Top Dawg Entertainment

How TDE’s Artists Became Leaders in Hip-Hop

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Top Dawg Entertainment remains a force in the music world. Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers was the Compton rapper’s last album for TDE, signifying an end to a special era in their journey together in the industry. However, TDE still sports artists such as Isaiah Rashad, SZA, Schoolboy Q, and more. The aforementioned artists continue to label’s legacy with SZA’s SOS taking over the R&B world. In addition, we’re still expecting a new project from Schoolboy Q sooner rather than later. Even without the star power of Kendrick Lamar, there’s still a bright future ahead for TDE.

Top Dawg Entertainment’s rise to the top of hip-hop helped further impose the genre’s dominance on a global scale. Sculpted around the edges of Los Angeles, the label was founded by Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith. His vision emphasized the importance of artistic integrity in the hip-hop industry. Before TDE, artistic integrity and commercial success were often managed as mutually exclusive aspects of the music industry. However, hip-hop’s most important independent label changed that with Tiffith’s leadership.

TDE’s Artists Went from Compton to the Worldwide Stage

top dawg and kendrick lamar
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 05: Anthony Tiffith (L) and Kendrick Lamar attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 5, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/GC Images)

Of course, the centerpiece of this initiative was a hungry Compton kid Kendrick Lamar. In reference to TDE, Lamar stated, “It was all ours – an independent deal from the jump. I came in at 16 years old, so it’s all I know. It’s a family type of environment. It’s not just all about making money every day.” The sentiment is a stark contrast to other record labels, who give up on an artist after an underwhelming release. Starting all the way back in 2004, TDE was created with the intention to invest in artists rather than buy them out, a move that would pay its dividends a decade later.

Kendrick Lamar’s success arrived with his debut studio album, Section 80. Riding off of the hype of “A.D.H.D” and “Rigamortus,” Section 80 would launch Lamar into a music-defining decade for hip-hop. From good kid, m.A.A.d city to DAMN., Top Dawg Entertainment expanded beyond the eccentric collection of California rappers to the most in-demand hip-hop label out. In the midst of their meteoric rise, artists such as SZA and Isaiah Rashad landed on TDE’s radar. TDE had gone from audacious aspirations to a worldwide phenomenon.

Kendrick Lamar As TDE’s Main Act

black hippy
AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 13: Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy-Q, Jay Rock and Ab-Soul of Black Hippy attend Fader Fort presented by Converse during SXSW on March 13, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

Of course, it wasn’t just the uber-success of Kendrick Lamar. Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and Schoolboy Q were all doing their thing. From Q’s flamboyant bars on Habits & Contradictions and Oxymoron to Jay Rock’s Follow Me Home and 90059, the label was becoming a consistent factory for the West Coast rap scene. Together, they formed the rap supergroup Black Hippy. With the unlimited amount of time that Tiffith provided the group in the studio, the family-like atmosphere between the members was cultivated.

There was also the underlying drive of desperation that oozed throughout the group’s beginnings. With many of its members still surrounded by the bleak reality of the Los Angeles streets, hip-hop was the only out for Tiffith and his artists. In the same Billboard interview, Lamar expanded on this, stating, “I was too hungry, man. The summer I came over here, everyone was getting murdered and shit. There was a real war with my section and, like, two neighborhoods down the block. Compton is small, so n***as be warring on corners. By the grace of God, we found the studio.”

A New Era Is On The Way for TDE

sza
WASHINGTON, DC – February 27th, 2023 – SZA performs at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. during her SOS Tour. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson / For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

As Top Dawg Entertainment has meandered its way onto the mainstage, the industry politics have seeped into the sense of family that was established in their early days. Ab-Soul and SZA have previously taken to social media to voice their displeasure over their respective projects facing delays. SZA, specifically, threatened retirement after TDE pushed back the release of S.O.S. However, those arguments have always been more like family disagreements than full-on threats to leave the label.

Kendrick Lamar’s public announcement that Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers would be his last album with the label signifies a new era for Top Dawg Entertainment. However, Lamar leaving can be a great thing for both parties. As for Lamar, he entered a new chapter with the launch of pgLang alongside Dave Free. So far, he’s inked artists like Baby Keem and Tanna Leone, who served as the opening acts on The Big Steppers tour. TDE has already positioned itself for post-Kendrick Lamar life, signing newcomers such as Doechii, Reason, and Ray Vaughn. Top Dawg Entertainment’s rise to hip-hop stardom is a stark reminder for other record labels to invest in their artists. Graduating from the Compton era, it’s very possible that the best has yet to come.

