Kendrick Lamar Says The Industry Is Soft

"Ain't nothing been the same since they dropped Control, and tucked the sensitive rapper back in his pajama clothes," As Kendrick Lamar put it best in the infamous TDE BET Cypher. Almost a year later, and he is still getting responses from the three in a half minute verse he put in the middle of Big Sean's single "Control." In an extensive feature in the New York Times, the TDE MC shared his opinions on the lack of competition and aggression in hip-hop. "If my edge is dull, my sword is dull, and I don't want to fight another guy whose sword is dull. If you've got two steel swords going back and forth hitting each other, what's gonna happen? Both of them are going to get sharper," says Lamar. "Everybody that's in the industry has lost their edge... There's really no aggression. You gotta say things particular, and everything is so soft." Besides Drake and possibly his J. Cole, most of the people who took offense to K. Dot's name drops where not even mentioned. Most of hip-hop has become soft. Ever since 50 fell off and Wayne switched from gangster rap to skateboarding, hip-hop lost its edge. Lucky all of the most of the artists Kendrick mentioned along with a few of the people who chose to respond have been bringing that edge back. Fabolous, J. Cole, and Meek Mill have all released free mixtapes, and even Drake has been dropping new music left end right. The good kid, m.A.A.d city creator also discusses opening for Kanye West's "Yeezus Tour." Top Dawg Entertainment's president, Terrence "Punch" Henderson revels TDE originally did not want Lamar to take the gig, because they wanted him focusing on the recording of his next album. However, West and his team wanted Kendrick so bad, that they bought the Compton bread rapper a tour bus with a recording studio and insisted his have a prominent role beyond the typical opening act status. Mr. Lamar seemed to think he made the right decision as he reflected on being on the road with one of the biggest stars in music. "It's a different kind of thrill when an actual artist ask you, when Kanye asks you. Now I know he's really interested in what I do." Hopefully K. Dot gives us that LP before the end of the year, but whenever it drops, you can be sure it will raise the bar yet again.

P.S. Here is a new music video from Currency, new singles from Lil Wayne and G-Unit, and throwback albums from Drake and Eryka Badu. Also be sure to check out our latest TrueMusic Girl Next Door, all below!

TuT ft. D'Vina - My Baby

Lil Wayne - Krazy

G-Unit - Don't Tell Em (Remix)

Erykah Badu - Mama's Gun

Drake - Thank Me Later

Girl Next Door: Today we have the lovely Malon Mahotiere. This 20 year old West Afrikan beauty is from Conakry, Guinea. Mel, as she likes to be called,  is currently a full time student located in Atlanta, Georgia. With goals of being an entrepreneur and a mogul, Mel plans on using her future millions to help out her family members all over the world. Tragically both of her parents past away in a car accident almost twenty years ago, so family is all she has. After getting her degree, she plans on becoming a radio personality, singer, as well as furthering her education at law school. This ambitious beauty is sure to accomplish anything she puts her mind to. For now, you can catch the Afrikan queen on Instagram and Twitter @_singaMELody.

Kanye West Steve Stoute & Ben Horowitz Bring Technology & Culture Together

Just yesterday, Cannes Lions hosted an amazing form between between the creative genius Kanye West, record exec Steve Stoute, and legendary business man Ben Horowitz. So much knowledge was relayed during this conversational interview that, to elaborate on each gem dropped would take forever. The three moguls discuss technology and its new found dependency on the culture. Technology has empowered the consumer to such an extent that we now control its evolution. And, what is the most dominant aspect of  today's consumer culture? Well, hip-hop of course. Hip-Hop is literally embedded in every aspect of every genre, and every market. CNN plays Jay Z before and after breaking for commercial, Kanye West is the music for the FIFA World Cup commercials, and Dr. Dre's headphones are used by everybody that listens to music. Not to mention, the cultural influence our hip-hop stars have with social media. Kanye West can reach over 10 million minds with the swipe of his fingers. This amount of control over the culture is what lead to Jay Z's digital deal with Samsung, which paved the way for Apples acquisition of of Beats By Dre. As Steve Stoute points out the fact that for too long these industries (technology and culture), which have so much in common have gone out of their way not to collaborate. However, now you see the companies that are consistently winning have been able to correctly fuse the two together. As Ben Horowitz so eloquently put it when talking about collaboration being the key to success, "You know the difference between a hallucination and a vision. They call it a vision when other people can see it." Probably the deepest most thought provoking words of the entire forum. Kanye, who's voice is the predominate sound throughout, ended the fifty-three minute conversation with a great quotable. "Empower the best content creators or F**K YOU!" Watch the entire interview below.

