sza ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

SZA Raps Harder Than A Lot Of These Sucker MCs

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads sift 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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more

December 9, 2022 Audio

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

Stream J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival Live Featuring J.I.D., Rapsody, & More (Video)

2019 has been fruitful thus far for J. Cole, J.I.D., Ari Lennox, EarthGang, Omen, Lute, Bas, Cozz, and the Dreamville team. Earlier this year, the J. Cole's roster gathered in the studio to host a who's who of musical talent including Big K.R.I.T., Mike Will Made It, DJ Khaled, Swizz... Read more

April 6, 2019 Fresh, Video

Black Star, DMX & Run The Jewels Are Among 2019 Soundset Headlining Performers

The Soundset Festival, the biggest annual Hip-Hop festival in the Midwest, has unveiled the all-star line-up for their 2019 event. Put on by Rhymesayers Entertainment and Rose Presents, this large draw happening takes place in Minneapolis on May 26, 2019. This year will see artists from almost every era of... Read more

February 27, 2019 Fresh

Black Panther & Kendrick Lamar Receive Oscar Nominations

The nominations for next month's 91st Academy Awards just announced this morning (January 22). The televised event set to take place on February 24. For fans of Black Panther and BlacKkKlansman in particular, there may be good reasons to watch. Both Black Panther and BlacKkKlansman are nominated for the highest honor, "Best... Read more

January 22, 2019 News, TV/Film

Four Hip-Hop Artists Have Grammy Nominations For Album Of The Year

The 61st Grammy Awards nominations have been announced, and there is plenty to talk about for Rap and Hip-Hop fans. The affair will take place February 10, 2019, returning the event to Los Angeles, California's Staples Center after a New York City ceremony earlier this year. While Top Dawg and... Read more

December 7, 2018 News

J.I.D. Confirms That Dreamville’s Competition With TDE Is Real

2018 has been a monumental year for J. Cole's Dreamville label. In the last 12 months, Cole released one of the front-runners for the year's best in K.O.D. That was a few months after Los Angeles, California's Cozz dropped an impressive Effected. At the end of summer, Bas released Milky Way, an... Read more

November 26, 2018 Fresh, Popular, Video

Jay Rock’s Bloodiest Video Shows That Sometimes Nothing Is What It Seems

Jay Rock's just-released album, Redemption, has fans rejoicing. It's also a reminder why Top Dawg Entertainment built its foundation off his talents as an MC. The Watts, California native's latest LP has many real-life tales, but perhaps the grimiest and most vivid come from album opener, "The Bloodiest." Now, Heads... Read more

June 16, 2018 Video

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

June 15, 2018 Audio

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

May 31, 2018 Video

Donald Glover Releases A Powerful Video About America & It’s Nothing Beautiful

The same weekend he hosted and was the musical guest for SNL, Donald Glover made a critical addition to his music catalog. Following up critically-acclaimed 2016 album "Awaken, My Love," Childish Gambino's first solo music since then arrives in the form of a powerful and deeply symbolic visual. "This Is... Read more

May 6, 2018 Video

SZA Takes Ctrl To Camp…But It Proves To Be No Retreat (Video)

SZA's Ctrl album was one of the most critically-acclaimed releases of 2017, and the parade of quality coming from that effort seems to continue marching. Today (March 30), TDE's First Lady dropped her visual for fourth single "Broken Clocks," and she's taking everyone to camp. Directed by TDE's regular go-to... Read more

March 30, 2018 Video

Kendrick Lamar & SZA Show The Gorgeousness Of Wakanda In Their New Video

Hip-Hop is poised to win big at the box office when Black Panther hits theaters later this month, replete with a soundtrack boasting features from most of TDE's roster, Vince Staples, Anderson .Paak and more. On Friday, February 9, the official soundtrack drops, and with it an executive producer credit... Read more

February 6, 2018 Video

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

January 31, 2018 Fresh

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

Cam O’bi Produced For Chance, SZA & Kendrick & Now He’s Flying Solo (Audio)

