Jay-Z Claims His Future With ‘Reasonable Doubt’ During Damon Dash Auction

Jay-Z is legally reclaiming the rights to the master recordings of his iconic debut album… and it’s a bit of a “buyer beware” warning to anyone preparing to spend more than $1 million to purchase Damon DashRoc-A-Fella Records share.

Vscek Hip Hop has learned that Jay’s lawyers just filed a lawsuit that would normally go unnoticed, but here’s why it’s suddenly very relevant. As we first reported, Dame’s third Roc-A-Fella Goes Up for Auction later this month, and the label’s only real asset is Jay-Z’s 1996 album, “Reasonable Doubt.”

While Roc-A-Fella currently owns the copyright to the record and all of its tracks… Jay’s lawyers have now filed a notice that those rights will revert to one Shawn Carter/”Jay-Z” in 2031.

Even though Jay and Dame haven’t exactly been on good terms lately, this legal move isn’t about revenge, it’s just business: The rights would have reverted to Jay anyway 35 years after the album’s release. His lawyers just filed the paperwork to make it official.

So what does this mean for the August 29 auction? Whoever ends up winning Dame’s shares ($1.2 million minimum bid) will get a third of all “Reasonable Doubt” proceeds… but only for the next 6-odd years. After that, it’ll all be Jay’s.

Of course, this could potentially have a dampening effect on how high the bids will be.

We broke the story… there would have been a limited shelf lifefinancially speaking, for whoever wins the auction, and now Jay-Z has declared the expiration date.