In 2022, Kendrick Lamar released Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, which in 2021 he declared would be his last album released under Top Dawg Entertainment. Now, it’s Reason’s turn to leave the nest: Today (June 18), the rapper announced he is leaving TDE.
Why Is Reason Leaving Top Dawg Entertainment?
He made the announcement via a letter shared on social media. Based on the message’s tone, the split appears to be at least somewhat amicable, with Reason expressing his appreciation for the label, Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, and TDE fans. Reason also references his “decision to travel a different path after the years.”
Worth noting is that least year, Reason made waves for publicly arguing with TDE president Moosa, so perhaps some tension with the label was a contributing factor to Reason’s departure.
Check out the full letter below.
“The last 7 years have been incredible, and I’ve appreciated all the time and experiences that have come within that span of time. I can’t even put into words the surreal feeling I’ve had of being able to share my thoughts, expressions, emotions, stories, and experiences with you all through the platform provided to me by Top Dawg Entertainment.
With that being said, it comes with great appreciation and excitement that I want to announce my split with TDE. I want to give a huge thank you to Top himself, not only for giving me a chance to live out my dream but also for hearing me and understanding my decision to travel a different path after the years. There’s truly no words for the amount of respect I have for you, and that’ll never change, no matter what.
I also want to thank every single TDE fan who embraced me and allowed me to share my music with them. There’s no world in which you don’t mean the absolute most to me. Last but not least, a thank you to all the artists who embraced me.
Thank you for being a constant inspiration and ear while trying to navigate this industry and music. Thank you guys for the time and a huge thanks to everybody for this experience.
It’s been a long time — we shouldn’t have left you. But to make it up, our Studio crew — Carolyn Droke, Cherise Johnson, and Steve Vasquez — rounded up a new group of Gen Z faves to run through the millennial video mill and their reactions make the wait more than worth it.
This week, we’ve got Paramore‘s “Misery Business” video, with Uproxx cover stars Chloe Bailey and Coi Leray, Na-Kel Smith, NLE Choppa, Reason, Sexyy Red, and more giving their takes on the fashion and sounds of the 2000s — as well as sharing their stories about living through the song’s lyrical scenario.
As Cherise explains, “It’s Paramore’s version of ‘she can’t love you like I love you’” (what Choppa calls one of “man’s best headaches”). The artists share their stories about being torn between options and getting into literal fights over boys.
Meanwhile, Reason is mystified by Paramore’s looks, asking “Did white people in high school look like this?” Sexyy Red approves of Hayley Williams’ hair, while Chloe has fond memories of her and her sister Halle’s “Paramore and Avril Lavigne phase” joking, “That’d be me, breaking down and crying.”
Check out the latest episode of React Like You Know above.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) are the heart of music production, and hip-hop is no exception. These powerful tools offer a wide range of features that can help you create, edit, and mix your tracks to perfection. Here are the top 7 DAWs for hip-hop music production, ranked.
7. FL Studio
Starting off our list at number seven is FL Studio. Known for its user-friendly interface and rich feature set, FL Studio is a favorite among many hip-hop producers. Its step sequencer makes drum programming a breeze, while the Piano Roll is considered one of the best for MIDI editing. With a vast array of plugins and effects, FL Studio is a versatile choice for any hip-hop artist.
Next up is Logic Pro, a DAW that has been a staple in the music production industry for years. Its robust set of features, including a comprehensive sound library and advanced mixing capabilities, make it a strong contender for hip-hop production. Logic’s Drummer feature is particularly useful for creating dynamic, natural-sounding drum tracks.
5. Cubase
At number five, we have Cubase. This DAW stands out with its powerful audio editing features and high-quality virtual instruments. Cubase’s chord pads and chord track features are excellent tools for creating harmonic progressions and melodies, making it a great choice for hip-hop producers focusing on the melodic aspects of their tracks.
