Ben Fox
Contributing Writer
On their own, Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolboy Q each have a dedicated fan base and a unique style, but together they form a hip-hop super group reminiscent of N.W.A.
Black Hippy, L.A.’s new powerhouse, has been on the rise since 2009 when they were signed to Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), an independent L.A.-based record label.
In 2012, TDE closed a joint venture deal with Aftermath Entertainment (founded by Dr. Dre) and Interscope Records (founded by Jimmy Lovine and Ted Field). Under the new deal, Kendrick Lamar’s debut studio album, good kid, m.A.A.d city will be jointly released via Top Dawg/Interscope/Aftermath, while releases from the rest of Black Hippy will be distributed via Top Dawg/Interscope.
The long haired, Ab-Soul has released two mix tapes: Longterm, released Jan. 8, 2009 and Longterm 2: Lifestyles of the Broke and Almost Famous released June 28, 2010; and two albums: Longterm Mentality, released April 5, 2011 and Control System, released May 11, 2012; all with TDE.
After the heralded successes of his mix tape Overly Dedicated, released in 2010, and album Section. 80, released in 2011, TDE sensation and Dr. Dre prodigy, Kendrick Lamar will make his Interscope/Aftermath major label debut with the release of good kid, m.A.A.d city. The album is currently scheduled to be released on October 22.
Bucket hat wearing ScHoolboy Q, former member of the 52 Hoover Crips, gave up his life of gang activities for a life of music. His mixtapes are ScHoolboy turned Hustla released in 2008, and Gangsta and Soul released in 2009. His albums are Setbacks released January 11, 2011, and Habits & Contradictions released January 14, 2012.
Black Hippy’s Most Notable Singles and Collabs:
Ab-Soul: Moscato (ft. Kendrick Lamar), Terrorist Threat (ft. Danny Brown), Turn Me Up (ft. Kendrick Lamar), Gone Insane.
Jay Rock: All My Life (Ghetto) (ft. Lil Wayne), YOLA, Boomerang, Hood Gone Love It (ft. Kendrick Lamar).
Kendrick Lamar: Michael Jordan (ft. ScHoolboy Q), Rigamortis, Ignorance is Bliss, P&P, Cartoons & Cereal, Ronald Reagan Era, Swimming Pools (Drank).
ScHoolboy Q: THere He Go, Brand New Guys (ft. ASAP Rocky), Sacrilegious, F’d Up (To The Beat), Light Years Ahead (Sky High) (ft. Kendrick Lamar).