TDE’s Punch addresses Kendrick Lamar’s departure from the label.
Top Dawg Entertainment president Terrence “Punch” Henderson was the latest guest on My Expert Opinion podcast, where Math Hoffa and others asked him about Kendrick Lamar leaving the record label.
“I care about him generally as a person,” he said. “But using the analogy like if you got kids, at some point they gotta go outside. You can’t walk with them everywhere they go. They gotta go out and gather they own experiences.
He continued, “Even if they fall on they head, they gotta fall on they head, get up and learn from that and keep moving. You’re concerned always, but it’s still like, ‘I’m proud of you, bro. Do what you do.’ If you need something, the phone is open. Whatever, whatever.”
Kendrick Lamar has been with the label since 2003, when he was discovered by TDE CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith after the rapper released his first full-length project at the age of 16.
After joining with the label as a youngster, Lamar has been with TDE from the beginning of his career. He has a long history with the label, having put out a number of albums that have received great praise, including Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, To Pimp a Butterfly, and others.
The Compton rapper released several classic albums under the label and now made his departure from the label with the release of his latest fifth studio album “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers”. “As I produce my final TDE album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years,” Lamar said while announcing the project last year. “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.”
Punch appeared to get the logic behind this one Lamar leaving when he spoke to Mic in February. “I don’t even know if I would describe it that way as ready to leave, as more so ready to build his own thing,” Punch said. “That’s a grown man right now. We watched him grow from a teenager up into an established grown man, a businessman, and one of the greatest artists of all time. So how long do you actually be signed up under somebody? It’s been almost 20 years. So it’s time to move on and try new things and venture out.”
Check out Punch’s interview below.
