How Terrence "Punch" Henderson Helped Build TDE + Coached Kendrick Lamar and SZA | Blueprint

A listless writer and rapper from South Central LA, "Punch" went from having interest in music but no concrete goals to teaming up with Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith and discovering the artists who came to be known as the Black Hippy Crew. As Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, and ScHoolboy Q began to make waves, Punch underwent trial by fire, learning how to break acts, maneuver out of bad industry deals, and expand the label. In 2017, he steered both Kendrick Lamar and SZA to a breakout year, racking up Grammys, commercial success and critical acclaim, and cementing Top Dawg Entertainment as hip-hop's premier independent label.
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COMPLEX is a community of creators and curators, armed with the Internet, committed to surfacing and sharing the voices and conversations that define our new America. Our videos exemplify convergence culture, exploring topics that include music, sneakers, style, sports and pop culture through original shows and Complex News segments. Featuring your favorite celebrities, authoritative commentary, and a unique voice, our videos make culture pop.

[@ItsTMY]

as a label exec and success his humility is some of the realest sh*t I seen and heard

[@zaidimran7188]

Instablaster.

[@ronthemogul]

The whole label is dope and I appreciate every artist on it in a different way

[@tylito4764]

Jayrock doesnt get enough love. Anything TDE seems to only be seen as Kendrick.

[@rahulg3714]

Thank you Punch

[@PavethaWay]

Rahul G welcome bitch

[@MischiefMemoirs]

I swear You guys interview the best people

[@gakomor]

that story about Jay Rock going with a friend to record and the friend leaves and only 20 mins later Top pulls up. meant to be. that's fate right there.

[@jean-carlosbaez8389]

These are the people you need to interview - true inspiration! Be humble

[@redrobin4406]

Only problem with this interview was he didn't ask about the black hippy project

[@kbop]

i see what you mean but its not a part of his journey

[@philipvarga53]

go watch Jay Rock: Road to redemption too

[@exploringnewavenues1428]

You can tell this man is very intelligent by the way he talks, has a very dope outlook on things. TDE is fortunate to have Punch!

[@james9726]

TDE THE MAFIA OF THE WEST!

[@El-vw7pt]

move in silence,yeah we juggin like that

[@math_nnd]

They been through lotta dumb shit in the past, ThankGod that they didn't relapse.

[@nodivisionasmr]

Ab-soul still underrated🙄

[@grrile7]

Jonathan nah he rated accurately

[@MRGIVENODAMN]

Stop. Ab Soul ain't been that nice since control system... I would say Kendrick is falling off too but from his live untitled performances he showed me he still has that ability but his decision making in the studio is questionable these days.mainly his choice of voice tone.. Ab Soul just not delivering much

[@shawnorjiakor]

Jonathan True

[@rosemenecharmelus133]

Griffin Riley W

[@jazminhernandez5617]

Hold My Dick i Insist nah Kdot still got it he just been compromising lately imo but i think he’ll be back to the basics next album

[@GiftedGentleman87]

Punch needs to remember, Health is very important. Every breath, you can hear weazing. I hope he can lose about 50-75lbs so he can feel better because he definetly looks uncomfortable. He is 1 of the most important pieces to TDE, we want him around & healthy for the next 40yrs.

[@christopherjackman101]

Richard Massengale yea kinda peeped that I’m no doctor but his breathing sounds labor intensive, hopefully he can drop some weight.

[@reimourrpower9357]

The perspiration on his brow was noticable and that towel; unless it was hot in there (Noah was wearing a sweatshirt). Nate Dogg, Patrice O'Neal etc. all went out in their 40's from health problems, Punch take care of yourself brother!

[@gunner0479]

thats what I was thinking, TDE needs punch, maybe the most important member.

[@REALTRUEJOURNEY]

Richard Massengale shut the fuck up fake ass doctor

[@JP-wn4jn]

True Journey troll

[@TRAYBAG926]

We need a black Hippy bio pic, their four stories are so different and unique

[@THEWORDONLINE]

Learnt a lot from this interview

[@jonathanperez9334]

He must be one of the realest dudes in the music industry right now, you can tell that he's never been out of touch and the music that TDE makes shows that. Thank you so much Punch for realizing the talents of Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, SZA, and Isaiah Rashad early on and bringing them to the masses for us to enjoy. To Pimp A Butterfly in particular got me through a rough patch in my life. I was literally laying in a hospital bed the first time I heard it with suicidal thoughts. That album may have saved my life. May your legacy live on for generations to come!

