TDE University Tour Brings Music, Mentorship and Major Opportunities to HBCU Campuses
Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), in partnership with Toyota and BET, and powered by The Orchard, today announced the launch of the TDE University Tour. Bringing a rich mix of music, culture, and career opportunity directly to college campuses nationwide, the tour will visit nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) starting today. The tour features signature "Yardfest" campus takeovers complete with live performances across the TDE roster plus friends, student showcases, on-site career and civic engagement activations, an interactive mobile recording studio contest, and a hands-on virtual mentorship initiative for rising student talent.
Tour Dates*
- Wednesday, August 12: Grambling State University — Grambling, LA
- Thursday, August 13: Jackson State University — Jackson, MS
- Friday, August 14: Alabama State University — Montgomery, AL
- Monday, August 17: Southern University A&M — Baton Rouge, LA
- Wednesday, August 19: Howard University — Washington, D.C.
- Friday, August 21: AUC (Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, Morris Brown College) — Atlanta, GA
- Tuesday, August 25: Morgan State University — Baltimore, MD
- Thursday, August 27: Tennessee State University — Nashville, TN
- Saturday, August 29: Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium — Atlanta, GA^
- Thursday, September 3: North Carolina A&T State University — Greensboro, NC
* Tour entry is open only to students and faculty of the HBCU campuses listed here with the exception of August 29.
^Note: The August 29 date at the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge is a performance-only stop and will not feature the mobile recording studio bus activation.
On-Campus Yardfest and Interactive Activations
Each tour stop will feature an immersive Yardfest experience designed to celebrate student culture and support creative growth:
- "TDE Sessions" Mobile Recording Studio Contest: Powered by The Orchard, a state-of-the-art tour bus converted into an on-site recording studio will host up to 26 students per campus. Registered student participants can record an original verse and hook over official TDE tracks and will be judged on originality, delivery and technical ability. School winners will receive a $500 prize and the chance to compete for a grand prize opportunity: performing live at the 2026 Cricket Celebration Bowl HBCU on December 12 and appearing as a BET Amplified Live Artist at the BET Awards 2027.
- Live Music and Entertainment: Tour stops will include special guest live performances from the TDE roster, with additional surprise guest artists, alongside local student talent showcases.
- Interactive Games and Giveaways: On-site "Finish-the-Lyric" challenges featuring TDE tracks, exclusive merchandise giveaways, food trucks, and lawn games.
- Civic Engagement: BET will host on-site voter registration drives at every stop to empower student voices ahead of upcoming elections.
Student Empowerment and Mentorship Initiatives
Beyond the stage, the tour emphasizes career access and long-term industry guidance:
- Virtual Mentorship Program: Created and hosted by The Orchard, this initiative will select 30 students across the tour to participate in an exclusive mentorship series featuring executive leaders from TDE, BET, and The Orchard.
- Community Give-Back: Additional community-focused educational support and scholarship initiatives will be detailed in conjunction with participating institution leadership.
Executive Quotes<br>“TDE has always been about giving back and pushing the culture forward. TDE University brings our artists, our knowledge, and our resources to HBCU campuses. We are giving students mentorship, scholarships, and opportunities to grow. We’re just giving back and helping the next generation take it to the next level.”
— Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, Founder & CEO, Top Dawg Entertainment
"BET has always invested in Black creatives, and there’s no better place to nurture the next generation than the campuses of our HBCUs. We’re thrilled to partner with TDE to create meaningful opportunities for emerging artists, connecting culture, creativity, and career development in an authentic way. The TDE University Tour spotlights incredible music talent and equips students with the tools, mentorship, and platforms to build lasting careers — all leading up to the Amplified stage at the 2027 BET Awards. We’re proud to help write the next chapter in these artists’ stories."
— Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, BET
"Toyota is excited to be part of the TDE HBCU Tour, a great opportunity to connect with students, celebrate the excellence of HBCUs, and support the next generation of leaders. We’re proud to help create meaningful experiences that reflect our commitment to education, community, and opportunity."
— Andrew George, Senior Analyst of Community Based Marketing, Toyota Motors North America
"Empowering diverse creators is at the core of what we do at The Orchard. Partnering with TDE, Toyota, and BET allows us to bring a unique back-to-school experience directly to HBCU students—combining top-notch talent, hands-on recording opportunities and executive mentorship to build real career pathways for the next generation."
— Brad Navin, CEO, The Orchard
