American ace rapper, Kendrick Lamar has announced that his next album release will be the last with his long-time record label, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).
The Compton rapper announced the news on Twitter with a link to a site that features a folder titled ‘nu thoughts’ containing a written statement in which he reveals his nearly two-decade-long run with TDE is coming to an end.
“As I produce my final TDE album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years. The Struggles, the Success, and most importantly, the Brotherhood. May the Most High continue to use Top Dawg as a vessel for candid creators as I continue to pursue my life’s calling”.
“There’s beauty in completion and always faith in the unknown. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts. I’ve prayed for you all. See you soon enough”.
Kendrick Lamar
That notwithstanding, it has been over four years since Kendrick Lamar released a solo record.
Reflecting on his hiatus, Kendrick who is also known as K-Dot in the note disclosed: “I spend most of my days with fleeting thoughts. Writing, listening, and collecting old Beach cruisers. The morning rides keep me on a hill of silence.
“I go months without a phone, love, loss, and grief have disturbed by comfort zone, but the glimmers of God speak through my music and family. While the world around me evolves, I reflect on what matters the most. The life in which my words will land next”.
Kendrick
Shortly after the announcement, CEO Anthony ‘Top Dawg’, Tiffith took to social media to confirm the news in a statement.
“The whole goal when we started this thing was to make music, make money, and make history. We did those things 10 times over. TDE and its artists have provided a way to end generational curses that we were all personally born into over the last 17 years in this business. With this being Dot’s last album on TDE, this is more of a VICTORY LAP, a celebration. I know he will be successful in whatever it is he decides to do and will have our FULL support”.
Top Dawg
TDE President, Punch shared a similar statement on Instagram in which he expressed his admiration for Kendrick, before teasing “album coming soon.”
“It’s funny when things change because most of the time we automatically assume it’s something negative.
“It’s rarely seen as growth. Growth is a great thing and it’s essential for life. Life happens in stages and this particular stage is almost complete. Kendrick is a generational artist who has accomplished so much and has contributed immensely to this thing we call Hip Hop. It’s only right for him to continue to evolve and build his own business and brand how he sees fit.”
Punch
Punch wrapped up by clarifying, “We want every artist we work with at TDE to build and grow and be self-sufficient. That’s the whole point. Also please remember that this is FAMILY and will always continue to be so. Album coming soon.”
To date, Kendrick has released his entire discography through TDE, which includes four studio albums (2011’s Section.80, 2012’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, 2015’s To Pimp a Butterfly, 2017’s DAMN), his 2016 compilation project, ‘Untitled Unmastered’, and 2018’s ‘Black Panther: The Album’.
