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TDE’s Isaiah Rashad Serves Up Some “Free Lunch” And It Tastes Great (Audio)

After a breakout year in 2014, Isaiah Rashad has been relatively quiet since. The Chattanooga MC joined Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock in the 2013 Hip Hop Awards Cypher, as part of Top Dog Entertainment, and released his TDE debut, Cilvia Demo, just a few months after.... Read more

Hip-Hop Stood Tall In July. Here’s Some Of The Best Of The Month (Audio Playlist)

July was a tense and complicated month. The killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police, both captured on film, led to national protests, heated discourse and some misguided shootings of police officers, presumably in retaliation. Political conventions held by the Democratic and Republican parties further divided the nation... Read more

Black Hippy Black Out On The Remix To ScHoolboy Q’s “THat Part” (Audio)

In the early part of the 2010s, the TDE all-pro collective known as Black Hippy lined up in formation more than a few times. Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and ScHoolboy Q came together to show that Top Dawg had incredible talent individually, and collectively. Like Wu-Tang Clan or D.I.T.C.,... Read more

Jay Rock Speaks About His Motorcycle Accident For The First Time (Video)

February 15, 2016 was a day of mixed emotions for the Top Dawg Entertainment family. The record label, which is the home to Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, SZA and more, was riding high as Kendrick Lamar took home 5 Grammy Awards, including the one for Best Rap... Read more

Between Jay Rock & Ice Cube, King Harris II Has Serious Westside Connections (Audio)

From Snoop Dogg to Daz Dillinger, Ice Cube to Del The Funky Homosapien, Hip-Hop has some crafty cousins that prove that dope rhymes can be part of a family tree. The latest example, as it were, comes from Jay Rock and cousin King Harris II. The artist formerly known as... Read more

Jay Rock Seriously Injured In Motorcycle Accident

The same night Kendrick Lamar won big at the 2016 Grammy Awards (February 15), his mentor, and label-mate has suffered a serious injury. According to Top Dawg Entertainment's founder, Top Dawg, Jay Rock was hurt badly in a motorcycle accident. Pray 4 @jayrock he had a bad accident on his... Read more

TDE’s President Punch Rhymes Better Than A Lot Of MCs (Audio)

Over the last 5 years, Top Dawg Entertainment, more commonly known as TDE, has grown into one of the most powerful record labels in Hip-Hop. The company's roster includes Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Isaiah Rashad and SZA. As impressive as that group of artists may be, it... Read more

TDE’s Resident Engineer Ali Has Compiled 2 Epic Mixes of Their Throwback Music (Audio)

"Let it run, Ali" is a familiar-sounding phrase for Top Dawg Entertainment Heads. The crew featuring Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul (as well as their collective group, Black Hippy), SZA, and Isaiah Rashad was founded back in 2004 before any of their roster members were making it big,... Read more

These Videos Made Us Feel Like We Could Fly In 2015 (Video)

2015 might very well be remembered as the year the video took over the song in Hip-Hop. While audio platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify and Apple Music are growing in strength, high profile mixtapes decreased in number, and an increasing amount of releases were presented as videos even before the audio-only... Read more

Here Are Ambrosia For Heads’ Picks For The Best Music Videos Of 2015

2015 might very well be remembered as the year the video took over the song in Hip-Hop. While audio platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify and Apple Music are growing in strength, high profile mixtapes decreased in number, and an increasing amount of releases were presented as videos even before the audio-only... Read more

Ambrosia For Heads Present…Our Picks For The 15 Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2015

2015 watched a lot change in the music industry. Streaming culture kept Heads on the edge of their seats, as Hip-Hop superstars "pushed the button" on a whim. Reclusive legends released new product, while patient veterans made massive breakthroughs. No matter large or small, burgeoning or veteran, all artists seemed... Read more

The Power Circle Opens: Wale & Jay Rock Have Words Over Kendrick Lamar

It was all good three years ago... 2012 was a breakthrough year for the alliance forged between TDE and Maybach Music Group. While several records would follow, Kendrick Lamar notably appeared on MMG video single "Power Circle" from the Self Made, Vol. 2 compilation release. In the months after, K-Dot... Read more

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of November 2015 In One Playlist (Audio)

