[Review] Kendrick Lamar: The Championship Tour
Top Dawg Entertainment: The Championship Tour was an epic experience this weekend. I found out last minute that we had tickets available for us. After picking up tickets at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in Tinley Park, we made our way to our seats right in time for Kendrick Lamar's performance.
The huge dual illuminated screen, combined with the light show, and fire show displayed how well put together the tour was. I shouldn't be surprised by this, since the members of the tour are some of the largest in hip-hop currently. The stage setup was really something else, compared to the dozens of underground shows with little to no budget I have lately been attending.
A highlight of the performance was when Kendrick brought out Jay Rock for "Money Trees". Another highlight occurred when KDot started playing the intro to "Humble". The crowd rapped the entire song acapella with minor assistance from the MC. This was impressive to say the least. Around 20,000 people, young and old, shouting the words to this hit. Ironic is an understatement, with the crowd shouting, "Sit down be humble" with Kendrick listening to them.
Overall its crazy to see Kendrick, and all of TDE, progress the way they have. The last time I saw Kendrick was in 2012 and he opened up for Mac Miller and Wiz Khalifa. If you haven't checked out the new Jay Rock album, you should, it's the next great project in their collection.
Jay Rock Wins With New Video
Jay Rock has released the visual for his track "Win" and it just confirms that T.D.E. isn't going away any time soon. With adlibs from Kendrick Lamar throughout the song and cameo appearances from Isaiah Rashad, SZA, Ab-Soul and other Top Dawg heavy hitters Jay Rock proves that he is part of the upper tier of rappers.
The video is directed by Dave Meyers and Dave Free (of The Little Homies) who also directed the Humble video. "Win" is the first single off of Jay Rock's upcoming album Redemption, which will come out June 15th. Watch the video below.
Nipsey Hussle drops gems on "Dedication" featuring Kendrick Lamar
"Know he a genius, he just can't claim it, cause they left him no platforms to explain it."
Nipsey Hussle's new LP, Victory Lap, drops on February 16th. Ahead of the LP drop, he gives us "Dedication" featuring Kendrick Lamar. To fully hear everything presented takes multiple listens, as Nipsey and Kendrick both touch on their personal dedication to success, while under micro and macro structures of stress from institutionalized racism, gang and turf wars, music business practices, and even getting new shoes in exchange for good grades.
I use Nipsey Hussle's Proud 2 Pay campaign in all of my music business classes, and it's great to see him rebound and shine like this after being written off as a bust in some circles. This song is heavy, peep it below. Purchase it here.
Kendrick Lamar Drops Another Great Video For "Love"
Kendrick Lamar ends 2017 properly with his new video for "LOVE". The clip is directed by Dave Myers and contains both the straight-forward and metaphorically brilliant imagery. Anyone who is married or in a serious relationship can relate to all those dinner scenes. Props to Kung-Fu Kenny on this one.
58th Annual Grammy Awards
2016 GRAMMY NOMINEES ALBUM TRACK LISTING REVEALED
Latest Edition Of Compilation Features 21 Hits From The World’s Biggest Superstars And Emerging Talent
Album Available Jan.22 In Stores And At All Digital Retailers
Fans Can Pre-Order Now; Gives Fans The Chance To Attend
Music's Biggest Night®
The Recording Academy®'s GRAMMY Recordings® and Republic Records announced the track list for the 2016 GRAMMY® Nominees album — available in stores and at all digital retailers on Jan. 22. The full 2016 lineup of artists and songs can be found below.
The 22nd installment of the best-selling series features 21 GRAMMY-nominated artists and hit songs from the world’s biggest superstars and hottest emerging talent, including Album Of The Year nominees Alabama Shakes, Kendrick Lamar, Chris Stapleton,Taylor Swift and The Weeknd, as well as Best New Artist nominees Courtney Barnett,James Bay, Sam Hunt, Tori Kelly and Meghan Trainor among others. Pre-order the album here.
Once again, a portion of the proceeds from album sales will benefit the year-round efforts of the GRAMMY Foundation® and MusiCares Foundation® — two Recording Academy-affiliated charitable organizations.
