Punch from TDE vs. Hip-Hop Journalism: Are Artists Turning Their Backs on the Culture?
Punch TDE Calls Hip-Hop Journalists “Trash” After Kendrick’s Interview with SZA — Is Hip-Hop Media Losing Its Edge?
Hip-hop has always thrived on its own media, carving out a space where stories get told from within. But recently, Punch from TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment), the driving force behind artists like Kendrick Lamar and SZA, stirred up a conversation that’s hitting home for many in the industry. After Kendrick chose Harper’s Bazaar for an interview, rather than a hip-hop-focused publication, critics on social media took issue. Punch wasn’t having it. In a series of tweets, he voiced what many feel but rarely say out loud: “Is it okay to criticize the ‘critics?’… Most of you guys are trash. Just my opinion. That’s why artists don’t want to talk to you.”
It’s a bold statement, but there’s some truth in it. We see artists often distancing themselves from hip-hop media in favour of mainstream outlets. But can we blame them? Hip-hop journalism is changing. The once-trusted sources of deep commentary and thoughtful reflection have become overrun with clickbait, Instagram blog snippets, and streaming gossip. But, let’s be real — are those things hip-hop journalism? Or are they social media’s interpretation of it?
