Top Dawg Entertainment

Last updated

Top Dawg Entertainment
Top Dawg Ent. logo.webp
Founded2004;20 years ago (2004)
FounderAnthony Tiffith
Genre
Country of originUnited States
Location Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Official website txdxe.com

Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) is an American independent record label. Specializing in hip hop and R&B artists, TDE is based in Carson, California. The label was founded in 2004 by record producer Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, who is the chief executive officer. His son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr., and Terrence "Punch" Henderson are the presidents of the label.

Contents

TDE concentrates on artist management, publishing and merchandising, and have worked with the "Big Three" record companies (Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment) for distribution ventures. The label also oversees subsidiaries such as TDE Films and their sports agency. The label is most notable for being the label that represented Kendrick Lamar, who was signed from 2005-2022, as he rose to stardom. There are currently twelve artists signed to TDE; flagship artists include SZA, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q. [1]

History

2004–2007: Foundation

Top Dawg Entertainment was founded in 2004 by Anthony Tiffith, a record producer who previously worked with rappers The Game and Juvenile, among others. After his uncle found success as a manager for singer Rome, whose single "I Belong to You (Every Time I See Your Face)" was a major hit, Tiffith began scouting local talent as an escape from the street life of his Watts neighborhood. [2] He built a recording studio, dubbed it "House of Pain", and established the record label based on his nickname, Top Dawg. [2] TDE's first signing was Jay Rock, who joined the label in 2005. [2] Two weeks after his acquisition, Kendrick Lamar was signed to the label. [3] [4] In 2007, TDE signed Ab-Soul, [5] while rapper Terrence "Punch" Henderson and record producer Dave Free assumed the role as presidents of the label. [6] Jay Rock signed joint venture contracts with Warner Bros. Records and Asylum Records, but left after the labels failed to properly distribute his debut album Follow Me Home (2011). [7]

2008–2013: Joint ventures and breakthrough

The label released their first compilation mixtape, Do It Nigga Squad, Volume 1, in May 2008, which featured appearances from Lil Wayne and will.i.am. [8] Schoolboy Q, who had been affiliated with the label since 2006, signed with TDE in 2009. Before signing, the four rappers created the hip hop supergroup Black Hippy. [9] [10] In March 2012, The Fader reported that TDE closed a joint venture deal with Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. Under the agreement, Lamar signed to Aftermath and Interscope, while Schoolboy Q joined Interscope. [11] [12] TDE partnered with BET for their Music Matters Tour in July, [13] and held its first "appreciation week" for their fans in August. [14]

Lamar's second studio album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012), debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart and earned the highest first-week sales of the year by a male rapper. [15] It later became the first hip hop studio album to spend ten consecutive years on the Billboard 200. [16] On August 15, 2013, singer-songwriter SZA signed with TDE, becoming the first female artist to join the label. [17] [18] The label announced the signing of rapper Isaiah Rashad on September 20, [19] [20] after publications reported on his acquisition in June. [21] [22] Lamar, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Rashad were featured in a TDE cypher at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards. [23] [24]

2014–2017: Signings and recognition

At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards (January 2014), Good Kid, M.A.A.D City earned seven nominations, including for Best Rap Album and Album of the Year. [25] Tiffith announced that TDE would be releasing six projects in 2014, beginning with Rashad's debut album Cilvia Demo . [26] Schoolboy Q released his third album Oxymoron on February 25, while SZA released her third extended play Z on April 8. [27] [28] Oxymoron earned the biggest first-week streams of 2014 on Spotify (3.3 million). [29] Ab-Soul released his third album, These Days... , on June 24. [30] To Pimp a Butterfly (2015), Lamar's third album, became TDE's first project to debut atop the Billboard 200 and set Spotify's global first-day streaming record (9.6 million). [31] [32] It won five awards at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album. [33]

