tde Archives

Kendrick Lamar Confirms New Album; Talks Investment Strategies (Video)

Kendrick Lamar spoke with Revolt about a number of topics, including his new album (Dre is working on it), comments about him from Troy Ave and Lupe Fiasco, the good Dr. Dre's Apple/Beats transaction and more. In one of the most interesting exchanges, he discusses his investment strategies as he... Read more

June 10, 2014 Video

Ab-Soul Kicks A ShowOff Freestyle Along with Dame Dash’s Family, Da$h (Video)

ShowOff Radio freestyles continue to impress, in this Carson, California-to-New Jersey link. Damon Dash's latest family member foray into the music industry is Da$h, who came up appearing on some of Curren$y/Jet Life's get-down with BluRoc/DD172. Now solidifying his own lane, Da$h gets on the mic with Ab-Soul... both of... Read more

June 5, 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

ScHoolboy Q Talks About The Class Differences In Present Day L.A., Addiction In A Jarringly Real Interview (Video)

ScHoolboy Q's OXYMORON is one of 2014's more polarizing albums. Heads might like it, Heads might love it, Heads might not feel it at all. However, it could be argued that in the desensitized space of Hip-Hop, no album from the last five months deserves a closer listen to the... Read more

April 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

ScHoolboy Q Makes a Sexy & Stylish Video for Studio (Video)

ScHoolboy Q keeps hitting Heads with OXYMORON visuals. Longtime Top Dawg Entertainment affiliate, and Motown Records artist in his own right BJ The Chicago Kid assisted in one of the album's more intimate tracks, "Studio." Cutting back and forth from the boards to the bedroom, Groovy Q reveals why it's... Read more

April 22, 2014 Fresh, 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

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

Kendrick Spazzes Out With Alicia Keys On The Pharrell-Produced New Spiderman Anthem (Audio)

Many times, rapping (even incredibly dope, innovative, skillful rapping) comes after the chorus, tucked away in the song when it comes to mainstream R&B/Pop/Hip-Hop blends. This is not at all the case with the single from The Amazing Spiderman 2 film. Kendrick Lamar goes in to the nucleus to kick... Read more

March 31, 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

Damn It Feels Good To Hear A Gangsta: The 2014 Revival Of Gangsta Rap (Food For Thought)

In just its first quarter, 2014 has witnessed its share of high profile releases. ScHoolboy Q unleashed his major label debut, OXYMORON, while Rick Ross’ continued his growth with concept and cohesion in Mastermind. Kid Cudi surprised everybody with a sneak-attack release, while Kid Ink, The Stepbrothers, and Isaiah Rashad... Read more

March 23, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

King T Says That He Was Originally Supposed To Be On Kendrick Lamar’s Compton

2012's good kid, m.A.A.d city major label debut from Kendrick Lamar featured more than one Compton legend. Dr. Dre, whose Aftermath Entertainment co-released the album, appeared on "Compton," while MC Eiht provided chilly vocals to one of the LP's two title tracks. A new interview with DJ EFN's Crazy Hood... Read more

March 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

ScHoolboy Q Talks Some Neighborhood Landmarks, High School Football & Bangin’ On Wax (Video)

Nardwuar The Human Serviette's research game has grown with the profile. The Vancouver, British Columbia-based radio personality and interviewer has become a South By Southwest staple in the last five years, especially in Q&A with rappers. ScHoolboy Q, with his recently-released OXYMORON, is the talk of the town (and an... Read more

March 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Nitty Scott, MC’s Working Relationship With TDE Further Blossoms With Ab-Soul (Audio)

Nitty Scott, MC is making some big noise across various pockets within independent Hip-Hop. However, the Brooklyn-by way of-Florida rapper's biggest moment has arguably been her 2012 Kendrick Lamar collaboration. For Nitty's upcoming The Art Of Chill, she keeps things Black Hippy with an Ab-Soul link on "Apex." Produced by... Read more

March 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

If You Aren’t Up On YG, This Kendrick Lamar-Assisted Track Will Put Your Attention In A Chokehold (Audio)

Although he's still a relatively new face in Hip-Hop, Kendrick Lamar has fast found the ability to knight other artists into the spotlight. While K.Dot has many pockets of fans, some Heads gravitate towards the Compton MC for his unpredictable flows, honesty, and eloquent wordplay that align him with the... Read more

March 12, 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

Lupe Fiasco Rocks Out With Ab-Soul On Thorns & Horns (Audio)

Lupe Fiasco and Ab-Soul have a few traits in common. One is a healthy distrust of secret societies, and another is a fearlessness in speaking their mind. In the title alone, Heads can gather that "Thorns & Horns" deals with d'evils of things. Both freak some linguistics, having fun with... Read more

March 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Smoke DZA & Ab-Soul Hop On A DJ Dahi-Produced Cloud For Hearses (Audio)

For nearly a decade, Smoke DZA's been around when movements start. From the last days of Dipset and Purple City, to the recent Harry Fraud wave, to Black Hippy, DZA's positioned himself as every rapper's willing collaborator, and the results can be quite pleasing. Such is true of "Hearses," with... Read more

