Dame Dash says he discovered Kevin Hart—and has some controversial thoughts about how the comedian's career evolved behind the scenes.
During a recent interview on The Art of Dialogue, Dash detailed how he first came across Hart while casting for his 2002 film Paper Soldiers. According to Dash, he attended a comedy show with his collaborators while searching for talent, and he quickly took notice.
"I put Kev on," Dash said, explaining that he brought Hart into the film shortly after seeing him perform at a comedy club. "In the next week, I put him in the movie, and then I directed his next movie, Death of a Dynasty. I was there as a friend giving him advice the whole nine supported him."
However, Dash suggested that their relationship shifted as Hart's career grew. He pointed to a moment when he attended one of Hart's shows in New York but noticed a change in who was in the room, and who wasn't invited.
"I didn't get that call," Dash said, adding that he began to see people he previously had issues with around Hart's circle.
From there, Dash moved into speculation, suggesting that external forces may have influenced Hart's trajectory.
"I just now figure they must have him on tape doing something stupid. I just think they all getting blackmailed," he said.
Dash did not provide evidence for the claim and acknowledged that he could be wrong.
"I just don't feel like things are always what they seem. I don't know what problems Kev had," he added.
In one of his more pointed comments, Dash brought up Hart's past proximity to high-profile circles, including Sean “Diddy” Combs.
"If you was hanging out in that house, I would just think that you might have somebody have some pictures of you, I don't know," Dash said.
Dash repeatedly claimed that he was not making direct accusations about Hart but rather speaking from his own perspective and experiences navigating the business. But he still managed to speculate about Hart’s associates.
"If homie was really on that shit, [Diddy’s house] was a place … to aggregate people doing things that they shouldn't be doing while they were in an inebriated state of mind,” Dash said, “and then get taped."