Chicago has never lost its position as one of the country's biggest exporters of Hip-Hop talent, but its influence isn't limited to global superstars like Common, Kanye West and Chance The Rapper. In the last few years, Chi-town artists like Mick Jenkins, Noname, Jamila Woods, Saba, theMIND, Fredo Santana and... Read more

January 22, 2018 Audio

TDE’s Roster Is Full Of Champions. The Label Announces A 2018 Award Tour

Just 22 days into 2018 TDE appears sending a message about their top dog status in the music industry. With a Kendrick Lamar and SZA-heavy Grammy Awards airing in less than a week (January 28), and a Black Panther soundtrack to follow on February 9, Top Dawg Entertainment has now announced... Read more

January 22, 2018 Fresh

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

January 4, 2018 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Has A New Album Coming And His First Single Is Worth Celebrating (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let AFH 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

September 29, 2017 Audio

SZA Is More Than The First Lady Of TDE. She’s An R&B Superstar (Video)

SZA recently released the official music video for her single “Supermodel” from her album Ctrl. Co-written by Pharrell Williams, the track speaks on SZA’s struggles during a bad break-up and lack of self-confidence. She even questions the motives of her ex not accepting her flaws and how he could favor... Read more

August 24, 2017 Video

Pusha T & Jadakiss Move Major Keys On A Heavyweight Collabo With DJ Khaled (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

June 23, 2017 Audio

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

June 9, 2017 Audio

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

ScHoolboy Q’s New Album Features Jadakiss, Tha Dogg Pound & More (Full Tracklist)

Since announcing its release earlier this year, ScHoolboy Q's Blank Face LP has become one of the most anticipated albums of the Summer. With an in store date of July 8, the LP is just over two weeks away, and details continue to emerge. Along with the first two singles... Read more

June 23, 2016 News

Lupe Fiasco Flips SZA & Cuts Right to the Bone (Audio)

Lupe Fiasco is an artist who thinks ahead. Known for referencing projects way ahead of schedule, he's also known for frequently surprising fans with unannounced music, much like he did when releasing his Pharoah Height 2/3 mixtape for free last summer. His Wikipedia page lists four albums in his discography... Read more

March 2, 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

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

November 25, 2015 Audio

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

Terrace Martin Flips SZA & Chance The Rapper’s Child’s Play On Its Head (Audio)

Terrace Martin remixes are more than just half-baked re-purposed hits. Instead, the Locke High alum breaks out his arsenal of instruments, and bends a song's form, feel, and genre. An affiliate of the Top Dawg Entertainment family, the onetime Snoop Dogg protege undresses SZA's "Child's Play" single, which features Chance... Read more

December 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

TDE’s First Lady SZA Returns With Some Bluesy Sobriety (Audio)

Though she is the first lady of TDE, both literally and figuratively, SZA has blazed her own path. Far from a rapper, like her label mates, the talented young songstress' music defies convention. A true musical chameleon, she can effortlessly flip from channeling Bjork to Erykah Badu and everything in... Read more

November 18, 2014 Audio

Get To Know TDE’s SZA On A Deeper Level In This Intimate Mini-Doc (Video)

It might seem that on the surface that SZA might not fit in with the members of Black Hippy, or Isaiah Rashad on Top Dawg Entertainment. However, in this "Where I'm From" nine-minute mini-documentary on Life+Times, it's abundant that the Saint Louis, Missouri songstress is shy and reserved, much like... Read more

October 5, 2014 Fresh, Video

This Week in Video Brought Visuals of Jay Z & Jay Electronica, Talib Kweli, Phonte, Crooked I & More (Video Playlist)

This week in video brought lots of variety, ranging from Jay Electronica & Jay Z's first live performance of "We Made It," to a scaled down acoustic set by Phonte and his Foreign Exchange crew. Here's a video playlist of some of the best including a freestyle from Elzhi, Peter... Read more

July 13, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

SZA’s Living In Color With Her Standout Uptempo Pop Single Julia (Video)

One of the standout records from SZA's debut, Z, is "Julia." Influenced by '80s/'90s, and present-day Synth-Pop, the melodic song's video presents some abstract glimpses into SZA's life. The song is moody, soaring, and transient. Related: What Do You Get When You Mix SZA & Jill Scott? Divinity (Audio)... Read more