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Who Is Doechii? The “Persuasive” Hitmaker

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Doechii is emerging as a superstar in the music scene, especially following the release of her “Persuasive” remix with SZA. She has garnered praise for her unique blend of alternative hip-hop, rock, pop, and rap. The genre-bending rapper self-funded and released her EP, Oh the Places You’ll Go, showing the young artist’s level of faith in her music. Now receiving more recognition for her unique style, she is rising to prominence in the ever-competitive rap game. Here’s what you need to know about the Doechii!

Early Life & Career

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 01: Doechii attends 2023 Billboard Women In Music at YouTube Theater on March 01, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/WireImage,)

Born Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon in Tampa, Florida, Doechii’s love and interest in music came early in life. Raised in a creative and supportive household, Doechii’s mother encouraged her to pursue many creative outlets. This included ballet, tap dancing, acting, and cheerleading. The future star also participated in gymnastics as well. The artist was also on track to attend college for classical choral singing during high school.

During her 11th-grade year, however, Doechii discovered SoundCloud and the D.I.Y. music scene from one of her friends. At this point, Doechii began skipping classes to pursue her new interests in a rap career. During that time, she posted her debut song, “Girls,” under the name IAMDoechii. Years later, she dropped her 2019 project, Coven Music Session, Vol. 1. Afterwards, Doechii faced a stretch of writer’s block, which she would cure by reading Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.

Breakout Success

Doechii would start receiving more recognition from fans, critics, and record labels after the release of her self-funded and released EP, Oh the Places You’ll Go. “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” would be the biggest hit of the EP, going viral on TikTok in 2021. In March 2022, the artist signed deals with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Capitol Records. This gave Doechii the bragging rights of being the very first female rapper to sign with TDE. Labelmates of Doechii include Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and SZA. 

 In the same month, after releasing the hit song “Persuasive,” Doechii would also appear as a featured artist on David Guetta’s “Trampoline,” featuring Afrojack, Missy Elliot, and BIA. Her song, “What It Is (Block Boy),” which features Kodak Black, would also go viral on TikTok. The track samples “Some Cut” and TLC’s “No Scrubs.” The solo version of the track appeared in over 40,000 videos. The song would help Doechii make her Billboard Hot 100 debut, entering at No. 98. The song peaked at No. 11, showing Doechii’s ability to make moves on the chart. 

Style & Influence 

Doechii has cited Nicki Minaj and Lauryn Hill as major influences on her musical style. Her style is often described as “genre-bending,” incorporating traits from multiple genres, including Alternative Hip Hop, Rock, and Pop. Critics and fans have described the artist as being clever and creative. Known for her hybrid rhymes, the clever lines of the artist catch the listener’s attention off the jump. She can often be heard switching from rapping to singing on her tracks, showing versatility in her talent. Not afraid of the subject matter of her music, her songs explore themes of love, spirituality, and the singer’s raw emotions. 

Awards & Nominations

The bold and animated female artist has also received attention from award shows during her budding career. In 2022, Doechii won Best Choreography in a Video at the UK Music Video Awards for her single “Crazy.” The same show also nominated the video for Best Cinematography in a Video and Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Video- International. The same year, Doechii was nominated for Best Dance Performance and Best New Artist at the Soul Train Music Awards. She was also nominated for Push Performance of the Year at the 2022 MTV Music Video Awards. The star won the Rising Star Award this year during the 2023 Billboard Women in Music event. 

What’s Next For Doechii? 

After the success of her singles and EPs, fans anxiously await the versatile artist’s official debut. Earlier this year, TDE revealed that an album from Doechii was on the way. The label plans to release the album shortly after releases by artists Reason and  Rayvaughn. With singles like the hit “Persuasive,” Doechii is ready to prove herself. With fans anticipating her album and critics giving Doechii her flowers, the Tampa-raised artist is prepared to make her impact on the industry!

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Kendrick Lamar Net Worth 2023: How Much Is The Rapper Worth?

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Kendrick Lamar, one of the most respected and influential rappers of his generation, has a huge estimated net worth. In this article, we will explore the various factors that have contributed to Kendrick Lamar’s impressive net worth, including his music career, endorsements, and business ventures.

Kendrick Lamar Net Worth

Lamar has an estimated net worth of $75 million as of 2023, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

The Music Career Of Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar on stage in 2012
AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 16: Kendrick Lamar performs at THE FADER FORT Presented by Converse on March 16, 2012 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)

Kendrick Lamar’s music career began in the early 2000s when he released his first mixtape under the stage name K. Dot. However, it was his 2011 album, Section.80, released under his real name, that gained him widespread recognition. The critically acclaimed album set the stage for his major-label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city, in 2012. The album was a commercial success and solidified Kendrick’s position in the music industry.

