Isaiah Rashad ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

TDE vs. Sick Wid It: The Greatest Rap Crew Competition

In recognition of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary, BET Digital, in partnership with Ambrosia For Heads, is celebrating the culture by hosting a bracket-style competition that allows you to determine Hip-Hop’s greatest crew. Rather than having “experts” tell you who is the greatest of all-time, this is your opportunity to collectively make that... Read more

May 15, 2023 Greatest Rap Crew

Isaiah Rashad Discusses Trying To Kill Himself

Last week, a video interview clip between Joe Budden and Isaiah Rashad marked the Tennessee MC's first public reaction to at least one videotape leaked in February. In that clip, the Top Dawg Entertainment artist spoke about his sexuality, his current relationship, and if he would be pursuing legal action... Read more

May 30, 2022 Lifestyle, Video

Isaiah Rashad Addresses The Leaked Videotape That Changed His Life

In February of this year, TDE artist Isaiah Rashad allegedly appeared in a leaked personal videotape. In the video, a man appearing to be the 31-year-old Chattanooga, Tennessee MC was engaged in sex acts with another man. Rashad, who released The House Is Burning in 2021, has remained silent on the... Read more

May 26, 2022 Lifestyle, Video

The 10 MCs Who Will Take Over Hip-Hop In The 2020s

As a new year is upon us, there is a lot of music to look forward to in the 2020s. In Hip-Hop, a new class appears to be forming. A legendary generation of artists and MCs came to fruition during the early 2010s, including Kendrick Lamar, Drake, J. Cole, Travis Scott,... Read more

January 19, 2022 Audio, Video

Where TDE Ranks Among Hip-Hop’s Greatest Record Labels

Kendrick Lamar made a rare and significant announcement in the last week: his upcoming album would be his last with Top Dawg Entertainment. For more than a decade, Kendrick has been TDE's flagship artist. He is even a part-owner in the record label responsible for taking SZA, ScHoolboy Q, Jay... Read more

August 24, 2021 Video

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

May 11, 2021 Video

TDE Has Made The Funniest Concert Promo Video Of All-Time

Top Dawg Entertainment is taking its whole show on the road the 2018 Championship Tour. In January, TDE announced cross-country US dates for May and June. At the time, Kendrick Lamar had not yet won a historic Pulitzer Prize for Musical Composition (the first ever going to an artist outside... Read more

April 17, 2018 Video

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

January 23, 2018 Food for Thought

Like J. Cole, Dreamville’s J.I.D. Challenges Himself With Adventures In Storytelling (Video)

For an MC who cites sugary-sweet Swedish Electronica merchants Little Dragon and R&B star D’Angelo as influences, alongside Wu-Tang Clan and Lil Uzi Vert, this melodic single from Atlanta’s J.I.D. shouldn’t surprise. But it does. The latest visual from his 2017 Dreamville Records ‘The Never Story,“Hereditary” unmasks the emotional side and... Read more

September 27, 2017 Video

Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q & Jay Rock Bring Holiday Spirit To Watts (Videos)

In its third annual installment, the TDE Christmas concert and toy giveaway took place on Tuesday (December 20), this time at the Nickerson Gardens Projects in Watts, a neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles. Label-mates Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Isaiah Rashad, SZA, and Lance Skiiiwalker all put on for... Read more

December 21, 2016 Video

Andre 3000, Nas, Method Man & More Made Sure Hip-Hop Did Not Fall In September (Audio)

September is always a month of change. More than just the Fall season, it brings back to school, the return of the NFL, a blitz of new TV shows and several other things that signal a changing of the winds. For Hip-Hop, September of 2016 held one of the biggest... Read more

October 4, 2016 Audio

Isaiah Rashad Can’t Be Stopped, Even When In Park (Video)

Isaiah Rashad is steadily becoming an artist whose body of visual work is becoming as consistently compelling as his lyrical content. Just two weeks ago, the Top Dawg Entertainment MC dropped his long-awaited LP, The Sun's Tirade. He introduced the project with "Free Lunch," a lead single whose music video... Read more

