Dame Dash to Jay Z: I'm Not Counting Your Money

Dame Dash may have a new found cordial relationship with the man he helped deliver to the Hip Hop World Jay Z,  but in a recent Details magazine feature, Dame is making it known that he isn't waiting on a handout from his former business partner and best friend who is worth an estimated $500 million. He also still isn't fond of Jay Z's inner circle which includes people like Lyor Cohen, calling them clowns. Dame clearly still holds sour feelings towards Cohen who he blames for driving Rocafella apart. The feature also shines some light on exactly what Dame Dash did with the money he made from the sale of Rocafella and Rocawear which he burned through, living like a billionaire on a millionaire budget.

With the multi-million-dollar checks from those buyouts—$3 million–plus for Roc-A-Fella, $7 million for Rocawear—he had money to burn, and burn it he did: on private chefs and jets, butlers and bodyguards; two lofts in Tribeca, a mansion in Beverly Hills, a $35,000-a-month London apartment, and a $400,000 Maybach. But then shit really did get wack. And amid a series of high-profile repossessions, foreclosures, liens, and press hits that have painted him as a pauper, Dash has tried to rebrand himself as a downtown hipster—a Warhol in baggy jeans running a Lower East Side art collective. Although Dash has shown flashes of his old touch—showcasing indie bands like Sleigh Bells and connecting pals like Mos Def with alt-rock darlings the Black Keys—he has presided over a series of record labels, clothing lines, Internet start-ups, vodkas, movies, sneaker brands, watches, and, inexplicably, motor oils, most of which have failed to take flight.

source›› details

2013's Most Popular Stories on Stun

In 2013 we experienced a spike in our readership. People are catching on to the Stun way of things and we love you for it. We prefer slow and authentic to fast and inauthentic growth. In 2013 you were focused in on some items we posted here, making them some of our most popular items. You shared them on social media and emailed them to family and friends.  Here are some of the most popular posts on Stun for 2013, all thanks to you.

1: Rapper The Game Lets Closeted Rappers Know its OK to be Gay in Hip Hop ››

2: The 10 most flossiest rappers on Instagram ››

3: Roman Abramovich's big bucks and big toys ››

4: Inside the $36 million Rocky Oaks Estate ››

5: Rapper Bow Wow Fakes Flexing on Instagram ››

6: Lyor Cohen launches new entertainment content company ››

7: Damon Dash: The now humble life of a once un-humble man ››

8:  Obama faces off with Russian President in the nude ››

9:  8 killer Miley Cyrus memes from the MTV VMAs ››

10: Drakes CD cover art for "Nothing was the same" ››

11: 14 hot and heavy bromances ››

12: The super lux life of Prince Al Waleed ››

13: 10 women we fantasize about ››

14: Ricky Hilfiger, Tommy's drug loving son ››

15: Naomi Campbell's Fashion Hi-lites ››

16: Who the Fuck is Jonathan Cheban? ››

Rapper The Game Want's Closeted Gay Rappers to Know It's OK to Be Gay in Hip Hop

BY STUN

- See more at: http://www.stunmag.com/2011/09/rapper-game-wants-closeted-gay-rappers.html#sthash.eHuUMtSX.dpuf

Rapper The Game Want's Closeted Gay Rappers to Know It's OK to Be Gay in Hip Hop

BY STUN

- See more at: http://www.stunmag.com/2011/09/rapper-game-wants-closeted-gay-rappers.html#sthash.eHuUMtSX.dpuf

6 POP ARTISTS HOLDING HIP HOP ACCESS CARDS

Over the past two decades, Hip Hop has grown into its own multi-billion dollar industry. It has spawned clothing lines, beverages, lifestyle websites, movies, television, books, food and the list goes on. During this growth, Hip Hop has also become a mainstream genre crossing into the suburbs and crossing the vast oceans that sit between countries and different cultures. Because of this, Hip Hop is now more open than anyone would've ever imagined. It has welcomed other artists from other genres of music including rock, R&B, Pop and even country. So it is safe to say that there are many artists out their walking around with Hip Hop access cards and vice versa. We went ahead and pulled together 6 pop artists currently packing hip hop access cards for life.

1. JUSTIN BIEBER
On his down time or even on his up time, JB likes to kick it with his friends from the Cash Money camp. He is almost always seen moving within a hip hop entourage. He has some hit collaborations under his belt as well with some of  Hip Hop's biggest acts including Nicky Minaj, Ludacris and Drake.

2. ROBIN THICKE
When Robin Thicke first arrived on the music scene, it was under the guiding wings of record exec Andre Harrell. He recorded under the name "Thicke" and his image and sound were the total opposites of what they are now. Today, Robin moves with the who is who in Hip Hop including Pharrell, Nelly and Diddy to name a few.

