BlackWeb2.0 Reports

Once upon a time, Damon Dash was one of the biggest names in Hip-Hop. Co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records and clothing line Rocawear, and owner or PRO-KEDS, Dash was definitely a mover and shaker. According to NYMag.com, at one time he had a “$400,000 car, a cook, a butler, and 1,300 pairs of sneakers.” But nothing lasts forever and the man who used to “donate his once-worn Socks to charity,” has hit hard times with the New York Daily News reporting on his financial and personal woes including his recent split with wife Rachel Roy.

Refusing to be a “Hip-Hop Flop,” Dame has persevered and appeared in the BET reality show Ultimate Hustler and made his entry into theater production with the Off-Broadway show, “Hip-Hop Monologues”, based on the life of rapper Jim Jones. Dash’s latest business has him throwing his hat in the the internet radio arena. Called Magnet Radio, the comeback mogul is trying to keep things light on his return to music.

“It’s not about getting money or all the ads, or things like that it’s really about giving people a platform to hear good music…I think the whole world is getting ready to turn for that. It feels like good music is gonna take the forefront and people with a good show. I think that’s the good business model.”

In addition to Magnet Radio, Dash is also said to be launching a TV venture called Creative Control and he’s begun shooting a documentary which he will share production duties with rapper/actor Mos Def. There’s also the Blak Roc Project, a rap/rock album featuring O-Tip, Ludacris, and Raekwon.

Magnet Radio is not Dash’s first attempt at an Internet startup. In the mid 90s, Dash and his cousin Darien Dash formed the Digital Mafia that received lots of press and kudos. And two years ago, he started the now defunct BlockSavvy.com.
At press time, there has been no mention of a launch date, just a statement that the station is “gonna launch in a couple weeks.”