As the year winds to a close, the good music shows no signs of slowing down. November brought great Hip-Hop from start to finish. Here's a playlist that features the best the month had to offer. You'll hear tracks featuring Nas, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, KRS-One, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, Logic,... Read more

Jay Rock & Kendrick Put Easy Bake Back In The Oven & Turn Up The Heat (Audio)

In August, Jay Rock and Kendrick Lamar heat up the oven with a 90059 entry called "Easy Bake." Fresh out the oven at the time, the song was the perfect promotional appetizer for the TDE album to follow. More than three months later, Top Dawg Entertainment unveils the sequel, in... Read more

Game Over! Jay Rock, ScHoolboy Q & Game Bang On Wax Like Their Lives Depend On It (Audio)

For the last few years, many have said there has been a resurgence in West Coast Hip-Hop. They have attributed the renaissance to artists like Y.G., Problem, Nipsey Hussle and the 4-man Black Hippy tandem of Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Jay Rock. While those artists have certainly been... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Is Performing Several Dates With Jay Rock and a Full Band (Video)

Over the last few years, Kendrick Lamar has been on the road performing as much as any artist in Hip-Hop. In 2013, alone, the Compton MC did well over 100 tour dates. Generally, K. Dot has toured with a DJ and occasionally a small accompaniment, saving his performances with a... Read more

The Game’s New Album May Be The Most Star-Studded Ever. Here’s The Tracklist for The Documentary 2.5

After months of anticipation, The Game is releasing The Documentary 2, the sequel to his heralded debut album, tonight at midnight (EST). As reported earlier, however, this will just be the first in a 1-2 punch combination. The Game also will release The Documentary 2.5 exactly a week later. With... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Pretends to Be a Female Admirer on a Prank Call to Jay Rock (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar is a man of many voices. He can go from a high-pitched whisper to a fierce growl in an instant, as showcased on a number of songs. Recently, he put this talent to use in playing a prank on his label-mate and friend, Jay Rock. During one of... Read more

Jay Rock Refuses To Compromise. Even His Freestyles Are Hard-Body (Audio)

Throughout the weekend, many Hip-Hop Heads are making visits to the 90059 zip code, listening to Jay Rock's sophomore solo album. The breakthrough Top Dawg Entertainment artist for nearly a decade swings through L.A. Leakers. Not often recognized as much as onetime pupil Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul in the freestyle... Read more

Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul & ScHoolboy Q List Their Vices With No Shame (Video)

A lot can change in 4 years. When Jay Rock released his debut album, Follow Me Home, in 2011, Top Dawg Entertainment was a fledgling imprint trying to establish itself. Though its core 4 artists--Rock, Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar--had amassed a healthy following amongst Heads, they were nowhere... Read more

Jay Rock Flashes The Black Hippy Sign In The Booth For 90059 (Audio)

On TDE albums, Heads often flip over the digital covers in search of that coveted Black Hippy posse cut. On tomorrow's (September 11) 90059 album by Jay Rock, it does exist. "Vice City" is no video game homage, but rather a verbal sin-bin for Jay, Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and... Read more

Jay Rock Retraces His Watts Roots In A 90059 Mini-Documentary (Video)

Jay Rock's sophomore album 90059 is arriving Friday (September 11). The Watts, California MC made a mini-documentary video explaining his skill development leading into his first LP in four years. Moreover, the five-minute film gets rare access to Jay's Nickerson Gardens houses in Watts, a grid notorious for its gang... Read more

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of August 2015 in 1 Playlist (Audio)

August 2015 was an incredibly complex month for Hip-Hop. On the one hand, it was filled with tragedy and will forever be remembered as the month when we lost the great Sean Price. On the other hand, the month also brought a new album from Method Man, the first album... Read more

Jay Rock Gives 2 Very Different But Equally Compelling Interviews (Video)

Jay Rock made a trip to New York City yesterday (8/27) to play his imminently forthcoming 90059 album in its entirety for the first time on the East Coast. Prior to his jam-packed listening session last night at ALIFE, he made stops at both Hot 97 and Power 105 for... Read more

Jay Rock & Kendrick Lamar Heat Up Another Collaboration In Easy Bake (Audio)

Jay Rock's sophomore studio album, 90059, is allegedly planned to release in the next 10 days. Top Dawg Entertainment's restless 2015 continues. Unlike so many crews and movements, often times, TDE releases' most exciting collaborations are in-house. While J.R. and Kendrick Lamar have worked together a number of times, the... Read more