P.S. We have new music video's from TuT and Tech N9ne, Trey Songz and  Ab-Soul's long overdue album, and single from Plies, The Weekend, and Mack Maine. Also, be sure to check out our latest TrueMusic Girl Next Door, all below!

Ab-Soul - These Days

Trey Songz – Trigga (Deluxe Edition)

TuT ft. D'Vina - My Baby

Plies – The Worst (Remix)

The Weeknd – Often

Mack Maine – Ethan Couch

Girl Next Door: Today we have the adorable Ms. Aiden Crowder. This 19 year old delightful Dallas, Texan didn't give us much to go on, but just know she puts God first. Aiden plans on letting her actions and accomplishments describe her life, and you can't argue with that. For now, you can catch this beautiful young lady in Instagram at aidenc and on Twitter @AidenCrowder.

TuT Tuesday [ Talent unlikely Televised ] 25

Week 25 of TuT Tuesdays (Talent unlikely Televised), bringing you TuT's new single "My Baby," along with the official release of his first music video. Over the last 25 weeks, you have been introduced to some of the greatest artists you never hear of; all centered around out artist TuT. TuT is a Philadelphia artist currently residing in Los Angeles to work on his music. Although, you might find traces of Nas' educated toughness, Jay Z's effortless approach, and the Philadelphia style found in Young Chris; TuT very much has his own unique sound. TuT may be an underground artist, but he is no rookie. More focused than ever, TuT's work ethic is bar none. With over seven years of paying dues in this game, TuT has polished a craft that has that has only been mastered by the greats. This week we have an amazingly talented singer out of the PHI, by the name of D'Vina. When we tell you this girl is the real deal, it is an understatement. The only other woman with the range and vocals to rival this woman have been household names for quite sometime. This Temple alumni has been gracing us with some wonderful performances over the past five years. Whether it be wailing the national anthem, taking down a talent competition, making it to local radio, or showcasing her talents at the hottest venue, D'Vina is always delivering a breathtaking performance. This For now you can catch D'Vina and the sound of her heavenly voice, here on SoundCloud, YouTube, and on Instagram and Twitter @dvinaofficial.

P.S. Make sure you download the track, and check out TuT's new music video, "My Baby," featuring the one and only D'Vina. Remember you can catch TuT on SoundCloud, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter, all @DoYaThinGKinG. Also, be sure to check out our latest TrueMusic Girl Next Door, all below!

TuT ft. D'Vina - My Baby

Girl Next Door: Today we have the lovely Ms. Lauryn Navarra. Lauryn is a Michigan native, nurse in the making, as well as a very athletic gymnast. If you can't make it to The State Of Great Lakes anytime soon, you can catch this natural beauty, her flawless figure, and stunning face, on Twitter @CURLYHEADLION.

Lil Wayne May Not Be Retiring After All

Wayne has been saying for the last few years that Tha Carter V will the last album of his career. Well, so much for that. The Young Money leader revealed during his Weezy Wednesdays vlog, that he plans to drop a second LP in 2014. "I been out the game for a second, album wise. I be dropping mixtapes... but this year I'm dropping two albums, because I went to work on Tha Carter V, and I don't stop working. So it's like, either Tha Carter V is gonna be 93 songs, or we gonna have to figure this out." Wayne's "Believe Me" off C5 has become a Top 40 hit on Billboard's Hot 100. The Vinylz produced single, featuring YMCMB protege Drake, has also reached the Top 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop and Hot Rap Songs charts. The year is half over so if he plans on dropping two LPs by the end of the year, he has to drop Tha Carter V at the beginning of the summer. So get ready!

P.S. Here are some new music videos from Ab-Soul and Mary J Blige, and new singles from The Lox, Plies, and Currency. Also, be sure to check out our latest TrueMusic Girl Next Door, all bellow!

TuT - PHIraq

The LOX - Salute A Gee

Plies – Studio (Remix)

Curren$y – A Lil Sumthin (Come Up Big On Em)

Girl Next Door: Today we have the lovely Ms. Nikayla Alexander. This 20 year old Canadian cutie from Toronto. Nikayla is currently in University, majoring majoring in Public Relations. If you can't make it to the home town of Drizzy any time soon, you can catch this beautiful young lady on Instagram and Twitter @hatenix.