Kendrick Lamar's EP Celebrated By TDE's Punch On 10-Year Anniversary

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Kendrick Lamar
Punch also shared he's inspired by helping people through music.

Time flies when you're waiting on Kendrick Lamar's next album. The Compton rapper is acclaimed in hip hop circles as one of the best artists to have emerged in the last decade, and December 31 marked the 10-year anniversary since the world was blessed with Lamar's self-titled EP. The 15-track, Top Dawg Entertainment project saw the emerging rapper step away from K-Dot and into embracing his full legal name as his new moniker.

TDE's President Terrence Louis Henderson Jr., better known as Punch, celebrated the commemorative moment on social media. "We dropped this 15 song 'Ep' 10 years ago today!" he tweeted. "It changed our trajectory forever. This was Kdot introducing Kendrick Lamar to the world. The Kendrick Lamar EP. #TDE."

A fan shared that one of the EP's songs helped save his life. "'Faith' literally was the song that kept my suicidal thoughts away. My gosh @kendricklamar this Ep saved my life, gave me the audacity to dream and the confidence to walk alone literally. I went to a new school at 15 and was bullied constantly, this ep was my escape."

Punch retweeted the message and said that stories like these are why he's in the music game. "THIS is the reason I personally do this thing," Punch shared. "Not money, fame, status, awards etc.... THIS. Appreciate you family and anyone else moved by our thoughts and ideas. 🙏🏽" 

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.