September 15, 2016 Video

Hip-Hop Took The Gold In August. Hear The Best Of The Month (Audio)

August was filled with the Olympics and some of the worst heat of the year, but it also brought some great Hip-Hop. De La Soul released their first album in 12 years, and it debuted at #1 on the Rap chart. Andre 3000 had some choice words for ghostwriters. Nas... Read more

September 10, 2016 Audio

Isaiah Rashad Shows The True Meaning Of “Money Ain’t A Thang” (Video)

After releasing a promising EP two and a half years ago, today (9/2) Isaiah Rashad has follow up with his long-awaited debut LP. Despite it's name, The Sun's Tirade, the album is chock full of laid-back soulful groove music, built more for head-nodding than turning up. Lead single "Free Lunch"... Read more

September 2, 2016 Video

Kendrick Lamar’s Verse on Isaiah Rashad’s Latest Shows Wat’s Wrong With Other MCs (Audio)

In Isaiah Rashad's latest single, singer and MC Zacari laments the feeling of running in circles when getting ahead of ourselves. "Wat's Wrong" is both a query and its response, with Kendrick Lamar and his T.D.E. cohort reflecting on everything from taxes to self-preservation, with the former attacking his verse... Read more

September 1, 2016 Audio

Isaiah Rashad Lets His Ego Talk As He Allows His Soul To Sing (Audio)

In what felt like an overnight progression, Isaiah Rashad transformed from a talented (but largely unknown) artist in Chattanooga, Tennessee into a Top 40 MC on the charts. The difference was Top Dawg Entertainment, and linking up with the team responsible for introducing a handful of talented artists in multiple... Read more

August 19, 2016 Audio

It’s Official. Isaiah Rashad’s New Album Is Coming In September & The 1st Video Is Money

Days ago Top Dawg Entertainment's owner, Top Dawg, and its Co-President, Dave Free, set off a storm of speculation when each posted "09.02.16" on their social media accounts. The posts fueled discussion about a possible new TDE album being released, since Top promised 6, from the label that's home to... Read more

August 10, 2016 Video

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

August 7, 2016 Audio

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

January 22, 2016 Audio

Isaiah Rashad Can’t Be Bothered. He Smiles Past the Haters (Video)

Come January 28, it will have been two years since Isaiah Rashad dropped his debut E.P. The Chattanooga, Tennessee spitter and TDE roster member showcased his Southern flavor all over Cilvia Demo, which earned him nearly universal acclaim and a spot in XXL's freshman class. In 2015, he mostly kept... Read more

January 15, 2016 Video

Isaiah Rashad Returns In A Big Way With “Smile” (Audio)

After a breakout year in 2014, TDE signee, Isaiah Rashad, was relatively quiet in 2015. The label's soldiers have regularly taken turns allowing their label mates to shine, and it was the year for Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock's returns, after Rashad, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and SZA were up the... Read more

January 14, 2016 Video

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

August 19, 2015 Fresh

King Los, Isaiah Rashad & Kent Jamz Bring Power To The Lyric Video Format

Lyric Videos, in theory are promotional devices. These videos tend to follow audio releases, and blaze a trail for eventual produced videos. They can effectively create an experience that brings attention to artistic intent, and quite clearly own the space and monetize a song for label and artist. But in... Read more

July 27, 2015 Video

AFH:14 Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2014 (Food For Thought)

2014 was a special year in Hip-Hop music. Rather than a usual suspect front-running in spotlight, this was a democratic crop of albums—where new artists made cohesive introductory works, veterans advanced their skillsets and redefined their reputations, and underground MCs challenged the mainstream. There were artists who released multiple works,... Read more

December 31, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought

TDE Meets G.O.O.D, As Benny Cassette Links With Isaiah Rashad (Audio)

Fans know that Isaiah Rashad seems to release less music than anybody on Top Dawg Entertainment—well, almost anybody. However, when he does, the Volunteer State MC makes it count. This is true on the topical "Virgo Season," alongside G.O.O.D Music producer/writer Benny Cassette. With his own project, Apocalypse, on the... Read more