3.LADY GAGA
She is one of the biggest female pop stars on the planet. She's into guys and chicks and Hip Hop loves her. She loves and/or has worked with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliot and Beyonce.

4. MILEY CYRUS
We are reminded every day of how Miley Cyrus's image has changed. She now openly embraces Hip Hop culture compared to her days as  Disney darling where she kept her distance. She hangs hard with Lil Kim, Drake, French Montana, Diddy, Nicki Minaj and many others in the Hip Hop pyramid. She got her card and she is putting it to use.

5. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
JT probably has the black card (no pun) of Hip Hop access cards. He's friends with and has worked with some of the biggest producers rappers in the business today. Not only has he worked with Jay Z multiple times on major hit songs, but he and his wife, actress Jessica Biel are known to vacation with Jay Z and wife Beyonce. He is also a long time protege of producer Timbaland.

6. COLDPLAY'S CHRIS MARTIN
Coldplay's front man Chris Martin carrying a Hip Hop access card shouldn't be a shock to anyone. After all, his wife actress Gwyneth Paltrow and mogul Jay Z are good friends. Chris has worked with people like Kanye West and yes Jay Z. Being chummy with Hip Hop's biggest player is an automatic induction.

20 Instagrams You Should be Following

Instagram is packed with interesting people. Some give you an inside look at their day to day activities and others share their work. We are tuned into a bunch of them and think you should be to. Why? Well because these individuals are movers and shakers, shakers and movers. They run businesses or create beautiful things. Some of them you know and some of them you may not. But that is part of the point of this feature, because you know at Stun, we love to tune you in to certain things and individuals. So here are 20 instagrams we think you should be following.

Action Bronson, Rapper/Chef 
Action Bronson loves food, sneakers and creating music. His instagram feed will make you hungry, make you want to buy new kicks and search for his music. Follow him HERE

Sham Shirley, Style/Culture Connoisseur
Sham Shirley is a woman of unique style and looks and is 1 half of the duo that runs popular lifestyle blog Lateboots. Her instagram feed exudes all that she is about and more.  Get on the Shamgram HERE

Keziban Barry, Art/Fashion Photographer
Keziban captures images that wows the eyes. Her photographs have appeared in leading publications and were recently showcased at an exhibit. Get with Ms. Barry HERE

Crime By Design, Luxury/Lifestyle Brand
The Crime By Design (CxB) is a must follow if you're a luxury lifestyle dreamer or member. Their instagram feed has a nose for all things rich. From fast cars to big houses, yachts and celebrities. CxB also has a sweet line of t-shirts and other wearable items all worth a look. Follow them HERE

Olivier Rousteing, Creative Director, Balmain 
Olivier Rousteing went from being a behind the scenes wing man to being one of today's leading and youngest fashion designers. His instagram feed gives you a behind the scenes look at Balmain as well as his choice of vacation spots and hang time with friends like Rihanna and Anna Wintour to name a few. Go behind the scenes with this 27 yr old fashion phenom HERE

Best Vines, Short and funny videos
Want a laugh while browsing instagram? Then you should be following the hilarious BestVines. Watch short skits and people doing the craziest things. You can't miss with this one. Follow it HERE

Cole Cook, Model
Alecia Keys' younger brother Cole has taken instagram and the fashion world by storm. He's walked the runway for some of todays leading fashion labels and sometimes tours with his sister and brother in law Swizz Beats. Check out Cole's instagram for photos of him with family, at work or at play. Did you think Alicia Keys was the only star in her family? Follow Cole HERE

Coco & Breezy, Eye wear designers
These twins are the ladies behind the super popular Coco and Breezy eye wear line. Their unique creations are worn by some of today's biggest celebrities and is expanding into new areas. Follow their growth HERE

Quest Love, Musical Director for Jimmy Fallon/ The Roots
Jay Z calls on him to ensure a tight sound for his live performances. Jimmy Fallon counts on him to keep the music tight for his late night talk show and he is the man behind the sound that has cemented The Roots in Hip Hop. Get with Quest HERE

Machine Gun Kelly (MGK), Rapper
MGK has built a cult like following over the past few years. We dubbed him one of Diddy's best kept secrets. He is one of the most humble young rappers out today. At the age of just 23, MGK is one of the most humbled young rappers around today. You can see his down to earth ways via his instagram feed which is packed with photos of not only him, but his fans and young daughter. Follow MGK HERE

Rachel Roy, Fashion Designer
Rachel Roy has been building her brand one stitch at a time. This mother/businesswoman/summer hamptonite lives the life dreamed about by millions and you can get up close and personal (kinda) with her HERE

Adrienne Bailon, Singer,Actress, TV Personality
The sexy Adrienne Bailon has been a busy bee and its all captured on instagram. From working on new music, to co-hosting "The Real" among other things. Ms. Bailon has a commanding 916k followers checking out her photos HERE

