Although Top Dawg Entertainment ended contractual ties to Kendrick Lamar earlier this year, its strength behind the Mr. Morale rapper should not be underestimated.
With REASON consistently dropping heat, SZA returning for CTRL’s deluxe, Isaiah Rashad gifting fans his long-awaited The House Is Burning and the looming return of Ab-Soul, life post-Lamar is looking much clearer for TDE.
As new voice Ray Vaughn settles into his role one year after his signing to the powerhouse label, the California rapper continues to shape his potential into proven talent on his latest track “Dawg House” (Aug. 26) with labelmate Rashad.
While the track is under two minutes in length, it gives each artist enough time to spin off their flex-filled verses with ease — spitting carefree rhymes about how no one can stand in their way. Proving why they are both “one of one,” the TDE tandem plays off their strengths as Zay’s animated hook feeds into Ray’s captivating rap chops. Stemming from an iconic Juicy J sample in the intro, “Dawg House” radiates TDE’s character while intertwining the core of Ray’s budding, bar-heavy sound.
Bubblegum, bubblegum in a dish
How many bitches do you get?
Her, she can’t get no kiss
I’m a Top Dawg, ho, I’m with a slim Mike Vick
Walk out the crib outfit on all shit
Whip with a switch if I ain’t in by six
Even DJs ain’t spinnin’ like this
Got it out the mud, bitch, I’m a crawfish
“Dawg House” — Ray Vaughn & Isaiah Rashad
Since joining the TDE family in 2021, Vaughn’s been on quite the climb. After dropping recent singles in “Mannequin,” “Picking Cherries” and his debut EP Peer Pressure (2021), fans can surely anticipate the young emcee’s first full-length album. While there is little information on an upcoming project from Vaughn, his singles have all the potential to curate another standout LP in TDE’s illustrious catalog.
Unlike Vaughn, Isaiah Rashad is coming off a successful comeback with THIB — which included a colorful deluxe last November. While many fans wait for his next solo announcement, Rashad kept busy in 2022 by hopping on “Bliss” with Zacari and performing at Coachella earlier this summer.
While the game looks ahead to TDE’s next moves, Ray waits patiently in the “Dawg House” until it’s time to go off the leash.
Listen to “Dawg House” below!