September 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

20 Amazing Hip-Hop Projects From 2014, So Far (Videos)

2014 is entering its fourth quarter. As a whole, the year has seen some amazing musical developments in Hip-Hop. Mainstream artists like Common, The Roots, and Rick Ross (coincidentally, all Def Jam Records acts) have made statement albums, adding to respected and evolved catalogs. Veterans such as Cormega, Pharoahe Monch,... Read more

September 8, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Video

Jon Conner, Isaiah Rashad, Vic Mensa & More Link With DJ Drama For 2014 XXL Freshmen (Mixtape)

In XXL magazine's ultra-expanded Freshmen roll-out, so comes the DJ Drama-helmed mixtape. While Chance The Rapper notably sat out the tape, other high-profile 2014 Freshmen including Isaiah Rashad (who is the only freshman this year who can claim a Top 40 album under his belt), Vic Mensa, and Jon Connor... Read more

June 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Isaiah Rashad Is Still Modest, Even When He’s In The Running For Rap Album Of 2014 (Video)

Isaiah Rashad has a XXL magazine cover (care of 2014's Freshmen class), and he's got a popular runner for the year's Album Of The Year, in his Cilvia Demo EP. The Chattanooga, Tennessee native's status has soared in the last 12 months. From the executive chair, Isaiah tells it how... Read more

June 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chance The Rapper, Isaiah Rashad, Vic Mensa, Kevin Gates & August Alsina Rock A XXL Cypher (Video)

Five of 2014's highest profile XXL Freshmen kick off this week's recurring series of cyphers featuring the magazine's upcoming cover stars. Two Chicago luminaries, Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa unite, joined by Southern guttural spitter Kevin Gates, TDE's Tennessee delegate Isaiah Rashad, and Interscope's breakthrough singer/rapper double-threat, August Alsina.... Read more

June 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Isaiah Rashad Speaks About Life’s Struggles in His XXL Freestyle (Video)

Isaiah Rashad's songs have had a common mixture of pleasure and pain. He consistently demonstrates the ability to honestly address life's ups and downs. His XXL Freshman embodies those characteristics as he touches on the daily struggles and his desire to overcome them for himself and his son. Check out... Read more

May 13, 2014 Video

SZA Makes You Feel The Warm Winds In This Hazy Visual (Video)

SZA's kind of an impressionistic singer. Rather than be about a crisp delivery and concrete images, the TDE songstress (with tons of talent) is all about vibe, mood, and feeling. Her songwriting is very poetic and abstract, while her delivery is evocative, while being open-ended. "Warm Winded" is no exception,... Read more

April 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Isaiah Rashad Makes a Masterful Video with Heavenly Father (Video)

In a very short amount of time, TDE's Isaiah Rashad has generated a serious amount of buzz on the interwebs. If you're wondering what all the fuss is about, his new video, Heavenly Father, is an excellent point of entry. It gives an up close and personal look at Isaiah... Read more

March 13, 2014 Video

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

March 2, 2014 Throwback

Isaiah Rashad Breaks Down Tranquility & Shows That Every Single Line Has Meaning (Video)

One of the retail gems of the year so far is Isaiah Rashad's EP, Cilvia Demo. Digital-only, the Top Dawg Entertainment release was a real getting-to-know opportunity to the Chattanooga MC who combines his environment with an other-worldly ability to see the bigger picture. If you doubt that statement, watch... Read more

February 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Isaiah Rashad Reveals What His Life Would Have Been Had He Not Signed With TDE (Video)

Unlike so many of his contemporaries, Isaiah Rashad is not an artist looking for interviews and ways to constantly tell his story, off the mic. Instead, the Chattanooga, Tennessee native quietly signed with the biggest new label in Hip-Hop (Top Dawg Entertainment) and focused on his craft and product. Fresh... Read more

February 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

ScHoolboy Q Rocks Early 2014 With Tour & Some Fresh OXYMORON Music (Audio)

