The Cypher Revealed – TDE

See who reps for the West Coast label.

Top Dawg Entertainment vs. GQ - Kendrick Lamar was named GQ magazine's Man of the Year in 2013, and was featured on the cover and billed to perform at the annual Man of the Year event, but the TDE MC opted to not take part in the festivities. Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, the CEO of the label, explained via a press release that the label felt that the article was biased and portrayed his company "in a negative light." The part of the interview that irked Tiffith the most was the writer's "shock" at TDE’s "discipline." GQ was apparently shocked as well — at Top Dawg's reaction to the article. The magazine released a counter statement praising Lamar and explaining the situation as they saw it. (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

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The Cypher Revealed – TDE - With Premo behind the wheel, and a platinum plaque for their first major label release — Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d. city — the West Coast label TDE is up to prove why the team they've been building is the next crew to check for.Click on to see who represented for Top Dawg's roster at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Cyphers, including their latest signees — an R&B singer and a rapper from Chattanooga, Tenn.(Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

Best: Kendrick Lamar Claims the Throne - The West Coast rapper became the biggest name in hip hop with his debut album good kid, m.A.A.d city, but then decided to blow the roof off of the industry with his guest verse on Big Sean's track "Control." Besides dissing virtually every rapper on the Billboard Hot 100, Compton native Lamar crowned himself the King of New York.   (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

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Kendrick Lamar - Kendrick Lamar, the golden boy quarterback who knows girls like Sherane and Tammy, is slowly, steadily transcending his way to pop stardom with his independent releases, like Section .80 and his major label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d. city, which climbed its way to platinum with well timed hits like "Swimming Pools," "Poetic Justice" and a video featuring Mike Epps.(Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

ScHoolBoy Q - ScHoolBoy Q is the ultimate running back, nimble with his lyrics, fearless (he picked a fight with OG 40 Glocc), and thoughtful (he sparked the idea of forming the supergroup Black Hippy). He's next up on the schedule with a major label release, Oxymoron.(Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

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ScHoolBoy Q - ScHoolBoy Q is the ultimate running back, nimble with his lyrics, fearless (he picked a fight with OG 40 Glocc), and thoughtful (he sparked the idea of forming the supergroup Black Hippy). He's next up on the schedule with a major label release, Oxymoron.(Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

Ab-Soul - Ab-Soul looks like Eazy E and sounds like Thelonious Monk. He's so far released two independent albums, Longterm Mentality and Control System.(Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

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Ab-Soul - Ab-Soul looks like Eazy E and sounds like Thelonious Monk. He's so far released two independent albums, Longterm Mentality and Control System.(Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

Jay Rock - You ain't got to like him, 'cause the hood's gon' love him. Jay Rock is firmly rooted in Watts, with the gruff of a Brooklyn MC and the nonchalance of a No Limit soldier in the '90s. (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

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Jay Rock - You ain't got to like him, 'cause the hood's gon' love him. Jay Rock is firmly rooted in Watts, with the gruff of a Brooklyn MC and the nonchalance of a No Limit soldier in the '90s. (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

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Sza - October 15, 2013 - TDE's resident songstress, Sza, brought her beautiful spirit and soulful vocals to 106.Watch a clip now!(Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

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SZA - SZA is a singer with a fluttery R&B voice. As first lady, she's going for that cross section between Sade and Björk.(Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

Isaiah Rashad - Rappers signed to Top Dawg Ent. have enjoyed more than a little success over the last couple of years. Isaiah Rashad has no plans to be the one to change that trend. In September of last year, after a couple months of speculation, Rashad officially joined the powerhouse indie label. The Chattanooga, Tenn., native is ready to put on for his city, bringing a distinct but fitting flavor to TDE with his sharp rhymes. Expect the 22-year-old to drop a project this year that affirms why he’s in such esteemed company.  (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

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Isaiah Rashad - TDE's latest signee, Isaiah Rashad, is a rapper from Chattanooga, Tenn., who sounds like he listened to a lot of OutKast with his Three 6 Mafia.(Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

6. Nike Cortez - Kendrick Lamar is wearing the aforementioned sneakers in this pic. The Cortez usually gets overlooked, but it's undeniably a West Coast classic in the same vein as Chuck Taylors. If you're ever looking to get the perfect pair, hit up Nike ID, as you can create custom ones with their interface. (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

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TDE - There's no more cohesive vibe than what's happening with TDE. Somehow, collectively, the crew embodies the buck-the-system spirit of N.W.A. and still manages to embrace the mainstream — at least around the edges.Watch and see how they play off each other in the Hip Hop Awards Cypher when the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards airs Oct. 15 at 8 p.m.(Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)