Kendrick’s subsequent albums, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) and DAMN. (2017), further solidified his status as a top-tier rapper. Both albums were critically acclaimed, with DAMN. winning the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018, making Kendrick the first non-classical or jazz artist to receive the prestigious award. These successful albums, along with numerous singles, guest appearances, and sold-out tours, have contributed significantly to Kendrick Lamar’s net worth.

Endorsements And Collaborations

Kendrick at Glastonbury
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND – JUNE 26: US rapper and musician Kendrick Lamar headlines on the Pyramid Stage during day five of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2022 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Endorsements and collaborations have also played a crucial role in Kendrick Lamar’s financial success. He has partnered with major brands like Nike, Reebok, and American Express, lending his image and creative talents to their advertising campaigns. These endorsements have not only boosted his public image but also added millions of dollars to his net worth.

Additionally, Kendrick has collaborated with various artists across different genres, such as Taylor Swift, SZA, and Imagine Dragons, showcasing his versatility as an artist and expanding his reach to broader audiences. These collaborations have undoubtedly helped increase his earnings and overall net worth.

Business Ventures And Investments

Kendrick Lamar on stage
HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 02: Recording artist Kendrick Lamar performs on stage during the Coca-Cola Music Mix at the NCAA March Madness Music Festival Day 2 at Discovery Green on April 2, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for Turner)

Like many successful artists, Kendrick Lamar has diversified his income through various business ventures and investments. Most recently, he co-founded the creative agency PGLang, which signed several successful artists like Baby Keem and collaborated with brands like Calvin Klein. The label’s success has not only helped Kendrick’s career but also contributed to his net worth.

Kendrick has also invested in several companies, although the specifics of these investments are not publicly known. However, it is clear that these ventures have played a role in increasing his wealth over the years.

Philanthropy And Community Involvement

Grammy-award winning Kendrick Lamar
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 05: Kendrick Lamar accepts the Best Rap Album award for “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy )

Kendrick Lamar’s net worth is not only a testament to his success in the entertainment industry but also a reflection of his commitment to giving back to his community. He has been actively involved in various philanthropic efforts, particularly in his hometown of Compton, California. Kendrick has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local schools and charities, helping provide resources and opportunities for those in need.

Conclusion/TLDR

Kendrick Lamar’s estimated net worth of $75 million in 2023 is a testament to his success as a rapper, songwriter, and businessman. His impressive music career, endorsements, collaborations, business ventures, and philanthropic efforts have all contributed to his wealth. As Kendrick continues to produce groundbreaking music and engage in various ventures, his net worth is likely to keep growing in the coming years.

Isaiah Rashad Albums, Ranked

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Isaiah Rashad has possibly had one of the most underrated three album runs of any artist of the last decade. The Chattanooga native is signed to Top Dawg Entertainment along with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, and SZA. Rashad’s debut solo album, Cilvia Demo, was released in 2014, followed by his sophomore album, The Sun’s Tirade, in 2016. He went on a five-year hiatus from music before dropping his third album, The House is Burning, in 2021. Let’s examine how these three albums compare within Rashad’s discography.

3. The House is Burning (2021)

Rashad’s most recent album, The House is Burning falls at No. 3 on this list. It’s not because of its pitfalls but because of the strength of Rashad’s previous two albums. The House is Burning’s sound, like all of Rashad’s albums, is true to his Southern upbringing. The album is soulful, melodic, and trap-heavy. Rashad has become a savant when mixing these two elements, and The House is Burning features some of Rashad’s hardest songs to date.

Tracks such as “From the Garden” feat. Lil Uzi Vert and “Lay Wit Ya” feat. Duke Deuce diverges from the more mellow atmosphere of many of Rashad’s previous songs. It shows the Tennessee rapper’s range in different genres of Hip-Hop. Rashad also pays homage to veteran Southern MCs such as Goodie Mob and Three 6 Mafia. He even samples Project Pat’s “Cheese and Dope” on “RIP Young.”

The House is Burning’s pace does slow down within the middle of the project. Songs such as “Claymore” and “All Herb” feat. Amindi are more melodic and contain a sound reminiscent of R&B. However, Rashad ends the project with two of the strongest songs on the album, “THIB” and “HB2U”. The album also features fellow Top Dawg conglomerates SZA and Jay Rock, who have each been featured on Isaiah Rashad albums.

