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Kendrick Lamar Declares War On Hip-Hop’s Top 5 MCs

One week ago Kendrick Lamar made a rare and bold statement about his upcoming album while providing some significant news. “As I produce my final TDE album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years. The Struggles. The Success. And most importantly,... Read more

DMX’s New Album Features Nas, JAY-Z, Griselda & More. Here’s The Tracklist

UPDATE: Swizz Beatz has released the full tracklist for DMX's Exodus album, which will be released on May 28, and it is even more star-studded than previously reported. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Swizz Beatz (@therealswizzz) Here is the full tracklist: 1. “That’s My Dog” feat.... Read more

Biggie Smalls Will Be Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

After weeks of open voting, the 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee class was revealed this Wednesday morning (January 15). With some notable musical acts up for consideration — Depeche Mode, The Doobie Brothers, Whitney Houston, Nine Inch Nails, and T-Rex — it is their sixth on the... Read more

The Game Explains Why He Wants To Battle Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole (Video)

Less than a month ago, The Game released his Born 2 Rap album. What is currently being touted as the Compton, California's final LP features various homages to other songs. "The Light" (embedded below) flips the same Bobby Caldwell song as Common's J Dilla-produced 2000 track of the same name.... Read more

Jay Rock Celebrates His Grammy With Some G-Funk

Two weeks ago, Jay Rock won his first Grammy Award. The win came from the song "King's Dead." That video single featuring Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake appeared on the chart-topping Black Panther soundtrack one year ago. Then, the Mike WiLL Made It, Sounwave, 30 Roc, and Twon Beatz-produced... Read more

Jay Rock & Anderson .Paak Win Their First Grammy Awards…In A Tied Race

Ahead of the 61st Grammy Awards television broadcast, some important winners have already announced in significant categories. For the second year in a row, Dave Chappelle took home "Best Comedy Album" honors for his third and fourth Netflix special of 2017. Meanwhile, in the"Best Rap Performance" category, there is a... Read more

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2018 (Battle 9): Black Thought vs. Jay Rock

We have our opinions on the best releases of 2018, but rather than simply tell you our pick for #1, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2018. With that in mind, we decided to make our... Read more

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2018 (Battle 2): Jay Rock vs. Nipsey Hussle

We have our opinions on the best releases of 2018, but rather than simply tell you our pick for #1, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2018. With that in mind, we decided to make our... Read more

Anderson .Paak & Kendrick Lamar Perform Tints Together For The 1st Time

This weekend, Anderson .Paak brought his hometown of Oxnard (also the title of his latest album) to New York City. He did it live, care of a role as the SNL musical guest. .Paak's Aftermath Entertainment debut released last month and features Q-Tip, Snoop Dogg, and Pusha-T, among others. However,... Read more

Jay Rock & Tee Grizzley Rep’ Different Regions But Come From Similar Circumstances

Jay Rock's Redemption offered 13 tracks of street-certified wisdom. The Watts, California native and longstanding TDE linchpin has released videos for nine of those songs. In the midst of that championship run, Eastside Johnny is back again with new music, and a video to match. This time, Rock calls upon... Read more

Jay Rock Shows The Serious Consequences Of Impulsive Decision Making (Video)

Top Dawg Entertainment’s stable of star rappers has been ruling airwaves and charts for the last couple of years. But 2018 saw one of the label’s earliest signings, Jay Rock, step much closer to getting the recognition that he deserves. Although he already had two rock-solid albums under his belt,... Read more

Jay Rock Recalls Top Dawg Discovering Him When He Was Just A Boy In The Hood (Video)

Currently on the Big Redemption Tour in promotion of his album, Jay Rock and tour-mate Reason recently crossed the border in to Vancouver, Canada for an interview with Nardwuar. Throughout the video, Nardwuar drops insights on Jay Rock and Reason's upbringing in Southern California, from Reason's college basketball days to... Read more

Lil Wayne & Kendrick Lamar Battle Over A Woman & Rap Supremacy On The Carter V (Audio)

After more than five years of anticipation, Lil Wayne has dropped Tha Carter V. He did so as part of his 36th birthday celebration. Released entirely through Young Money Records, this LP defies several trends of 2018. For starters, Wayne goes back in his bag with a project that is... Read more

