Damon Dash is officially back in the music business. XXLMag.com has learned that the Roc-A-Fella co-founder has formed his own, new independent label to release a rap/rock album between The Black Keys and a slew of hip-hop artists, including Mos Def, Jim Jones, Q-Tip, Ludacris and more.
XXL had the chance to chop it up with Dash earlier today about the new venture and how it came into play. “My assistants, who are now actually A&Rs, were going to a Black Keys concert for their birthday and I wasn’t invited,” he explained. “Usually on their birthdays we all do it together and the reason why I wasn’t invited was because the concert was sold out . And I had never heard of The Black Keys and I was like y’all still gonna go without me. And they was like ‘Yo it’s The Black Keys.” So I was like, lemme hear this group. So I start listening to them and they actually became my favorite group. They were on heavy rotation so we just reached out and we kicked it with them and I was like, ‘I wonder what would happen if we got Jim Jones and the Keys in the studio’ and Jim came in and all of a sudden Mos came in and then [it] just built from there. “
The album, titled Blak Roc, also features appearances by Raekwon, RZA, Billy Danze of M.O.P., Pharoahe Monch and Ol’ Dirty Bastard, among others. Set for a release on the day after Thanksgiving, otherwise known as Black Friday in the world of retail, the disc will be on a new label started by Dash and the Keys.
“We had a good rapport with one another,” he said. “And I like the way they do their business and they kind of like the way I do mine and it just turned into this project. “
When asked what made him return to the music business after all these years, Dash said it was all about the love. “The Black Keys are about real music and all these other people that came through are really good at what they do,” he told XXL. “And it was more for love really. We didn’t know what it was gonna be, we just knew that we just liked making music. And that’s really what it’s about at this point. At least after being in the game this long you don’t wana just be doing it for money that becomes obvious…If I was to be a part of anything, it would have to be something like this. “ –Jesse Gissen
For more information visit blakroc.com
Listen to “Hoochie Coo,” an exclusive track from the Blak Roc album featuring Mos Def, Jim Jones and The Black Keys, here.
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September 11th, 2009
at 4:49 pm
Mr. North says:
Good to see you back Dame.
You supposed to be private jettin it for life! Poppin tags everyday ten years str8!
Reply
September 11th, 2009
at 5:11 pm
BIGNAT says:
it would be cool to have dame back in the game. he could host a mixtape THE RETURN OF THE CAKEOHOLIC
Reply
September 11th, 2009
at 5:22 pm
GIFT says:
That’s good shit!!!!Dame Fuckin Dash back up in the game is a beautiful thing. He got a bad rep alot of times because he was the ultimate asshole, but it was for the greater good of the team, so I definitely wish him well w/that. REAL HIPHOP STAND UP!!!!!!
Reply
September 11th, 2009
at 5:26 pm
allhiphop>xxlmag says:
blak roc?
Reply
September 11th, 2009
at 5:46 pm
AZ40 says:
Never heard of black keys but I like to hear new things sounds like something new to look out for
Reply
September 11th, 2009
at 5:46 pm
j thomas says:
You guys talk like dame is a hip hop hero, what a joke…
you obviously got in the game last week. man, if you really knew…
Reply
September 11th, 2009
at 6:15 pm
stef says:
This is exciting.
Reply
September 11th, 2009
at 7:39 pm
adebisi says:
hope u are here for stay dame,we miss u alot here! :(
Reply
September 11th, 2009
at 7:40 pm
[9/11] Damon Dash Recruits Mos Def, Jim Jones & Wu-Tang for Blak Roc Project - Rap GodFathers Community says:
[...] obvious�If I was to be a part of anything, it would have to be something like this. � Source: xxlmag __________________ [...]
Reply
September 11th, 2009
at 9:25 pm
that nigga says:
More wack shit. No hate, just the truth.
Reply
September 11th, 2009
at 9:46 pm
DFW says:
I’m excited to see Ludacris in this.
