Top Dawg Entertainment record label invests back into Nickerson Gardens

LOS ANGELES — Every year, the record label Top Dawg Entertainment returns to Nickerson Gardens to host a toy drive, job and resource fair, and free charity concert with major artists, from SZA to Kendrick Lamar.

Nickerson Gardens in Watts is the largest public housing development on the West Coast.

Local officials say there’s a growing need to create greater economic opportunity, pathways to employment and job training in the neighborhood, which has a poverty rate that is nearly double California’s rate.

Top Dawg Entertainment also gives away thousands of toys, clothes and shoes to the community just in time for Christmas.

TDE Chief Marketing Officer Brandon Tiffith says their true success is measured by how much they can give back to this underserved community. 

“Our main goal is to reach back and help people,” he said. “[To] make sure that they know their dreams are possible and [encourage them to] actually stretch to wherever they want to be.”