Dame Dash Exposes the Real Reason He Walked Away from Jay-Z and R. Kelly’s Best of Both Worlds Album

In a recent episode on his American Nu Network, Dame Dash opened up about the controversy surrounding Jay-Z and R. Kelly’s Best of Both Worlds album, sharing his perspective on why he chose to distance himself from the project. The album, released in 2002, marked a collaboration between Jay-Z and R. Kelly, but for Dash, who was close with Aaliyah, it crossed a moral line he couldn’t ignore.

Reflecting on the project, Dash explained that he felt uneasy due to R. Kelly’s troubled past, particularly his history with Aaliyah. “There was a conversation had about the morals of it all,” Dash revealed. “It’s morally wrong to do a project with someone that we know raped my girl—or raped anybody, for that matter.”

Dash described the tension this created with Jay-Z, as he wanted no involvement in the project whatsoever. “When that project came out, I didn’t want any part of it. I didn’t want any of the money to go to Roc-A-Fella or me,” he shared. For him, it wasn’t just about business—it was about taking a stand against what he saw as a betrayal of both Aaliyah and the Roc-A-Fella brand.

As Dash noted, the timing of the album also coincided with a period when Jay-Z seemed ready to distance himself from Roc-A-Fella. Jay reportedly asked both Dash and their business partner, Kareem “Biggs” Burke, to dilute their shares. “Jay was trying to separate himself from us, and he didn’t want to be a part of it anymore,” Dash said, adding that he and Biggs ultimately chose not to comply. According to Dash, their mentor, Deuce from St. Croix, helped resolve the dispute, allowing Jay-Z to keep all the proceeds from the Best of Both Worlds project.

This wasn’t the first time Dame Dash had to walk away from a project over ethical concerns. He drew a parallel to walking away from dealing with Harvey Weinstein after hearing troubling stories about him. “I don’t want to be a part of people that are bad,” he asserted. While Dash didn’t know Jeffrey Epstein, he shared that if he had, he would have also walked away.

Dash also touched on the rumors and conspiracy theories that emerged after Aaliyah’s tragic passing. “When I hear these conspiracies, I think, ‘How could they be that powerful?’” he said, reflecting on how her death has been a point of speculation and intrigue for many. He hinted that some people might have benefited from Aaliyah’s death, a fact he’s struggled to reconcile over the years.

In the years since Best of Both Worlds, the controversy surrounding R. Kelly has only intensified, leading to numerous criminal charges and convictions for sexual abuse and trafficking. Dash’s reflection on the situation now brings to light questions he believes still need answers. “I think homie has to answer some questions right now,” he said of Jay-Z.

As Dash reflects on his history with both Jay-Z and the industry, he remains steadfast in his decision to distance himself from projects and people that don’t align with his principles. For him, the decision to walk away from Best of Both Worlds wasn’t just a business choice—it was a personal stand for his beliefs.