March 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

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

Isaiah Rashad Speaks on the Work Required to be a TDE Artist and More (Video)

As one of TDE's newest artists, Isaiah Rashad is quickly establishing himself. He spoke with Mass Appeal about how he got signed, the work he had to put in as a member of TDE, being away from his son and more. If you haven't gotten familiar with him, this is... Read more

February 27, 2014 Video

If You Don’t Shop At Target, You Won’t Get This Fuzzed-Out ScHoolboy Q & A$AP Rocky Jam (Audio)

Collaborations are a driving force on ScHoolboy Q's OXYMORON. From links with Tyler, The Creator and 2 Chainz, to the king of "links" himself, Raekwon, the major label debut from Quincy is an opportunity to hear how he blends with some new friends. However, for almost two years, Q's been... Read more

February 25, 2014 Audio, Fresh

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

James Blake Takes A Stab At Remixing Kendrick Lamar’s m.A.A.d city (Audio)

For an album cut that Heads celebrated in 2012, "m.A.A.d city" has come into the spotlight in February of 2014. After Imagine Dragons live-mashed-up the MC Eiht-assisted joint at the Grammy Awards, James Blake is reworking the partial-title track from K-Dot's platinum major label debut. After performing with Drake at... Read more

February 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh

ScHoolboy Q & Raekwon’s Blind Threats Collaboration Comes Out In High Quality (Audio)

Yesterday, Ambrosia For Heads shared some thoughts after hearing ScHoolboy Q's OXYMORON in Los Angeles at an early listening session. One of the highlights was this cut, "Blind Threats," which Q envisioned to feature Raekwon or Cappadonna. Before he had a chance to check for the other Staten Island MC,... Read more

February 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

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

After ScHoolboy Q’s OXYMORON, TDE Sets It Sights On Ab-Soul’s Black Lip Pastor

2014 promises a reported six Top Dawg Entertainment releases. After this month, Heads are holding two: a first retail effort from Isaiah Rashad's Cilvia Demo, and ScHoolboy Q's major label debut, OXYMORON. Today, TDE's head, Top Dawg himself, and Ab-Soul suggested that Black Lip Pastor is next (though that is... Read more

February 3, 2014 Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Reacts To The Grammy Snubs & Macklemore’s Wins

Kendrick Lamar is not one to speak much on controversy. Following his 2013 "Control" verse, K-Dot evaded press and social media to fuel the fire, and let his Rap verse speak for itself. Following Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' four Grammy Award wins on Sunday night, many Heads speculated what Kendrick... Read more

January 31, 2014 Fresh

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

Nipsey Hussle Barks Some Reality Raps On The THC-Produced Between Us (Audio)

With the sounds of Hip-Hop changing, Nipsey Hussle breathes his brand of realness into all of his works. "Between Us" implements the kind of altered choruses you hear in Future, Kevin Gates, and the like—this one courtesy of K.Camp. However, in between the bridges, Nip' talks his life in simple,... Read more

January 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Macklemore Believes Race & Other Factors Contributed To His 4 Grammy Award Wins

From Macklemore's texts of solidarity to friend/peer Kendrick Lamar before last night's (January 26) 56th Grammy Awards to his words following winning in four categories competing against the Compton, California MC, it's hard not to love the way the Seattle, Washington veteran (who happened to win Best New Artist) handled... Read more

January 27, 2014 Fresh

Macklemore Tells Kendrick Lamar He Got Robbed By Not Winning Best Rap Album. See the Texts (Photos)

Did the 56th Grammy Awards leave the Head in you feeling some kind of way? Especially if you're a Kendrick Lamar fan, watching Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' four awards sweep early in the night, talk of the town performance, and Daft Punk's Random Access Memories taking the Album Of The... Read more

January 27, 2014 Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Steals The Show At The Grammys. Who Needs An Award? (Video)

So with controversy already in the air after some categorical losses early in the night, what would Kendrick Lamar do with his performance slot? The Compton, California good kid (with a reputation for competition) performed a Heads-approved album cut from his major label debut, "m.A.A.d city." With Imagine Dragons backing... Read more

January 26, 2014 Fresh, Video

Kendrick Lamar Details His Reaction To The Grammy Awards Nomination (Video)

Where was one of 2013's hardest-working artists when he caught wind of his Grammy Award nomination for "Album Of The Year"? Take one good guess... Hint: Not the recording studio... Kendrick Lamar discusses to The Hollywood Reporter what he expects from his first Grammy nods and first time attending, as... Read more

January 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jay Rock & Ty Dolla $ign Take Notice Of How Things Change With Fame (Video)

Two of Southern California's harder working, breakthrough artists have noticed how things have changed—from the women and dollars, to the expectations and the hate. They come together on "Never Be The Same" to look at things as they were, and are, and say never no more, from a burn site,... Read more

January 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Kendrick Lamar Says He Was Once Scared To Say He’s From Compton. Here’s Why (Video)

Like he does in his verses, Kendrick Lamar can do a lot in two minutes of video. In a new Pepsi-sponsored series leading up the Grammy Awards, "Day In The Life." While on the Yeezus Tour, K-Dot runs people through his tireless schedule, as he explains that most of his... Read more