2. Cilvia Demo (2014)

Rashad’s debut album, Cilvia Demo, contains rawness and hunger. He established his signature sound and swagger throughout the record. Prior to Cilvia Demo’s release, many TDE fans were unsure of his placement on the label. He was seen as the odd man out due to his geographic location. In 2014, TDE’s growth in popularity was mainly due to the success of the members of Black Hippy: Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and Ab-Soul. All four artists hailed from Los Angeles, California. However, Rashad proved he belonged amongst the upper echelon of MCs and solidified his place.

Perhaps Rashad’s greatest consecutive six-track run follows the opening song, “Hereditary.” The first half of the album immediately put fans on notice. Rashad demonstrated his expertise in combining smooth flows, atmospheric beats, and Southern aesthetics. This Is heard on “Webbie Flow (U Like),” “Cilvia Demo,” and “R.I.P. Kevin Miller.” TDE newcomer at the time, SZA, appeared on “Ronnie Drake” and “West Savannah.” “West Savannah” is one of the most soulful and atmospheric tracks of Rashad’s entire discography. He references Outkast’s first album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, in the duetted chorus with SZA.

Cilvia Demo is at times rough around the edges, as expected from a debut. Yet, it established Rashad as one of the most compelling voices in Hip-Hop and confirmed his place among the elite.

1. The Sun’s Tirade (2016)

Arguably, Rashad’s best album to date is his 2016 sophomore project, The Sun’s Tirade. During the time of its release, Rashad was struggling with drug addiction and was almost dropped from TDE. Though the album reflects his vices, it does so in an amazingly beautiful and poetic way. The Sun’s Tirade is definitely Rashad’s most lyrically profound album as he examines topics such as race, depression, and addiction.

The ninth track, “Tity and Dolla,” also shows Rashad at his hardest. The song features Hugh Augustine and Jay Rock and feels like a celebration of Southern rap from a previous generation. “Stuck in the Mud” featuring SZA is a seven-minute song that goes into detail about Rashad’s struggles. “Stuck in the Mud” is one of the most poetic songs on the album.

As with Rashad’s other albums, The Sun’s Tirade ends on a high note with “by george (outro)” and “Find a Topic (homies begged)”. Overall, The Sun’s Tirade is Rashad at his best and will arguably go down as a sleeper album turned classic. It is already extremely well-remembered only seven years after its release.

How Doechii’s Debut Coachella Performance Came Together In Two Weeks

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Doechii
Philip Cosores

Doechii has always been a phenomenal performer. After experiencing her pop out at Isaiah Rashad’s The House Is Burning listening in 2021 where I had to ask multiple people “Who is that?,” she dazzled at her own listening where she put on what can only be described as a performance art show for an eye-captivating performance of her song “Crazy,” complete with sticks and electrifying choreography.

@uproxx

who’s been loving Crazy ✋🏾 @iamdoechii #doechii #crazy #newmusic

♬ original sound – UPROXX Music

Three years later, Doechii is impressing at Coachella and this time around I, along with the audience who for some may have been their first introduction to the TDE talent, got to know the rising star a little better. As the sun began to set, she opened up to thousands with not only her music but also some things about herself. Like, she’s from Tampa, Florida and that’s why she’s the Swamp Princess.

I got the blessing to speak to Doechii after her performance to learn even more about her and all the ingredients that came together for her Coachella debut.

“I went to a performing arts high school, so a lot of my background came from just my experience and my training there,” Doechii told Uproxx backstage. “So a lot of that kind of prepared me for Coachella right now. I had a dope high school experience. It was like High School Musical.”

And it makes sense. Everything Doechii does is with precision.

“I was in chorus, and I also did the jazz musical tech,” she added. “I learned how to write music and music theory.”

We also learn that “Crazy” is a song inspired by a few women in the music industry who people labeled as crazy when they were on the rise and a super meaningful.

“It was Missy Elliott, myself, and Nicki Minaj. I think just those women and how they came up in their careers, a lot of people didn’t really believe in them at first. That resonates with me because I feel like that was me in the beginning of my career. I just felt like it was nice to pay homage to them.”

Doechii
Philip Cosores

To prep for Coachella, Doechii and her team developed the concept months ahead and rehearsed for two weeks straight.

“My band and I, and my background dancers, we rehearsed every day for two weeks,” she said. “And we just prepared, worked hard, and that’s how we got the show.”

From her blazing energy to her coordinated outfit with the matching contacts, everything was immaculate about her show. The energy she shared with the audience was majestic and divined with the rhythms of her unreleased track “Pacer” (#droppacer) and a slower song titled “Stress,” to which she offered a short 3-breath meditation session after.

“Sometimes you just feel it in the moment, and you just need to take a breath,” she said. “That’s it. I feel like I do that all the time. Just take a breath. So why not do it on stage?”