With two Top 200 independent albums already under his belt, all eyes are on ScHoolboy Q's first Interscope Records-backed LP, OXYMORON. The longtime Top Dawg Entertainment artist has garnered mainstream appeal, all from his perch as a straight-talking, easy-going G from the streets of South Central Los Angeles. TDE confirmed... Read more

January 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

On the Eve of His EP Release Here Are a New Song and Video From Isaiah Rashad (Audio & Video)

One of the voices poised to break out in 2014 is Top Dawg Entertainment's Isaiah Rashad. The Chattanooga, Tennessee MC is not big on churning out product like some of his contemporaries, instead, the introspective rapper aims to make every dart stick. Today, on the eve of his Clivia Demo... Read more

January 27, 2014 Audio, Video

TDE’s Isaiah Rashad Releases a Dark and Brooding New Song Named After Master P’s Late Brother (Audio)

From Shot U Down to Ronnie Drake, TDE's Isaiah Rashad his demonstrated a taste for dark and brooding beats accompanied by pensive and deceptively-layered lyrics. His latest song, RIP Kevin Miller, is no exception. The song, which is named after Master P's brother, is part aspirational and part cautionary tale.... Read more

January 14, 2014 Audio

Isaiah Rashad Shows Some Love to Scarface on His New Song Brad Jordan (Audio)

Shortly after TDE announced they were releasing 6 new albums in 2014, their new signee Isaiah Rashad releases a new track. The title and hook pay homage to the one and only Scarface (using his "govie"). Check out Brad Jordan. Related: Does Kendrick Lamar Have a New Album Coming? TDE’s... Read more

December 23, 2013 Audio

TDE’s Isaiah Rashad Provides a Window Into His World with the Video for Ronnie Drake (Video)

Props to Isaiah Rashad. Unlike most new artists who join established crews and rely on the big homies to bring them up, so far he has been standing on his own 10 toes (with the exception of the incredible remix to Shot You Down featuring Jay Rock & Schoolboy Q).... Read more

November 23, 2013 Video

Isaiah Rashad Freestyles For Tony Touch (Video)

Not all freestyles are crisp and buttery. In the TV era, many MCs kept unheard (and many times heard) writtens memorized for on-the-spot beckons for free's, whether Big Tigger or Sway & King Tech. Tony Touch has long been a DJ demanding dope content from MCs. With Top Dawg Entertainment's... Read more

November 12, 2013 Fresh, Video

Isaiah Rashad & SZA Celebrate Their TDE Tenures With Ronnie Drake (Audio)

Top Dawg Entertainment's newest artists Isaiah Rashad and SZA link for "Ronnie Drake." Related: ScHoolboy Q & Jay Rock Hop On Isaiah Rashad’s Shot You Down For The TDE Remix (Audio)... Read more

November 1, 2013 Audio, Fresh

ScHoolboy Q & Jay Rock Hop On Isaiah Rashad’s Shot You Down For The TDE Remix (Audio)

Black Hippy's Jay Rock and ScHoolboy Q get Isaiah Rashad's message on "Shot You Down." The pair punches in their own take on the theme, and welcome their TDE brother with scorching accents to one of this year's viral heat-rocks. Jay Rock's been relatively quiet in 2013, but he damn... Read more

October 18, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Isaiah Rashad Signs To TDE (Video)

Chattanooga, Tennessee's Hip-Hop answer, Isaiah Rashad, signed to Top Dawg Entertainment last month. Just released, a video chronicles the story, the inking of the paperwork, and shows what's to come. This is something to be excited about. Related: Isaiah Rashad – I Shot U Down (Video)... Read more

October 1, 2013 Fresh, Video

Isaiah Rashad – Shot U Down

The artist many speculated to be the next TDE acquisition is careful with his material. "Shot U Down" breaks the self-imposed drought with a jazzy beat and charismatic delivery lookin' at the what-if. Mark my words, Isaiah is next to rise. Related: Mack Wilds – Wild Things ft Method Man... Read more

September 18, 2013 Audio, Fresh