Kendrick Lamar shocked his diehard fans on Friday (August 20) when he announced his follow-up to 2017’s DAMN. would be his last album for Top Dawg Entertainment, the label he’s been with since his career was in its infancy. But it sounds like there’s no hard feelings coming from the TDE camp.
Shortly after K. Dot made his big reveal, Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith addressed the split on Instagram with a lengthy post.
“The whole goal when we started this thing was to make music, make money, and make history,” he wrote. “We did those things 10 times over and then some. TDE and its artists have provided a way to end generational curses that we were all personally born into over the last 17 years in this business. With this being Dot’s last album on TDE, this is more of a VICTORY LAP, a celebration. I know he will be successful in whatever it is he decides to do and will have our FULL support.”
He added, “As for Top Dawg Entertainment, we will continue to grow, develop and give artists the platform to expand into whatever way they choose. Heart, Honor, Respect.”
Tiffith added in the caption, “It’s been an honor and a privilege for TDE to bless the world with the GOAT!”
Kendrick Lamar made the announcement with a rare Instagram post that contained a link to a website. Once fans went to the website, they were met with a message from the Pulitzer Prize-winning MC that read, “I spend most of my days with fleeting thoughts. Writing. Listening. And collecting old Beach cruisers. The morning rides keep me on a hill of silence. I go months without a phone.
“Love, loss, and grief have disturbed my comfort zone, but the glimmers of God speak through my music and family. While the world around me evolves, I reflect on what matters the most. The life in which my words will land next.”
Kendrick Lamar Announces Next Album Will End TDE Career: 'See You Soon Enough'
He continued, “As I produce my final TDE album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years. The Struggles. The Success. And most importantly, the Brotherhood. May the Most High continue to use Top Dawg as a vessel for candid creators. As I continue to pursue my life’s calling. There’s beauty in completion. And always faith in the unknown. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts. I’ve prayed for you all. See you soon enough.”
Lamar has dropped four albums with the label, beginning with 2011’s Section .80 and culminating with DAMN. He’s earned 13 Grammy Awards along the way as well as the aforementioned Pulitzer Prize.
Top Dawg should rethink his business moves when it comes to his artists. Maybe this lazy mentality where every artist release an album every 3/4 years is not the reason why Kendrick is leaving… but it’s definitely demonstrative of how the label manage things. When you have artists such as Ab-Soul and Jay Rock who had full potential to be rap superstars when their buzz was going on but instead you hold their career back with giving them a release every 3/4 years, you clearly damage their career. I bet Dave Free understood that and it’s probably one of the reason why he left TDE. Now it’s Kendrick. SMH
Kendrick has a major label deal with Aftermath/Interscope… I’m pretty sure if he wanted to release music over the last 4 years, TDE wouldn’t have been able to stop him… It seems obvious from his statement that K. Dot has just been living his life over the last 4 years and wasn’t really concerned with releasing music!!
Okay
Damn was a damn masterpiece, so he was enjoying his self.
I agree, no matter what imprint you sign with, when you’re an artist on Kendrick’s level the parent company will step in and make things right to keep the artist happy. He has not over exposed himself, so when his contract is done he can make the majority of the money from what he creates.
I agree, no matter what imprint you sign with, when you’re an artist on Kendrick’s level the parent company will step in and make things right to keep the artist happy. He has not over exposed himself, so when his contract is done he can make the majority of the money from what he creates.
I agree, no matter what imprint you sign with, when you’re an artist on Kendrick’s level the parent company will step in and make things right to keep the artist happy. He has not over exposed himself, so when his contract is done he can make the majority of the money from what he creates.