4. Cakewalk
Cakewalk, previously known as SONAR, ranks fourth on our list. This DAW offers a range of professional-grade tools for recording, mixing, and mastering. Its intuitive interface and flexible touch controls make it easy to navigate, while its advanced MIDI capabilities offer endless possibilities for beat creation.
3. Bitwig Studio
Coming in at third place is Bitwig Studio. This relatively new DAW has quickly gained popularity due to its innovative features like the Clip Launcher and the Modulation System. These tools offer unique ways to create and manipulate your tracks, making Bitwig a top choice for hip-hop producers looking to push the boundaries of their music.
2. Ableton
Just missing out on the top spot is Ableton. This DAW is renowned for its seamless workflow and live performance capabilities. Ableton’s Session View allows for non-linear composition, perfect for experimenting with different beats and samples. Its built-in instruments and effects are top-notch, providing everything you need to produce high-quality hip-hop tracks.
1. Reason
Finally, at number one, we have Reason. This DAW is a powerhouse for hip-hop production, offering a wide range of instruments and effects that emulate classic hip-hop hardware. Its unique rack-based system allows for complex routing and sound design possibilities, while the sequencer is perfect for creating intricate beats and grooves. With its comprehensive feature set and intuitive design, Reason is our top pick for the best DAW for hip-hop production.
Each of these DAWs offers a unique set of features and capabilities, making them excellent choices for hip-hop production. Whether a beginner or a seasoned producer, these tools can help you create your best work. Happy producing!
Two weeks after the release of his new album, Porches, Reason appeared on The Breakfast Club to clarify one of the high-profile snafus that happened during the album’s rollout. A few days before the album’s release, Reason appeared on a livestream of the BACKONFIGG podcast, where he seemingly vented his frustrations about his label, TDE, prompting the label’s president, Moosa Tiffith, to call on and get into a heated back-and-forth with his artist.
In the course of the discussion, Moosa revealed that Reason was initially not a priority for his predecessor Dave Free, and joked that even the hosts on the podcast didn’t know any Reason songs. And while fans took the discourse as evidence of a rift between the artist and business partner, during his Breakfast Club interview, Reason asserted that while “it definitely shouldn’t” have happened in public, the discussion was just one of many and there’s no bad blood between them.
Asked if there was a problem between him and TDE, Reason said, “That entire situation, that was a conversation that me and Moo have had behind closed doors a lot…. it definitely shouldn’t have been out in the public. It’s a lot of misconceptions about that… Moosa loves this album. He helped me pick some of the records… It was just one of those things that got so nasty and ugly publicly that now, everything is ‘A Thing.’”
He elaborated that other comments he’d made accidentally fed into the narrative. For example, he’d said no one from the label came to his release party, but explained that the statement was taken out of context; he had previously had a label-led listening, but the release party was more private for family and friends. He also stood behind his statement about J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, clarifying that he didn’t think J. Cole would be bigger than his former labelmate, just bigger in general.
He also said he had more than 1,300 songs recorded… and reiterated that he wanted to put more out. You can see the full interview above.
Top Dawg Entertainment rapper Reason released a new album, Porches, earlier this month, and now he’s celebrating with an appearance on the latest installment of UPROXX Sessions. Standing in front of the classic colorful graffiti wall, he delivered an A-plus rendition of the introspective album highlight “Call Me.”
Porches is Reason’s second album and the follow-up to his 2020 debut, New Beginnings. The project saw Reason seamlessly integrate himself into the contemporary hip-hop landscape as he linked up with featured artists like Schoolboy Q, Vince Staples, Rapsody, and Ab-Soul. His debut LP arrived after a series of independently released mixtapes caught TDE’s attention; He initially released There You Have It on his own in 2017, but TDE reissued the project the next year. Also in 2018, he landed an appearance on Black Panther: The Album, one of the year’s most beloved releases.
Check out Reason’s UPROXX Sessions performance of “Call Me” above.
UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.
