Reviews (page 9 of 13)
Standouts Good kid
So far on this journey, my experience with Rap has been positive, at least when it comes to the big boys. Having grown up enjoying more of the harsher edged Hip Hop, which often went hand in hand with Metal, this isn't surprising, but my issue with what modern Rap I've heard in the charts is that it is so weak, so one note, and so lyrically inane that it does nothing for me. I don't know where Kendrick fits in this as I've only heard one song from him, to my knowledge. What I do know is that this is a bad album cover. I'm not a fan of most of the vocals and none of the songs stand out as anything I'd want to hear again. But there's impressive creativity amd ambition. A very middling effort that i don't believe would improve much in my estimation with additional listens.
good kid
Not into this artist or style, I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt for a round up since it was well received for the audience. 2.5/5
I don’t think I’ll ever fully be a Kendrick fan, but this album was an overall enjoyable listen. The rhymes are clever, and the production was understated which I think helps keep things interesting. And while I normally don’t care for skits in this genre, inserting them within the songs really helps with the storytelling. A little long winded on the backend, but a much more memorable album compared to others.
Shermz: Ohhh I think I’ve heard of Money Tree before! TBH I feel like what I’m learning from this experience is that I only listen to v pop pop songs LOL Wenz: The rap parts were not bad, but I usually prefer rap songs with nice hook, the hook in these songs were so-so to me 😅
ilkeit
I can appreciate the talent, the stories, and the beats. There were some high points but also some low/boring points for me. Probably won't listen to it again, but I'm glad I took the time to listen to it all the way through.
This is a good album, maybe a great one. I have a hard time with all the explicit lyrics though. It's too frequent for my sensistive ears.
This album dragged. I was really excited for this album and while Lamar’s lyricism is on point it frankly wasn’t enough to keep my attention. A perfectly fine record that I’m just in the minority of not really enjoying it.
Not my thing but found it relatively easy listening. Good storytelling and nice drumming.
Not really my vibe, and kind of blended together for me, but I liked the personal touches added that make it feel autnetic.
dying of thrist is pretty nice
The radio hits are classics. The rest drags on a little.
ничего мега крутого о нем не скажу. на фон поставить в целом пойдёт, ни одна не зацепила но и ужасных там не было, короче среднячок 5/10
The Art of Peer Pressure is a highlight. Not a fan of Kendrick's lyrics but the tune is sweet.
Twas good
5/10
Unpopular opinion: Kendrick Lamar is the most overrated rapper of all time. Perfectly decent flow (re: good but nothing special). Lyrics are meh. All due respect to Compton, but NWA would accidentally obliterate anyone who came up there after 2000. The kids just don't know. And then we have the double album of it all. For your company debut. Ugh. Let's just not talk about the skits.
Did somebody say "Domino's"?
Mid
i mean, i liked TPAB, i like the lyrical complexity and meaning, but i just cant like the beats. Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe and Backseat Freestyling had good beats, but it just doesn’t make up for the lack of in the other places
dopee
Storytelling reminds me of Eminem. Spans the gamut of rap styles, some I don't like, but musically it is excellent. I can't relate too much of the lyrical content but he is a great lyricist.
Trying to listen to this while working is ridiculous. There are a lot of words here. It's just too much to have on in the background. I've listened to Kendrick several times, and for whatever reason it just doesn't stick with me. I never really want to come back for another listen, even though it sounds solid. I guess I prefer Dre's style because "Compton" was a standout for me.
muy bueno la verdad, si bie me gusta drake q creo q es similar estilo, este no pene q me fuese a gustar tanto y me sorprendio muy bueno
I loved the production. Good storytelling and hooking. Sometimes it might have felt too long for some songs, but nothing too drastic.
So, yeah I didn’t hate this but there continues to be something I just don’t get - or keep missing - with Kendrick Lamar. He is the subject of so much gushing, on the internet and from people in real life whose opinion I value, but his music just seems to bypass me. There is nothing that stands out for me, other than him being obviously good at what he does i am always underwhelmed.
There’s a lot to unpack here. Some of this is excellent, the production and instrumentation is very good and there are some excellent tracks, then there are tracks with horrific vocals, and I’m not even sure who is providing them. *Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst* is a really good track ruined by Old Gregg singing the chorus. I could probably do without the skits but it’s just par for the course for the genre I suppose. So it’s a mixed bag, I don’t know if this would grow on me - I get why people would speak highly of this but at the same time, I’m a little unsure if I want to give it another chance.
Bitch don’t kill my vibe is an iconic line (I think I like the OG version the best). Backseat freestyle is classss although the bell sound in background sounds like cow bells. Money trees and poetic justice are classics for a reason. m.AA.d city is a sick beat. I like when they’re lowkey aggressive. Swimming pool also sick flow. Album songs has funny intros/outros but I don’t actually like when songs do that. All those not mentioned are meh/ would not listen again.
Some bangers, some mid
I’m honestly not reallyyyyy into hiphop, but this album wasn’t half bad
I get it. It’s good. Has a couple real good party tracks.
Once again, I HATE HIP HOP. I gotta admit this has a few elements that I like; it sounds more interesting than older hip hop. I know that some of these songs were massive hits and trends, and maybe that influences me a bit. This album is good, though. I think it's the first time I've said this about an album pertaining to this genre. It's not as monotonous. I can distinguish between songs. There isn't much more I can say. I don't love it; I don't hate it. It's fine for what it is.
Just not for me. Can appreciate the reasons this stands out in the genre and the artistry, but I will likely never listen to this record again.