As far as “Pacer,” apparently it’s coming but she wouldn’t tell me when (I tried ya’ll).

“I can’t tell you,” she asserted. “We haven’t announced the date yet.”

Of course, I probed about the album, and yet —

“Album? Can’t tell you.”

But, there’s a tour and 2023 is looking like that year.

“It’s going to come out this year for sure. It’s almost done. So it’s definitely going to come out this year. I’m just not going to release the date,” she reiterated to me. “Look forward to the album, look forward to a tour this year, and I’ll actually be on Pharrell’s festival (Something In The Water).”

On “Stress,” we get to experience Doechii’s vocal abilities, and on her latest single “What It Is (Block Boy),” which is quite different from what we’re used to getting from her and serves as a digestible tidbit for those who have yet to catch on yet. The crowd went up for this one and so did I.

“I just thought it would be a really nice summer anthem to put out,” she said. “It’s something universally known. A lot of people know it. So that’s really how the song came about. It was just fun and upbeat, and I thought it would be a great song to perform.”

But, that was just for fun. Doechii is a rapper, period. Expect her to do what she wants musically, but always expect her to rap.

“I don’t know if we’re going to get more of that particular sound,” she told me of “What It Is.” “I just wanted to try it, vibe out. But after that, we’re back to rapping.”

As someone who admittedly didn’t get it at first, but am naturally intrigued by anything outside the box, I do know Doechii will never leave me (or the audience) empty-handed when she hits the stage. For Coachella, her intentions were clear.

“My intention for myself is to just release,” she told me. “But ultimately, I believe that when people come to events like this, they’re coming because they need something. They’re looking for something. You don’t know who’s in the crowd or what they’re going through. So whatever they’re looking for, that feeling of love and connection is what I want to leave them with.”

Reason Is “At It Again” On his New Single

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Though Kendrick Lamar is gone, the future of TDE is still looking bright. 2022 was a magnificent year for the label, which saw the release of two albums from its biggest artists. Still, fans want more from Top Dawg Entertainment, especially the signees who joined the roster over the past five years. Reason, for example, has left fans begging for a follow-up to 2020’s New Beginnings. Though he hasn’t announced a project yet, he’s certainly setting the tone for what to expect with his latest offering.

This morning, Reason returned with a celebratory anthem titled, “At It Again.” With production handled by COLEMAN, Motif Alumni, and Tariq, the Carson-born MC brings high energy to match the triumphant production. As the victorious horn-like synths and bright piano chords emerge, Reason comes through with infectious quotables as he combats his haters and basks in the glory. “Top Dawg, check the creditin’, so much money, it feel like we embezzlin’,” he raps on the record.

Reason Begins A New Chapter

The release of Reason’s new single is a strong signt hat his album is on the way. Earlier this week, Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith hosted a brief Q&A on Twitter where he shared some promising signs of what to expect from the label. He confirmed Reason would be dropping this year, along with ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and other members of TDE. “Reason , rayvaughn , doechii , Q , jay rock , zac and a compilation .. if everybody do their part …  when they turn them in I will release em,” he said.

At this point, Reason could be the first from the roster to slide through in 2023. Though “At It Again” marks his first official release of the year, he recently debuted “Dawg Forgotten” on Instagram at the top of the month. Meanwhile, he also contributed to Dreamville’s Creed III soundtrack, for “Burn Bridges” ft. Lute Cozz and Arin Ray, and “Culture” ft Mez, Symba & 8AE. We’ll keep you posted on anymore updates from Reason. Check out his new single above. 

Quotable Lyrics
Phone calls, I got SZA my cellular
Moms good, pops good, that’s a level up
Why you ain’t winning? ‘Cause you ain’t good enough
My success is a big lesson, you bitch
Wild n***a, I been reckless, bitch
Coming straight for your necklace, bitch

Top Dawg Gives Update on Potential 2023 TDE Releases, Says Black Hippy Owes Fans Music

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TDE Top Dawg Entertainment to Release New Albums in

The Black Hippy watch is back on. After hope for a group project from Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, and Jay Rock seemed to dwindle, TDE CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith seemed to throw gas on the group collaborating again.

Responding to a fan, Top answers a request about a future Black Hippy remix, stating, “I think they we will….. they owe y’all an album or Ep ..”

Replying to a message about giving hope. Top answered, “I hope for shit everyday.”

Top would also reveal that much of the roster from Reason to Doechii to Jay Rock are working on their albums. You can see the updates below.

The post Top Dawg Gives Update on Potential 2023 TDE Releases, Says Black Hippy Owes Fans Music appeared first on The Source.