January 15, 2014 Video

Ab-Soul Explains His Pete Rock Tattoo & Talks His Favorite LPs. Chicagoans Will Appreciate (Video)

Ab-Soul is soulful. Soulo, who calls himself Soul Brother #2 recently broke down to Bootleg Kev why he's got Pete Rock (Soul Brother #1) on his arm. In an age where rappers are big on tattooing deceased influences on their bodies, it's incredibly cool that Ab honors the living. Last... Read more

January 6, 2014 Fresh, Video

Got BARS? These MC’s Do. Here Are The Best Freestyles of 2013 (Video)

There are few things more satisfying in Hip-Hop than a killer verse. It's why Kendrick Lamar shook up the Internet for 3 weeks (an eternity these days) with his Control verse...and then again with his BET Cypher. We've assembled a collection of the best freestyles (mostly "writtens") of 2013. Check... Read more

December 24, 2013 Fresh, Video

Does Kendrick Lamar Have a New Album Coming? TDE’s Top Dawg Announces 6 New Releases for 2014.

More than any other artist in Hip-Hop, 2013 was the year of Kendrick Lamar and, by proxy, TDE. Kendrick took the title of MTV's Hottest MC in the game and his Control verse reigned fire on an entire generation of MCs. Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q got some overdue love from... Read more

December 23, 2013 Fresh

Guess Who’s Coming to The Grammy Awards? Kendrick Lamar Will Take the Stage

For some folks, watching the Grammy Awards in their dens, bedrooms and livingrooms is as close to an actual concert as they get all year. Additionally, the annual Winter performance opens up Heads in all different genres to each other's breakthrough artists. How many folks first saw Adele through Grammy's?... Read more

December 19, 2013 Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Raps About The Winners Circle With Old Partner Kanin (Audio)

Throughout the last three years, Kendrick Lamar frequently lends his vocal talents to artists on the come-up. Whether Y.G. Hootie, Mann, or Nitty Scott, MC, K-Dot is generous with the look, but hoards the spotlight as he famously promised earlier this year. "Winners Circle" is an Old School New single... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

This Week in Video Was Dominated By Kanye West’s Epic Meltdown on Sway…But There Was So Much More. Here’s a Playlist of the Kanye Highlights and Anything Else Worth Watching from the Past Week (Video Playlist)

Kanye West shut down the web with his extremely heated exchange with Sway. In the midst of the furor, last week was one of the best of the year for Hip-Hop video programming--Eminem's Rap God video, Snoop talking TDE vs. Death Row, A Tribe Called Quest discussing their farewell shows,... Read more

November 30, 2013 Playlists, Video

Kendrick Lamar Performs Swimming Pools / Poetic Justice Medley At 2013 AMAs (Video)

Kendrick Lamar had one of the most-talked up about performances last night (November 24) at the 2013 American Music Awards. TDE's "Man Of The Year" blessed televised audiences with two of his biggest hit singles of the last 12 months, "Swimming Pools (Drank)" and "Poetic Justice," sans Drake. Those who... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

ScHoolboy Q Might Be Having Some GQ Fun On His Version Of Man Of The Year (Audio)

It would not be a reach to say that ScHoolboy Q is Hip-Hop's "Man Of The Year." However, Quincy's Oxymoron major label debut is still under wraps, and his Black Hippy buddy Kendrick Lamar likely earned that distinction with the "shot heard 'round the world." GQ magazine thought so, and... Read more

November 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh

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

Jhene Aiko & Kendrick Lamar Stay Ready On The Latest Link (Audio)

Def Jam's Jhene Aiko has been in the industry for over 15 years. In addition to links with Childish Gambino and Drake, it was really her versatility as heard with Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul that showed the L.A. native's versatility, and market with today's Hip-Hop consumer. A K.Dot... Read more

November 11, 2013 Audio, Fresh

TDE and A$AP Mob Squash All the Rumors in an Interview with The Breakfast Club (Video)

Making it crystal clear that there's no beef between their crews (nor with Drake), Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Jay Rock, A$AP Ferg and Schoolboy Q conducted a joint interview where they addressed all the speculation point blank. They also discussed upcoming projects from Q and Ab-Soul, Ferg's album and the... Read more

November 4, 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

Jay Rock Counts His Numbers On The Boards (Audio)

Like Al Pacino's devilish monologue, nobody is gonna see Jay Rock coming. The elder statesman of Black Hippy, the first artist of TDE may have gone under the radar a bit with Follow Me Home. However, the Watts native who never seems to say much off the mic, is saying... Read more

October 23, 2013 Audio, Fresh

AFH: The Week in Video (10/20/13) (Video Playlist)

This week in video brought Cyphers from TDE, Slaughterhouse, Action Bronson, Jon Connor, Rapsody, Rittz and more as well as new videos from Method Man, Jill Scott, Chance the Rapper, Yelawolf & Paul Wall, Joey Bada$$ and more. Check it all out below. The BET Hip Hop Awards Cyphers The... Read more

October 20, 2013 Playlists, Video