Some of the music in this is incredible. It’s a very good album, albeit one I’m unlikely to listen to often. 3.5
coool
-I’m using SoundCloud cause of the boycott -most are behind a paywall :( -could only listen to 3 songs: •swimming pools •poetic justice •bitch dont kill my vibe Anyways my notes on them SWIMMING POOLS -oooo nice :) POETIC JUSTICE -low-key a vibe :D -yes he can get it ✨ -oooo funky :)) BITCH, DON’T KILL MY VIBE -it’s ok :)
Rap isn't my favourite genre. In fact, I hate most rap songs as they sound the same to me. However, Kendrick seems to keep my attention for the duration of this album. The instrumentation is amazing. I do tend to prefer rap artists who use guitars, pianos, and real drums instead of doing everything inside of their DAW. There's more life to the music that way. I also like the voicenotes/spoken word bits at the end of traks that tell the story of Kendrick's childhood. Helps differentiate him from the countless sea of other artists who sing about sex, killing, and drugs like it's nothing. Then again, I would not listen to most of these tracks again on their own. Artists like Childish Gambino or Tyler, The Creator who are pushing a more experimental take on the rap genre are more my style than what this album has. Not to say that this album is bad - I like it - but I wouldn't play this on my way to uni or work. Favourite tracks: Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter's Daughter, Money Trees, the 2nd half of Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst, Real, and Compton 3/5
love the story telling and the transition in between track 1-2
I am not a huge fan of new rap, even though I appreciate that there FINALLY is something that sounds modern on this list, but out of all the newer rap I feel that Kendrick is absolutely the best. I vibed with this record pretty much.
Pretty great album, even if it's really not for me as a white British guy. I like rap but a lot of the more popular recent stuff kinda hits as pretentious. Some tracks I really liked but a few I just wasn't into.
It had it's moments of beautifully written lyrics and very thicc beat tracks. I'm not a rap connoisseur but I know Kendrick is one of the best of his era. I'd rate the full album as a 6/10
Um “3 grande” porque nunca tinha ouvido mas sabia que era considerado dos melhores do Kendrick, e como já tinha ouvido o TPAB tinha expectativas mais altas para este. Acabei por não gostar tanto, senti falta das inspirações de jazz to TPAB
Continua a ser um estilo que não aprecio, mas é um álbum ok
Rating 5/10 Best Song - Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst.
Clean, downtempo beats and rapping with very few hooks. I like the storyline continuing through the track list and the fact that it tackles some complex issues in a fresh and honest way. Also the voicemail messages are definitely better than the "comedy" skits some other albums have. Backseat Freestyle was fun, and m.A.A.d city is a great track, but most of the rest were interesting but not very enjoyable to listen to.
Trop long, trop tout.
The first track mentions Master Splinter who is a good rat. It's solid.
buenos beats
I hadn’t listened to this album by Kendrick before and as expected it was very good with some standouts for sure, but not my favourite of his.
Did not listen to all of this but I can see why ppl like it! Bitch don't kill my vibe is truly great driving music. Okay I tried to listen more over the weekend: Good kid is a good song. I don't really like to hear Drake that much so I skipped that one. Also I don't know like anything about their beef but I had forgotten that they did song together. Why is swimming pools the only song I know?
Nice West Coast Tunes
Rv
Love his weird little voice
This is great
I never fully got Kendrick in the way I got Kanye. Kanye grabbed me immediately, the samples, the hooks, the big musical moments. Kendrick always felt less about music pulling you in and more about words demanding your attention. "good kid, m.A.A.d city" isn't a musical album. It's a story. It's a proper coming-of-age narrative set in Compton: peer pressure, faith, violence, ego, survival. The skits tie it together so it feels almost cinematic. In fact, Lamar even billed it as a "short film". You can tell how carefully it's built. There's serious substance here. Spending proper time with it now, I do get a glimpse of why it's held up as such a big deal. The storytelling is sharp, the perspective shifts are clever, and when it hits, it really hits. "Money Trees" is the song that sticks out for me, the song that feels most instinctive and replayable. But if I'm honest, it still lives slightly outside my natural listening comfort zone. I respect it more than I love it. It's dense, and it asks more of you than most hip-hop I naturally gravitate toward. I'd probably give it three stars based on my own connection to it. But there's a part of me that knows it probably deserves more.
I like the music. I like the beats. I like the way his voice sounds and how he sings or says things. I just don't really care for what he's singing about. Some catchy songs.
Аранжировки местами прямо интимные.
5/10 25.02.2026
I listened to this quite a few times, as it wasn't one of his I'd heard before. Lamar is very clever, and I can see what people love about him, but somehow it didn't quite work for me.
Pretty coowel
GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: post work, chillin' FAMILIARITY: New to me SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it DISCOVERY CURVE: Slow burner this one ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Fair enough BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely - Motionless appreciation FAVOURITE TRACK: My Rating: 3 I think this'll need a few listens. It deserves more attention.
How did I know the first thing I heard wasn't going to be music when I pressed play on this one? The interludes are maddening. Who wants to listen to that stuff EVERY time they listen to an album? I don't get it. But I digress . . . This falls into the same category as a quality jazz album for me. I appreciate it. I recognize the talent. I enjoy it to a degree. But, it doesn't grab me emotionally at all and I don't feel qualified to rate it anything other than a 3.
I guess this was okay. Under Peter's excellent rubric, it earns a 3 because I made it through 5 songs with some level of engagement. But, fuck if Poetic Justice didn't torpedo the heavily listing U.S.S. Everett Tries to Give a Shit. So, yeah, a 3, but heavily caveated.... ....unlike Surfer Rosa, which, as per my general dipshittedness, I managed to after-the-fact rate a 5 without providing a review. This album is straight bangers from front to back. How about that guitar sound on Gigantic? How about Kim's surreal tongue music on River Euphrates? How about the barely submerged sexual tension and longing in Black Francis's lyrics in Cactus? This album and Doolittle are the greatest 1-2 combo from any band in the 1980s and maybe from any band ever.
