How Exactly Does Dame Dash Fit Into the Alleged Rachel Roy, Beyoncé, and Jay Z Love Triangle?
Damon Dash, currently working on his relationship with his brothers Bobby and Jeremy on Family Therapy, might have firsthand information when it comes to the "Becky with the good" hair that Beyoncé sang about in "Sorry" on Lemonade.
For the uninitiated, allow us to explain: Dash and Jay Z's friendship dissolved over a decade ago, and the former business partners at Roc-A-Fella Records worked closely with Rocawear designer Rachel Roy. While Dash went on to marry and divorce Roy, Jay Z married Beyonce and that was that...until Roy surfaced again...thanks to an infamous elevator incident.
Keep reading for our more thorough timeline of the relationships that might just have inspired one of 2016's biggest pop culture moments yet.
Dame Dash and Jay Z Founded Roc-A-Fella Records
Dash, along with Jay Z, started Roc-A-Fella Records in '96 with the release of Jay's Reasonable Doubt. Their fashion line Rocawear would launch in 1999. Ultimately a publicized split between the business partners led to a faded friendship that Dash has spoken about in several interviews and Jay has rapped about on Kanye West's "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" remix.
Rachel Roy Worked at Rocawear
Then an aspiring fashion designer, Roy reportedly got her start at Rocawear as an intern. After four years moving through departments she would become creative director of Rocawear's women's and children's division. She would also meet Dame Dash while working at Rocawear.
Damon Dash Married Rachel Roy
The music mogul married the fashion designer in 2005. They have two daughters together, Ava Dash (16) and Tallulah Dash (7).
Rachel Roy Launched Her Own Fashion Line with Dash
Rachel Roy's fashion brand takes form in 2005 with her husband as a partner. According to Inc. magazine, "In 2008, the business formalized, under the name Royale Etenia LLC. Roy would maintain a 33 percent stake in the newly formed company, alongside Dash's roughly 47 percent."
Damon Dash and Rachel Roy Divorced
Dash and Roy's relationship would end explosively in 2009. Their divorce would be followed by an ugly custody battle. In April 2015, Roy was awarded sole physical custody of their children and granted a three-year restraining order against Dash. The business mogul would go on to sue his ex-wife days later for mismanaging business affairs related to Royale Etenia.
Rachel Roy Is Rumored to be The Cause of the Elevator Fight
In 2014, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Solange were involved in an elevator scuffle that tabloids reported was rooted in Jay's relationship with Dash's ex-wife Roy. A source told Hollywood Life, "Solange was defending Beyoncé in the elevator because Solange finds Jay’s friendship with Rachel to be way too close for comfort and it makes Solange very uncomfortable. Beyoncé also confronted Rachel and said, 'Don’t talk to my sister like that,' after [Rachel] confronted Solange." The rumors were never confirmed.
Dame Dash Responded to Rumors That Jay Z and Rachel Had an Affair
In an interview with Hip Hop Motivation, Dash responded to the elevator fight and his ex-wife's rumored involvement, saying, "If he was trying to holler at my wife...that’s kinda f--ked up," he continued, "That would be dark. That means he really has some resentment. I would hope that wouldn’t be the case."
Beyoncé Released Lemonade
Beyoncé released her Lemonade project and alluded to Jay Z's infidelity. In the track "Sorry," she sings, "He only want me when I'm not there. He better call Becky with the good hair."
Rachel Roy Suggests That She's the "Becky with the Good Hair"
Roy posts an Instagram picture with the caption, "Good hair, don't care, but we will take good lighting, for selfies or self truths, always. Live in the light. #NoDramaQueens" Collectively the internet reacted at Roy, and poor Rachel Ray by accident. Roy would go on to cancel appearances and Tweet, "I respect love, marriages, families and strength. What shouldn't be tolerated by anyone, no matter what, is bullying, of any kind."
It might be worth noting that back in 2000, Dame claims he and Jay Z had another romantic rivalry, this time fighting for Aaliyah's affections. Dash won, and he was with her until she passed away in 2001. Dash has stayed mum for now on the Lemonade situation, but we can't help but speculate about a more elaborate conspiracy theory about how the Roc-A-Fella moguls' business rivalry extends even further, to the women in their lives. Beyonce just handed us lemonade, and look at us, we're making tea out of it.