TDE previewed releases from the roster on February 29, 2016, and hinted at signing new artists. [34] Singer and rapper Lance Skiiiwalker signed to the label on May 20, and released his debut album Introverted Intuition on October 18. [35] [36] On January 19, 2017, TDE announced the signing of singer SiR. [37] Lamar's fourth album, DAMN. , spent four nonconsecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 and yielded TDE's first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, "Humble". [38] [39] SZA signed a joint recording contract with RCA Records on April 28, [40] [41] and her debut studio album, Ctrl , debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. [42]

2018–present: Spotify criticisms and Lamar's departure

Damn won five awards at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards (January 2018), including for Best Rap Album. [43] Ctrl received four nominations at the ceremony, including for Best Urban Contemporary Album. [44] SiR released his second album, November , on January 19. [45] On February 9, TDE released Black Panther: The Album , the soundtrack album for the Marvel Studios superhero film Black Panther . It was curated and executive produced by Lamar and Tiffith. [46] From May to June, artists embarked on TDE's first full-label tour, The Championship Tour. [47] [48] During the tour, Tiffith and Lamar entered into a publicized dispute with Spotify over their Hate Content & Hateful Conduct policy, which removed artists such as XXXTentacion and R. Kelly from their editorial and algorithmic playlists due to their respective legal issues. [49] [50] [51] Tiffith, along with Henderson, claimed that the policy promoted censorship, and threatened to pull TDE's catalog from the platform if they kept the policy as it stood. [52] [49] Spotify reversed their policy in response to the criticism and reinstated XXXTentacion's music back onto playlists after other artists followed suit in threatening to pull their musical works. [53] [54]

Jay Rock signed a joint contract with Interscope Records, and released his third album Redemption on June 15, 2018. [55] [56] Rapper Reason joined the label on August 8. [57] On January 25, 2019, TDE announced the signing of singer Zacari, who has been affiliated with the label since 2017. [58] He released his first extended play, Run Wild Run Free, on March 15. [59] Schoolboy Q released his fifth album, Crash Talk , on April 26. [60] SiR signed a joint contract with RCA Records and released his third album Chasing Summer on August 30. [61] [62]

Rolling Stone reported that Dave Free left the label in October 2019; his position as co-president was later succeeded by Tiffith's son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr. [63] After rumors emerged of his departure in 2020, [64] Lamar confirmed that he was producing his final album under TDE on August 20, 2021. [65] Five days later, the label announced the signing of rapper Ray Vaughn, who began working with them in 2020. [66] On March 31, 2022, TDE partnered with Capitol Records and signed rapper Doechii. She is the first female rapper to join the label. [67] [68] SZA's second studio album, SOS (2022), broke several Billboard chart records and spawned TDE's second number-one single "Kill Bill". [69] [70]

Other ventures

Philanthropy

TDE has held their annual Christmas concert and toy drive in Nickerson Gardens since 2014. [71] The concerts featured performances by the roster, and included guest appearances from Rihanna, E-40, and Chris Brown. [72] [73] In February 2018, the label and Interscope Records purchased five screenings of Black Panther in three theaters to allow 1,000 children from three Watts public housing complexes to view the film for free. [74] [75] In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tiffith paid the rent of over 300 families in Los Angeles' public housing developments. [76]

Sports

TDE established a sports division agency in January 2018, led by agent Faddie Mikhail. [77] American football player Derrius Guice became the first athlete to sign with the agency. [78]

TDE Films

On November 8, 2016, TDE announced the creation of their film production company TDE Films, and began looking for writers, producers, and directors. [79] [80] For their work on Lamar's "Alright" and "Humble", the division has won the Grammy Award for Best Music Video twice. [81]

Artists

Current acts

ActYear
signed
Releases
under the label
Other labels
Punch 2004
Jay Rock 200513 Interscope
Ab-Soul 20077
Schoolboy Q 20096Interscope
SZA 20133 RCA
Isaiah Rashad 20133 Warner
Lance Skiiiwalker 20164Rocketeer
SiR 20174RCA
Zacari 20191
Ray Vaughn 20201
Doechii 20222 Capitol
Alemeda 20241Warner

Former acts

ActYears on
the label
Releases
under the label
Kendrick Lamar [82] 2005–202212
Black Hippy 2008-2022
Reason 2018–20244