I appreciate the craft but i'm not fully into the tunes on this album. Don't dislike it as such but its not my fav work from Kendrick.
Kendrick is good. Never been a huge fan but know this album. On a relisten didn’t discover any new favs.
Hip-hop is usually not my genre but I appreciate the cultural impact this album has. The production is stellar, the lyrics are very good (except the profanity which I never like). No songs really stood out, but it was a good listen.
3 - good but expected more compared t.p.a.b
Very good album, not necessarily for me, but I understand its cultural impact and why it’s one of the greatest albums ever.
Better than I was expecting. I could revisit this. 3*
This album is very well produced and has a nice cinematic feel to it. I do not typically listen to Hip-hop as it not really what I enjoy listening to, but on this album, there were moments which positivley surprised me. The electronic samples are layered very well throughout the album. Swimming Pools is a standout song, with its synthetic keyboards and synthetic drums and I like the use of Hi-Hats on the song too. Lyrically, there are metaphors and annecdotes mixed in with humour which portray a bleak/seedy look into urban life and working class America. Themes of Violence and Peer Pressure are sprinkled throughout the album and how once you are involved in something too deep, you can never get out. This allows the theme of Drug and Alcohol abuse to come into play, as the characters in this album use drugs and alcohol as a form on escapisim (from the life that they have found themselves in). I must iterate that I do not listen to Hip-hop so I do not know the criteria of what makes a Hip-hop record great or even stand out, but my enjoyment form this record came from the presentation of the narrative, the narrative itself and how the lyrics have a narrative feel to them. The sound of the album was not always my cup of tea, but it had it's moments. 3/5
Didnt properly listen to all of it
A real mix here, the start and end were very good, I have heard about Kendrick's lyrical skill and it did shine through in some songs, this, as I've said in other reviews, being a genre were songwriting strength is very apparent. Sherane was a very good opener and most of the songs post m.A.A.d city were very enjoyable as well, Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst and Compton being some of the stronger songs. The spoken section in the sings really helped to build a picture of what it was like to grow up in the city and definitely added to the album's atmosphere, they were a nice addition. That being said a lot of the central section of the album was slightly lacking for me, the lyrics weren't as strong and the style of singing/rapping just didn't sound as good. Without meaning to sound too performative, I didn't like the objectification of women in a lot of these songs, I understand that's the nature of this style of music, and that perhaps Kendrick is showing 'the ways of the city' so to speak but it didn't sit right with me. It's difficult to give this a rating which describes the album as a whole as I did find it had its ups and downs. Overall a 3 seems the most fair, recognising that it had both good moments and less interesting ones. Perhaps someone more in line with this style of music can appreciate the album more than I. I skipped the remix versions at the end of the album, I'd heard the song. Hopefully didn't miss out on much. Also, someone get that man his Domino's. 64/100
Really enjoyed this - despite not being my fave genre. Good storytelling/ narrative. Does get slightly repetitive.
I listened to it the background but didn’t have time to listen as closely as I wanted to. Will probably revisit later
So from someone that listens to Tyler the creator and mac miller when I’m feeling that sort of vibe, although I’ve heard Kendrick’s damn album and enjoyed that, I’ve never give this one a go until now. I wish I’d have tried it sooner, the samples on the songs are on point for Kendrick’s voice, Blend of bringing the sound of new and old rap together. Money trees is a stand out song for me, as well as backseat freestyle. Bitch don’t kill my vibe even the remix’s are ok wouldn’t say it’s my favourite mainly the chorus I thinks just abit too much but the actual rap in them is stand out. I suppose if your not into that genre of music it would be hard to give this ago, it’s not my top genre but I can see how he’s in the mix on this.
Rap. Not bad, pretty catchy at times.
some good songs even tho i don’t really like hip-hop
Hmm. Even though I listen to Kendrick semi-often, I think I've always found it hard to really listen to the lyrics. This may be better than I'm giving it credit for, but if he didn't rap like a baby boy then maybe I'd understand what he was saying.
Kendrick is a true street poet. A great story teller. I understand the hype now. The exception is obnoxious lyrics like "I wish my dick was the Eiffel tower so I could fuck the whole world for 72 hour" and "I got all of these bitches, all of these bitches, all of these bitches, wifey, girlfriend and mistress". The kind of thing that makes people generally stay away from rap music because of misogynistic cliches.
First time listening to Kendrick Will check out some more
Not my usual listen, but I enjoyed the narrative and the flow into some jazzy bits
Heard this a while back and wasn't fairly keen on it. It maybe requires more listening to fully appreciate it. I'll give it another go.
A lot better than I thought it would be. Also arising different and better than Pimp a Butterfly
3. 5/ 5
“Sing about me, I’m dying of thirst” is my favorite track I think. The voicemails left by his mom and dad hit hard for me for some reason. “Backseat Freestyle” is my second favorite track. Anna Wise adds so much to this album. “Swimming Pools” makes me feel like I’m driving in the city at night. “Now or Never” is so hopecore. I don’t really listen to Kendrick that much in my day to day life but I can see why people see him as one of the GOATs in rap.
Sorry young boy is m.a.a.d. overrated. I keep hearing he's a "GOAT"ed rapper, but have given this Damn, and pimp an honest try and cannot hear it.
Great story telling and lyrics, just the music itself, I got bored. TPAB on the other hand, thats a different story
I am not a huge fan of rap but I actually enjoyed this listen. I knew more tracks than I assumed I would which was surprising.
Kendrick is a pretty listenable artist. Great instrumentals under the rapping. Beats are nice.
Was fun to listen to the whole thing. I'd go back and spend more time getting to know the lyrics
I think what I appreciate about this album is that the lyrics are easy to understand. Helps so much with connecting with the vibe and the story the album is telling.
Kendrick is all about lyrics, and he has lots of hits I love. However, this album is a bit boring and same-y, rhythmically and musically (outside of great lyrics).