"The 2016 GRAMMY Nominees album represents some of the finest songs and talented artists that make up this year's remarkable nominees," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "We thank Republic Records for collaborating with us on this project, which also provides much needed support for the invaluable programs and initiatives our charities produce year-round. We look forward to another successful GRAMMY compilation."
"It's an honor to partner with the Recording Academy for the 2016 GRAMMY Nominees album," says Republic Records Founder/President Avery Lipman. "It's a very special project that captures the year through showcasing its biggest and best songs and simultaneously benefits some very important causes."
By visiting www.2016GRAMMYalbum.com or www.CBS.com, fans will have a chance to win a trip for two to the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards®.*
The 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Monday, Feb. 15 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, and will be broadcast live on CBS from 8 — 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
2016 GRAMMY® Nominees Album
Track List
1. MARK RONSON
"Uptown Funk" Feat. Bruno Mars
Record Of The Year
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
2. TAYLOR SWIFT
"Blank Space"
Record Of The Year
Album Of The Year
Song Of The Year
3. THE WEEKND
"Can’t Feel My Face"
Record Of The Year
Album Of The Year
4. ED SHEERAN
"Thinking Out Loud"
Record Of The Year
Song Of The Year
5. MAROON 5
"Sugar"
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
6. FLORENCE + THE MACHINE
"Ship To Wreck"
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
7. ALABAMA SHAKES
"Don’t Wanna Fight"
Album Of The Year
8. D’ANGELO AND THE VANGUARD
"Really Love"
Record Of The Year
9. KENDRICK LAMAR
"Alright"
Album Of The Year
Song Of The Year
10. CHRIS STAPLETON
"Traveller"
Album Of The Year
Best Country Solo Performance
11. LITTLE BIG TOWN
"Girl Crush"
Song Of The Year
12. WIZ KHALIFA
"See You Again" Feat. Charlie Puth (From Furious 7)
Song Of The Year
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
13. MEGHAN TRAINOR
"Lips Are Movin"
Best New Artist
14. TORI KELLY
"Should’ve Been Us"
Best New Artist
15. SAM HUNT
"Take Your Time"
Best New Artist
16. JAMES BAY
"Hold Back The River"
Best New Artist
17. COURTNEY BARNETT
"Pedestrian At Best"
Best New Artist
18. CARRIE UNDERWOOD
"Little Toy Guns"
Best Country Solo Performance
19. CAM
"Burning House"
Best Country Solo Performance
20. LEE ANN WOMACK
"Chances Are"
Best Country Solo Performance
21. KEITH URBAN
"John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16"
Best Country Solo Performance
GOOD Monday Kanye releases No More Parties in L.A
The music Gods have been great to us this year so far. We got a sample of Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar new record last week when he dropped Real Friends. This morning Ye tweeted "Its Up" speaking about the new record "No More Parties in L.A".
[RH Photos] Kendrick Lamar's "Kunta's Groove Sessions"
Photography by Virgil Solis
Kendrick Lamar brought the first annual "Kunta's Groove Sessions" to the Riviera Theater (Chicago) last thursday (11/5/15). TDE affiliate Jay Rock opened up the show before Kendrick and his backing band the Wesley Theory hit that stage. Check out our photos coverage above.
via Chicago Music
[Songs of the Day] 3/7/14 (Feat. Kendrick Lamar, Tame Impala & Lil Boosie)
....And it's Friday. We're back with the latest songs to hit the Internet and keep you tied over til Monday. Leading things off is yet another hit from Big K.R.I.T. who takes a page out of Vic Mensa's book in "Egyptian Cotton" while an amazing collaboration took place between Kendrick Lamar and Tame Impala who got together for "Backwards" as part of what appears to be the soundtrack of the year for 'Divergent'. RL Grime and What So Not got together on a dance number for "Tell Me" and Casey Veggies gave listeners a new one in "Anything Goes" and Lil Boosie, fresh out of prison let everyone know things aren't that different on "Same Game". Check em all out below, see you at SXSW!
Track of the Day: Kendrick Lamar & Tame Impala: "Backwards"
Big K.R.I.T.: "Egyptian Cotton"
Kendrick Lamar & Tame Impala: "Backwards"
RL Grime & What So Not: "Tell Me"
Casey Veggies: "Anything Goes"
Lil Boosie: "Same Game"