Kendrick Lamar to Release New Album in September; Long-Awaited Debut Black Hippy Album May Also Drop in 2014

2014 is TDE’s to lose.

On the heels of Schoolboy Q’s major-label debut, Oxymoron, Kendrick Lamar and TDE president Anthony Tiffith plan an ambitious schedule of releases this year, including Lamar’s second album in September as well as the first albums from labelmates Jay Rock and Ab-Soul. The long-awaited debut work of Black Hippy (the supergroup comprised by TDE’s four rappers) should also come in 2014.

Holy shit?

From Billboard’s cover story:

In 2014, TDE hopes to lock and load its most ambitious slate of releases: Rashad and the label’s first nonrap signing, New Jersey-based female singer-songwriter SZA, will be coming with albums, as will original team members Jay Rock and Ab-Soul. Meanwhile, Free thinks the long-awaited debut from Black Hippy – the supergroup featuring Lamar, Q, Rock and Ab-Soul – is likely to appear in 2014; Tiffith indicates that TDE is planning to release a new Lamar album this coming September, too.

Lamar also had nothing but kind words to say about the Macklemore/text sitch:

No label has had a greater artistic or commercial impact on current urban music than TDE. That impact became clear after Top Dawg partnered with Interscope and Dr. Dre’s associated Aftermath imprint to put out Lamar’s major-label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city. A concept album about the battle between the street and the heart, good kid went on to sell 1.2?million, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and earned Lamar seven Grammy nominations – though he won none. Losing the best rap album Grammy to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ The Heist surprised even Macklemore himself, who texted Lamar an apology – “You got robbed. I wanted you to win” – then posted it on Instagram for all the world to see. “That text surprised me, but Macklemore is a genuine dude,” reflects Lamar. “However it panned out, I wish him much success. He touched people’s souls, and no one can take that away. Really, the whole Grammy moment was incredible. Not everyone gets that shot.”

Seems like a genuine dude.

[H/T: Billboard]