This feels like something I’ll return to but could not connect with today.
Tight, deep and an impressive performance. On the other hand, it's so wrapped up in its own mythology I feel like I've been pulled off the street to hold the tissues on this guy's colonoscopy. Sorry mate, you seem really talented and energetic, and you seem to have some post traumatic developmental issues to work through but I'm just not that into you
Not my style but that was fun heh
Great story telling but a little too much raw audio for my liking. Excellent rhythm and beats. Probably would like it more if I listened to it more and learn about Kendrick's story.
Difficult to pay attention to the lyrics. I’m too slow and deaf for this.
Some not so great memories and some great memories with this album ☞ “Real”
Pretty alright.
Ok - bit too much beatching for me, but decent enough
I didn't hate it. That's saying something given that I like very little rap, and even less of the more modern albums on this list. Not sure I would go back to it, but I do admit the man is talented.
Really like Money Trees
I can tell it's good but it's not my style 3
Rap not my thing. I didn't know much about the artist except for recent beef with another rapper. Can't say I really followed it. So I went into this fully expecting to hate it. You know what? It was actually pretty good. Probably wouldn't listen again but this was a good use of my time.
It was good, not my taste but can’t deny a good album
наверно норм
The production and musicianship are excellent. Such a shame the album repeatedly chugged “degrading women juice” instead of “respecting women juice”. Otherwise this could easily be a 5.
It was hard to listen to, some songs felt very violent, but at least a couple of them I liked.
I can see why people would appreciate this but I'm encountering the same barriers to my enjoyment as with previous rap and hip hop albums. Overall, this album was more immersive, cleverer, and less antagonistic toward women than the average. Rounded up to 3.
I prefer other Kendrick Lamar albums to this one, although I still think it's good. It just isn't anything I would listen to again, as all the song sound very similar and the sound itself isn't particularly my preference.
ok
Sarmadı
2.5
lyrically dense, great message, definitely redefined modern rap in a way but i’ve moved on from this sound almost completely my enjoyability towards kendrick and similar artists has plunged like crazy
I thought annoying skits on hip hop albums died in the early 2000's. I liked half of this, hated the other. 2.5
Didnt listen but im sure it's decent
Smijem li biti prva osoba koja će reći da je ovo malo bolje od To Pimp A Butterfly? Onaj je valjda još duži i dosadniji. Mada mi se ni ovaj nije dopao.
pretty good but way too long
Very accomplished, but not for me. I think my tastes in hip-hop are much too pedestrian for this.
I can appreciate this album and its place in rap history...but, to me, it was a bit of a slog with a few songs that rose above it. Granted, as a 57 year-old white male, I am not the person to give this a good assessment. I liked its ambition and scope. And, as a song cycle or concept album, I liked how it changed course over the album. But quite a bit of it felt like the same old gang bangers with some "come to Jesus" interludes here and there.
I enjoyed this more than I expected. Lyrically, it's not overly relatable for me (recognising I'm not the target audience), but some good grooves to enjoy along the way.
Not confident rating this, as rap really requires careful listening and this is a monster of an album, so I dind't have time to do it justice. Clearly a very ambitious piece of work - not my usual style but I'm glad I gave it some attention.
Will listen again. For current hip hop, this album is above most. Music and backing tracks are minimalistic, lyrics are interesting.
This album never got me the way it did with everyone else. There's tracks on here I absolutely love; there's others I'm really not that into. It's really hot and cold for me. THAT'S JUST HOW I FEEL. I still love Kendrick.
Average rap stuff.
A bit too explicit for me and it takes me out of the music.
Initially I wanted to rate this album solely on his ridiculous performance at Super Bowl 59. With that said I did like the jabs at Drake and Serena Williams crip walking from that performance. After listening to the album, I enjoyed it more than I anticipated. I thought “Sing About Me” and “Black Boy Fly” were a couple good tracks. I liked the jazz vibes throughout, however I found most of the album just felt similar from song to song including the instrumentals and beats. 3.5
2.5
A lot of quality rap and beats in here but it's A Lot
Another album that just is not my thing, but I can appreciate the appeal that makes my kid want to have watched the Super Bowl lol
Major bangers on this older album, but didn’t like all the talking parts.
You can tell how he became so big. Rap isn’t my favorite but Kendrick is pretty great.
É muito complicado julgar rap. Não é feito pra mim, não tenho a vivência necessária pra entender minimamente o significado, o feeling, nada. Mas dito isso, esse álbum passa uma baita qualidade, dá pra perceber que teve uma produção pica, que o bagulho é bem feito. Vários detalhezinhos bem feitos, algumas músicas tem umas melodias mó gostosinhas, umas vibes susse daóra. Apesar de eu não conseguir absorver direito, eu acho 2 estrelas muito pouco pra qualidade e vibe. Parece meio injusto. Eu achei ele consideravelmente melhor e mais divertido que muitos álbuns chatões aí que ganharam 2 estrelas. Acho que merece 3 estrelas, mesmo eu não curtindo muito rap.
Honestly pretty good. Close to giving it 4
Honestly, he’s a pretty good lyricist. Never listened to a full Kendrick album as it’s not really my thing, but for modern rap he’s up there. I see why people enjoy it, but I’d rather listen to something else.
This sounds interesting right off the bat. I dig the unique flow and style of the rap and the backing track is good using a lot of interesting sounds. I’ve heard the album after this and enjoyed it as well so I definitely need to check out his more recent albums. As usual though with a lot of this kind of rap, the subject matter is personally unrelatable but it sure is fun and funny to listen to!
Took me a moment but glad I stuck with it. Intricate metre.
very good and foud content to my playlist but not quite my cup of tea
Don’t hate it. Might listen again
Solid lyrics and good jams…
Pas mon truc mais pas si mal!