Mark Ronson , DJ/Socialite
Mark Ronson is a DJ in high demand. He's the man charged with keeping the dance floor occupied at some of the biggest parties in Europe and North America. He's spun for the likes of Diddy, Jay Z and some of the biggest industry events. Follow Mark HERE

Swizz Beats, Music Producer
Swizz has grown over the years musically and as an individual. He's a lover of family, art, private planes, cars, sneakers and yes music.  Follow this super producer HERE

Pharrell Williams, Producer/Entrepreneur/Fashionisto
The guy has Vogue Editor Anna Wintour on speed dial. He's produced some of the biggest records over past decade and his style is watched by many, including us. See Pharrell at work and play HERE

Kat Dahlia, Singer
One of 2013's break out stars under the guidance of legendary music exec Sylvia Rhone, Kat Dahlia is on her way. Her instagram is fun, sexy and gives an inside look at the life of this Miami girl, her friends and family. Her instagram is HERE

ASAP Rocky, Rapper
Harlem native ASAP Rocky's instagram is an entertaining one. From funny cartoons, to funny video clips of ASAP himself and of course Fashion, you can't go wrong. Check out ASAP  HERE

Tracee Ellis Ross, Actress
Diana Ross's second oldest child has been staying busy since the end of her very popular sitcom "Girlfriends". She recently co-hosted "Black Girls Rock" and is said to have multiple projects in the works. Follow Tracee HERE

Sean "Pecas" Costner, Def Jam Head Honcho
Want to see how the de facto head of the biggest hip hop label in the world lives? Then look no further than the instagram feed of Sean Pecas. The man loves a good cigar and a nice bottle of wine. He also likes to take vacations with his artists including Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Jay Z and more. Follow the boss HERE

Floyd Mayweather, Athlete, Entrepreneur
Money Mayweather is rich, and he likes to remind us all of this. From stacks of raw cash and $300,000 + fleet of white cars, Floyd Mayweather works hard and plays hard. Want to see how a 1 percenter lives? Then hit the follow button on Floyd's instagram feed HERE

#DamonDash: The Now #Humble #Life, Of a Once un-Humble #Man

Time and life experiences changes many things for all of us. The time was 1996 and Rocafella Records was a newly formed hip hop label about to release what would be one of hip hop's most classic albums by a rapper named Jay Z titled "Reasonable Doubt". Dame Dash was at the helm of the day to day decision making of the label ensuring his artists, his company and himself, got the shine and respect he knew they deserved. We will spare you the trip far back down memory lane of how Damon Dash got started because it is a story told many times over the years. Instead we will just take a look at how he spends his time today through words and pictures,which by the way is pretty impressive. Damon Dash went from "popping tags", multiple homes in London and Los Angeles, private jets and yachts, to t-shirts, b-ball shorts and a salt and pepper scruff topped off with a hint of exhaustion. It is much easier to get to him today than it was when he was atop the world behind his desk overseeing Rocafella Records, Rocawear and various other ventures from his corner office in Manhattan. To even get close to him back then you would need to go through a slew of
security and an entourage that reportedly used to scare record execs.

Damon in front of his Poppington art gallery

Today Dash spends his time running a store front art gallery called Poppington, and various other
small business ventures ranging from a new clothing line with rapper Jim Jones called Vamp Life, a couple websites, and more recently a new whiskey brand he's trying to get off the ground, called Dusko and V Vodka. But please don't make the mistake of thinking Mr. Dash is worrying about where his next meal is coming from. After all he does pay out about $30,000 a month to cover child support, rent on a loft and various other financial commitments. A broke man wouldn't be able to do this plus pay overhead for his multiple businesses including a staff payroll. Dame isn't struggling, he's just humbled. When news broke of an alleged financial demise Damon responded by saying: “I’m an independent businessman and this is what comes from business. I have the guts to fight my battles on my own and it’s entertainment to everybody else because I’m so cool about it.” The Dame Dash story is not really a rise and fall story that has been written about some of the the most prominent people in business. The Damon Dash story is a rise and new rise story. A man who's past success may have been a lesson on what not to do when he embarks on his real path to even greater success.

