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| founder = Anthony Tiffith
| founder = Anthony Tiffith
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hip Hop music|Hip hop]]|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[progressive rap]]}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hip Hop music|Hip hop]]|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[progressive rap]]}}
| distributor = [[Universal Music Group]]
[[Sony Music]]
| country = United States
| country = United States
| location = [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| location = [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| website = {{URL|txdxe.com/}}
| website = {{URL|txdxe.com/}}
}}
}}
'''Top Dawg Entertainment''' ('''TDE''') is an American [[independent record label]]. Specializing in [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] artists, TDE is based in [[Carson, California]]. The label was founded in 2004 by record producer Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, who also serves as the [[chief executive officer]]. His son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr., and [[Punch (rapper)|Terrence "Punch" Henderson]] are the [[President (corporate title)|presidents]] of the label.
'''Top Dawg Entertainment''' ('''TDE''') is an American [[independent record label]]. Specializing in [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] artists, TDE is based in [[Carson, California]]. The label was founded in 2004 by record producer Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, who is the [[chief executive officer]]. His son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr., and [[Punch (rapper)|Terrence "Punch" Henderson]] are the [[President (corporate title)|presidents]] of the label.


TDE concentrates on artist management, publishing and merchandising, and have worked with the "[[Record label#3|Big Three]]" record companies ([[Universal Music Group]], [[Warner Music Group]], and [[Sony Music|Sony Music Entertainment]]) for distribution ventures. The label also oversees subsidiaries such as TDE Films, their film production company. There are currently eleven artists signed to TDE; flagship artists include [[SZA]], [[Jay Rock]], [[Ab-Soul]] and [[Schoolboy Q]]. The label also houses a record production division that includes [[Digi+Phonics]] and [[Derek Ali|Derek "MixedByAli" Ali]]. [[Kendrick Lamar]], who is a [[Minority interest|minority shareholder]], was one of TDE's first clients.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ducker|first=Eric|date=July 23, 2014|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2014/07/23/334492009/a-rational-conversation-the-sound-of-tdes-success|title=A Rational Conversation: The Sound Of TDE's Success|website=[[NPR Music]]|access-date=July 16, 2021}}</ref>
TDE concentrates on artist management, publishing and merchandising, and have worked with the "[[Record label#3|Big Three]]" record companies ([[Universal Music Group]], [[Warner Music Group]], and [[Sony Music|Sony Music Entertainment]]) for distribution ventures. The label also oversees subsidiaries such as TDE Films and their sports agency. The label is most notable for being the label that represented [[Kendrick Lamar]], who was signed from 2005-2022, as he rose to stardom. There are currently eleven artists signed to TDE; flagship artists include [[SZA]], [[Jay Rock]], [[Ab-Soul]] and [[Schoolboy Q]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Ducker|first=Eric|date=July 23, 2014|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2014/07/23/334492009/a-rational-conversation-the-sound-of-tdes-success|title=A Rational Conversation: The Sound Of TDE's Success|website=[[NPR Music]]|access-date=July 16, 2021}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
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Top Dawg Entertainment was founded in 2004 by Anthony Tiffith, a record producer who previously worked with rappers [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]] and [[Juvenile (rapper)|Juvenile]], among others. After his uncle found success as a manager for singer [[Rome (R&B singer)|Rome]], whose single "[[I Belong to You (Every Time I See Your Face)]]" was a major hit, Tiffith began scouting local talent as an escape from the street life of his [[Watts, Los Angeles|Watts]] neighborhood.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Diehl |first=Matt |date=2014-02-28 |title=Top Dawg’s Kendrick Lamar & ScHoolboy Q Cover Story: Enter the House of Pain |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/top-dawg-entertainment-cover-story-kendrick-lamar-schoolboy-q-anthony-tiffith/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> He built a recording studio, dubbed the "House of Pain", and established the record label based on his nickname, Top Dawg.<ref name=":0" /> TDE's first signing was [[Jay Rock]], who joined the label in 2005.<ref name=":0" /> He later signed [[joint venture]] contracts with [[Warner Records|Warner Bros. Records]] and [[Asylum Records]], but left after the labels failed to distribute his debut studio album ''[[Follow Me Home (album)|Follow Me Home]]'' (2011) properly.<ref>{{cite web|author=Rello says |url=http://hiphopmoneymagazine.com/top-dawg-entertainment-making-its-mark-tde/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203023434/http://hiphopmoneymagazine.com/top-dawg-entertainment-making-its-mark-tde/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |title=Top Dawg Entertainment Making {{sic|It's|nolink=y}} Mark……..TDE |magazine=Hiphopmoneymagazine.com |access-date=June 7, 2014}}</ref>


=== 2004–2007: Foundation ===
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In 2007, TDE signed [[Kendrick Lamar]] and [[Ab-Soul]].<ref name="hiphopdx1">{{Cite web |date=2011-01-06 |title=Kendrick Lamar: The West Coast Got Somethin' To Say |url=https://hiphopdx.com/interviews/id.1641/title.kendrick-lamar-the-west-coast-got-somethin-to-say |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref><ref name="complex3">{{cite web|author= Ahmed, Insanu |title=Who Is Ab-Soul? – Joining TDE|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/07/who-is-ab-soul/joining-tde| work =[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=July 10, 2012|access-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref> Lamar had been affiliated with the label since 2005, while Ab-Soul began working with them in 2006.<ref name="hiphopdx1" /><ref name="complex3" /> Rapper [[Punch (rapper)|Terrence "Punch" Henderson]] and record producer [[Dave Free]] assumed the role as [[President (corporate title)|presidents]] of TDE.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-24 |title=More Levels, The Brains Behind Top Dawg Entertainment [September 2012 Story] |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/tde-sidebar-kendrick-coverage/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=XXL |language=en}}</ref> The label released their first compilation mixtape, ''Do It Nigga Squad, Volume 1'', in May 2008, which featured appearances from [[Lil Wayne]] and [[will.i.am]].<ref name="dins">{{cite web|url=http://www.datpiff.com/Jay-Rock-Do-It-Nigga-Sq&shy;-mixtape.14554.html|title=Top Dawg Ent. – Do It Nigga Squad // Free Mixtape|work=[[DatPiff]]|publisher=Idle Media Inc|date=2008-05-08|access-date=2013-08-30}}</ref> [[Schoolboy Q]], who had been affiliated with the label since 2006, signed with TDE in 2009. Before signing, the four rappers created the hip hop supergroup [[Black Hippy]].<ref name="complex1">{{cite web|last=Ahmed|first=Insanu|title=Who Is Schoolboy Q? - Joining Top Dawg Entertainment|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/02/who-is-schoolboy-q#6|publisher=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=February 3, 2012|access-date=February 6, 2012}}</ref><ref name="complex2">{{cite web|last=Ahmed|first=Insanu|title=Who Is Schoolboy Q? - His group, Black Hippy|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/02/who-is-schoolboy-q#7|publisher=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=February 3, 2012|access-date=February 6, 2012}}</ref> In March 2012, ''[[The Fader]]'' reported that TDE closed a joint venture deal with [[Aftermath Entertainment]] and [[Interscope Records]]. Under the agreement, Lamar signed to Aftermath and Interscope, while Schoolboy Q joined Interscope.<ref name="MTV">{{cite web |last=Alexis |first=Nadeska |date=March 8, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar, Black Hippy Ink Deals With Interscope And Aftermath |url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/03/08/kendrick-lamar-signs-with-interscope-aftermath/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908123927/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/03/08/kendrick-lamar-signs-with-interscope-aftermath/ |archive-date=September 8, 2015 |access-date=March 8, 2012 |website=MTV |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/tdes-punch-next-moves-signing-sza-rough-ryders-xxl-cover-story/ |title=TDE's Punch On Next Moves, Signing SZA And The Rough Ryders |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=2013-10-24 |access-date=2014-06-07}}</ref> TDE partnered with [[BET]] for their Music Matters Tour in July,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isenberg |first=Daniel |date=October 11, 2012 |title=Watch TDE's Latest BET Music Matters Tour Vlog |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/daniel-isenberg/watch-tdes-latest-bet-music-matters-tour-vlog |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref> and held its first "appreciation week" for their fans in August.<ref>{{cite web|author=#TDEFamAppreciationWeek |url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2012/08/19/tdefamappreciationweek/ |title=#TDEFamAppreciationWeek |publisher=2DOPEBOYZ |date=2012-08-19 |access-date=2014-06-07}}</ref> Lamar's second studio album, ''[[Good Kid, M.A.A.D City]]'' (2012), debuted at number two on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart and earned the highest first-week sales of the year by a male rapper.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=2012-10-31 |title=Kendrick Lamar Debuts at No. 2 as Taylor Swift’s ‘Red’ Tops Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-debuts-at-no-2-as-taylor-swifts-red-tops-billboard-200-474396/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> It earned seven nominations at the [[56th Annual Grammy Awards]], including for [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]] and [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-01-27 |title=56th Annual Grammy Awards: Full Winners List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/56th-annual-grammy-awards-full-winners-list-5885361/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> and later became the first hip hop studio album to spend ten consecutive years on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahadevan |first=Tara C. |date=2022-10-21 |title=Kendrick Lamar's ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City’ Spends 10 Successive Years on Billboard 200 Chart |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/kendrick-good-kid-maad-city-first-hip-hop-album-10-years-billboard-200 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref>
⚫
Top Dawg Entertainment was founded in 2004 by Anthony Tiffith, a record producer who previously worked with rappers [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]] and [[Juvenile (rapper)|Juvenile]], among others. After his uncle found success as a manager for singer [[Rome (R&B singer)|Rome]], whose single "[[I Belong to You (Every Time I See Your Face)]]" was a major hit, Tiffith began scouting local talent as an escape from the street life of his [[Watts, Los Angeles|Watts]] neighborhood.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Diehl |first=Matt |date=2014-02-28 |title=Top Dawg's Kendrick Lamar & ScHoolboy Q Cover Story: Enter the House of Pain |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/top-dawg-entertainment-cover-story-kendrick-lamar-schoolboy-q-anthony-tiffith/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> He built a recording studio, dubbed it "House of Pain", and established the record label based on his nickname, Top Dawg.<ref name=":0" /> TDE's first signing was [[Jay Rock]], who joined the label in 2005.<ref name=":0" /> Two weeks after his acquisition, [[Kendrick Lamar]] was signed to the label.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hopper |first=Jessica |date=October 9, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar: Not Your Average Everyday Rap Savior |url=https://www.spin.com/2012/10/kendrick-lamar-not-your-average-everyday-rap-savior/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193143/https://www.spin.com/2012/10/kendrick-lamar-not-your-average-everyday-rap-savior/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=September 30, 2023 |website=Spin}}</ref><ref name="hiphopdx1">{{Cite web |date=2011-01-06 |title=Kendrick Lamar: The West Coast Got Somethin' To Say |url=https://hiphopdx.com/interviews/id.1641/title.kendrick-lamar-the-west-coast-got-somethin-to-say |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref> In 2007, TDE signed [[Ab-Soul]],<ref name="complex3">{{cite web|author= Ahmed, Insanu |title=Who Is Ab-Soul? – Joining TDE|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/07/who-is-ab-soul/joining-tde| work =[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=July 10, 2012|access-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref> while rapper [[Punch (rapper)|Terrence "Punch" Henderson]] and record producer [[Dave Free]] assumed the role as [[President (corporate title)|presidents]] of the label.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-24 |title=More Levels, The Brains Behind Top Dawg Entertainment [September 2012 Story] |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/tde-sidebar-kendrick-coverage/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=XXL |language=en}}</ref> Jay Rock signed [[joint venture]] contracts with [[Warner Records|Warner Bros. Records]] and [[Asylum Records]], but left after the labels failed to properly distribute his debut album ''[[Follow Me Home (album)|Follow Me Home]]'' (2011).<ref>{{cite web|author=Rello says |url=http://hiphopmoneymagazine.com/top-dawg-entertainment-making-its-mark-tde/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203023434/http://hiphopmoneymagazine.com/top-dawg-entertainment-making-its-mark-tde/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |title=Top Dawg Entertainment Making {{sic|It's|nolink=y}} Mark……..TDE |magazine=Hiphopmoneymagazine.com |access-date=June 7, 2014}}</ref>


