After gracing the cover of XXL with him, it is becoming apparent that not only has Dr. Dre signed Kendrick Lamar, but he is backing the artist fully and is looking to grow his career in a similar way he did for Eminem. In a recent interview with CBC.ca, K. Dot explained that the decision for him and Black Hippy to sign with Aftermath and Interscope Records back in March.
It was the label’s ability to let their artists grow creatively, that attracted Lamar, (from HipHopDX), “we were shopping because that’s when the money wasn’t a factor – the numbers were crazy. So it was about who understood the vision. And Dre and Jimmy Iovine understood. They were just banking off talent, like Eminem.”
Kendrick Lamar continued that he wants his group to develop much like Aftermath has,“[T]hey understand how the growth of an independent company, like Aftermath, can develop into something that becomes its own Interscope, and that’s what we’re doing with Top Dawg Entertainment,” adding, “[W]e want to develop artists and put out solid albums like Eminem did with The Marshall Mathers LP and 50 Cent did with Get Rich Or Die Trying – they’re records that stood the test of time. They understood that."
You can also add K. Dot to the list of rappers that support Frank Ocean’s decision to go public with his sexuality, “[Y]eah, he’s being his own individual. I respect him for coming out with it, knowing it’s a lot of tough-acting rappers out here that got the same sexuality and scared so they’ll go stage a front. I respect that man more for being aware.”
His upcoming album good kid m.A.A.d. city drops October 2nd.