Jay Rock Opens The BET Awards & Takes A Victory Lap (Video)

Fresh on the heels of releasing his third album, Jay Rock was given center stage at the 2018 BET Awards. The Watts, California MC stood in no one's shadow as he performed "Win," the second single from Redemption. Awards host Jamie Foxx joined the Top Dawg Entertainment MC on stage... Read more

Jay Rock & J. Cole Are A Deadly Combination Lyrically And In Their New Video

With June 15's Redemption, Jay Rock released his first album since suffering a nearly fatal dirt-bike accident in 2016. The album's title and much of its content deal with themes of triumph over adversity, including singles "King's Dead," "WIN" and "The Bloodiest." With his J. Cole collabo, "OSOM (Out Of Sight,... Read more

Jay Rock Gets His Redemption Alongside J. Cole. Nothing Can Stop Him Now (Audio)

Jay Rock has just released his third album Redemption. In addition to his Black Hippy and TDE label-mates, the LP includes highly anticipated collaborative single, "OSOM (Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind)" featuring J. Cole. The song examines Johnny's rise to fame, which began a dozen years ago with a... Read more

Jay Rock Put TDE On His Back. Now, They’ve Got His For The Win (Video)

After a strong start to the year with his highest-charting single to date ("King's Dead" from the Black Panther soundtrack), Jay Rock is back with another check mark in the "W" column. For those following the movement, Jay is the cornerstone on which the success of TDE was built. So,... Read more

Jay Rock’s Third Album Is Coming In Less Than A Month

Watts, California MC Jay Rock has been quite busy in 2018. The breakout artists on Top Dawg Entertainment since the mid-2000s, Jay appeared on the chart-topping Black Panther soundtrack. Alongside Kendrick Lamar and Future, "Kings Dead" gave Rock his first Hot 100 single (#21) of his career. Moreover, the raspy-voiced... Read more

Mozzy Fits In Nicely With Rap’s Top Dawgs. He & Jay Rock Extend Their Chemistry (Audio)

California spitter Mozzy has been making quite a name for himself as of late. The Oak Park, Sacramento native appeared on Black Panther: The Album's cut "Seasons" (alongside Sjava and Reason) and has already received praise from members of Top Dawg Entertainment, including Kendrick Lamar and his Grammy award reception... Read more

Q-Tip & Kendrick Lamar Link On A Song That Sounds Like Vintage ATCQ (Audio)

It’s no secret that Kendrick Lamar is heavily influenced by A Tribe Called Quest. During his To Pimp A Butterfly Tour, Lamar made 18,000 concertgoers in Sydney, Australia pay homage to Phife Dawg the day Tribe's co-founder passed away back in 2016. Later that year, fans heard Phife and Lamar... Read more

Black Panther’s Director Reveals How He Got Kendrick Lamar To Curate The Soundtrack

In less than 48 hours, The Black Panther soundtrack will be released (February 9). The TDE/Interscope Records soundtrack tracklist boasts new music from label acts Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, SZA, and Ab-Soul, as well as other popular acts including Future, 2 Chainz, Travi$ Scott, Vince Staples, and Anderson .Paak. Perhaps... Read more

Kendrick Lamar & The Weeknd’s Collabo Is Fit For A Superhero Journey (Audio)

One week from today (February 9), The Black Panther soundtrack will release on TDE/Interscope Records. With Kendrick Lamar and Top Dawg at the helm, the compilation album has already witnessed strong showings from K-Dot, SZA, and Jay Rock. With the tracklist made available earlier this week, Lamar releases his latest... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Reveals Tracklist & Release Date For “Black Panther” Soundtrack

On January 29, Marvel Studios hosted an early premiere of Black Panther ahead of its February 16 United States release. One of the most anticipated films of 2018, the superhero flick is bound to be a blockbuster success, thanks in no small part to its cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B.... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Wins The Grammy For Best Rap Album

Kendrick Lamar was a big winner at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards this evening (January 28). Before the main event was even televised, the DAMN. rapper was already the winner of three awards, with "HUMBLE." nabbing the gold for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance and Best Music Video. The... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Opens The Grammys With Dave Chappelle & A BANG (Video)