Jay Rock Releases the Artwork & Tracklist for His New Album 90059

After more than four years since his 2011 album Follow Me Home, Jay Rock is on the verge of releasing his new LP, 90059. Named after the zip code from Rock's hometown of Watts, CA, the songs he has shared thus far signal that the album is going to be... Read more

Jay Rock Releases the Visual For His Wu-Tang-esque 90059 Album Title Track (Video)

TDE continues its run of cinematic videos. After releasing the short films for Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" and Jay Rock's "Money Trees Deuce," among others, they follow up with another clip for the label's OG, with the title track to Rock's forthcoming 90059 album. The track sounds much more like vintage... Read more

Jay Rock Examines Watts’ Treachery In A Style He’s Never Before Used (Audio)

Since his mid-2000s introduction, Jay Rock's raps have strongly characterized his streets of Watts, California. A product of South Central, Los Angeles, the Top Dawg Entertainment MC chooses a new methodology in describing his 'hood in "90059." Named after his native zip code, the Lance Skiiiwalker-assisted record finds a possessed protagonist,... Read more

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of July 2015 (Audio)

July has traditionally been slow for Hip-Hop releases, but 2015 proved to be the exception. The month brought new music from a wide variety of artists and set the stage for a blockbuster August, with the return of Dr. Dre and Warren G. Here are the best Hip-Hop songs of... Read more

Sheek Louch Wants To Celebrate Your Hood In His Next Video (World Premiere)

Last week, Sheek Louch released his first single from Silverback Gorilla 2 (September 18).  Through Tommy Boy Entertainment, the track which features Billy Danze (M.O.P.), Trae Tha Truth (ABN), and Joell Ortiz (Slaughterhouse), is titled "Hood Ni**a," and celebrates the real concrete that each MC comes from, in an anthem for everyone... Read more

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of June 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

June brought a number of welcomed surprises in Hip-Hop. Method Man announced he would be releasing a new album in August and dropped three new songs. Jay Rock also revealed his new album was coming this Summer, and returned with some of the best music of his career. Chris Rivers... Read more

Jay Rock Targets July For His Sophomore LP, ScHoolboy Q Hints At 2015 Album

In the conversations about TDE, Black Hippy, and the finer Hip-Hop of the last five years, sometimes Jay Rock can get lost in the discussion. The Watts, California MC (who signed to Warner Bros. Records in the late 2000s) was in fact the first Top Dawg Entertainment artist to have... Read more

Jay Rock Watches His Life Flash Before His Eyes in Money Trees Deuce (Video)

Earlier this month and seemingly out of nowhere, Jay Rock returned with "Money Trees Deuce," one of his finest songs in years. As the name suggests, the track picks up right where he left off on his stellar guest verse on Kendrick Lamar's "Money Trees" from good kid, m.A.A.d city,... Read more

Jay Rock Releases a Sequel to Money Trees. The TDE OG Is Back (Audio)

Before ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul or Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock paved the way for the Hip-Hop juggernaut that is now TDE. In fact, many first heard Kendrick on Rock's anthemic "Hood Gone Love It." Sadly, it's been four long years since Jay Rock's album Follow Me Home was released, and he... Read more

Do Remember: When Charles Hamilton Passed The Mic To An Unknown Kendrick Lamar (Video)

Miss Lauryn Hill once eloquently rhymed, "Seasons change, mad things re-arrange." In life, love, and Hip-Hop, is this not a rugged truism? As the world shifts, there are some interesting cycles. This week in the culture, Kendrick Lamar took center-stage, giving Heads a name for his sophomore major label album,... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Joe Budden vs. Jay Rock…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

Finding The GOAT: Nipsey Hussle vs. Jay Rock…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Brings Out Jay Rock to Crash His Saturday Night Live Party (Video)

Kendrick Lamar took the stage on Saturday Night Live for the second time in 2 years. He performed an extremely animated version of his single "i," complete with a funky live band, black contact lenses and even choreography from the video. He also flipped the flow of the song to... Read more

Jay Rock Releases His First New Video in 2 Years. That’s Watts Up (Video)

Jay Rock is back. With a VENGEANCE. In the same week he released his new collabo with Kendrick Lamar, he unleashes the video for "Parental Advisory." The song, with its double Snoop Dogg nods, already oozed Cali. But, the video takes it to another level with a detailed look into... Read more

