The long-running tension between Dame Dash and Jay-Z continues to resurface, with Dash now responding to one of the most talked-about lines from Jay-Z’s recent Roots Picnic freestyle.
During the performance, Jay-Z delivered a series of bars aimed at several longtime critics and rivals. One lyric that quickly drew attention referenced Lance Rivera, commonly known as “Un.”
“I really get under skin, ask Un how I’m playing,” Jay rapped, a line many listeners interpreted as a reference to the infamous 1999 altercation involving Rivera.
In a recent interview with The Art of Dialogue, Dame Dash criticized the lyric and questioned why Jay-Z would revisit the decades-old incident.
According to Dash, his understanding of the conflict differs from some of the narratives that have circulated over the years. He suggested that personal relationships and tensions surrounding Charli Baltimore played a role in the dispute, although the exact circumstances surrounding the altercation have remained heavily debated for years.
The incident itself has long been the subject of conflicting accounts. One widely discussed explanation centers on allegations that Rivera was involved in the unauthorized distribution of Jay-Z’s album Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter before its official release. Other versions of the story have focused on personal disagreements and industry tensions.
Over the years, Charli Baltimore has also publicly commented on the controversy, noting that different versions of events have emerged from various parties involved.
Dash used the interview to further criticize his former business partner, arguing that revisiting the incident in a public freestyle was unnecessary and reflective of deeper issues between them.
The latest comments come shortly after Jay-Z’s viral performance at the Roots Picnic, where he appeared to take shots at a number of high-profile figures, including Dame Dash, Drake, Kanye West, and Nicki Minaj.
While several of those artists have yet to respond directly, Dash has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the freestyle. He previously described parts of the performance as embarrassing and has continued discussing Jay-Z’s comments in multiple interviews since the event.
Given the decades-long history between the two Roc-A-Fella founders, the latest exchange is unlikely to settle their differences. Instead, it adds another chapter to one of hip-hop’s most enduring and complicated relationships.