It was an ok album - I don’t appreciate the vulgarity and misogyny but other than that it was ok musically.
The beats and music on this album are so good and the lyrics are so raw. Kendrick Lamar definitely has a sense of humour. The spoken bits at the end of songs are so funny, especially the father and his Dominos! With all of this, I'm not fully into it. I usually don't mind explicit language, but this is a lot for me. Liked Songs Added: Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst
Pretty good and chill, didn't fully grab me but was a nice background listen. I'd give it 3.5 stars if that was an option on this site, but I think I'm rounding this down to 3.
Good, need to spend more time with this.
This was better than To Pimp a Butterfly. A few songs that were melodically OK, and the breadth of his lyrics was impressive at times. Also, no skits or interludes as separate tracks. IPlus a Janet Jackson sample on “Poetic Justice”.
Not my style in terms of rap-style. but nicely produced. Good beats and entertaining
28/1001 Not my favorite style of music but Kendrick Lamer is undeniable and I do enjoy a good concept album. 5/10
Super talented but way too religious for my taste
Good but I preferred tpab
I really wanted to like it. Maybe I need to listen with lyrics next to me. Seemed to say bitch alot. Not bad, but I expected more.
The starting of tis album makes me wonder if this Kendrick is influenced differently because this album sounds really funny, as the songs goes on through out the album it feels more Kendrick. i like it but not love it.
Odotin enemmän. Oli ihan hyvä levy taas, mutta tavallaan pettymys kun bängereitä ei ollutkaan juurikaan. 3/5.
This style of rap is not really my style, and I find it unlikely that I'll return to any of these tracks in the future. That said then the beats were pretty cool on some of the tracks at times. Standouts Money Trees m.A.A.d city 3/5
Kendrick Lamar is a talented rapper and I appreciate that wordplay is used far more than other rappers - he doesn’t rely on the tropes in the same way that a lot of others do. I’m not an avid fan but have listened to (and enjoy) DAMN., which I do prefer as I think the hooks and music itself draws you in more - this didn’t quite capture my interest as much being a sometime fan. But it’s still solid and some decent tracks in there.
This album represents a significant development in hip-hop, giving a fresh new sound that seems to push the genre forward from the west coast hip-hop of the 90's. I quite enjoyed the dark, murky style and the nasal rapping over the well produced beats. I also liked that it had a variety of style and cadence, rather than feeling like you are listening to a single continuous tempo, Kendrick uses creative structures to vary tracks throughout the album. My main criticism is that a whole album of this genre is too much for me and what begins as fresh and interesting wanes by halfway through. That, on top of the fact that this is a long album which I think is about three tracks too long. If this was condensed down into a more efficient package it might have nudged into higher marks for me because I liked the general vibe.
Slower very autobiographical good for a chill rainy day situation
I know this one is supposed to be amazing but even when it came out I didn't get along with it. There are some good tracks on it but the flow and vibe don't always work for me. I wouldn't turn it off and there's only a couple of skips on it but it's not the Kendrick album I'd reach out for. Cool baseline on "Good Kid".
My son loves Kendrick Lamar. I’ve tried many times to listen to him and just don’t get it at all. So I approached this with caution fully expecting to feel like an old man yet again who just doesn’t get modern music… But I didn’t hate this! Can’t imagine ever listening to it again but it was good I think my issues with this - and a lot of hip hop in general - is goosebumps. The albums that I’ve given 5⭐️ on this invariably have moments that literally make the hairs on my arm stand on end. None of this moves me like that even if I can appreciate the stories weaved by the lyrics and tap my foot to the beat. That might be an issue inherent to me rather than any fault in the music but I just remain unmoved by this. Gonna give it a generous 3 though as I at least got close enough to seeing what my son sees in this
Not what I’d choose to listen to most of the time but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it.
oh, kendrick. i usually hate gagsta rap but i have a sweet spot for "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe". i don't even understand why, it's just "hangin' on the sofa and chillin'" music, which i don't even do usually. it's probably what i'd imagin i could enjoy listening to when i'd arrive doing it. ha.
3/6
Ich verstehe, was Leute daran gut finden, und schlecht ist es auf keinen Fall, aber für mich zündet es nicht wirklich. Irgendwas fehlt, ich denke, etwas mehr Melodien und Groove, aber ich bin mir nicht sicher. Trotzdem echt in Ordnung.
In general, this just isn't for me but it did grow on me over the course of the album. I liked good kid, with it's retro vibe and the music of Swimming Pools (Drank) was really cool. I also liked Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst and Compton. I still don't like hiphop skits, and on a practical level, the skits being part of if the track on streaming so you'd be unable to skip through them, makes them even more annoying to me. They also make the album very long. I feel like I'm probably not appreciating the short movie format of this album, but it's just fine to me. 3/5
The album is a hell of a story as an overall arc. You need to almost invest in the entire album to follow the journey properly. That arc is genius. Each individual song isn't as stand alone for me.
Kendrick is a genius... period. That being said, this album didn't resonate with me as much as To Pimp a Butterfly.
Interesting rap album. Very talented, but I find it hard to keep up and enjoy him sometimes. 3/5 Might listen again
Meh
Just ok. Not a big fan of this album
I liked it better than I thought! he has a great flow of words, and great beats. 3.5
Alguns instrumentais interessantes: Bitch, D'ont Kill My Vibe; The Art of Peer Pressure e Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst
poignant narrative-led, almost confessional exploration of morality, masculinity and faith in a racially stratified america. always going to struggle with the over-sexualisation of women though. perhaps done to expose the distorted gender dichotomy/dynamics and violent toxic masculinity of the world he depicts, but with knowledge of his broader discography and tendency to sort of moralise female sexuality and objectify women, i question this a bit. the production itself, though, is so smooth. not the biggest fan of kendrick's voice, but the samples (especially beach houseee), deep bass, and interspersed jazz and soul elements compensate. 2.5/5
I appreciate the significance, and the storytelling is quite good. The music itself is also well thought out. Can’t stand much of the lyrics though..
