*Roland Martin slammed Vibe Magazine for publishing a false report that claimed Damon Dash had been appointed interim chairman of REVOLT TV.
Martin called the story irresponsible and urged that both the writer and editor be fired for failing to verify basic facts. He emphasized the need for stronger fact-checking and accountability in Black media, expressing frustration with Vibe’s lack of due diligence before releasing the inaccurate report.
The controversy began after Dash appeared on “The Breakfast Club” in a heated interview with Charlamagne Tha God. During the exchange, Dash claimed he was taking on the role of interim chairman of REVOLT TV for one month. A report from The Shade Room later indicated that no formal deal had been finalized.
On September 16, Vibe published an article stating that Dash and REVOLT had officially announced his appointment. The piece also reported that Dash planned to bring programming from his AmericaNu Network to REVOLT and simulcast 25 episodes of his podcast, “Bosses Take Losses.” However, the story quickly unraveled when REVOLT’s legal team publicly denied that Dash had ever been given any chairman title.
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“Damon Dash has not been appointed Chairman of REVOLT, either temporarily or permanently,” Endi Piper, General Counsel for Offscript Worldwide, REVOLT’s parent company, said in an email to Vibe. “At no point has Mr. Dash held this title or position within the company.”
Piper further stated that a quote attributed to REVOLT CEO Detavio Samuels, which celebrated Dash’s alleged appointment, was completely fabricated. “The quote attributed to Detavio Samuels in any release [VIBE] received was fabricated and did not come from him,” Piper clarified.
Vibe’s original story included a statement attributed to Samuels that read: “As the CEO of a media company dedicated to Hip Hop culture and the diverse creators and consumers who drive it, it made sense to do business with Dame. After 30 years, he continues to be a driving force in hip hop and pop culture, and people want to hear what he has to say no matter how they feel about it.” REVOLT has since confirmed that this quote was never issued by Samuels.
Adding to the confusion, Loren LoRosa, co-host of “The Breakfast Club,” tweeted that she spoke directly with REVOLT’s lead publicist, who also denied Dash’s claim. Hot New Hip Hop reported that Dash responded by posting, “Here goes the bullsh*t, I’m the chairman for the month. If I acquire I will be official chairman please stop playing with words. Just take that L.”
Piper also revealed that while Dash and REVOLT had been in discussions about distributing episodes of “Bosses Take Losses,” no agreement was legally finalized. “Finalizing that deal was always contingent on legal documentation,” Piper said, adding that Dash’s announcement was “premature.” He also noted that a trailer for Dash’s docuseries “My Paid in Full” incorrectly included REVOLT branding without authorization.
Following the revelations, Vibe removed its initial article, citing factual inaccuracies. Roland Martin has since called for a broader conversation on responsible journalism and fact-checking, underscoring the importance of accuracy in reporting stories within the Black media landscape. Check out what he had to say in the clip below.
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