TDE is bigger than Death Row due to its longevity, Compton rapper Problem has boldly asserted.
The artist, who now raps under the name Jason Martin, chopped it up with Bootleg Kev on Thursday (June 13) to discuss the differences between the two labels.
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“[Top Dawg Entertainment], they got it,” he said. “They’re probably the biggest label ever in West Coast history with the longest run. They’re the biggest ever. I know what you on ’cause we older, but Death Row had a four-year run.”
After Kev cited records by 2Pac, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, Problem offered up a retort.
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“It’s because of the mess. We’re infatuated with the mess,” he said. “I’m not here to tear down Death Row. Let’s stop here. I’m saying, we have to recognize that there is a company right now, today, that has two of the biggest artists in music. This actual day, and they’ve had them the whole time.”
Check out the back-and-forth below.
People were quick to sound off in the comments against Problem.
One user wrote: “No one wearing TDE shirts in 20 years.”
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Another added: “TDE got Talent but Death row Artist All had Platinum Classic albums & they still eating off they old stuff til this day plus there hasn’t been a label since that had the same impact both on music and a street level so I gotta say Death Row….”
A third emphatically stated: “N-ggas say anything when a mic is on. I’m not even from the west coast. There’s not ONE artists from TDE more iconic than the Tupac of the Dogg, not one! Shit, not more iconic than Dre. How can you be better than the shoulders you’re standing on?! How?
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“I love Dot but he ain’t even in the conversation. Also, after Dot…who’s next? Again, I love Q…but he’s not bigger than Dogg Pound. N-ggas need to start having reverence for things that come before them. We’re the only culture who does this goofy shit.”
Despite these fans taking issue with Problem’s comments, a Death Row alumni actually echoed the same sentiment.
Back in 2019, Snoop Dogg himself declared TDE to be a “better version” of Death Row and said it was all about an “each one, teach one” mentality.
“I think — and this is me saying it from being in Death Row and being on the outside looking at y’all — y’all are a better version of Death Row Records,” he told TDE president, Punch.
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“That’s with no disrespect. That’s with all respect because once you look and you see somebody do it the right way and you see ’em do it the wrong way and then you get a chance to do it your own way, then you able to take the wrong out and do it the right way.”
He added: “That’s why y’all been able to sustain for so long. You and Top Dawg, y’all some top dog bosses.”