Some really great stuff in there. Just a bit too much stuff I couldn’t be bothered with too
Some good musical moments, but on most tracks there is not enough and too much going on at the same time(?). Am I likely to listen to this album all the way through again? Probably not, but 2 stars feels too harsh. I’m obviously not cool enough, soz.
Täitsa enam vähem. Esimest korda üldse kuulasin seda artisti. Mingi loo märkisin meeldivaks
Really liked Sing About Me. Easy to see why he got so much attention.
Kendrick is a genius. I still don’t like the moodiness of modern day hip hop though
Once again, I struggled with this album, but I appreciated it. On one hand, the music quality and production is great. Kendrick Lamar does an excellent job of representing what life was like in Southern California’s less-than-wealthy neighborhoods, but by the other respect, this music is a detailed account of a culture that I obviously don’t understand and therefore feel like I am watching a sporting clips on the internet rather than being at the game. The Art of Peer Pressure was a powerful look at this world, and Poetic Justice was poetry. And mAAd City was hard hitting. Respect to him: he has more talent than I do. If I was younger I probably would have dug this. Now, I don’t think I will be returning to this neighborhood.
Random thoughts: * I can’t really comment on rap albums these days. I feel kinda old and like I just don’t get it. * It feels like Kendrick has a lot to say and I would need to put in more effort to truly “get” what he is saying. * I’ve never heard any of these tunes before although I have listened Kendrick before and listened to all of “Pimp a Butterfly” * I enjoyed the tunes but could use less profanity. But it represents how people talk. * I probably need a few more listens but doubt I’ll head back.
I didn’t get through all it. It was ok
Kendrick definitely deserves a place on this list, although I think DNA was a bit better, this one is also a banger. He just gets you pumped and he is a great lyricist. I wonder if his and Drake's feud was a marketing stunt?
A glimpse into a formative moment from another world outside my own. Well done with the theme carried neatly throughout. Several bangers I already have in rotation, but likely would put this full album on one a year or every other year.
Eh not for me but alright
Started off not great but got much better. Though I think to pimp a butterfly is better. Enjoyed the beach house sample in money trees.
Tuvo onda
I didn't love it but it had its moments.
1. Sherane - Not bad, not really liking it but it's still pretty much good 7/10 2. bitch don't kill my vibe - it's not bad, just okay 7/10 3. backseat freestyle - good, great even 10/10
There are flashes of brilliance here, but it just didn't click with me. That likely has something to do with me being too old and white. I'm guessing I'm not supposed to get it. Still, telling a story in a rap seems like a good format.
The last time I reviewed a Kendrick Lamar album, I used words like socio-political commentary. Well, this time I’m just going to say, I didn’t particularly like it, but Kendrick Lamar is better at rapping at me for 75 minutes than most.
There are a couple of songs I liked but overall, not for me.
eek, I'm not sure how to rate this one. i enjoyed it, and I especially enjoyed reading more about it and the important role is played both in rap generally and in Kendrick's own career. How cool that it's been taught in classes alongside other notable coming of age texts. I wish I liked it more - I think I prefer Kendrick's later style over this very spare instrumentation. Still, I'm glad I listened to it!
If TPAB is an album for music nerds GKMC is an album for rap nerds, theres great things in it but for me as a rock nerd this wasn’t an instant love for me. Sure ‘money trees’ is great and ‘master splinters daughter’ is a good way to open but then theres tracks like ‘bitch don’t kill my vibe’ and ‘poetic justice’ that I was a bit neutral too. I’m sorry but I just can’t put this in the same tier as ‘alright’, ‘the blacker the berry’, ‘king kunta’, ‘wesleys theory’ etc… I will give a shoutout to ‘sing about me I’m dying of thirst’ there was a bit of the album that flew by quite quickly but it stopped with this song (ik he’s got mortal man on TPAB) but this is kendricks ‘desolation row’ moment. A brilliant 12 minute epic that earns its length. The album has to be a 3/5 tho
Elment, de nem hoz lázba továbbra sem Kendrick Lamar
Ok, had some good parts but not really for me. Not as good as To Pimp A Butterfly.
weighted and deep lyrics, religous touch with elevated gangsta rap, very wide range, biographical elements, very long songs, voice message "Money trees"/"Poetic justice"/"Good kid"/Swimming pools (drank)
Strong 3. Obviously iconic, landing nicely on the ears
Crazy
Some 10/10 songs, some are not too special. Kendrick’s rap is always on top, but in comparison to his later releases, this one just isn’t as strong anymore.
Classy stuff from Kendrick, but not his best album
Really good as far as rap goes.
I can’t pinpoint why I can’t get into Lamar, maybe it’s his flow. I respect it, it’s just not for me.
Though it had rhythm and rhyme, it was still boring.
It's OK, not as good as I expected.
70/1001. Another Lamar for me, tpab was first, so this is sort of in the wrong order. This definitely is an album that would need more listens. But the problem is that I don't really listen to this kind of music. Nor that I wouldn't want to, but there is just too much beyatch to get over.
2010s gen z childhood music
Not quite the star quality as his more recent music.
Kult nok. Et par gromlåter.
Not my usual thing but in the right mood I would enjoy this. Not sure.