Despite once sharing a label home, Del Amo, California rapper Reason is convinced that another rapper is going to be bigger than his former labelmate Kendrick Lamar. Appearing on the podcast New Rory & Mal, Reason predicted that when J. Cole releases his album The Fall Off, he will be “bigger” than Kendrick and explained why.
As the hosts reminisced about Kendrick’s seismic verse from Big Sean’s “Control” in 2013, they noted that the Compton rapper was a bigger name than almost everyone he named, except for Drake. However, when Mal asks if Reason thinks Kendrick is bigger than J. Cole today, Reason has to offer his rationale for saying no.
“I think when The Fall Off drops, the fruits of his labor from being so active will show,” he says, after being careful to note that it was “not ’cause he’s better than [Kendrick]” due to TDE fans being “f*cking crazy.” “They’ve done this for years, though,” he elaborates, miming a set of scales going up and down. “To me, they’ve kinda like — [Kendrick] is bigger at this point, Cole [is bigger at that point]. They’ve kinda done that for a long time.”
He knows just how crazy TDE fans — and staff — can be after a controversial appearance on another show last week, during which he criticized the label for the disjointed rollout of his new album Porches. His comments prompted TDE president Moosa to call in and get into a heated debate about his position on the label, reminding him that Moosa’s predecessor Dave Free hadn’t wanted to sign Reason at all. Reason says that he and Moosa both have things they wish they hadn’t said but that the conversation was necessary.
Meanwhile, hip-hop fans have debated for years whether Kendrick or J. Cole was the bigger artist (after Drake, of course) due to their similar levels of commercial success and parallel rises through the blog era. However, J. Cole himself said around the time his last album, The Off Season was released, “As I’ve gotten older, I realize … no one is truly my peer or can relate to what’s going on in my life better than these people right here — just in terms of whatever pressures there might be … nobody can really relate to that like these dudes, and I really genuinely f*ck with these dudes.”
Check out videos of Reason addressing both questions above.
Carson’s very own REASON, a prominent artist under Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), has unveiled his highly anticipated second album, Porches. Collaborating with a star-studded lineup, including fellow TDE artists Doechii, SiR, Zacari, and Ray Vaughn, alongside KalanFRFR and more, the album paints a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences.
Produced by an impressive roster including Boi-1da, Vinylz, fierce, Hollywood Cole, Coleman, Mike Hector, and DJ Swish, Porches delves into the shared threads that unite all human lives, regardless of their origin. The album ingeniously explores the concept that, while our paths may differ, the emotions that define us remain interconnected. Through a blend of personal narratives and stories from family members’ perspectives, Porches creates a compelling mosaic that resonates deeply with listeners.
Born in the heart of South Central and later relocating to Carson, REASON’s album navigates the unique interplay between these neighborhoods, lending a poignant depth to the project. “Porches” is not just an album; it’s a masterful reflection of the human experience, inviting audiences to explore the common ground that binds us all.
Reason is officially in beast mode, with his second studio album arriving this Friday, August 11. The Porches project is the Carson, California rapper’s third release under Top Dawg Entertainment. It follows 2020’s New Beginnings and the 2018 re-release of his There You Have It mixtape. In promoting his upcoming album, Reason appeared on the BACKONFIGG podcast, discussing his place on TDE and his relationship with his labelmates. He also expressed frustrations with his album’s rollout. Label co-president Moosa called into the livestream, confronting Reason for his comments, resulting in an on-air tiff between the two.
Despite the disagreements between him and his label, Reason assured fans that Porches would be the “best hip hop album of the year.” Throughout his career, he has worked with notable names in hip hop, including many of his TDE contemporaries. As we wait for Reason’s next project to be released this Friday, we are looking at his best collaborations so far. This list contains both Reason’s songs and tracks on which he had a prominent feature. Ranked from least to greatest, here are Reason’s seven hottest collaborations. Take a look at the list below.