=== 2008–2013: Joint ventures and breakthrough ===
On August 15, 2013, singer-songwriter [[SZA]] signed with TDE, becoming the first female artist to join the label.<ref name="thesource.com">{{cite web |date=2013-08-14 |title=Presenting TDE's New Songstress. Listen To SZA's New Song, "Teen Spirit" |url=http://thesource.com/2013/08/14/presenting-tdes-new-songstress-listen-to-szas-new-song-teen-spirit/ |access-date=2014-06-07 |website=TheSource |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Britton |first=Luke Morgan |date=2013-08-15 |title=SZA signs to Kendrick Lamar’s Top Dawg Entertainment label |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/sza-signs-to-kendrick-lamars-top-dawg-entertainment-label-134926 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}</ref> The label announced the signing of rapper [[Isaiah Rashad]] on September 20,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2013-09-21 |title=Top Dawg Introduces New Signee, Isaiah Rashad |url=https://thesource.com/2013/09/21/top-dawg-introduces-new-signee-isaiah-rashad/,%20https://thesource.com/2013/09/21/top-dawg-introduces-new-signee-isaiah-rashad/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=The Source |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Udoko |first=Itoro |date=2013-09-23 |title=Numbah 4,080: Isaiah Rashad Signs to Top Dawg Entertainment, Drops New Single and Video |url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/numbah-4-080-isaiah-rashad-signs-to-top-dawg-entertainment-drops-new-single-and-video/article_daea21d2-0457-562c-b810-b45e1d2cabd1.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Nashville Scene |language=en}}</ref> after publications reported on his acquisition in June.<ref name="rashadsigning">{{cite web |last=Paine |first=Jake |date=2013-06-03 |title=TDE Reportedly Signs Chattanooga, Tennessee Rapper Isaiah Rashad |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24176/title.tde-reportedly-signs-chattanooga-tennessee-rapper-isaiah-rashad |access-date=2014-06-07 |website=HipHopDX}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Josephs |first=Brian |date=2013-06-02 |title=Kendrick Lamar Confirms There's a New Artist Joining TDE |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/06/kendrick-lamar-confirms-theres-a-new-artist-joining-tde |access-date=2014-06-07 |website=Complex}}</ref> Lamar, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Rashad were featured in a TDE cypher at the [[2013 BET Hip Hop Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Keith Nelson Jr (@JusAire) |url=http://allhiphop.com/2013/10/15/kendrick-lamar-responds-to-rivals-in-tdes-bet-hip-hop-awards-cypher-video/ |title=Kendrick Lamar Responds To Rivals In TDE's BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher (VIDEO) |publisher=AllHipHop.com |date=2013-10-15 |access-date=2014-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hughes |first=Josiah |url=http://exclaim.ca/News/watch_kendrick_lamar_rick_ross_future_french_montana_more_perform_at_bet_hip-hop_awards |title=Watch Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, Future, French Montana and More Perform at the BET Hip-Hop Awards • News • |publisher=Exclaim.ca |date=2013-10-15 |access-date=2014-06-07}}</ref> ''[[To Pimp a Butterfly]]'' (2015), Lamar's third album, became TDE's first project to debut atop the ''Billboard'' 200 and set [[Spotify]]'s global first-day streaming record (9.6 million).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=2015-03-25 |title=Kendrick Lamar Earns His First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-earns-first-no-1-album-billboard-200/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Linshi |first=Jack |date=2015-03-18 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp a Butterfly' Sets First-Day Streaming Record on Spotify |url=https://time.com/3748443/kendrick-lamar-spotify/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Time |language=en}}</ref> It won five awards at the [[58th Annual Grammy Awards]], including Best Rap Album.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bixby |first=Scott |date=2016-02-16 |title=Kendrick Lamar galvanizes Grammys with politically charged performance |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/15/kendrick-lamar-grammys-2016-awards-political-performance-blacker-berry |access-date=2023-08-10 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> TDE previewed releases from the roster on February 29, 2016, and hinted at signing new artists.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fleischer |first=Adam |date=March 1, 2016 |title=Top Dawg Entertainment Previews 2016 Releases For Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, And The Rest Of The Label |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2747619/tde-2016-album-release-schedule-kendrick-lamar-schoolboy-q-black-hippy/ |access-date=July 1, 2016 |website=[[MTV]]}}</ref> Singer and rapper [[Lance Skiiiwalker]] signed to the label on May 20.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Victoria |date=2016-05-20 |title=TDE Announces Signing Of Lance Skiiiwalker |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.38900/title.tde-announces-signing-of-lance-skiiiwalker |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref> On January 19, 2017, TDE announced the signing of singer [[Sir (singer)|SiR]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Bundy |first=Will |date=January 19, 2017 |title=TDE Announces SiR As Latest Signing |url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/01/19/tde-announces-sir-signing-john-doe-ws-boi |access-date=January 19, 2017 |website=The Fader}}</ref> Lamar's fourth album, ''[[Damn (Kendrick Lamar album)|Damn]]'', spent four nonconsecutive weeks atop the ''Billboard'' 200 and yielded TDE's first number-one single on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], "[[Humble (song)|Humble]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=2017-04-23 |title=Kendrick Lamar Earns Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With Biggest Debut of 2017 |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-damn-no-1-album-billboard-200/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Trace William |date=2017-04-27 |title=Kendrick Lamar's "Humble" Takes the Top Spot on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/kendrick-lamar-humble-number-1-billboard-hot-100 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref> SZA signed a joint recording contract with [[RCA Records]] on April 28,<ref>{{cite web |last=Cinnsealach |first=Somhairle |date=April 28, 2017 |title=SZA Signs To RCA Records |url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.43223/title.sza-signs-to-rca-records |access-date=April 28, 2017 |work=HipHopDX}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Danny |date=April 28, 2017 |title=SZA Announces Deal With RCA |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/sza-announces-deal-with-rca-news.31792.html |access-date=April 28, 2017 |website=HNHH}}</ref> and her debut studio album, ''[[Ctrl (SZA album)|Ctrl]]'', debuted at number three on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eustice |first=Kyle |date=2017-06-19 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: SZA's "CTRL" Debuts On Billboard 200 |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.43827/title.hip-hop-album-sales-szas-ctrl-debuts-on-billboard-200 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref>
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The label released their first compilation mixtape, ''Do It Nigga Squad, Volume 1'', in May 2008, which featured appearances from [[Lil Wayne]] and [[will.i.am]].<ref name="dins">{{cite web|url=http://www.datpiff.com/Jay-Rock-Do-It-Nigga-Sq%C2%AD-mixtape.14554.html|title=Top Dawg Ent. – Do It Nigga Squad // Free Mixtape|work=[[DatPiff]]|publisher=Idle Media Inc|date=2008-05-08|access-date=2013-08-30|archive-date=February 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226204027/http://www.datpiff.com/Jay-Rock-Do-It-Nigga-Sq%C2%AD-mixtape.14554.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Schoolboy Q]], who had been affiliated with the label since 2006, signed with TDE in 2009. Before signing, the four rappers created the hip hop supergroup [[Black Hippy]].<ref name="complex1">{{cite web|last=Ahmed|first=Insanu|title=Who Is Schoolboy Q? - Joining Top Dawg Entertainment|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/02/who-is-schoolboy-q#6|publisher=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=February 3, 2012|access-date=February 6, 2012}}</ref><ref name="complex2">{{cite web|last=Ahmed|first=Insanu|title=Who Is Schoolboy Q? – His group, Black Hippy|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/02/who-is-schoolboy-q#7|publisher=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=February 3, 2012|access-date=February 6, 2012}}</ref> In March 2012, ''[[The Fader]]'' reported that TDE closed a joint venture deal with [[Aftermath Entertainment]] and [[Interscope Records]]. Under the agreement, Lamar signed to Aftermath and Interscope, while Schoolboy Q joined Interscope.<ref name="MTV">{{cite web |last=Alexis |first=Nadeska |date=March 8, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar, Black Hippy Ink Deals With Interscope And Aftermath |url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/03/08/kendrick-lamar-signs-with-interscope-aftermath/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908123927/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/03/08/kendrick-lamar-signs-with-interscope-aftermath/ |archive-date=September 8, 2015 |access-date=March 8, 2012 |website=MTV |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/tdes-punch-next-moves-signing-sza-rough-ryders-xxl-cover-story/ |title=TDE's Punch On Next Moves, Signing SZA And The Rough Ryders |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=2013-10-24 |access-date=2014-06-07}}</ref> TDE partnered with [[BET]] for their Music Matters Tour in July,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isenberg |first=Daniel |date=October 11, 2012 |title=Watch TDE's Latest BET Music Matters Tour Vlog |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/daniel-isenberg/watch-tdes-latest-bet-music-matters-tour-vlog |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref> and held its first "appreciation week" for their fans in August.<ref>{{cite web|author=#TDEFamAppreciationWeek |url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2012/08/19/tdefamappreciationweek/ |title=#TDEFamAppreciationWeek |publisher=2DOPEBOYZ |date=2012-08-19 |access-date=2014-06-07}}</ref>


