TDE President Punch discussed the vision for the West Coast record label during a recent visit to Homegrown Radio (September 26). Speaking with host Chuck Dizzle, Punch explained that TDE is still working to establish itself as a “legit record company.”
“We had success with Kendrick [Lamar’s] first album,” Punch said in reference to good kid, m.A.A.d. city, which is certified platinum. “Now we’ve gotta do it again. It don’t stop right there. [ScHoolboy Q’s] up next so we’re gonna keep pushing. That’s the goal. It’s always been the goal, to really make our mark as a key label like the Death Rows or the Roc-A-Fellas, Ruff Ryders, whatever.”
In March of 2012, the CEO of TDE, Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, confirmed that the label closed a deal with Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records, bringing the independent imprint into the major label system.
When asked whether signing with Aftermath and Interscope was a good idea considering the options available to independent artists, Punch said “it was the perfect move for us.”
“It might’ve been different for somebody else depending on their system,” he continued. “What people don’t know about the independent game is you need some bread to actually do it. We actually had success on both. Section.80 sold over 100,000 copies and that was all just us—nobody else. Then of course, with good kid, m.A.A.d. city, you see that success.”
Punch also said that following Strange Music’s business example taught TDE how to build its brand. “We learned a lot from following the model of Strange Music, Tech N9ne, Travis [O’Guin] and those guys,” he said. “They really pounded the road. They stay on the road. That’s how they generate everything that they got going.”
When asked what advice he had for aspiring artists, Punch said having a vision is what’s most important.
“I always give the example of Ab-Soul,” he said. “He has his third Grammy speech prepared. He really sees it. He sees himself where he wants to be—like now. And everything else is falling into place for him. Of course it takes a lot of hard work, a lot of discipline, but you have to have that vision. If you don’t have the vision, then you’re just making songs.”
Homegrown Radio airs Thursdays at 9PM PST.
RELATED: Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith Explains ScHoolboy Q’s “Oxymoron” Delay
Everyone should take after Strange. Shit they’re more successful than MMG and they’re doing it all independently. It was great to see an indie artist like Tech N9ne way up on the forbes list while major label artists like Ross who rap about nothing but money were on the bottom!!!
100% agreed
Does Tech have $28 million in the bank? I think not. He releases more albums than anybody, yet they all suck and flop hard. At least MMG is doing it big time. They aren’t hiding out in the underground wearing face paint, catering to meth addicts and kids who wear trench coats.
tech9 was on the forbes list of rich rppers fagg
does rick ross have $28 million in the bank? keep in mind those forbes numbers are educated estimates that dont take out what their manager, road manager, agent, publicist, security, stylist, and crew get from that number…and dont believe what rawse says he makes cuz its been proven that he likes to exaggerate…
LOL @ this dude thinking networth means actually millions in the bank!!! that 28 million ross is worth includes his label and his entire catalog of music and all his other business ventures. he probably has couple mill AT THE MOST in liquid cash
Strange been my shit for a decade… Best roster of any label out no problem, they have so much talent its stupid. Not to mention their grind is impeccable, they do more shows than anyone, sell more merch, have the most loyal following. Tech’s just the centerpiece but he’s building a real dynasty…
Foreals Mane! Ninna Go Too Hard STRANGE MUSIC BITCH
Wow, didn’t know Section 80 sold 100,000 copies. That’s crazy, especially since you can’t buy physical copies of the album (as far as I’m aware).
you can now, it went digi retail
yo waka flocka mother ( ms. debbie ) gives the best head ever.
all her teeth is false so all u feel is warm spit and gums
shes the definition of a kruger
im from south carolina her number is 557-0192 call asap.
tru story(s) by the way
yo is that shit about ms debbie true?
i keep hearing about that shit
If they want to be the next roc-a-fella they should probably drop more than one album a year
gotta start somewhere
nah son, that’s what they do not need to change its called quality over quantity.
they couldn’t even embed the video well into the article. ur website needs help
“tech9 was on the forbes list of rich rppers”
His net worth is 8 million. Respectable, but far from a Bawse.
Alot more then yours I’m betting. Plus he doesnt have a “Boss” to answer to like the rest of those guys in deals with major labels
1. He wasn’t listed one of the “richest,” he was listed as one of the top earners in 2013.
2. His net worth is a lot more than 8 million. Those “celebrity net worth” sites are out of date, and don’t know their worth exactly anyways.
Yeah Irv Gotti said those sites are completely wrong he aint got the tens of millions they say he does.
I find it funny people try to like guys like tech n9ne, immortal technique or some dumb underground rapper that they only like because nobody else in their community likes them. Then they make the illuminati excuse on the mainstream acts if they use triangles or one eye close yet when tech n9ne talks about killing people or even making the songs with the same mainstream rappers, they make an excuse. Stop defending a rapper who doesn’t care about you or even acknowledge that you exist. Family over idols
How about just enjoy both? I like a bit of tech n9ne or immortal, but I also like Ab-Soul and Kendrick… They are all good in their own ways. It doesn’t have to be a “this vs that” situation. Just take what you can from all rappers.
Ignore the retards talking about illuminati shit, not all underground fans are like that obviously.
SO JAY-Z CARES ABOUT YOU?? JAY-Z IS YOUR FAMILY??
WTF IS YOUR POINT???
i dont really listen to those guys much but simply put i would say Tech and immortal make better music than most of the mainstream acts they get shoved down out throats
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/8PJRcuz4XXs/mqdefault.jpg
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/cJs8_OpjXVU/mqdefault.jpg
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt33/Ellie_Bones/Michael%20Myers/l_65919c368c0345629a624191ca68e46d.jpg
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/AFSDR1iJrZ4/mqdefault.jpg
http://kingdomofstyle.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c2f0953ef012876b3315b970c-500wi
I ACTUALLY LIKE SOME OF AB-SOUL’S MUSIC… BUT I HIGHLY DOUBT HE WILL EVER WIN A GRAMMY
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/dEr1TJzPAh8/movieposter.jpg
666 demons
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/nQWqRGVE1Zk/mqdefault.jpg
until I looked at the check which was of $4475, I have faith …that…my mother in law woz like truley bringing in money part time at their laptop.. there neighbor has been doing this for less than 11 months and just cleared the depts on there place and bought a new Land Rover Defender. try this website http://www.youtube.com.google.qr.net/k6th
“Plus he doesnt have a “Boss” to answer to like the rest of those guys in deals with major labels”
Uh, he has to split everything with Travis O’ Gunn. You thought Tech was running this all by himself lol Vintage wisdom, man.
thats not his boss though, they’re partners and they both making more than Rozay independently