7. “LamboTruck” with Cozz & Childish Major (2019)
The TDE and Dreamville labels have hosted incredible talents on their rosters, with fans often comparing the two. On “LamboTruck,” we see Reason and Cozz go back and forth, rapping about being undervalued on their successful labels. They compare themselves and their labelmates, taking things to the extreme by planning a robbery of their bosses. In an exchange of bars that emulates Eminem and Dr. Dre’s “Guilty Conscience,” Reason and Cozz hatch their plan and showcase their chemistry. Additionally, Childish Major’s chorus rounds out this highlight from Dreamville’s Revenge of the Dreamers 3 compilation.
6. “Extinct” feat. Isaiah Rashad and JID (2022)
Another collaboration between members of TDE and Dreamville, Reason features Isaiah Rashad and JID on “Extinct,” a standout track from New Beginnings. The instrumental, which repurposes a sample used by both Westside Gunn and Joey Bada$$, allows the three to exhibit their unique flows. Reason’s deep voice cuts through the beat while JID skips over it, with his high vocal tone complimenting the melody. Isaiah Rashad, who has clearly influenced the two of them, provides his signature wordplay and nonchalant delivery.
5. “I Can Make It” feat. Rapsody (2020)
Many of Reason’s best collaborations are when he links up with members of the TDE and Dreamville camps, but one of his most memorable collaborative moments is “I Can Make It.” The song sees Reason recruiting Rapsody for one of the best songs on his debut album. The two rap about making it in the music industry with different perspectives. Rapsody’s commanding voice and lyrical ability allow her to outshine almost anyone, and she does exactly that on this song. One of the track’s best lyrics is when Rapsody likens her bars to that of a Tommy gun while sneaking in a Peaky Blinders reference. She raps, “I can make you understand the inner workings of a spitter / That let off like Tommy, boy, no Hilfiger, he’ll figure.”
The menacing instrumental on “Pop Sh*t” allows Reason to flex his rapping skills while ScHoolboy Q makes the song his own. The two deliver violent street raps that bring the best out of each other. Reason steps his game up as he raps beside one of the most successful rappers from TDE. ScHoolboy Q is at his most focused since Blank Face LP, spitting mean bars with a touch of humor. The beat works for both of their rap styles and emulates the prime eras of TDE.
3. “Revenge” With Lute, Omen, Ari Lennox, EARTHGANG, & Childish Major (2020)
Reason collaborates with a host of different artists on “Revenge,” a standout moment on the deluxe edition of Dreamville’s 2019 compilation. EARTHGANG, Childish Major, Lute, Omen, and Reason all contribute verses about overcoming obstacles in life. Ari Lennox takes the spotlight without saying a single word on the chorus, just singing a couple of “oohs” and “aye’s.” An introspective song with vulnerable moments, each rapper brings their best effort. Still, Reason closes the song with arguably the best verse.
2. “Still Up” – EARTHGANG feat. Reason (2020)
“Still Up” is another collaboration between EARTHGANG and Reason on the Revenge of the Dreamers 3 deluxe. Over an exciting bass-heavy instrumental, Olu starts the song with a playful chorus before Reason floats over the beat. Weaving between different flows, he spits one of his hardest verses full of clever schemes. WowGr8 comes next, keeping the upbeat energy with a rapid flow. The knocking beat works for both Reason and EARTHGANG, allowing the three to showcase their skills and personalities.
Arguably Reason’s best song to date, he teams up with Ab-Soul on “Flick It Up.” The two had previously collaborated on “Trapped In” and again joined forces on this upbeat banger. Both hailing from Carson, California, Reason has better chemistry with Ab-Soul than anyone else on the TDE label. The song is catchy but full of slick bars from Reason and Ab-Soul. The two switch between flows in their verses, impressing with skillful rhymes and punchlines. Songs like “Flick It Up” showcases Reason’s ability to craft quality songs, which he likely will continue to do on his upcoming album.