At the [[60th Annual Grammy Awards]] (January 2018), ''Damn'' won five awards, including for Best Rap Album. ''Ctrl'' received four nominations at the ceremony, including for [[Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album|Best Urban Contemporary Album]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Renshaw |first=David |date=2017-11-26 |title=SZA is the most nominated woman artist at the 2018 Grammy Awards |url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/11/28/sza-grammy-awards-nominations |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=The FADER |language=en}}</ref> TDE announced their first full-label tour, [[The Championship Tour]], on January 22, which ran from May to June.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamarre |first=Carl |date=2018-01-22 |title=Kendrick Lamar & SZA to Headline TDE’s The Championship Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-tour-sza-tde-artists-championship-tour-dates-8095323/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wicks |first=Amanda |date=April 17, 2018 |title=Watch Kendrick, SZA, More Play Sports and Train for TDE Championship Tour |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-kendrick-sza-more-play-sports-and-train-for-tde-championship-tour/ |access-date=April 17, 2018 |website=Pitchfork}}</ref> On February 9, TDE released ''[[Black Panther (soundtrack)|Black Panther: The Album]]'', the soundtrack album for the [[Marvel Studios]] superhero film ''[[Black Panther (film)|Black Panther]]''. It was curated and executive produced by Lamar and Tiffith.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tiffany|first1=Kaitlyn|title=Kendrick Lamar produced the soundtrack for Black Panther|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/4/16849056/kendrick-lamar-all-the-stars-black-panther-soundtrack-marvel-sza|website=[[The Verge]]|access-date=January 4, 2018|date=January 4, 2018}}</ref> Rapper [[Reason (American rapper)|Reason]] joined the label on August 8.<ref>{{cite web |last=Berry |first=Peter A. |date=August 6, 2018 |title=California Rapper Reason Signs to Top Dawg Entertainment |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/08/california-rapper-reason-signs-top-dawg-entertainment/ |access-date=August 8, 2018 |website=XXL}}</ref> On January 25, 2019, TDE announced the signing of singer [[Zacari]], who has been affiliated with the label since 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last=CH |first=Daniel |date=January 25, 2019 |title=TDE Officially Adds Zacari To Its Loaded Roster |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/tde-officially-adds-zacari-to-its-loaded-roster-news.70372.html |access-date=25 January 2019 |website=HotNewHipHop}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' reported that Dave Free left the label in October; his position as co-president was later succeeded by Tiffith's son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Leight |first=Elias |title=Dave Free Leaves Top Dawg Entertainment |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/top-dawg-entertainment-dave-free-split-894781/ |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=October 4, 2019 |accessdate=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126034804/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/top-dawg-entertainment-dave-free-split-894781/ |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> After rumors emerged of his departure in 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mamo |first=Heran |date=2020-10-06 |title=Kendrick Lamar Responds to Rumors He Left Top Dawg Entertainment |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-responds-rumors-he-left-top-dawg-entertainment-9461144/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> Lamar confirmed that he was producing his [[Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers|final album under TDE]] on August 20, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=Yoo |first=Noah |title=Kendrick Lamar Says He's Producing His "Final TDE Album" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-says-hes-producing-his-final-tde-album/ |website=Pitchfork|date=August 20, 2021 |accessdate=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126034452/https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-says-hes-producing-his-final-tde-album/ |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Five days later, the label announced the signing of rapper Ray Vaughn, who began working with them in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last=Price |first=Joe |title=Ray Vaughn Signs to TDE, Drops 3-Song EP 'Peer Pressure' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/ray-vaughn-signs-to-tde-ep-peer-pressure |website=Complex |date=August 25, 2021 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126035025/https://www.complex.com/music/ray-vaughn-signs-to-tde-ep-peer-pressure |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, TDE partnered with [[Capitol Records]] and signed rapper and singer [[Doechii]]. She is the first female rapper to join the label.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aderoju |first=Darlene |date=2022-03-31 |title=Doechii Signs With Capitol Records: ‘My Music Starts Right Here’ |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/top-dawg-entertainment-artist-doechii-signs-with-capitol-records/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abraham |first=Mya |date=2022-03-31 |title=TDE’s First Female Rapper, Doechii, Signs Joint Deal With Capitol Records |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/tde-capitol-signs-doechii-1234654747/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
Lamar's second studio album, ''[[Good Kid, M.A.A.D City]]'' (2012), debuted at number two on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart and earned the highest first-week sales of the year by a male rapper.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=2012-10-31 |title=Kendrick Lamar Debuts at No. 2 as Taylor Swift's 'Red' Tops Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-debuts-at-no-2-as-taylor-swifts-red-tops-billboard-200-474396/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> It later became the first hip hop studio album to spend ten consecutive years on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahadevan |first=Tara C. |date=2022-10-21 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City' Spends 10 Successive Years on Billboard 200 Chart |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/kendrick-good-kid-maad-city-first-hip-hop-album-10-years-billboard-200 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref> On August 15, 2013, singer-songwriter [[SZA]] signed with TDE, becoming the first female artist to join the label.<ref name="thesource.com">{{cite web |date=2013-08-14 |title=Presenting TDE's New Songstress. Listen To SZA's New Song, "Teen Spirit" |url=http://thesource.com/2013/08/14/presenting-tdes-new-songstress-listen-to-szas-new-song-teen-spirit/ |access-date=2014-06-07 |website=TheSource |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Britton |first=Luke Morgan |date=2013-08-15 |title=SZA signs to Kendrick Lamar's Top Dawg Entertainment label |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/sza-signs-to-kendrick-lamars-top-dawg-entertainment-label-134926 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}</ref> The label announced the signing of rapper [[Isaiah Rashad]] on September 20,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2013-09-21 |title=Top Dawg Introduces New Signee, Isaiah Rashad |url=https://thesource.com/2013/09/21/top-dawg-introduces-new-signee-isaiah-rashad/,%20https://thesource.com/2013/09/21/top-dawg-introduces-new-signee-isaiah-rashad/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=The Source |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Udoko |first=Itoro |date=2013-09-23 |title=Numbah 4,080: Isaiah Rashad Signs to Top Dawg Entertainment, Drops New Single and Video |url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/numbah-4-080-isaiah-rashad-signs-to-top-dawg-entertainment-drops-new-single-and-video/article_daea21d2-0457-562c-b810-b45e1d2cabd1.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Nashville Scene |language=en}}</ref> after publications reported on his acquisition in June.<ref name="rashadsigning">{{cite web |last=Paine |first=Jake |date=2013-06-03 |title=TDE Reportedly Signs Chattanooga, Tennessee Rapper Isaiah Rashad |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24176/title.tde-reportedly-signs-chattanooga-tennessee-rapper-isaiah-rashad |access-date=2014-06-07 |website=HipHopDX}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Josephs |first=Brian |date=2013-06-02 |title=Kendrick Lamar Confirms There's a New Artist Joining TDE |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/06/kendrick-lamar-confirms-theres-a-new-artist-joining-tde |access-date=2014-06-07 |website=Complex}}</ref> Lamar, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Rashad were featured in a TDE cypher at the [[2013 BET Hip Hop Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Keith Nelson Jr (@JusAire) |url=http://allhiphop.com/2013/10/15/kendrick-lamar-responds-to-rivals-in-tdes-bet-hip-hop-awards-cypher-video/ |title=Kendrick Lamar Responds To Rivals In TDE's BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher (VIDEO) |publisher=AllHipHop.com |date=2013-10-15 |access-date=2014-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hughes |first=Josiah |url=http://exclaim.ca/News/watch_kendrick_lamar_rick_ross_future_french_montana_more_perform_at_bet_hip-hop_awards |title=Watch Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, Future, French Montana and More Perform at the BET Hip-Hop Awards • News • |publisher=Exclaim.ca |date=2013-10-15 |access-date=2014-06-07}}</ref>