In-house producers

Current

Former

Discography

The discography of Top Dawg Entertainment currently consists of 25 studio albums, two compilation albums, six extended plays (EPs) and 17 mixtapes. Overall the label has sold more than ten million records in the US alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Rock</span> American rapper

Johnny Reed McKinzie Jr., better known by his stage name Jay Rock, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he signed with local independent label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2005. He secured a major label joint venture deal with Warner Bros. Records and Asylum Records to release his 2008 debut single, "All My Life ". Failing to chart, the mergers fell through and Rock departed from both of the latter labels shortly after. He then signed with Missouri rapper Tech N9ne's label Strange Music in a joint venture deal with TDE in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendrick Lamar</span> American rapper and songwriter (born 1987)

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is an American rapper and songwriter. Regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, and one of the greatest rappers of all time, he is known for his technical artistry and complex songwriting. He was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first musician outside of the classical and jazz genres to be honored.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schoolboy Q</span> American rapper (born 1986)

Quincy Matthew Hanley, better known by his stage name Schoolboy Q, is an American rapper from South Los Angeles, California. He began recording in 2007, and released his first two mixtapes, ScHoolboy Turned Hustla (2008) and Gangsta & Soul (2009) to local success. After signing with the Carson-based record label Top Dawg Entertainment, Hanley's debut studio album, Setbacks (2011) and its follow-up, Habits & Contradictions (2012) were both released to positive critical response; both also performed moderately on the US Billboard 200 chart as digital exclusives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Hippy</span> American hip hop supergroup from California

Black Hippy was an American hip hop supergroup from South Los Angeles, California, formed in 2008. The group consisted of West Coast rappers Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolboy Q. Black Hippy was constructed after all of its members had signed to Carson-based indie record label, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Recipe (Kendrick Lamar song)</span> 2012 single by Kendrick Lamar featuring Dr. Dre

"The Recipe" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on April 3, 2012, as the first single from his major label debut Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012). The song, however, only made the deluxe edition of the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ab-Soul</span> American rapper (born 1987)

Herbert Anthony Stevens IV, better known by his stage name Ab-Soul, is an American rapper. Raised in Carson, California, he signed to indie record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2007, where he eventually formed West Coast hip hop group Black Hippy, alongside fellow California-based rappers Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q. He is perhaps most known for his introspective lyrics and his five independent albums under TDE, Longterm Mentality, Control System, These Days..., Do What Thou Wilt., and Herbert, which were all released to positive reviews and commercial success.

<i>Overly Dedicated</i> 2010 mixtape by Kendrick Lamar

Overly Dedicated is the fourth solo mixtape by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, released on September 14, 2010, via Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The album features guest appearances from Dash Snow, Jhené Aiko, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Ash Riser, Dom Kennedy and Murs, among others. The album's production was handled by several TDE in-house producers, including King Blue, Sounwave, Tae Beast and Willie B; other producers such as Tommy Black, Jairus "J-Mo" Mozee, and Wyldfyer, also contributed production. The mixtape had sold a total of 12,000 copies as of October 2012.

Digi+Phonics is an African American hip hop production team, composed of California-based record producers Tae Beast, Sounwave, Dave Free and Willie B. They currently serve as the main in-house producers for Carson-based record label, Top Dawg Entertainment. Digi+Phonics work significantly on projects from all the members of hip hop supergroup Black Hippy, who are also signed to Top Dawg and is composed of rappers Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul. Their best known productions include "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" by Kendrick Lamar, "There He Go" by Schoolboy Q, and "Terrorist Threats" by Ab-Soul. They frequently co-produce songs together and put the finishing touches on the projects released by Top Dawg Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collard Greens (song)</span> 2013 single by Schoolboy Q featuring Kendrick Lamar

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Mark Anthony Spears, known professionally as Sounwave, is an American record producer and songwriter. He is a frequent collaborator of rapper Kendrick Lamar, having worked on all of his projects since his 2009 self-titled extended play. Sounwave has also worked with artists such as Taylor Swift, Chloe x Halle, Baby Keem, Mac Miller, and Bleachers. He has won three Grammy Awards, including two for Best Rap Album.