Damon's staff at work

There is no doubt of a total change in his lifestyle and demeanor. All you have to do is visit his instagram page and you get a glimpse inside the life of a man now humbled (yeah we're using that word a lot) by events brought on by his own doing. He mostly looks tired in the photos, but you can also see the hunger for a comeback in his eyes. Someone not knowing who he is, oblivious to the fact that he is the man who gave us the biggest rapper today, would mistake him for a worker in one of the many warehouses in Manhattan's Chelsea area, because he blends now. No entourage, no assistants, no security, just Damon. He hangs out in front of his art gallery with friends shooting instavideos and interviewing some of his staff. He also spends a ton of time with his children.His oldest,Boogie Dash who is an up and coming DJ and producer is inside the new Dash inner circle which includes business partners from China and rapper Jim Jones. On a recent trip with Boogie up to Canada for a gig Boogie had, Canadian authorities denied Damon entry into the country due to an incident that took place during his Rocafella days. His son being loyal to his dad, skipped the gig and returned home with him refusing to go if his dad couldn't come. Dame posted about it on his Instagram page boasting about how proud he was of his son. Dame has basically done a 180 going back to an independent hustle mentality and approach where all projects are mostly self funded and managed. He seems to love it this way too. There is no upper corporate politics to deal with, and no meetings can be planned or take place without his OK or behind his back. The last time someone did that, well we all know that now infamous video of Damon yelling at Def Jam executives. He is in full control and his staff loves him and he loves his staff.

Damon with Jay Z recently

Dame has also been slowly putting past riffs behind him. He was very proud of Jay Z's "Magna Carta Holy Grail" CD saying in an interview that he was happy to be a part of it. He and Jay Z recently hung out together at the birthday party of a mutual friend (see photo). In fact the two are rumored to be communicating a lot more lately. Many are hoping for some kind of reunion but Damon isn't focused on that right now. He is re-building organically and taking his time to do so. In reflecting on his Rocafella days, Damon will be the first to tell you that he made major mistakes. But he isn't hanging on to them, instead he's learned from them and is working not to repeat them. According to industry folks Damon has been black listed by the industry he contributed to and helped make greater. There were rumors that he was retaking the Rocafella name to relaunch it a few years ago but that plan got scrapped after talks fell apart. The only music Damon is really involved in today is related to his son Boogie who runs with a crew of up and coming rappers. But something tells us, he is happy where he is right now. Here are some more photos of Damon at work and play and work again. The man is stewing something big.

Jim Jones and Damon Dash outside the factory where their Vamp Life apparel is produced

Team Vamp Life

Vamp Life tees sell out fast so production is at full capacity to keep up with demand

Damon talks with staff and friends outside his Poppington gallery

Vamp Life socks

Damon and son Boogie at their home in upstate New York

Rapper  Cam'ron stops by the Poppington gallery

Damon and Vamp Life Clothing partner Jim Jones

Damon at work

Running a meeting at the office

Damon with his daughters at the park

Vamp Life t-shirts in production

The kids

The #Super #Lux Life of #PrinceAlwaleed

Meet Prince Alwaleed. One of the richest men in the world with a whopping net worth of $30 billion. P.Diddy and Jay Z's Net worth combined, is what Prince Alwaleed is said to be spending on a private super customized A-380 jetliner which will be the biggest private plane in the world. His children live a life that millions of us will never experience. From private jets, mega yachts, $100 million homes and million dollar shopping sprees, Prince Alwaleed is the billboard of luxury. Schooled in America and born to Prince Talal and Mona Al Solh. Alwaleed was born into money and power. His grandfather King Abdulaziz created Saudi Arabia. Read on and take a look at the life $30 billion buys you.

indoor pool

Home Life: The Prince spares no expense when it comes to his comfort and so it should be no surprise that many of his homes are over the top. Take for example his 420 room palace in  Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Its fashioned in the usual luxuries the Prince and his family are accustomed to. A huge indoor pool at Alwaleed’s palace is surrounded by stuffed big game that he and his grown children hunted in Africa and Australia, including an elephant, a giraffe and a zebra. The animal that appears to be jumping into the pool is also stuffed game hunted by the prince.

palace entrance

On The Water: Whats a billionaire without his trusted mega yacht? The prince tools around the world's vast oceans on his $500 million mega yacht called Kingdom 5KR complete with heliport, speed boats and all the amenities fit for a prince.

In the Air: What billionaire doesn't have a private jet or two or 3 on standby at all times? Prince Alwaleed has his own private 747 and a Hawker Jet to name a few. With many businesses around the world, the prince is almost always traveling to check up on those businesses. The Prince holds major stakes in Citi Group and News Corp among many others.

On the Road: In addition to the massive care fleet he gave his son, the Prince also has his own collection of some of the world's most expensive cars: He owns a Rolls Royce Phantom which retails for almost $500,000 and several Lamborghinis and Ferraris.  But the most expensive of his collection, is an over the top diamond encrusted Mercedes Benz SL600




Famous Friends: Whats a billionaire without some famous friends that he/she can buy or bought? Prince Alwaleed has many of those. One of his closest friends was the late Michael Jackson who he was in business with to launch major entertainment company. He is also in good with the Royals of Britain which isn't a shocker being that he is in fact Royalty himself.

*some additional content from Forbes.com