=== 2014–2017: Signings and recognition ===
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=== Spotify criticisms ===
At the [[56th Annual Grammy Awards]] (January 2014), ''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City'' earned seven nominations, including for [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]] and [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2014-01-27 |title=56th Annual Grammy Awards: Full Winners List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/56th-annual-grammy-awards-full-winners-list-5885361/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> Tiffith announced that TDE would be releasing six projects in 2014, beginning with Rashad's debut album ''[[Cilvia Demo]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=VIBE |date=2013-12-23 |title=Top Dawg Entertainment To Drop 6 Albums From Entire Roster In 2014? |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/top-dawg-entertainment-drop-6-albums-entire-roster-2014-199299/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Schoolboy Q released his third album ''[[Oxymoron (Schoolboy Q album)|Oxymoron]]'' on February 25, while SZA released her third extended play ''[[Z (EP)|Z]]'' on April 8.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Randall |date=2014-02-24 |title=Schoolboy Q's new album, 'Oxymoron,' lives up to hip-hop buzz |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2014-feb-24-la-et-ms-schoolboy-q-oxymoron-review-20140225-story.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ugwu |first=Reggie |date=2014-04-07 |title=SZA Talks 'Z' Album & Being the Only Girl In Top Dawg Entertainment |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/sza-talks-z-album-being-the-only-girl-in-top-dawg-entertainment-6041313/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Oxymoron'' earned the biggest first-week streams of 2014 on [[Spotify]] (3.3 million).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Soren |date=2014-03-07 |title=ScHoolboy Q's "Oxymoron" Has 2014's Biggest First-Week Spotify Stream |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.26858/title.schoolboy-qs-oxymoron-has-2014s-biggest-first-week-spotify-stream |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref> Ab-Soul released his third album, ''[[These Days... (album)|These Days...]]'', on June 24.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thurm |first=Eric |date=2014-06-24 |title=Ab-Soul loses control on These Days… |url=https://www.avclub.com/ab-soul-loses-control-on-these-days-1798180757 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en}}</ref> ''[[To Pimp a Butterfly]]'' (2015), Lamar's third album, became TDE's first project to debut atop the ''Billboard'' 200 and set Spotify's global first-day streaming record (9.6 million).<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=2015-03-25 |title=Kendrick Lamar Earns His First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-earns-first-no-1-album-billboard-200/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Linshi |first=Jack |date=2015-03-18 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp a Butterfly' Sets First-Day Streaming Record on Spotify |url=https://time.com/3748443/kendrick-lamar-spotify/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Time |language=en}}</ref> It won five awards at the [[58th Annual Grammy Awards]], including Best Rap Album.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bixby |first=Scott |date=2016-02-16 |title=Kendrick Lamar galvanizes Grammys with politically charged performance |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/15/kendrick-lamar-grammys-2016-awards-political-performance-blacker-berry |access-date=2023-08-10 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
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In May 2018, Tiffith contacted [[Daniel Ek]], chief executive officer of Spotify, and the streaming service's head of artist relations [[Troy Carter (talent manager)|Troy Carter]] to express his frustrations with their [[Criticism of Spotify#2017–18: Hate Content & Hateful Conduct policy|Hate Content & Hateful Conduct]] policy.<ref name="TD" /> Conceived in light of the [[MeToo movement|#MeToo movement]], the removal policy sought to promote "openness, diversity, tolerance and respect" by removing content that promotes, advocates, or incites hatred and violence against an individual or group based on characteristics.<ref name="Shaw" /> In accordance to their policy, the platform removed music by [[XXXTentacion]] from their editorial and algorithmic playlists due to his alleged [[XXXTentacion#Legal issues|acts of violence]] against women.<ref name="Devin Ch">{{cite news |last=Ch |first=Devin |date=2018-05-25 |title=Kendrick Lamar Apparently Threatened To Pull Music From Spotify Following Censorship |work=HotNewHipHop |publisher=Urbanlinx Media |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kendrick-lamar-threatens-leaving-spotify-after-xxxtentacion-ban-news.51039.html |access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref><ref name="Coscarelli">{{cite news|first1=Joe|last1=Coscarelli|access-date=January 12, 2019|title=Spotify Pulls R. Kelly and XXXTentacion From Playlists, Stirring a Debate|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/10/arts/music/rkelly-spotify-accusations-xxxtentacion.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 10, 2018|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Tiffith and Henderson claimed that the policy promoted [[censorship]], and threated to pull TDE's catalog from the platform if they kept the policy as it stood.<ref name="Shaw">{{cite web|access-date=January 12, 2019|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-24/spotify-said-to-plan-to-restore-xxxtentacion-music-after-outcry|title=Spotify Plans to Change XXXTentacion Policy After Outcry|first=Lucas|last=Shaw|date=May 24, 2018|website=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]}}</ref><ref name="TD">{{cite news |author=Strauss, Matthew|title=Kendrick Label Head Confirms He Threatened to Pull Music From Spotify|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-label-head-confirms-he-threatened-to-pull-music-from-spotify/ |access-date=21 October 2018 |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=1 June 2018}}</ref> In the midst of their threat, Lamar praised XXXTentacion's album ''[[17 (XXXTentacion album)|17]]'' on social media.<ref name="Fitzgerald">{{cite web|author=Fitzgerald, Kiana |title=Why Kendrick Lamar's Attempt to Stop Spotify's Hateful Conduct Policy Is So Dangerous|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/05/kendrick-lamar-using-his-power-against-spotify-is-dangerous-decision|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |publisher=Rich Antoniello |date=2018-05-30|access-date=2018-05-30}}</ref> In response to the criticism, Spotify reversed their policy and reinstated XXXTentacion's music back onto playlists after other artists followed suit in threatening to pull their musical works.<ref name="Snapes">{{cite news |author=Snapes, Laura|title=Spotify to review its 'hateful conduct' policy following industry criticism|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/may/25/spotify-to-review-its-hateful-conduct-policy-following-industry-criticism|work=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group|Guardian News and Media Limited]] |date=2018-05-25 |access-date=2018-09-12| location=London}}</ref>

