top dawg entertainment Archives

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

ScHoolboy Q & Delaware’s Jem Cretes List Their Hustle Commandments In New Song (Audio)

With ScHoolboy Q's OXYMORON in the stores and on the charts, Wilmington, Delaware MC Jem Cretes unleashes his Groovy collaboration, "Hustle 101." The song pulls a bit from The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ten Crack Commandments" and Jay Z's "1-900-HUSTLER" in terms of giving the listener an instructional look on how to... Read more

March 21, 2014 Audio, 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

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

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

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

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

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

Black Hippy (Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock and Ab-Soul) in Texas (Video)

Here's some footage of Black Hippy (Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock and Ab-Soul) performing in Texas, set to a medley of their hits from the past year (and damn there are plenty). Props to Top Dawg Entertainment for killing the game in 2011. Click here to check out our... Read more

January 26, 2012 Audio, Video

Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q in New York (Video)

There's been a lot of buzz about these cats lately, and justifiably so. They've dropped 2 very hot albums in the last month (Kendrick Lamar's Section 80 and Jay Rock's Follow Me Home) and are at the vanguard of a new West Coast movement. Here's a video showing their recent... Read more

July 28, 2011 Video

Jay Rock is joined by his Black Hippy crew on Say Wassup.

Check out the video ft Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Kendrick Lamar. Jay Rock's album, Follow Me Home, drops on 7/26. Top Dawg Entertainment is killing it. Support good hip-hop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UziocaSimyc&feature=player_embedded... Read more

July 22, 2011 Video