David Isaac Friley, known professionally as Dave Free, is an American filmmaker and record producer. Born and raised in Inglewood, California, he is best known for his creative partnership with rapper Kendrick Lamar. During his tenure as co-president of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), Free directed music videos and short films with Lamar under the name the Little Homies. Following his departure from TDE in 2019, he co-founded the creative company PGLang. Among Free's accolades are one Grammy Award and three MTV Video Music Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah Rashad</span> American rapper (born 1991)

Isaiah Rashad Joel McClain is an American rapper. His mainstream breakthrough followed after his performances on the 2012 Smoker's Club Tour alongside rappers Juicy J, Joey Badass and Smoke DZA. He is a founding member of the Chattanooga, Tennessee-based hip hop collective The House, which he formed with rappers YGTUT, Michael Da Vinci (MikeyD), Chris P, and Brian Brown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Break the Bank (song)</span> 2014 promotional single by Schoolboy Q

"Break the Bank" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Schoolboy Q, released on January 21, 2014, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Interscope Records, as a promotional single from his major label debut studio album Oxymoron (2014). The song was recorded in 2012 and was produced by The Alchemist. The song has since peaked at number 32 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SZA</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1989)

Solána Imani Rowe, known professionally as SZA, is an American singer-songwriter. She first gained recognition through her self-released EPs See.SZA.Run (2012) and S (2013), which helped her become the first female artist to sign with Top Dawg Entertainment. Her third EP, Z (2014), was her first project to be released to digital retailers and reached the top-ten on the U.S. Independent Albums chart.

The discography of Top Dawg Entertainment, an American independent record label, consists of 26 studio albums, 2 compilation album, 6 extended plays (EP), 17 mixtapes, 37 singles and 84 music videos. Overall the label has sold more than three million records in the US alone.

<i>90059</i> 2015 studio album by Jay Rock

90059 is the second studio album by American rapper Jay Rock. It was released on September 11, 2015, on Apple Music and the iTunes Store; the physical editions were released on September 18, 2015, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The album features guest appearances from Rock's TDE label-mates Kendrick Lamar, Black Hippy, Isaiah Rashad, SZA, SiR and introduces Lance Skiiiwalker, Chicago singer-producer who in 2016 would be named as a new TDE signee as well as Busta Rhymes and Macy Gray.

<i>Introverted Intuition</i> 2016 studio album by Lance Skiiiwalker

Introverted Intuition is the debut studio album by American singer and rapper Lance Skiiiwalker, released on October 18, 2016, through Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). It features guest appearances from Schoolboy Q and Michael Anthony. Skiiiwalker, who produced the album under the pseudonym Rocket, worked alongside Dave Free, Sounwave, Tae Beast, DJ Dahi, and Frank Dukes for a majority of the album's production.

Terrence Louis Henderson Jr., better known by his stage name Punch, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer and record executive from Carson, California. He is best known for being the president of independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). He has also executive produced several successful albums, including Kendrick Lamar's Section.80 (2011), Schoolboy Q's Habits & Contradictions (2012), Terrace Martin's 3ChordFold, (2013) and more. Aside from his solo musical career, Punch is a member of hip hop collective A Room Full of Mirrors, alongside fellow rappers Daylyt, Nick Grant, The Ichiban Don, Lyric Michelle, Hari, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Championship Tour</span> 2018 concert tour by artists of Top Dawg Entertainment

The Championship Tour was a co-headlining concert tour by the independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment. The tour featured artists Kendrick Lamar, SZA, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Sir, and Lance Skiiiwalker. The tour began in Vancouver on May 4, 2018, and concluded in Burgettstown on June 16, 2018.

<i>Redemption</i> (Jay Rock album) 2018 album by Jay Rock

Redemption is the third studio album by American rapper Jay Rock. It was released by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Interscope Records on June 15, 2018. The album, which serves as Rock's major-label debut, succeeds his second album 90059 (2015), released three years prior.

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