TDE previewed releases from the roster on February 29, 2016, and hinted at signing new artists.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fleischer |first=Adam |date=March 1, 2016 |title=Top Dawg Entertainment Previews 2016 Releases For Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, And The Rest Of The Label |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2747619/tde-2016-album-release-schedule-kendrick-lamar-schoolboy-q-black-hippy/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302095953/http://www.mtv.com/news/2747619/tde-2016-album-release-schedule-kendrick-lamar-schoolboy-q-black-hippy/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 2, 2016 |access-date=July 1, 2016 |website=[[MTV]]}}</ref> Singer and rapper [[Lance Skiiiwalker]] signed to the label on May 20, and released his debut album ''[[Introverted Intuition]]'' on October 18.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Victoria |date=2016-05-20 |title=TDE Announces Signing Of Lance Skiiiwalker |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.38900/title.tde-announces-signing-of-lance-skiiiwalker |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=2016-10-18 |title=Stream Lance Skiiiwalker Introverted Intuition |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1905724/stream-lance-skiiiwalker-introverted-intuition/music/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}</ref> On January 19, 2017, TDE announced the signing of singer [[Sir (singer)|SiR]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Bundy |first=Will |date=January 19, 2017 |title=TDE Announces SiR As Latest Signing |url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/01/19/tde-announces-sir-signing-john-doe-ws-boi |access-date=January 19, 2017 |website=The Fader}}</ref> Lamar's fourth album, ''[[Damn (Kendrick Lamar album)|DAMN.]]'', spent four nonconsecutive weeks atop the ''Billboard'' 200 and yielded TDE's first number-one single on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], "[[Humble (song)|Humble]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=2017-04-23 |title=Kendrick Lamar Earns Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With Biggest Debut of 2017 |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-damn-no-1-album-billboard-200/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Trace William |date=2017-04-27 |title=Kendrick Lamar's "Humble" Takes the Top Spot on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/kendrick-lamar-humble-number-1-billboard-hot-100 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref> SZA signed a joint recording contract with [[RCA Records]] on April 28,<ref>{{cite web |last=Cinnsealach |first=Somhairle |date=April 28, 2017 |title=SZA Signs To RCA Records |url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.43223/title.sza-signs-to-rca-records |access-date=April 28, 2017 |work=HipHopDX}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Danny |date=April 28, 2017 |title=SZA Announces Deal With RCA |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/sza-announces-deal-with-rca-news.31792.html |access-date=April 28, 2017 |website=HNHH}}</ref> and her debut studio album, ''[[Ctrl (SZA album)|Ctrl]]'', debuted at number three on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eustice |first=Kyle |date=2017-06-19 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: SZA's "CTRL" Debuts On Billboard 200 |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.43827/title.hip-hop-album-sales-szas-ctrl-debuts-on-billboard-200 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref>

⚫
=== 2018–present: Spotify criticisms and Lamar's departure ===
{{Further information|Criticism of Spotify#2017–18: Hate Content & Hateful Conduct policy}}
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''Damn'' won five awards at the [[60th Annual Grammy Awards]] (January 2018), including for Best Rap Album.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=2018-01-29 |title=Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar Dominate 2018 Grammy Awards |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bruno-mars-kendrick-lamar-dominate-2018-grammy-awards-203942/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Ctrl'' received four nominations at the ceremony, including for [[Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album|Best Urban Contemporary Album]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Renshaw |first=David |date=2017-11-26 |title=SZA is the most nominated woman artist at the 2018 Grammy Awards |url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/11/28/sza-grammy-awards-nominations |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=The FADER |language=en}}</ref> SiR released his second album, ''[[November (Sir album)|November]]'', on January 19.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lamarre |first=Carl |date=2018-01-19 |title=Stream TDE Signee SiR's Debut Album 'November' With ScHoolboy Q & Etta Bond |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/sir-new-album-november-stream-8095098/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> On February 9, TDE released ''[[Black Panther (soundtrack)|Black Panther: The Album]]'', the soundtrack album for the [[Marvel Studios]] superhero film ''[[Black Panther (film)|Black Panther]]''. It was curated and executive produced by Lamar and Tiffith.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tiffany|first1=Kaitlyn|title=Kendrick Lamar produced the soundtrack for Black Panther|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/4/16849056/kendrick-lamar-all-the-stars-black-panther-soundtrack-marvel-sza|website=[[The Verge]]|access-date=January 4, 2018|date=January 4, 2018}}</ref> From May to June, artists embarked on TDE's first full-label tour, [[The Championship Tour]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lamarre |first=Carl |date=2018-01-22 |title=Kendrick Lamar & SZA to Headline TDE's The Championship Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-tour-sza-tde-artists-championship-tour-dates-8095323/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wicks |first=Amanda |date=April 17, 2018 |title=Watch Kendrick, SZA, More Play Sports and Train for TDE Championship Tour |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-kendrick-sza-more-play-sports-and-train-for-tde-championship-tour/ |access-date=April 17, 2018 |website=Pitchfork}}</ref> During the tour, Tiffith and Lamar entered into a publicized dispute with Spotify over their [[Criticism of Spotify#2017–18: Hate Content & Hateful Conduct policy|Hate Content & Hateful Conduct]] policy, which removed artists such as [[XXXTentacion]] and [[R. Kelly]] from their editorial and algorithmic playlists due to their respective legal issues.<ref name="TD" /><ref name="Devin Ch">{{cite news |last=Ch |first=Devin |date=2018-05-25 |title=Kendrick Lamar Apparently Threatened To Pull Music From Spotify Following Censorship |work=HotNewHipHop |publisher=Urbanlinx Media |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kendrick-lamar-threatens-leaving-spotify-after-xxxtentacion-ban-news.51039.html |access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref><ref name="Coscarelli">{{cite news|first1=Joe|last1=Coscarelli|access-date=January 12, 2019|title=Spotify Pulls R. Kelly and XXXTentacion From Playlists, Stirring a Debate|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/10/arts/music/rkelly-spotify-accusations-xxxtentacion.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 10, 2018|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Tiffith, along with Henderson, claimed that the policy promoted [[censorship]], and threatened to pull TDE's catalog from the platform if they kept the policy as it stood.<ref name="Shaw">{{cite web|access-date=January 12, 2019|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-24/spotify-said-to-plan-to-restore-xxxtentacion-music-after-outcry|title=Spotify Plans to Change XXXTentacion Policy After Outcry|first=Lucas|last=Shaw|date=May 24, 2018|website=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]}}</ref><ref name="TD">{{cite news |author=Strauss, Matthew|title=Kendrick Label Head Confirms He Threatened to Pull Music From Spotify|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-label-head-confirms-he-threatened-to-pull-music-from-spotify/ |access-date=21 October 2018 |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=1 June 2018}}</ref> Spotify reversed their policy in response to the criticism and reinstated XXXTentacion's music back onto playlists after other artists followed suit in threatening to pull their musical works.<ref name="Fitzgerald">{{cite web|author=Fitzgerald, Kiana |title=Why Kendrick Lamar's Attempt to Stop Spotify's Hateful Conduct Policy Is So Dangerous|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/05/kendrick-lamar-using-his-power-against-spotify-is-dangerous-decision|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |publisher=Rich Antoniello |date=2018-05-30|access-date=2018-05-30}}</ref><ref name="Snapes">{{cite news |author=Snapes, Laura|title=Spotify to review its 'hateful conduct' policy following industry criticism|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/may/25/spotify-to-review-its-hateful-conduct-policy-following-industry-criticism|work=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group|Guardian News and Media Limited]] |date=2018-05-25 |access-date=2018-09-12| location=London}}</ref>

