Anytime Kendrick Lamar drops anything it can be considered a bombshell announcement but the reclusive rap star truly threw his fans for a loop on Friday (August 20) when he disclosed the details about his last few months removed from the public eye.
Breaking his 2021 social media silence on Instagram, the Pulitzer Prize-winning MC not only admitted he wasn’t connected through the world via cell phone, he revealed his highly anticipated next album would be the last with his original label home of Top Dawg Entertainment.
“As I produce my final TDE album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years,” Kendrick Lamar penned later in the post. “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.”
Naturally, the lack of full explanation led to fan speculation of the highest order. And many fans were severely upset the announcement meant the already fleeting chance a Black Hippy album — the in-house supergroup between Dot, Jay Rock, ScHoolboy Q and Ab-Soul — likely wasn’t seeing the light of day.
Although no TDE member has spoken on the departure directly, TDE rapper REASON admitted the label was in flux during an October 2020 HipHopDX interview.
Kendrick Lamar Filmed Hovering Above Pacific Ocean During Video Shoot As Album Talk Heats Up
“I did that because even though the label’s going through a weird time, that we’re coming out of now, I still believe in this shit, and I’m still holding that flag,” REASON proclaimed while promoting his album, New Beginnings.
As of press time, several Kendrick Lamar-related topics have dominated Twitter’s trending topics, leaving fans in a tizzy over the TDE news.
HipHopDX will provide the latest information and details on Kendrick Lamar’s new album when made immediately available.
Check out some of the most passionate responses from the Kendrick Lamar frenzy below.
https://twitter.com/derek_torregano/status/1428772996878151684
TDE could benefit from not having everyone freaking out anticipating a new Kendrick every damn time they try to push someone else’s music. And Kendrick might just want to try some different shit out, on his own terms, own imprint, outside of the label structure and aesthetic he’s been used to. Projects with less pressure/expectation, collabs with other artists, who the fuck knows. There can still be cross over they’re still fam at the end of the day. Shit is gonna be good.
Doesn’t mean he cant work with TDE artists and producers. This means nothing. People will freak out over anything these days. He doesn’t have to cut them checks anymore, we should be happy that he can officially be independent, something that so many strive for.
man’s hitting us with the Andre 3000
I don’t care at all what Kendrick has to say until he puts up new music. It’s really easy for him to say he’s gonna do all of this far out shit when he won’t even put out an album. No news here.
Thank God! Come on with the new new Kendrick!! To hell with TopDog and TDE. Can’t wait!!!! Sooo tired of this whack azz rap shit!! Even Kenny’s resignation letter is lyrically flawless! Damn!!!!!!! Kendrick all mofo day!!!!
Does it really matter tho, clearly Kendrick has been the reason TDE is even a notable name. This hurts Kendrick in no way at all…prob the end of TDE, but as far Kdot goes he’ll take no hit whatsoever. So while it sucks to see them part, it really won’t change a thing. Basically just a superficial symbolic thing, that means nothing when it comes to the music. I’m gonna do the internet thing now and assume that a “where would you be without Top Dawg” was uttered at some point and Kendrick said, “you can’t be fuckin serious” and decided to end it all for them
No surprise. I saw this coming (and you should have as well) when they announced pgLang. He’s an owner. He can’t continue to be an employee.
But he also signed to Aftermath. Maybe he want to start his own
label. But as many artists Aftermath shelved. Drew not
much better.
But donda is still the biggest ratchet of all time. Kimye a cuckold who is upset because his trophy wife was with half of the industry b4 he got married to her. This arrogant, narcissistic, self absorbed egomanic who proclaims himself to be a genius with his artistic vision that the regular man can’t understand is still upset because his morning breath smells like Ray J genitals