.com/RD25 umbrella.
Word is Damon Dash ate his undershirt last night for dinner…
Actually, those were his cousin Stacy Dash’s underwear that he really ate.
Who among us hasn’t eaten Stacey Dash’s underwear? Let him cast the first stone.
THAT’S SOME REAL G SHIT. PETTY BUT I DIG IT.
Doutful Reason was a great album. Jay-Z made it. He became a real star for the fans of Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer. By the way I haven’t seen the victorious article about Dr. Octagon that came out in the same year, in May. Despite Jay’s fake gangsta pop rap that album was a real landmark. Was there an article about the 25 y.o. Awakening by Lord Finess? No. However that was a piece of art, not fake gangsta pop music. Was there an article on Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton? The last album from Eazy-E, a legend. No. What a pity. Funcrusher? No. Maybe you don’t even know who did it. Chino XL’s debut? No. He didn’t make a billion of radio chart music. Ooops, I mean business moves. Only this Zay-Jee. Maybe the problem is I like rap music, but you only know pop. Fuck off.
You put a lot of effort into that post. Thanks for going the extra mile to let us know of your wackness.
I always fascinate Bruce Springsteen fans there are other music.
Your reply was corny, dude. Try again.
You sound like a broke hater that listens to rappers that nobody cares about. Lemme guess, you also think It Was Written is better than Reasonable Doubt? Hahaha! It’s the ROC in here!
It’s true it was written was better than reasonable doubt.
Sounds like horrible taste in music lol and chino xl? Go back under the rock you belong loser
John, I totally agree with you, unfortunately the lbgt trolls live in the forums these days & they try VERY hard to persuade the masses that they speak for everyone or that they ARE everyone. REAL FACTS: the only place u gonna find Jay Z’s music playing is @ white people parties where boys can dress like girls & not be made fun of……..
Team Dash all da way. Da truth gone come to light.
Is the light coming from a flaming dumpster because the truth is that Damon Dash is a bum…
And y’all thought Dame was wrong here? SMH ??♂️
Happy 25th birthday to the greatest album ever made in history! Illmatic couldn’t shine this album’s shoes. GOAT album by a GOAT MC/business, man. Thank you King HOV for blessing the world with this beautiful masterpiece. It’s the ROC in here!
not a business man @ all, jus a guy who sold his & his wifes soul to the lbgt in exchange for a soap opera fan base that feels the need to worship entertainers… Also, Jay Z was never the “GOAT” of anything & the thought of anything hes actually done being better than NAS is quite laughable… people today are being placed on pedestals & are too stupid to figure out why………
Both of y’all idiots are still stuck in 2001; gtfoh. Did it cross any of your dumb ass minds that both artists are great and you can be fans of both?
They are 2 different genre’s is a pretty good point… and only one of them deserves to be mentioned on a HIP HOP news site id think? Also, you are OBVIOUSLY not from 2001 cause no one I know would call a complete stranger names like that without looking them in the eye… im guessing ur one of those 12yo caucasian internet gangsters?
Lol, says the guy getting emotional about an internet discussion about music. Kick rocks, idiot.
Getting emotional, brah. Music is about emotions. Hang yourself on the first tree, you 11 year old fuckhead.
Lol, now you want me to commit suicide. Geez, did my comment hurt your feelings that bad?
Wtf says “brah” on a hip-hop website? LMAOOOOO
Go catch some waves surfer boy.
Your take on Jay Z is totally tubular. LMAOOOO
Give Nas the honour he deserves. Jay sampled him on dead presidents. Jay has always wanted a bit of Nas. Even MC Serch said Nas owns a piece of Jay’s catalogue. Nas the GOAT bro. From the golden era till now from illmatic to King’s disease.
Funny how you shit on Illmatic while it got 5 mics on The Source after its release compared to Reasonable Doubt initially only getting 4. Respect due where it’s due.
jay-z is so overrated.
Nope…..great him overgreat!
“Would you rather be underpaid or overrated “ Jay Z
LOL Fuck Queensbridge is a clown living in moms basement. You worship the guy who can give a rats ass about you little simp. Keep trying though. Hope you make a living out of this little simp!
Dame made his own bed with all the noise he makes about being a boss and talking down to others because of the business moves they make .Well either he taught Jay Z very well or he isnt as savvy as he thinks he is.Jay Z doesnt talk about it he just be about it…. Love Him Or Hate Him.. Jay Z sure wins alot.
music business people can make or break anyone.
More like Damon Trash…am I right?
Seriously though, am I? I really understand what happened or who’s at fault.
A lot of y’all keep talking about Illmatic. It’s all a matter of opinion. Nobody’s talking about Illmatic. The discussion is Reasonable Doubt. Y’all act like somebody owe Nas something when we talk about HOV. Jay Z still relevant to say the least. Secondly he did sample Nas while taking that hot line, but Jay also made it a Hot song.
Nas won Grammy Award for Best Rap Album this past year. Facts! Your comment means about as much as Memphis Bleek. Jay couldn’t even get Nas in the studio for Reasonable Doubt or Snoop. It’s a known fact Illmatic is better than Reasonable Doubt even with a BIG guest appeance! You know what else is a hot song?Ether ya bitch Everything you say is DEAD WRONG only woman in your life is Your Mom. Keep it real for you one of your best options gotta be Suicide. You come across as a Troll but if thats how you roll looking for laughs as The Crickets make the noise. Anybody else left you alone saying this boys a Loser. It’s only so long does faith to pretend I recommend a hobby dude and I ain’t trying to be rude just some advice. Take it or leave it but cut the bullshit
Jay z please cut that mop off your head.
You look great with the old hair cut. That WEEKEND hair cut look crazy. PLEASE!
No.
Hov dick stay in trent and hunte mouth
Article is so one-sided says jayz “sonned” him in court. Sounds like he simply won the case and then used Dames idea to monopolize… (again)