Damon Dash Draws Hip-Hop Lawsuit Threats Print
Written by Robert ID1605   
Wednesday, 29 June 2005 02:34

Hip-hop, rap and fashion pitchman Damon Dash is in trouble with the widow of rap artist Ol'' Dirty Bastard, who died of a drug overdose in November at age 35.

Attorneys for Icelene Jones, who was married for 19 years to the late Russell Jones, are threatening to sue Dash if he goes forward with plans for a Pro-Keds sneaker line with ODB's initials on it.

"Damon Dash Music Group does not have the authority to distribute an ODB sneaker without the expressed consent of the estate of Russell Jones," attorney Steven J. Mandel told Lowdown yesterday. "The only person who has the power is Icelene Jones. ... We''ll look into the possibility of getting an injunction."

Mandel added: "We put everyone on notice that any money derived from this project will ultimately go to ODB's wife and children."

Dash, whose record label is putting the final touches on rap artist ODB's posthumous album, "A Son Unique," for release next month - has also gotten on the wrong side of former ODB manager Jarred Weisfeld.

Weisfeld is demanding that Dash remove his name, his voice and all scenes in which he appears from an ODB documentary scheduled to be released with the album.

After Weisfeld E-mailed his demands to Dash lieutenant Darrin Chandler, Chandler fired back: "We will make sure his bitch ass is out of the special and for the record your [sic] a f--g clown."

Yesterday, Weisfeld quipped: "I got a good laugh at his unprofessional remarks, and they made me realize why Jay-Z is Def Jam president and Damon is yesterday's news."

Dash's PR rep said: "I can''t get Damon on the phone. Here's my official comment: Thank you for helping do publicity for Ol'' Dirty Bastard's upcoming album."