Reply
September 11th, 2009
at 11:24 pm
Miyagi says:
Ay check this song! It’s 4 a contest from shadowville.com. Tell me what u think! Peace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBM_EbDGk94
Reply
September 11th, 2009
at 11:47 pm
UptownTuddy says:
Why everybody on rock dick? Yall some lames boy. Why can’t a nigga just make fire hip hop? Why is everybody on this rock shit? I guess its cyclical because in the 90s rap just about ended rock, now rap is ressucitating it. Lame niggas who are only in it for the “white” dollar. But it goes back to the slave days niggas sell their souls for pennies. Dash get on the grind and go find you some real spitters. Jim Jones is garbage..
Reply
September 13th, 2009
at 1:24 am
What are u talking about... says:
BLACK people created Rock n Roll…
Reply
September 14th, 2009
at 12:08 am
Jock says:
@ UptownTuddy, rappers are only rich because of the “White Dollar”. And, Blacks originated Rock n’ Roll, so its only right for us to contienue to keep our feet planted in OUR soil, ya dig?
Reply
September 11th, 2009
at 11:50 pm
Miyagi says:
ay check this video. its 4 a contest from shadowville.com. tell me what u think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBM_EbDGk94
Reply
September 12th, 2009
at 12:00 am
tHE gREAT says:
COSIGN WITH “BIGNAT” THE RETURN OF THE CAKEAHOLIC! POINT BLANK PERIOD!
Reply
September 12th, 2009
at 1:11 am
MixMaster1980 » Blog Archive » XXcLusive: Damon Dash Recruits Mos Def, Jim Jones & Wu-Tang for Blak Roc Project says:
[...] post by xxlstaff and software by Elliott [...]
Reply
September 12th, 2009
at 1:24 am
MixMaster1980 » Blog Archive » XXcLusive: Damon Dash Recruits Mos Def, Jim Jones & Wu-Tang for Blak Roc Project says:
[...] Dash plots return to the music industry Original post by xxlstaff and software by Elliott [...]
Reply
September 12th, 2009
at 1:24 am
MixMaster1980 » Blog Archive » XXcLusive: Damon Dash Recruits Mos Def, Jim Jones & Wu-Tang for Blak Roc Project says:
[...] Dash plots return to the music industry Original post by xxlstaff and software by Elliott [...]
Reply
September 12th, 2009
at 8:53 am
these posts are racist says:
The Ultimate Hustler couldn’t get his way into a concert because he didn’t have a ticket? Wow…I was going ish like that at age 9…Hustling 101.
Reply
September 12th, 2009
at 1:59 pm
DAMON DASH IS BACK IN THE MUSIC BIZ! « Defglam.com says:
[...] For more information visit blakroc.com (via XXL) [...]
Reply
September 12th, 2009
at 2:01 pm
BLACCX says:
DO YOUR THANG DAMON. I LIKE THE NAME.PEACE
Reply
September 12th, 2009
at 8:16 pm
justin says:
This shit sounds amazing!!! Dame rises above the hip hop soap opera bullshit with something different for the masses!
Reply
September 12th, 2009
at 9:04 pm
noiuio says:
Anything With Dame and Jim Jones Involved Will Be Really Bad….Anybody With Any Credibility Will Instantly Lose It If They Cohart With These Guys.
Reply
September 13th, 2009
at 5:28 pm
justin says:
if by “bad” you mean better than anything put out in a long time, then i agree totally.
Reply
September 13th, 2009
at 11:37 pm
KLAP215 says:
DAME DASH BIG UP’S THATS A NICE MOVE! SIGN BEANIE SIGEL, PEEDI CRAKK, YOUNG GUNZ, U KNOW THE WHOLE STATE PROPERTY!
Reply
November 5th, 2009
at 8:31 am
XXLmag.com - » Alterna-Rap Jack says:
[...] for the making of was posted online last month. It’s for Dame Dash of all people’s upcoming Blackroc project featuring The Black Keys and Rza, and I can’t wait. Peep the Abbott get his Jimi Hendrix on below [...]
Reply
December 1st, 2009
at 2:59 pm
XXLmag.com - » Dame Dash “Hurt & Disappointed” By Ludacris’ Absence on BlakRoc says:
[...] Damon Dash’s new BlakRoc project hitting stands last Friday (November 28), hip-hop fans were shocked to find so many different types [...]
Reply