[@jeremiahlawson6575]

We need that Top Dawg interview 🔥🔥🔥

[@CloudTribe]

This man has the best music label currently. All well groomed artists that have grown under his tutelage and still will go on to have long successful careers. More labels need to learn from him instead of spitting out new shit every year. He clearly cares about the art more than the $$

[@AFO_AnalyRics]

Everything about this interview is beautiful, from the discussion to the mood to the interviewer's genuine interest as well as Punch's openness. 👌👍👏

[@shawnorjiakor]

Black Hippy is still the dopest right now.

[@kungfukennytde6065]

Shawn Orjiakor TDE has been the best for a minute now

[@ahicks8140]

The clean up party was apart of every black household 😁

[@jesusislove3058]

Yup it was. It made cleaning up easier.

[@aduran8]

Bruh... it happens in Mexican households too

[@tooflessmusic]

I imagine some Latinos experience it too

[@Scamp2x]

❤️

[@JV..]

Waiting on an interview with Oliver from OVO

[@TheJaylamar]

Y'all have no idea how important the things he says and believe in is. I don't think history will ever have anything else as inspiring recorded like TDE.

[@mattantunajr8789]

been pushing tde's movement since '08. back when jayrock was the main attraction, him n dot rapping with blackwallstreet. crazy to see where they are at now, especially with adding new talent since the original crew. got me through a lot of bullshit. hiiighpower

[@GRIMM2197]

Matthew Antuna fuck you

[@rosemenecharmelus133]

Ohh so this who we need to give praise too...

[@ericcendejas7505]

TDE sound is so organic, cannot be duplicated

[@inPURGAT0RY]

told punch I’d probably get assassinated by the government, reverse psychology now they gotta keep me alive

[@CaptainJTB]

Perfect interview 🙏🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽♥️

[@hikingvariable3132]

This is the first blueprint episode I've seen funny bc I was just thinking how I'd love to hear ppl like him drop jewels like this....can't wait to watch the Pusha T one next

[@7ucaofficial]

Hiking Variable that one already dropped

[@Stencio]

TDE THE MAFIA OF THE WEST 🔥🔥🔥

[@james9726]

SMBHD copy my comment smh

[@dylandruryformerlyyungjabb3913]

Still put a whole new wammy on soul

[@brittney5563]

Great Interview! I love how he expressed not being money driven and goal driven. Too many artist are focused on being considered the best or being number 1, but that’s all subjective. And it changes. The true goal should be to inspire and touch ppl. Because if you inspire people and touch people... even if you aren’t number one or their favorite. You’ll always have a place in their heart.

[@WestLAJoe]

This guy is a really good interviewer

[@DWhite205]

we needed this. salute.

[@TRAYBAG926]

Black Hippy >>> Migos any day no debate

[@mxxxw4529]

Couldnt get more obvious lmao

[@gavingilson4666]

Hell yeah. Great interview.

[@norflow6025]

wow loved the interview! Punch so chill and down to earth!

[@wbw187]

i wanna hear whats on that usb drive around his neck 👀

[@trollasaur3012]

Probably sza naked pics and video

[@Zainab-cy5op]

Trollasaur woooooow 😒

[@devante_topdawg491]

ZAY WOP LEGENDARY STATUS

[@erronking7783]

Devant Smith they just don’t understand yet I can’t wait till people realize it

[@thinestboss1987]

Great interview. Loved it!!!🔥

[@mistaencore732]

some much knowledge in these interviews.. very inspiring! Always knew TDE had a ear for talent!

[@johnnyb1505]

Man, this is awesome. Needed that motivation

[@44Fours]

Punch lookin heavy, hope he takes the Q route and starts to take better care of his health. Seems like the label wouldn't be so personal with the artists and fans if it wasn't for him.

[@CA-xe4qu]

Waiting on an interview with Oliver from OVO

[@chinenyenwamuoneke]

I've been waiting for this specific episode

[@joshuamaynard954]

Incredible insight 👌🏾

[@derrickmitchell3370]

My Dude,much respect. I worked with him at IKEA he always told me he was gonna get in the music business and he did, proud of him,my dog.

[@Urbanthick]

So awesome. real, down to earth and inspirational. Thank you!

[@wavesman55]

Love these

[@user-tg9th4ih6d]

that was fascinating, great talk!

[@ads260]

Such a fantastic interview. Would love for a Punch project. So much respect for the TDE movement. HiiiPower. Spread Light

[@MONTREALITY]

HiiiPoWeR

[@nahikuboy123]

Punch has some of my favorite rap verses of all time

[@DannyDee143]

this series shits on the nojumper podcast. keep up the good work!

[@mydreamsisvivid]

Great episode

[@awakelane6460]

I clicked liked before it even began. T.d.e. doing they thing! Miami we tuned in!

