In a nearly empty New York courtroom on December 30, 2025, Damon Dash’s entire film catalog vanished for $100.50. The auction of Poppington LLC, his production company, aimed to chip away at nearly $1 million in defamation judgments but drew just one bidder amid a web of legal liens.
One Bidder Claims Victory
Mike Muntaser, CEO of Muddy Water Motion Pictures, emerged as the sole participant. A creditor owed nearly $973,000 from three defamation lawsuits linked to the 2016 film “Dear Frank,” Muntaser had won two prior cases against Dash alongside filmmaker Josh Webber. Court records from 2022 awarded them $800,000 for copyright and defamation claims. The company’s heavy debt burden deterred others, turning a valuable asset into a high-risk purchase.
The Buyer’s Perspective
Muntaser viewed the acquisition as retribution after prolonged battles. He described Dash as unwilling to resolve conflicts maturely, framing the low bid as a pointed response to years of disputes. A third lawsuit followed Dash’s critical remarks about Muntaser and Webber on a fall 2025 Breakfast Club podcast, keeping tensions alive.
Dash’s Mounting Debts
Dash filed for bankruptcy in September 2025, listing a few thousand dollars in assets against $25 million in liabilities. These included back taxes, child support, and over $5 million from civil suits. Creditors, represented by attorney Chris Brown, pushed for asset sales. Poppington held notable titles like “Honor Up,” starring Dash, rapper Cam’ron, and actress Stacey Dash; its sequel “Too Honorable”; the documentary “Welcome to Blakroc”; and “We Went to China: Our Search for Like-Minded Individuals.” Recent public criticism, including Cam’ron calling “Honor Up” subpar on Instagram, further chilled interest. Brown had hoped for bids in the hundreds of thousands, but none materialized.
Pattern of Prior Losses
This was not Dash’s first forced sale. In November 2024, his one-third stake in Roc-A-Fella Records—co-founded with Jay-Z and including rights to the debut album “Reasonable Doubt”—sold for $1 million to an anonymous buyer, with New York State seizing it for $8.7 million in unpaid taxes. Interest from artists like Drake and YoungBoy Never Broke Again highlighted the stake’s value, now lost to state control. Dash’s history includes unsuccessful defamation suits against figures like Cam’ron and The Breakfast Club, often ruled against him, adding to his judgments.
Creditors’ Slim Returns
Proceeds from the $100.50 sale split among claimants, with Brown’s clients receiving $33.50 on a $150,000 judgment. Muntaser critiqued Dash’s approach broadly, attributing it to ego and bitterness over faded success. Before bankruptcy, Dash faced jail threats for unpaid debts; the filing appeared to stall enforcement. Courts have ordered at least two such auctions, signaling potential for more unless settlements emerge.
As of January 2026, the third defamation suit remains pending, fueled by Dash’s ongoing public comments. Creditors continue pursuits, underscoring how unchecked judgments can erode even a mogul’s portfolio. For Dash, these sales mark a stark unraveling of his hip-hop empire, where past triumphs yield little against present obligations.
Sources
The New York Post — Ex-Jay Z partner Damon Dash’s film biz sells for measly $100 at auction as creditors swarm
Vice — Dame Dash Sells His Entire Film Company in Auction for Measly $100 After Seeking to Cover $1M Defamation Debt
The Root — Why Dame Dash Sold His Movie Company for $100
Black Enterprise — Damon Dash’s Poppington Inc. Gets Sold At Auction For $100.50
AfrοTech — Dame Dash’s Film Company Sells For $100 As He Faces Mounting Legal Debts
HipHopWired — Dame Dash’s Film Company Auctioned Off For Just $100