Jay Rock signed a joint contract with Interscope Records, and released his third album ''Redemption'' on June 15, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zisook |first=Brian |date=2018-01-15 |title=Jay Rock to Release New Album Through TDE and Interscope |language=en |work=DJBooth |url=https://djbooth.net/features/2018-01-15-jay-rock-album-interscope |access-date=2023-08-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Purdom |first=Clayton |date=2018-06-22 |title=Don't let the preposterous flood of major rap releases make you forget Jay Rock |url=https://www.avclub.com/don-t-let-the-preposterous-flood-of-major-rap-releases-1827057578 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en}}</ref> Rapper [[Reason (American rapper)|Reason]] joined the label on August 8.<ref>{{cite web |last=Berry |first=Peter A. |date=August 6, 2018 |title=California Rapper Reason Signs to Top Dawg Entertainment |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/08/california-rapper-reason-signs-top-dawg-entertainment/ |access-date=August 8, 2018 |website=XXL}}</ref> On January 25, 2019, TDE announced the signing of singer [[Zacari]], who has been affiliated with the label since 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last=CH |first=Daniel |date=January 25, 2019 |title=TDE Officially Adds Zacari To Its Loaded Roster |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/tde-officially-adds-zacari-to-its-loaded-roster-news.70372.html |access-date=25 January 2019 |website=HotNewHipHop}}</ref> He released his first extended play, ''Run Wild Run Free'', on March 15.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Michelle Hyun |date=2019-03-22 |title=Zacari: Run Wild Run Free |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/zacari-run-wild-run-free/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> Schoolboy Q released his fifth album, ''[[Crash Talk]]'', on April 26.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Kyann-Sian |date=2019-04-26 |title=ScHoolboy Q – 'CrasH Talk' review |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/schoolboy-q-crash-talk-review-2483041 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> SiR signed a joint contract with RCA Records and released his third album ''Chasing Summer'' on August 30.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stassen |first=Murphy |date=2019-08-07 |title=Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA team up again for new SiR album |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/top-dawg-entertainment-and-rca-team-up-again-for-new-sir-album/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ivey |first=Justin |date=2019-08-29 |title=TDE's SiR Shares "Chasing Summer" Album Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne & More |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.52626/title.sirs-chasing-summer-tracklist-features-kendrick-lamar-lil-wayne-smino-more |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref>

''[[Rolling Stone]]'' reported that Dave Free left the label in October 2019; his position as co-president was later succeeded by Tiffith's son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Leight |first=Elias |title=Dave Free Leaves Top Dawg Entertainment |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/top-dawg-entertainment-dave-free-split-894781/ |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=October 4, 2019 |accessdate=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126034804/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/top-dawg-entertainment-dave-free-split-894781/ |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> After rumors emerged of his departure in 2020,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mamo |first=Heran |date=2020-10-06 |title=Kendrick Lamar Responds to Rumors He Left Top Dawg Entertainment |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-responds-rumors-he-left-top-dawg-entertainment-9461144/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> Lamar confirmed that he was producing his [[Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers|final album under TDE]] on August 20, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=Yoo |first=Noah |title=Kendrick Lamar Says He's Producing His "Final TDE Album" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-says-hes-producing-his-final-tde-album/ |website=Pitchfork|date=August 20, 2021 |accessdate=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126034452/https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-says-hes-producing-his-final-tde-album/ |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Five days later, the label announced the signing of rapper [[Ray Vaughn (rapper)|Ray Vaughn]], who began working with them in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last=Price |first=Joe |title=Ray Vaughn Signs to TDE, Drops 3-Song EP 'Peer Pressure' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/ray-vaughn-signs-to-tde-ep-peer-pressure |website=Complex |date=August 25, 2021 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126035025/https://www.complex.com/music/ray-vaughn-signs-to-tde-ep-peer-pressure |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> On March 31, 2022, TDE partnered with [[Capitol Records]] and signed rapper [[Doechii]]. She is the second female rapper to join the label.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Aderoju |first=Darlene |date=2022-03-31 |title=Doechii Signs With Capitol Records: 'My Music Starts Right Here' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/top-dawg-entertainment-artist-doechii-signs-with-capitol-records/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abraham |first=Mya |date=2022-03-31 |title=TDE's First Female Rapper, Doechii, Signs Joint Deal With Capitol Records |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/tde-capitol-signs-doechii-1234654747/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}}</ref> SZA's second studio album, ''[[SOS (SZA album)|SOS]]'' (2022), broke several ''Billboard'' chart records and spawned TDE's second number-one single "[[Kill Bill (SZA song)|Kill Bill]]".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Danyel |date=2023-02-08 |title=SZA's Ruination Brought Her Everything |language=en |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/08/magazine/sza.html |access-date=2023-08-19 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=2023-04-24 |title=SZA Scores Her First Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 With 'Kill Bill' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/sza-kill-bill-number-one-hot-100-ice-spice-nicki-minaj-top-10-1235313955/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Other ventures==
==Other ventures==


=== Philanthropy ===
=== Philanthropy ===
TDE has held their annual Christmas concert and toy drive in the [[Nickerson Gardens]] since 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=TDE Gears Up for Its Third Annual Holiday Concert and Toy Giveaway |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2016/12/top-dawg-entertainment-third-annual-christmas-toy-drive-concert |website=Complex |access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref> The concerts featured performances by the roster, and included guest appearances from [[Rihanna]], [[E-40]], and [[Chris Brown]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=August |title=Top Dawg Entertainment's Christmas party in Watts was equally reflective and celebratory |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-tde-toy-drive-20181220-story.html |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=December 20, 2018 |access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Here's When the 5th Annual TDE Concert Toy Drive Is Going Down |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/12/5th-annual-tde-concert-toy-drive-going-down |website=Complex |access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref> In February 2018, the label and Interscope Records purchased five screenings of ''Black Panther'' in three theaters to allow 1,000 children from three Watts public housing complexes to view the film for free.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahadevan |first=Tara C. |title=TDE Is Sending Nearly 1,000 Kids to See 'Black Panther' in Watts |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/tde-sending-1000-kids-to-see-black-panther-in-watts |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-02-16 |title=TDE’s CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith Hosts ‘Black Panther’ Screening For Watts Children |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/tde-ceo-anthony-top-dawg-102335849.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref> In the midst of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Tiffith paid the rent of over 300 families in Los Angeles' public housing developments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Joe |date=2020-04-23 |title=TDE CEO Anthony Tiffith Paid Rent for Over 300 L.A. Families |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/backwoodsaltar/top-dawg-ceo-anthony-tiffith-paid-rent-for-la-families |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref>
TDE has held their annual Christmas concert and toy drive in [[Nickerson Gardens]] since 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=TDE Gears Up for Its Third Annual Holiday Concert and Toy Giveaway |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2016/12/top-dawg-entertainment-third-annual-christmas-toy-drive-concert |website=Complex |access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref> The concerts featured performances by the roster, and included guest appearances from [[Rihanna]], [[E-40]], and [[Chris Brown]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=August |title=Top Dawg Entertainment's Christmas party in Watts was equally reflective and celebratory |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-tde-toy-drive-20181220-story.html |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=December 20, 2018 |access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Here's When the 5th Annual TDE Concert Toy Drive Is Going Down |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/12/5th-annual-tde-concert-toy-drive-going-down |website=Complex |access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref> In February 2018, the label and Interscope Records purchased five screenings of ''Black Panther'' in three theaters to allow 1,000 children from three Watts public housing complexes to view the film for free.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahadevan |first=Tara C. |title=TDE Is Sending Nearly 1,000 Kids to See 'Black Panther' in Watts |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/tde-sending-1000-kids-to-see-black-panther-in-watts |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-02-16 |title=TDE's CEO Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith Hosts 'Black Panther' Screening For Watts Children |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/tde-ceo-anthony-top-dawg-102335849.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref> In the midst of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Tiffith paid the rent of over 300 families in Los Angeles' public housing developments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Joe |date=2020-04-23 |title=TDE CEO Anthony Tiffith Paid Rent for Over 300 L.A. Families |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/backwoodsaltar/top-dawg-ceo-anthony-tiffith-paid-rent-for-la-families |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref>


=== Sports ===
=== Sports ===
TDE established a sports division agency in January 2018. American football player [[Derrius Guice]] became the first athlete to sign with the agency.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rovell |first1=Darren |title=Derrius Guice signs with agency that reps Kendrick Lamar |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22154569/former-lsu-running-back-derrius-guice-signs-agency-represents-kendrick-lamar |website=ESPN |date=January 19, 2018 |access-date=10 June 2018}}</ref> The division is led by agent Faddie Mikhail.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |date=2018-01-19 |title=Derrius Guice goes with music agency for representation |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/derrius-guice-goes-with-music-agency-for-representation |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>
TDE established a sports division agency in January 2018, led by agent Faddie Mikhail.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |date=2018-01-19 |title=Derrius Guice goes with music agency for representation |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/derrius-guice-goes-with-music-agency-for-representation |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> American football player [[Derrius Guice]] became the first athlete to sign with the agency.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rovell |first1=Darren |title=Derrius Guice signs with agency that reps Kendrick Lamar |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22154569/former-lsu-running-back-derrius-guice-signs-agency-represents-kendrick-lamar |website=ESPN |date=January 19, 2018 |access-date=10 June 2018}}</ref>


