Yes, because of Jay. I don't care how hard Dame worked behind the scenes, at the time he was aligned with what became one of the biggest stars in the history of rap. The shyt is basically a Cheat Code to success.
Let's put it like this....without Dame, could Jay be successful? Of course, since they split he's actually became more successful. He was the biggest star on Rocafella prior to that.
Now the flipside....if Jay never existed, so you seriously think Rocafella Records would've had the same status, solely off Dame's hard work? Hell fukking no.
There is certain people, just standing next to them makes you more successful. If gives you status and credibility. Jay did that for Dame....hell, prior to that, Jaz did it for Jay-Z. A few people (BIG, Kane, etc.) did it for Jay-Z....the difference is, he was able to parlay it into his own success. Dame hasn't done that.
Fred.