Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, founder of T.D.E. (Top Dawg Entertainment), was recently honored in Los Angeles by having a street renamed after him.
East Imperial Highway and South Central Avenue intersection was christened “Anthony Tiffith T.D.E. Music Square.” Council member Tim McOsker and Top Dawg took a photo in front of the newly placed street sign that honors him. The street unveiling took place on Saturday, March 2 at 2 p.m.
The previous day, McOsker presented a Certificate of Recognition to Top Dawg from the Los Angeles City Council, recognizing him in Council Chambers.
On McOsker’s Instagram account, he wrote, in part, “As the founder of T.D.E., Top Dawg has had a transformative impact on our beloved community of Watts. Raised in the Nickerson Gardens housing development, his commitment to uplifting local talent and fostering a sense of pride within our beloved Watts has been a beacon of hope.”
Top Dawg grew up in Nickerson Gardens, and Top Dawg Entertainment started in 2004. The man behind the label had a roster of artists, including Kendrick Lamar, S.Z.A., ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Isaiah Rashad. He also built a recording studio, “House of Pain,” for his artists.
“Growing up in the project, it was tough.
You know, we went through a lot of things, but the goal was to come back, build and teach,” Top Dawg stated while receiving the recognition. “I never thought I’d be standing here in the City Council getting this intersection named after me. Never in my wildest dreams, and I appreciate it.”K.N.X. News also reported that Top Dawg Entertainment’s Jay Rock, the first signee to the label, was the first Watts resident to bring home a Grammy Award.