=== TDE Films ===
=== TDE Films ===
On November 8, 2016, TDE announced the creation of their film production company TDE Films, and began looking for writers, producers, and directors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |date=2018-01-16 |title=Why Kendrick Lamar & Top Dawg’s Hollywood Takeover Feels Imminent: Op-Ed |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-tde-hollywood-takeover-essay-8094420/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> During a cover story for ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' in September 2017, Tiffith shared that Lamar owns a percentage of TDE, and was set to serve as the executive producer of TDE Films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Datwon |date=2017-09-14 |title=Kendrick Lamar and Anthony ‘Top Dawg’ Tiffith on How They Built Hip-Hop’s Greatest Indie Label |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/features/kendrick-lamar-anthony-tiffith-interview-billboard-cover-story-2017-7964649/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> For their work on Lamar's "Humble", the division has won the [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mojica |first=Nick |date=2018-01-28 |title=Kendrick Lamar Wins Best Rap Song and More at 2018 Grammy Awards - XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-best-rap-song-2018-grammys/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=XXL |language=en}}</ref>
On November 8, 2016, TDE announced the creation of their film production company TDE Films, and began looking for writers, producers, and directors.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Tardio |first=Andres |date=2018-01-16 |title=Why Kendrick Lamar & Top Dawg's Hollywood Takeover Feels Imminent: Op-Ed |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-tde-hollywood-takeover-essay-8094420/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Thomas |first=Datwon |date=2017-09-14 |title=Kendrick Lamar and Anthony 'Top Dawg' Tiffith on How They Built Hip-Hop's Greatest Indie Label |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/features/kendrick-lamar-anthony-tiffith-interview-billboard-cover-story-2017-7964649/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> For their work on Lamar's "[[Alright (Kendrick Lamar song)|Alright]]" and "Humble", the division has won the [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video]] twice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mojica |first=Nick |date=2018-01-28 |title=Kendrick Lamar Wins Best Rap Song and More at 2018 Grammy Awards - XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-best-rap-song-2018-grammys/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=XXL |language=en}}</ref>


==Artists==
==Artists==
Line 63: Line 76:
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
|-
| [[Schoolboy Q|ScHoolboy Q]]
| [[Schoolboy Q]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2009
| style="text-align:center;" | 2009
| style="text-align:center;" | 6
| style="text-align:center;" | 6
| Interscope
| Interscope
⚫
|-
⚫
| [[Black Hippy]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2009
| style="text-align:center;" | —
| {{n/a}}
|-
|-
| [[SZA]]
| [[SZA]]
Line 81: Line 89:
| style="text-align:center;" | 2013
| style="text-align:center;" | 2013
| style="text-align:center;" | 3
| style="text-align:center;" | 3
| [[Warner Records|Warner]]
| [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]
|-
|-
| [[Lance Skiiiwalker]]
| [[Lance Skiiiwalker]]
Line 88: Line 96:
| Rocketeer
| Rocketeer
|-
|-
| [[Sir (singer)|SiR]]
| [[Sir (singer)|SiR]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2017
| style="text-align:center;" | 2017
| style="text-align:center;" | 4
| style="text-align:center;" | 4
| RCA
| RCA
⚫
|-
⚫
| [[Reason (American rapper)|Reason]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2018
| style="text-align:center;" | 2
| [[Caroline Records|Caroline]]
|-
|-
| [[Zacari]]
| [[Zacari]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2019
| style="text-align:center;" | 2019
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
| {{n/a}}
⚫
|-
| Ray Vaughn
| style="text-align:center;" | 2020
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
Line 120: Line 118:
! Years on <br />the label
! Years on <br />the label
! Releases <br />under the label
! Releases <br />under the label
|-
| BO<ref>https://www.dubcnn.com/mixtapes/bo-rebirthofbo/ {{bare URL inline|date=August 2023}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|2006–2009
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
|-
| [[Kendrick Lamar]]<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Legaspi |first1=Althea |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers' Album Is Finally Here: Listen |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-mr-morale-and-the-big-steppers-album-listen-1352479/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=13 May 2022 |date=13 May 2022}}</ref>
| [[Kendrick Lamar]]<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Legaspi |first1=Althea |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers' Album Is Finally Here: Listen |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-mr-morale-and-the-big-steppers-album-listen-1352479/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=13 May 2022 |date=13 May 2022}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|2007–2022
| style="text-align:center;"|2005–2022
| style="text-align:center;"|12
| style="text-align:center;"|12
⚫
|-
⚫
|[[Black Hippy]]
|2008-2022
|—
⚫
|-
⚫
|| [[Reason (American rapper)|Reason]]
| 2018–2024
| 4
⚫
|-
|}
|}


Line 133: Line 136:
====Current====
====Current====
* Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith
* Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith
⚫
*[[Willie B (producer)|Willie B]]
* [[Digi+Phonics]]
⚫
* Kal Banx<ref>{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Yoh |title=Kal Banx Played a Beat for J. Cole. It Changed His Life |url=https://djbooth.net/features/2019-07-11-kal-banx-producer-interview-dreamville-rotd3 |website=DJBooth}}</ref>
**[[Sounwave]]
*[[Sounwave]]
**Tae Beast
⚫
**[[Willie B (producer)|Willie B]]
* King Blue
* [[Derek Ali|Derek "MixedByAli" Ali]]
* THC
⚫
* Kal Banx<ref>{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Yoh |title=Kal Banx Played a Beat for J. Cole. It Changed His Life |url=https://djbooth.net/features/2019-07-11-kal-banx-producer-interview-dreamville-rotd3 |website=DJBooth}}</ref>


====Former====
====Former====
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*{{Official website|http://txdxe.com/}}
*{{Official website|http://txdxe.com/}}


{{Kendrick Lamar}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Current artists
| list1 =
{{Jay Rock}}
{{Ab-Soul}}
{{Schoolboy Q}}
{{SZA}}
{{SZA}}
{{Isaiah Rashad}}
}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:American record labels]]
[[Category:American hip hop record labels]]
[[Category:American hip hop record labels]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 2004]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 2004]]

Revision as of 23:49, 4 July 2024

Top Dawg Entertainment
Founded2004; 20 years ago (2004)
FounderAnthony Tiffith
Distributor(s)Universal Music Group Sony Music
Genre
Country of originUnited States
LocationLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Official websitetxdxe.com

Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) is an American independent record label. Specializing in hip hop and R&B artists, TDE is based in Carson, California. The label was founded in 2004 by record producer Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, who is the chief executive officer. His son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr., and Terrence "Punch" Henderson are the presidents of the label.

TDE concentrates on artist management, publishing and merchandising, and have worked with the "Big Three" record companies (Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment) for distribution ventures. The label also oversees subsidiaries such as TDE Films and their sports agency. The label is most notable for being the label that represented Kendrick Lamar, who was signed from 2005-2022, as he rose to stardom. There are currently eleven artists signed to TDE; flagship artists include SZA, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q.[1]

History

2004–2007: Foundation

Top Dawg Entertainment was founded in 2004 by Anthony Tiffith, a record producer who previously worked with rappers The Game and Juvenile, among others. After his uncle found success as a manager for singer Rome, whose single "I Belong to You (Every Time I See Your Face)" was a major hit, Tiffith began scouting local talent as an escape from the street life of his Watts neighborhood.[2] He built a recording studio, dubbed it "House of Pain", and established the record label based on his nickname, Top Dawg.[2] TDE's first signing was Jay Rock, who joined the label in 2005.[2] Two weeks after his acquisition, Kendrick Lamar was signed to the label.[3][4] In 2007, TDE signed Ab-Soul,[5] while rapper Terrence "Punch" Henderson and record producer Dave Free assumed the role as presidents of the label.[6] Jay Rock signed joint venture contracts with Warner Bros. Records and Asylum Records, but left after the labels failed to properly distribute his debut album Follow Me Home (2011).[7]

2008–2013: Joint ventures and breakthrough

The label released their first compilation mixtape, Do It Nigga Squad, Volume 1, in May 2008, which featured appearances from Lil Wayne and will.i.am.[8] Schoolboy Q, who had been affiliated with the label since 2006, signed with TDE in 2009. Before signing, the four rappers created the hip hop supergroup Black Hippy.[9][10] In March 2012, The Fader reported that TDE closed a joint venture deal with Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. Under the agreement, Lamar signed to Aftermath and Interscope, while Schoolboy Q joined Interscope.[11][12] TDE partnered with BET for their Music Matters Tour in July,[13] and held its first "appreciation week" for their fans in August.[14]