Says the guy beating his meat at momma’s basement…
Says the bitch hiding behind her keyboard to talk reckless…
If you understand business, energy and timing. You knew this day was coming since Kendrick’s first album. Also Interescope was never going to let Kendrick stay on TDE, Also what’s funny is that this is his last contractually obligation to TDE, and it’s not out yet and we get news he’s leaving. Was their a negotiation process? Prob not. I like kendrick I think he is the best overall rapper even though I’m not a fan of his music. I prefer Krit and Gibbs music over Kendricks. I do think this is going to be very hard for TDE. But they should push Reason to be the guy now, his last album was better than all of Kendricks. Jay Rock is dope too. Kendrick with TDE had a great run though. Interesting to see what they go from here, can TDE continue to grow without Kendrick?
None of the ****** you mentioned have better albums than Kendrick.
We all like what we like. That’s your opinion it makes it factual for you but not me. The best rappers rarely make the best albums IMO. Making a good album is more than just being a great rapper. The production, hooks, and features gotta be clicking. Nipsey was never a great rapper to me, but he make great music, same as Young Jezzy thru 04-10, what they had to say over their production paints a more realistic soulful feeling of where they’re from, what their feeling and what’s going on. That was the reason why some many had the connection to Tupac he did the same thing. Kendrick is one of the best rappers ever, but I’m just not a fan of his albums.
You keep naming ****** that can’t touch any of Kendrick’s albums lol. I’m actually the opposite – I don’t think Kendrick is the best rapper ever, but he makes super dope albums. I know it’s opinion, but saying that Reason’s album is better than all of Kendrick’s is just ludicrous. I ****** with Jeezy back in the day, but none of his albums better than any of Kendrick’s. Nipsey don’t even have any GREAT album. I recommend you go listen to Section80 and GKMC again.
The Marathon, Mailbox Money and Victory lap were great albums to me. Kendrick is easily one of the best rappers ever. It’s ok if you’re a fan, nothing wrong with that at all. Once again this is all opinion based. I state mines, I’m not a fan of Kendricks albums, I like him personally but just not his music. Same way I don’t like Jay Z personally but Reasonable Doubt is one of my favorite albums. Trying to argue on opinion based topics doesn’t make sense. It’s like two people arguing over food one thinks burgers are better one likes pizza. So….. yea.
Pizza is definitely better than burgers, f*** wrong with you??
When Dave Free decided to leave the label to start PGlang I knew there would’ve been a conflict of interest when it came to Kendrick’s future with the label (free introduced him to the label; him and free are best friends.) I also remembered when suge knight revealed that both Kendrick and the game had two of the worst music contracts in the industry(on the west) and it flew pass everyone’s head. Even with all of that it would be hard to imagine their star quarterback without them (don’t get me wrong Q, Rock, and SZA can hold it down; and the label is slowly grooming isaiah rashad and reason to be next in line — from what I hear ab soul has frequent bouts with addiction hence why he’s been out of commission.
Dude going to retire. His fans are going to be disappointed. Going to be like Dre 3000 always wondering until 2033 when they finally realize that damn, this dude hasn’t dropped shit except cameos since 2021/2022. Hell, how he moves, you might not even get that.
Meanwhile all of you MISS the fact that Kobe died, Nipsey died, Chadwick died.. Covid happened and who knows who in his family was affected… he had a child and Jan 6 happened….. and you want to cry about music…. the fact that some of you never even attempted to consider any of this is very telling… but you are not obligated to consider just consume…
Please: just shut the fuck up.
Anyone notice that i post a comment multiple times everyday ? Im not the OG of anything just a wanker
Stop using my name , Ashanti looking dick
TDE is done!
Truth be told it says last TDE album…but last 10 years I can’t name a rapper with a better catalogue. Whether he decides to go Andre 3000k and show up for a guest verse here and there or take some years off his Albums speak for themselves. He was always a tier above rappers who thought were his rivals: Drake, J. Cole , Big Sean
He’s definitely great but not greater than Cole. Cole writes and produces his material. Cole is the greatest of his time as far as artistry is concerned.
He’s definitely great but not greater than Cole. Cole writes and produces his material. Cole is the greatest of his time as far as artistry is concerned.
Wait a minute, his life’s calling he said?