Oh boy, here comes a review of Kendrick Lamar from a non-rap listener. Guess it took this long for me to listen to him, because I gusss the Drake beef and the Super Bowl weren’t enough. I heard plenty of good things about Kendrick, but let’s just say that I didn’t reach an epiphany from this. Some of the problems I have with rap albums are present here, such as the long length (why are most rap albums fucking an hour long) and the questionable lyrical material. I don’t mean “questionable” like offensive, but more in the sense of juvenile. I’m starting to come to terms that shit like this is what to expect in rap/hip-hop albums and Kendrick couldn’t convince me otherwise. He has, however, provided some refreshing changes. For one, there aren’t any skits in the sense that they are…voicemails? Is that what you would call them? Whatever they are, they add more value to the album than any stupid skit would have. I also noticed that I liked the latter half of the album more than the former, probably because it shows Kendrick maturing as the album goes on. It’s a nice little touch that gives this album a slight edge over some of the other hip-hop I heard. Overall, I’m not completely sold on Kendrick Lamar. I can see why many would love this album, but it’s really not for me personally. Maybe his later efforts can help convince me. I’m sure that there are down the pipeline on this site. Favorite track: Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thrist Other hits: Swimming Pools (Drank), Real, Compton, Money Trees, Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe
I was not really enjoying this until it got to good kid, but even after that it was just alright
This album was better than I expected. I appreciated that it did not have overkill of cussing and womanizing. I appreciated that he talked about faith and getting out of the bad situations in Compton without being a drug lord.
meh. hip hop is not my thing. can appreciate the sounds & different samples but don't find him the gifted lyricist that many do.
Songs were kinda hit or miss for me. Best song: Backseat Freestyle Notable(s): Bitch, Dont Kill My Vibe, Swimming Pools (Drank)
I love the phone skits. Some songs are a little long for my taste, but there are some jams in here. Probably a 3.5
It’s fine
One of the few “modern” rap albums I enjoy
Not into this genre but i enjoyed some
Its an album of two halves and the second is definitely better.
Thematic and cohesive as an album
Some beats are good.
alright, kinda cool as an art piece, maybe wouldnt listen to it all the time. once again, good for background music (maybe at a party) but no songs jumped out at me
Never dove into a full Kendrick album. I knew the production would be on point and his flow is nasty. Aside from that, I liked the way the album unfolded and got a little more accessible and closer to an R and B vice later on the album. Good use of skits to help the story unfold.
It was fine. Nothing spectacular.
Would it be cool if I loved him and loved this? Most of the music is definitely cool. Minimalist, a backdrop, a soundtrack. I know he's widely revered but far too much here is predictable, especially the sexual references. I can't tell if they are supposed to be funny? Some may just be unintentionally hilarious! I expected more genuine social commentary. There is some, especially later on in the album, but even then it doesn't grab me, it's too clichéd. And turning to God, or the idea of turning to God, does nothing for me. Another issue! His spoken word vocals are cool sometimes, but so annoying when he does the high squeaky stuff! Is that even him? Near the end "Real' goes on and on about loving yourself. A tired message. 'Compton' is closer to what I expected from the whole album. Hey ho, maybe I'm just old. For rap with social commentary I prefer Public Enemy and 'The Message'. Away from rap Bob Dylan, Matt Johnson, Billy Bragg, Morrissey, even The Housemartins and more recently Bob Vylan all have more to say. Gets a third star, but only just.
The beginning was a hard listen hearing the mindset of a teenager so crude and toxic (in their toxic world). The music was good and I like there being a journey over the album. I think I would have to listen a few times to appreciate more of the arc. I
Kendrick is pretty good, I think this was my first time going out of my way listening to his music and it leaves a good impression.
Tiene canciones míticas de Kendrick, no lo escucharía todos los días pero para un dia que me apetezca algo chill pero con carácter algo fuerte está bien.
I’m a fan of Kendrick Lamar but I found this album underwhelming. I don’t much enjoy interstitial and I’m willing to let some in as this was a “concept” album but found it took me out of the listening experience. All in all I find he has gotten better with age and experience and this early one is not where I would have hoped it would be.
I am not a fan of rap but this is accessible, love the melodies and production. Happy Birthday KEndrIcK!
Kendrick is a strong rapper with a sick flow. Some thought-provoking lyrics, some questionable lyrics. Cool beats.
Hit ad miss for me.
Awesome album with some great tracks. 7.9/10
Good album, not incredible though.
The style does stand out on its own, and there's more creative and complex decisions in the songs. But something about Kendrick's sound just never grabs me, I'm sitting through songs that I can get along with while waiting for a banger that never comes
Some alright songs that I recognize, but not someone I could listen to regularly. I understand why people enjoy him though.
Tiene su interés pero sin letras......
occasionally vivid storytelling from a gifted writer. i like his poetry when he lets his guard down. i like his voice best when it cracks and gets wacky, gets a little weird. but this isn't consistently clear, vulnerable, or weird enough for me. it also lacks anything that gets me out of my seat. not surprising: dr. dre was executive producer. "m.a.a.d. city" probably comes closest to something funky when it morphs into a different song at 2:35 (boom boom bap), even with the squiggly high chronic synth that worms its way in near the end. apparently "backseat freestyle" is supposed to be kendrick's teenage self showing off for his buddies after one of them hits record and prompts him to rap, providing the backdrop for the juvenile eiffel tower dick stuff. but i listened to it four times, and i don't know how i'm supposed to get all that context. i also don't give a shit for skits or songs about someone's dick or sexual prowess (dr. dre, repeat offender: doctor's office / pause 4 porno). tryhard shortcut stuff. you're a good writer. find a metaphor. maybe that makes me a puritan, or maybe i just like wordplay when i know the artist is more than capable of it (kendrick, not dre). make it clever, not obvious, not crass, not boring. god it's boring. on the other hand, a song like "the art of peer pressure" is great. drop the posturing, peel back the production, give us something honest and biographical and retrospective. full of little details -- backseats and his boys and super nintendos and close calls. his voice is right there, too. go figure it's one of the least-listened-to songs on the album on spotify. count "good kid" and the aforementioned "maad city" in the same boat. more of that. i like some things about kendrick lamar, mainly tearing drake a new asshole before, during, and after the super bowl halftime show, but this sounds made for the masses. it's an autobiographical album, but the plot isn't clear enough and the beats aren't infectious enough to hold my attention for long enough to tell its story.