Kendrick Lamar opened the 60th Grammy Awards with a performance. Ahead of tonight's live televised event, the Compton, California MC was already awarded three trophies for "Best Music Video," "Best Rap Song," and "Best Rap Performance." In all three categories, it was DAMN. single "HUMBLE" that scored the win. When... Read more

Why Jay Rock Is The Unsung Hero Of Top Dawg Entertainment (Video)

In Hip-Hop, the first is not always the biggest. Just as football has its linemen fighting for every inch, Rap music often has its figures that blaze a trail, light a path, or move the boulders for another artist to shoot the resulting gap. This week, TDE announced its Championship... Read more

Lupe Fiasco vs. Kendrick Lamar: Why “Stealing” Is Not A Crime For Artists (Video)

Lupe Fiasco took umbrage with Marvel's upcoming Black Panther soundtrack on social media last week, arguing the cover artwork for the film's Kendrick Lamar and SZA-led soundtrack single, "All the Stars," bears a remarkable resemblance to the artwork for his forthcoming album Drogas Wave. Visual grievances aside, Lupe's and Kendrick's... Read more

Lupe Fiasco Says Kendrick Lamar Is Not A Top Tier Lyricist

In the eyes of many Hip-Hop fans, Chicago's Lupe Fiasco was an exciting addition to the music and culture during the mid-2000s. In his first two albums, a slew of mixtapes, and a la carte songs, the Chicago, Illinois native won over the masses and represented a new guard of... Read more

Pete Rock & J Dilla Birthed A Beat Generation That Shaped The Future (Audio)

Within the space of three months in 2001, two of Hip-Hop’s preeminent producers, J Dilla and Pete Rock were in a kind of competition, and this led to the release of two ground-breaking albums that would shape the sound of the genre for the next decade and beyond. According to... Read more

Kendrick Lamar & Top Dawg Will Produce Black Panther Soundtrack. Here’s The 1st Song.

Although 2018 is only a few days old, Marvel's Black Panther is already one of the most anticipated films of the year. The movie is directed by Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, Creed), and features an all-star lineup that includes Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, The Walking Dead's Danai... Read more

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2017 (The Final 4): Kendrick Lamar vs. Joey Bada$$

We have our opinions on the best albums of 2017, but rather than simply list them, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2017. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of... Read more

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2017 (Battle 12): JAY-Z vs. Joey Bada$$

We have our opinions on the best albums of 2017, but rather than simply list them, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2017. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of... Read more

J. Cole & Kendrick Lamar Join Jeezy On An All-Star Collabo (Audio)

UPDATE: After video footage previewed a sizable clip of the song, Jeezy's full, official "American Dream" releases. The Pressure single is a pointed collaboration with both J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. This song may not be as Heads expected on paper. Kendrick Lamar provides some melodic singing near the track's... Read more

Nina Simone Will Be Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

The 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees have been announced. Following two consecutive years with Hip-Hop additions to the Cleveland, Ohio-based museum and hall (N.W.A. and Tupac Shakur), no Rap artists are selected. However, Jazz/R&B vocalist, arranger, and pianist Nina Simone is among the five honorees that also... Read more

Jay Rock Shows Again Why He’s One Of The Best Guest MCs Of His Generation (Video)

Although he was the first artist on the powerhouse record label that is TDE, Jay Rock's output has been relatively sparse, compared to that of Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q and others in the family. Rock has only released one album in the last six years, 2015's stellar 90059. The Watts... Read more

JAY-Z’s 4:44 Tour Is Raising Lots Of Money & Lots Of Questions

UPDATE: Following reports late last week that JAY-Z's 4:44 Tour appeared off to a slow start based on low prices for some tickets and venues with attendance that was far under capacity, new information emerges. Live Nation, who is responsible for the tour, now tells Billboard that Jay's latest campaign... Read more

Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d. city Turns 5. It’s Past Time To Call It A Classic (Video)

For those who were already familiar with Kendrick Lamar in 2012, good kid, m.A.A.d. city was not his debut album. That distinction belonged to Section.80, the 2011 masterpiece released independently through Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), Kendrick's label home since the beginning. Even before that, Kendrick had shown he was a... Read more

Rapsody’s New Song With Kendrick Lamar Shows Hip-Hop’s Power Remains With Real MCs (Audio)