July 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

What Do You Get When You Mix SZA & Jill Scott? Divinity (Audio)

Here's the 2nd release of the week from TDE's SZA. It's another moody track and it's infused with the vocals of the one and only Jill Scott. The result? Divinity. Check it out. Related: SZA - Moodring (Audio)... Read more

July 10, 2014 Throwback

Step Into Sounds That Rest Between Cloud 9 & The Pearly Gates With SZA’s Moodring (Audio)

SZA, the Top Dawg Entertainement songstress, delivers her imaginative soundscape, "Moodring," to the masses with producer Felix Snow's floating, ethereal Electronic samples and SZA's hazy, emotive vocals. Look out for this single and more on Kitty Cash's upcoming Love The Free Vol. II mixtape, dropping July 22nd. Related: SZA Makes... Read more

July 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

2014 Afro Punk Fest To Include D’Angelo, Body Count, Me’Shell Ndegeocello & More

Ticket sales and the lineup for 2014's Afro Punk Fest have been announced. On August 23 and 24, Brooklyn, New York's Commodore Barry Park will play host to the third annual event. This year's headliner is none other than D'Angelo, in the midst of a long-anticipated return to the spotlight... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Resurfaces for a Performance of Babylon with SZA (Video)

Kendrick Lamar has been quiet lately. The TDE MC who largely owned 2013 has been holed up in the lab preparing to control 2014...He recently resurfaced, however, in support of his TDE label mate, SZA. Check out the video of their performance of Babylon from her album. Related: SZA Makes... Read more

May 29, 2014 Throwback

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

SZA Offers Up The Dreamy & Thoughtful Kendrick Lamar-Assisted Babylon (Audio)

In less than 12 hours, (the opening ticks of April 8th), TDE's songstress SZA will deliver her Z EP. With a nice sampling already in the marketplace, fans were treated to "Babylon" today. The track features star label-mate Kendrick Lamar with some incredibly dense, personal-feeling rhymes, while SZA's cloudy vocals... Read more

April 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

SZA Delivers A Tune In Sweet November That Sounds Like An Early ’70s Time Capsule (Audio)

Top Dawg Entertainment's SZA is something special. While some of her material sounds especially futuristic, other moments, like today's "Sweet November" sound like holdover sessions from the late '60s or early '70s. This Z EP inclusion is the latter style, sounding like a catchy love ballad that might sound fine... Read more

April 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Future Is Bright As SZA & Chance The Rapper Find Their Pocket In Childs Play (Audio)

TDE's SZA is off to a great start this year. She creates a smooth, spacey world in "Childs Play" with soft, sensuous vocals. Then, Chance The Rapper enters with one of the best verses post-#AcidRap from him. The two look at their (ever-changing) lives now, as set against their days... Read more

March 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

SZA Serves Up Some Melancholy Retro-Futuristic Electro Funk on Babylon (Video)

SZA, the latest artist in the TDE camp (Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul & Isaiah Rashad), is not a rapper. Instead, she is a sultry singer in the mold of a more soulful Bjork. Her song Babylon is a melancholy brew of futuristic sounding Electro Funk and the... Read more

March 9, 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

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

February 28, 2014 Fresh

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 & 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

Here’s a Video Playlist of Some of the Best Music Videos, Performances and Interviews From the Past Week

This week in video brought new music videos from Black Milk, Pusha T, Slum Village, Murs, Childish Gambino and Prince, words from Kanye West & Jimmy Kimmel, Pharrell & Spike Lee, Devin the Dude, Bun B, Common and Questlove, a performance from MC Lyte, a great documentary on Ice Cube... Read more

October 12, 2013 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

SZA, the First Lady of TDE, Brings a Breath of Fresh Air With Teen Spirit (Video)

TDE's latest signee SZA is not a rapper. The first lady of TDE is a singer in the vein of Bjork and Sia. Her breathy vocal over a dark brooding trap track in her song Teen Spirit are more Trip-Hop than Hip-Hop. Check out the video. Related: Yuna – Live... Read more

October 12, 2013 Video