[@trigons]

"Punch told me to punch him in the face" 👊

[@Kratos-bf2jg]

I like how they skip over Strange Music part in their growth

[@sante97]

Punch has never put out a wack verse

[@kungfukennytde6065]

sante97 His verse on west coast wu tang is nasty asf 🔥🔥

[@aleon3000]

Im like why aint they pushing Punch too?

[@000kingkoopah000]

Facts

[@El-vw7pt]

facts

[@ads260]

Duuuude for real. Hangs in there with all the labelmates. Love every verse of his

[@clementsilinda]

Top Dawg Entertainment ♥

[@ProdByDzul]

"Damn I thank punchline, he saw more in my music than metaphors and punchlines" -Soulo

[@kgositsilemosesnduna8333]

It deepends what You do with the problem solver after the problem is solved!

[@Strictlydt]

This was great. Thanks Punch

[@kpacubo.]

damn this guy inspiring as hell

[@bantumosesofficial]

As a rapper, I really appreciate your work. Thank you 🙏🏿

[@BarriDisu]

punch is a big inspiration for me. I hope he releases his album sometime soon

[@Jaeunique_]

I ❤punch he’s so cool

[@albinlazaro7988]

Isaiah Rashad is so underrated ☀ personally my favorite

[@illa.5767]

Lil sunny.

[@GordonRaphael]

great questions Noah! and very cool person this Punch!! yes....

[@BlockchainDaddy]

Great interviews btw you ask some in depth stuff i like that.

[@Nova10245]

yeah thats all well and good but cut the damn check for BUDDEN to be back on everyday struggle

[@K3beaver]

Kubs dude just had a kid.. smh

[@Nova10245]

Jose Hernandez Check his twitter, he's out of contract

[@alexmathewmendoza]

Y'all better have more of these Blueprint episodes in 2018, this is the best show on the channel.

[@TrellAliii]

Good to see Punch gettin some love

[@TheMusicKombat]

Punch said he would be dropping an album this year, and i'm excited :D

[@ShottaKenya]

man... wtf. how does the interviewer go from kendrick lamar ep to "your next big break was in 2012... interscope/dr.dre" ... totally missing out on the section 80 hype

[@hunitdaysofsummer]

I need to run into someone like Punch, he love the music and the artist

[@elasticmusicgroup6289]

best series ever

[@ToroidalVortexLove]

Doh! I thought Punch WAS Top Dawg 😶😖 I didn't realise there were two head honchos lol

[@BlockchainDaddy]

More producers pleaseee

[@peacesoundsstuff]

This is my favorite show.

[@FuquanJohns]

Punch has been on every Ab-Soul project since long-term 1 stay woke

[@math_nnd]

"BeautifulDeath" ma favourite. Whats yourz?

[@THHGURU]

Incredible

[@jacoblam3628]

Another mean insight!

[@cali2468]

From the Hunters to the Deuce Line we in dis bih

[@elijahdevin9599]

Mad respect….. wow

[@Asis202]

Top Dawg Entertainment is the Best Hip Hop Label in the Business.

[@jc_253]

Why is Isaiah Rashad album not dropping yet 🤬🤬🤬

[@rononyonka17]

Jay Rock's next up

[@lewisgilfillan9237]

Why isn't Jay Rock hasn't drop another album yet.

[@kungfukennytde6065]

gillybloggs probably in January

[@GiftedGentleman87]

Cj Dowell because "you cant rush greatness" - Punch

[@samrichardson9621]

Jay Rock mixing w Ali rn

[@zonashi8645]

YES

[@jordya6303]

this is what hip hop needs to get back to

[@javontaegarrett2527]

Have to meet this guy

[@amoeshakur6415]

Punch got Bars #RealLegend🔥🔥🔥

[@derrickmitchell3370]

What up punch its Big D just reminiscing the Ikea days and the team we played on together.

[@Dunkin012]

that gun sounded beat was curtis king! Props to him still making music and working with strange music now!

[@MarcLondonTV]

dope!

[@mruptowncrew]

Humble

[@jahhah6719]

Punch looks like Bobby Hemmit... 2 word smiths of different disciplines though. Great interview TDE 🙏👍

[@trollasaur3012]

That bubble in his eye is off putting.

[@Marques.Marcus85]

Punch has introspective music of his own

[@imomargee]

so wise

[@clementsilinda]

Get PUNCH on the phone ☎

[@augustinekagimu1975]

What microphone do you guys use? its so goood

[@Ayyj_23]

TDE forever fire 🔥

[@romanpina5774]

been One Of My Favorites Got No Wack Verse!!

[@fmic3213]

I remember vividly in 09, when TDE coined the term human music✊🏾✊🏾