Tomorrow (September 22), Rapsody will release her long-awaited Laila's Wisdom album. Already promising to be the biggest release in the North Carolina MC's decorated career, the LP marks the first with backing from JAY-Z's Roc Nation, along with that of her mentor, 9th Wonder, and Jamla Records. Rapsody Is Releasing... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Is Now A Part Owner Of His Record Company

Kendrick Lamar and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith have a different relationship than most label founders and artists. That was clear to any listeners of 2017's "DUCKWORTH.," a spellbinding revelation that these two had intertwining paths even ahead of Lamar's 1987 birth. For the last 14 years, these two men from... Read more

Madlib Releases A New Instrumental. Which MC Would Rock It Best? Hmm…(Audio)

It's been a quiet few years for Madlib. Since his 2014 joint album with Freddie Gibbs and his solo LP, Rock Konducta Part 1 & Part 2, the enigmatic producer/MC has been almost completely absent from the scene, save for a couple of records here and there. When he has... Read more

Joey Bada$$ Ranks Kendrick Lamar’s Albums, As A Fan & Peer (Video)

Joey Bada$$ recently sat down with Montreality to discuss some of his views concerning everything from Kendrick Lamar to mumble rap to suicide. Early in the interview, the 22 year-old MC also expresses his love for JAY-Z’s 4:44 album, as well as the belief that his own music has helped inspire... Read more

President Obama Inducts JAY-Z As The First MC In The Songwriters Hall Of Fame (Video)

Last night (June 15), Jay Z was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. The first MC or Rap artist to receive the honors was not in attendance for the Manhattan ceremony. He and wife Beyoncé are presently awaiting twins. However, Jay's acceptance speech was replaced with other types of... Read more

Kendrick Lamar & SZA Leave No Doubt That Women Are In Control (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let us fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it's ever been. Not only are we able to go back... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Has Gucci Mane’s Head Hanging From A Mirror In The “Perfect Pint” Video

Kendrick Lamar will not allow himself to be put in a box. In his early days, he was seen as an underground rapper, willing to take on his entire peer group with his ferocious bars. When he released his major label debut good kid, m.A.A.d. city, Kendrick was transformed into... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Joins George Washington & More As A Painting In The U.S. Capitol

Back in 2015, it was announced that Kendrick Lamar had inspired the "Be Alright" scholarship at a New Jersey school. It was an exciting development for Hip-Hop, as it spoke directly to the culture's growing rate of acceptance as a worthy, inspiring, and important presence in education. Shortly thereafter, Lamar's To Pimp... Read more

Joe Budden Says Kendrick Lamar & Royce 5’9 Are The 2 Best MCs In The World (Video)

The release of Kendrick Lamar's latest album has triggered discussion of where he stands in the Hip-Hop pantheon of MCs. Many consider him to be 4 for 4, in terms of outstanding LPs, including Section.80, good kid, m.A.A.d. city, To Pimp A Butterfly and, now, DAMN. As untitled.unmastered. was simply... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Says He’s The Best Rapper Alive & Leaks His Album Release Date (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar began the last 24 hours with a curious social media post. While the Roman numerals "IV" were a hint towards a fourth album in the eyes of many, Lamar followed almost a full day later with a song: "The Heart Part 4." Whether it belongs to the fourth... Read more

Ab-Soul Breaks Down Why He Dissed Jay Electronica & Releases A New Video

From the very onset of his career, Ab-Soul has been gifted on making his real-life situations tangible to listeners. Whether coping with the death of loved ones, living with medical setbacks, or being overlooked in the industry, the Carson, California MC is honest with his Hip-Hop. On the newly-released Do... Read more

Coachella Announces Its 2017 Lineup And Kendrick Lamar & Beyoncé Are On Top

Its name alone is synonymous with all things music festival, and now Coachella will host more headlining Hip-Hop and R&B talent since its 1999 inception. Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé serve as two-thirds of headlining bill, joined by Radiohead. Taking place over two weekends (April 14-16 and April 21-23) in Indio,... Read more

Ab-Soul’s New Album Is Done & Jay Rock’s Is Close. He Previews A New Song (Video)

At the beginning of the year, Top Dawg, founder and owner of Top Dawg Entertainment promised the label would release 6 projects in 2016. Kendrick Lamar led off with untitled unmastered in March, and he was followed by ScHoolboy Q who dropped his Blank Face LP in July. Last week,... Read more