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of October 2014 (Audio)

October yielded some of the hardest Hip-Hop of the year. Whether it was seasonal, Mercury in retrograde or something in the water, MCs brought their A-games. Here's a playlist of some of the best music of the month. You'll hear tracks from Redman, Big K.R.I.T., Logic, The Lox, Rah Digga,... Read more

Jay Rock & Kendrick Lamar Are Out To Make Opponents Pay For It (Audio)

In a year where so many are looking for heroes, Jay Rock is standing tall. Quietly, the Watts MC represents the perspective of an intelligent, strategic man, informed by some of the most cutthroat streets in the world, and a city not known to be merciful. "Pay For It" comes... Read more

Jay Rock Explains Where It All Began, And What A Journey… (Video)

TDE's rise began with Jay Rock, who ushered the independent label to major distribution through a Warner Bros. Records deal nearly a decade ago. The Watts MC who was the youngin' around the old heads brought that acquired knowledge, respect, and that wisdom to his music, uncut Gangsta Rap at... Read more

Jay Rock Releases His First Solo Song in Nearly a Year. Be Warned (Audio)

Make no mistake, though he has been relatively quiet compared to his Black Hippy brethren over the last few years, Jay Rock is still a Top Dawg. He marks his return with "Parental Advisory," his first solo release in nearly a year. Far from shying away from the West Coast... Read more

Tech N9ne Reveals Jay Rock Is Strictly TDE, Says His 1993 Material Deserved Guinness Records (Video)

Jay Rock famously signed with Tech N9ne and Strange Music to release his debut, Follow Me Home. The LP's single, "Hood Gone Love It" was an early mainstream introduction Kendrick Lamar. After reports that that Jay Rock, like Ab-Soul, would be going completely TDE, Tech N9ne confirms them. Saying that... Read more

West Coast Hip-Hop and R&B Has Never Been Stronger. Take a Listen (Audio)

The West Coast established itself as a Hip-Hop powerhouse in the late 80's and early 90's. Artists like Ice-T, N.W.A., DJ Quik, Too Short, Spice 1, Snoop and more were household names, nationwide. That presence has never faded but in the last few years there has been a Cali Renaissance... Read more

Punch & Jay Rock Reveal The State Of A Project Mentality (Audio)

It has already been an extremely huge year for T.D.E. and one that has included the release of brand new projects from everybody in the camp. Schoolboy Q, Isaiah Rashad, Ab-Soul, and SZA have already released their work while many are waiting in the wings for upcoming albums from Jay... Read more

Here’s Kay Slay’s New Mixtape Featuring Raekwon, Young Buck, ONYX, Jay Rock, Joell Ortiz, Tony Yayo & Many More (Mixtape)

DJ Kay Slay has released his new mixtape, The Last Hip Hop Disciple. The project is STACKED with artists of all styles, including Raekwon, Young Buck, ONYX, Jay Rock, Joell Ortiz, Tony Yayo, Papoose, Jon Connor, Memphis Bleek, Sheek Louch, Vado, Gunplay, Trae tha Truth, Saigon, Chi Ali, Locksmith and... Read more

Here’s an Amazing Mini-Documentary on Illmatic, Featuring Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Tech N9ne & More (Video)

There have been several amazing pieces of content surrounding the 20th anniversary of Illmatic. This is one of the best of them. Google Play has put together a mini-documentary about Nas and his magnum opus, featuring insightful commentary from Kendrick Lamar, Tech N9ne, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Peter Rosenberg, among... Read more

Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Isaiah Rashad & SZA Discuss OXYMORON (Video)

There have been several videos promoting the release of Schoolboy Q's OXYMORON, but this is one of the best. As they did when Kendrick Lamar released good kid, m.A.A.d. city, Google Play has put together a short film about Q and OXYMORON. He speaks candidly about battling addiction, the process... Read more

TDE Plans to Release New Albums From Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Black Hippy & Kendrick Lamar in 2014

Schoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar cover this week's issue of Billboard Magazine, but the story is a full report on the rise of their label, Top Dog Entertainment. After releasing albums from both Isaiah Rashad and Schoolboy Q already, TDE also plans to release new LPs from Jay Rock, Ab-Soul,... Read more