Lamar's second studio album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012), debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart and earned the highest first-week sales of the year by a male rapper.[15] It later became the first hip hop studio album to spend ten consecutive years on the Billboard 200.[16] On August 15, 2013, singer-songwriter SZA signed with TDE, becoming the first female artist to join the label.[17][18] The label announced the signing of rapper Isaiah Rashad on September 20,[19][20] after publications reported on his acquisition in June.[21][22] Lamar, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Rashad were featured in a TDE cypher at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards.[23][24]

2014–2017: Signings and recognition

At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards (January 2014), Good Kid, M.A.A.D City earned seven nominations, including for Best Rap Album and Album of the Year.[25] Tiffith announced that TDE would be releasing six projects in 2014, beginning with Rashad's debut album Cilvia Demo.[26] Schoolboy Q released his third album Oxymoron on February 25, while SZA released her third extended play Z on April 8.[27][28] Oxymoron earned the biggest first-week streams of 2014 on Spotify (3.3 million).[29] Ab-Soul released his third album, These Days..., on June 24.[30] To Pimp a Butterfly (2015), Lamar's third album, became TDE's first project to debut atop the Billboard 200 and set Spotify's global first-day streaming record (9.6 million).[31][32] It won five awards at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album.[33]

TDE previewed releases from the roster on February 29, 2016, and hinted at signing new artists.[34] Singer and rapper Lance Skiiiwalker signed to the label on May 20, and released his debut album Introverted Intuition on October 18.[35][36] On January 19, 2017, TDE announced the signing of singer SiR.[37] Lamar's fourth album, DAMN., spent four nonconsecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 and yielded TDE's first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, "Humble".[38][39] SZA signed a joint recording contract with RCA Records on April 28,[40][41] and her debut studio album, Ctrl, debuted at number three on the Billboard 200.[42]

2018–present: Spotify criticisms and Lamar's departure

Further information: Criticism of Spotify § 2017–18: Hate Content & Hateful Conduct policy

Damn won five awards at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards (January 2018), including for Best Rap Album.[43] Ctrl received four nominations at the ceremony, including for Best Urban Contemporary Album.[44] SiR released his second album, November, on January 19.[45] On February 9, TDE released Black Panther: The Album, the soundtrack album for the Marvel Studios superhero film Black Panther. It was curated and executive produced by Lamar and Tiffith.[46] From May to June, artists embarked on TDE's first full-label tour, The Championship Tour.[47][48] During the tour, Tiffith and Lamar entered into a publicized dispute with Spotify over their Hate Content & Hateful Conduct policy, which removed artists such as XXXTentacion and R. Kelly from their editorial and algorithmic playlists due to their respective legal issues.[49][50][51] Tiffith, along with Henderson, claimed that the policy promoted censorship, and threatened to pull TDE's catalog from the platform if they kept the policy as it stood.[52][49] Spotify reversed their policy in response to the criticism and reinstated XXXTentacion's music back onto playlists after other artists followed suit in threatening to pull their musical works.[53][54]

Jay Rock signed a joint contract with Interscope Records, and released his third album Redemption on June 15, 2018.[55][56] Rapper Reason joined the label on August 8.[57] On January 25, 2019, TDE announced the signing of singer Zacari, who has been affiliated with the label since 2017.[58] He released his first extended play, Run Wild Run Free, on March 15.[59] Schoolboy Q released his fifth album, Crash Talk, on April 26.[60] SiR signed a joint contract with RCA Records and released his third album Chasing Summer on August 30.[61][62]

Rolling Stone reported that Dave Free left the label in October 2019; his position as co-president was later succeeded by Tiffith's son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr.[63] After rumors emerged of his departure in 2020,[64] Lamar confirmed that he was producing his final album under TDE on August 20, 2021.[65] Five days later, the label announced the signing of rapper Ray Vaughn, who began working with them in 2020.[66] On March 31, 2022, TDE partnered with Capitol Records and signed rapper Doechii. She is the second female rapper to join the label.[67][68] SZA's second studio album, SOS (2022), broke several Billboard chart records and spawned TDE's second number-one single "Kill Bill".[69][70]

Other ventures

Philanthropy

TDE has held their annual Christmas concert and toy drive in Nickerson Gardens since 2014.[71] The concerts featured performances by the roster, and included guest appearances from Rihanna, E-40, and Chris Brown.[72][73] In February 2018, the label and Interscope Records purchased five screenings of Black Panther in three theaters to allow 1,000 children from three Watts public housing complexes to view the film for free.[74][75] In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tiffith paid the rent of over 300 families in Los Angeles' public housing developments.[76]

Sports

TDE established a sports division agency in January 2018, led by agent Faddie Mikhail.[77] American football player Derrius Guice became the first athlete to sign with the agency.[78]

TDE Films

On November 8, 2016, TDE announced the creation of their film production company TDE Films, and began looking for writers, producers, and directors.[79][80] For their work on Lamar's "Alright" and "Humble", the division has won the Grammy Award for Best Music Video twice.[81]

Artists

Current acts

Act Year
signed 		Releases
under the label 		Other labels
Punch 2004 — —
Jay Rock 2005 13 Interscope
Ab-Soul 2007 7 —
Schoolboy Q 2009 6 Interscope
SZA 2013 3 RCA
Isaiah Rashad 2013 3 Warner Bros.
Lance Skiiiwalker 2016 4 Rocketeer
SiR 2017 4 RCA
Zacari 2019 1 —
Doechii 2022 1 Capitol

Former acts

Act Years on
the label 		Releases
under the label
Kendrick Lamar[82] 2005–2022 12
Black Hippy 2008-2022 —
Reason 2018–2024 4

In-house producers

Current

Former

Discography

Main article: Top Dawg Entertainment discography

The discography of Top Dawg Entertainment currently consists of 25 studio albums, two compilation albums, six extended plays (EPs) and 17 mixtapes. Overall the label has sold more than ten million records in the US alone.

References

  1. ^ Ducker, Eric (July 23, 2014). "A Rational Conversation: The Sound Of TDE's Success". NPR Music. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Diehl, Matt (February 28, 2014). "Top Dawg's Kendrick Lamar & ScHoolboy Q Cover Story: Enter the House of Pain". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  3. ^ Hopper, Jessica (October 9, 2012). "Kendrick Lamar: Not Your Average Everyday Rap Savior". Spin. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  4. ^ "Kendrick Lamar: The West Coast Got Somethin' To Say". HipHopDX. January 6, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  5. ^ Ahmed, Insanu (July 10, 2012). "Who Is Ab-Soul? – Joining TDE". Complex. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  6. ^ "More Levels, The Brains Behind Top Dawg Entertainment [September 2012 Story]". XXL. October 24, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  7. ^ Rello says. "Top Dawg Entertainment Making It's [sic] Mark……..TDE". Hiphopmoneymagazine.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  8. ^ "Top Dawg Ent. – Do It Nigga Squad // Free Mixtape". DatPiff. Idle Media Inc. May 8, 2008. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  9. ^ Ahmed, Insanu (February 3, 2012). "Who Is Schoolboy Q? - Joining Top Dawg Entertainment". Complex. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  10. ^ Ahmed, Insanu (February 3, 2012). "Who Is Schoolboy Q? – His group, Black Hippy". Complex. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  11. ^ Alexis, Nadeska (March 8, 2012). "Kendrick Lamar, Black Hippy Ink Deals With Interscope And Aftermath". MTV. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  12. ^ "TDE's Punch On Next Moves, Signing SZA And The Rough Ryders". Xxlmag.com. October 24, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  13. ^ Isenberg, Daniel (October 11, 2012). "Watch TDE's Latest BET Music Matters Tour Vlog". Complex. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  14. ^ #TDEFamAppreciationWeek (August 19, 2012). "#TDEFamAppreciationWeek". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  15. ^ Caulfield, Keith (October 31, 2012). "Kendrick Lamar Debuts at No. 2 as Taylor Swift's 'Red' Tops Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  16. ^ Mahadevan, Tara C. (October 21, 2022). "Kendrick Lamar's 'Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City' Spends 10 Successive Years on Billboard 200 Chart". Complex. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  17. ^ "Presenting TDE's New Songstress. Listen To SZA's New Song, "Teen Spirit"". TheSource. August 14, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  18. ^ Britton, Luke Morgan (August 15, 2013). "SZA signs to Kendrick Lamar's Top Dawg Entertainment label". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  19. ^ "Top Dawg Introduces New Signee, Isaiah Rashad". The Source. September 21, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  20. ^ Udoko, Itoro (September 23, 2013). "Numbah 4,080: Isaiah Rashad Signs to Top Dawg Entertainment, Drops New Single and Video". Nashville Scene. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  21. ^ Paine, Jake (June 3, 2013). "TDE Reportedly Signs Chattanooga, Tennessee Rapper Isaiah Rashad". HipHopDX. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
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