Personally, I prefer older rap with samples, but I get the copyright dweebs put a stop to that. Kendrick Lamar has been growing on me since the Super Bowl. Bonus points for him hating Drake. Fuck that dude. 3.5⭐️
A chronicle of Kendrick Lamar's formative years in Compton. I appreciate the concept and execution of the album, even if I probably won't come back to listen again. Standout track: Compton
It's not without some high points. But overall I just can't get into modern hip hop. 3/5 #77
Not necessarily for me but I can appreciate it.
wel oke volede me te cool
Recognized way more songs than I expected. I can appreciate how good this album probably is for this genre, but just not my vibe. Don't think I could listen to it again.
Damn. Can the pun still be “not intended” if I realized it before I typed it? Whatever. I’ve definitely listened to this album once or twice to hear what all the fuss was about. Despite accusations of being a contrarian levied at me and Kendrick Lamar’s immense popularity, I can remember getting a ton out of this. I’m excited to revisit and I hope to glean even more from this effort. Good 29 year old MAAD suburbs is my working title of this review. Let’s start on a bad note. Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter’s Daughter - The Master Splinter requests an audience with the one they call Kendrick Lamar. Wait a minute. There’s no weird guy named Master Splinter? Whatever. As much as sex is an overused lyrical trope, this storytelling is out of this world. The musicality and lyricism blend so well. Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe - Catchy song but this has lost so much of its lustre for me. Very bright and exciting when I first heard it but I just don’t care about it anymore. Long live the 2020s attention span. The next generation will communicate in a series of bleeps and bloops. Not a horrible song, just doesn’t do anything for me these days. Backseat Freestyle - Man, this song is kinda bad. Repetition of really dumb lyrics in a very Kanye West fashion. Off-putting. The Art of Peer Pressure - More high quality storytelling. It’s nice to be rewarded for listening closely. As a song, this isn’t the greatest thing I’ve ever heard, but I’m certainly enthralled. A fascinating look at adolescent stresses, conflicting feelings, and morality. Money Trees - Another pop moment. However, The laid back yet highly infectious beat, the production, and the continuation of the narrative aspect of this album make this a true highlight. Poetic Justice - I hate this early 2010s club voice. I feel like it was used in so many radio songs. Do I have any source for that? Uhh. Look over there. Background vocals are pretty annoying in this case, but this isn’t abhorrent. Pretty catchy, fun. Oh NO. It’s Drake. Disgusting. He shouldn’t be allowed near any female without a Hannibal letter muzzle and a handler. good kid - This is the first song that I’ve kind of zoned out on. m.A.A.d city - Good lord. This is the kind of stuff that I gravitate towards. The old school aggression vibe with the brilliantly pointed lyrical criticism and acknowledgment of gang violence. A highly intelligent look at the emotions associated with a real issue while leaning heavily on best musical aspects of the genre. Greta feature from MC Eiht. Swimming Pools (Drank) - I feel like this song was the first meaningful song all the dumbest people I. High school listened to. I’ve heard so much discourse about this song for some reason. It’s great that such a popular artist can get that message to resonate, but “alcohol bad” is not exactly a revelation. Even in rap. We heard that excellent Public Enemy song a few weeks back. It is great to restate, especially considering the cultural connotations. Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst - Part deux of the average Lil Wayne listeners’ first experience of thought. I kid the lunkheads. This song this song is quite great. The rapping, the expert use of sound effects, and creation of in-depth emotion. The first beat is fairly boring to me, but everything else makes a very cool track. Real - Oh no. This chorus is awful. Really really really really real awful. Low energy nursery rhyme. I hate this. Compton - This sounds like a song that would appear in “Fight Night Champion.” I played a lot of that game. I think my expectations were too high here. I have certainly outgrown a lot of the feelings on this album. When Kendrick Lamar touches on something powerful that resonates with me, few modern rappers are as eloquent and impactful. There is also a lot of pop on this and frankly, not enough going on song-wise. Kendrick would improve on this formula in a couple years or so, but the songs here aren’t as good as we would hear on later projects. What a drab review. I’ll have to spice it up with something mean or something. I really have nothing. A highly literary rapper who crossed into the mainstream while not betraying one layer of himself. A complex look at street life with points of relation for every goofball in the suburbs make this an album that is ubiquitous in pop culture, and did a great deal to shape it as it is today. Like a MENSA meeting at a McDonald’s, this album is fascinating for its duality, if not slightly lacking in something to my ear. 3.5 HIGHLIGHTS: The Art of Peer Pressure, Money Trees, m.A.A.d city, Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst
There is a lot of talk about coming of age, but there was an entire generation of rappers saying the same things, violence and misogyny. That said, the beats were good. Perhaps not something I’d reach for, but not a bad album by any means.
Ok
It's a cool album but definitely doesn't grab me as much as To Pimp A Butterfly, I just love that jazz influence.
Well, you have to listen to everything I guess... I wasn´t convinced at the beginning but after all I finished and it wasn't that bad. it was good for 1h. 3/5
I'm old(ish), and love me some good late '90's and early '00's rap. Kendrick seems to be carrying the torch for that. Oddly enough though, I didn't get into him until his more recent shit. I think I like this, but it's going to take more listening for it to land.
Skillfully made but this album doesn't really vibe with me for the most part. The Art of Peer Pressure and Money Trees were chef's kiss, though!
It was OK but not for me.
This isn't my type of music nor does it speak to my life experiences, but I found it educational. Lyrically dense and smooth. I can see why he is so popular. He did ruin the Eiffel tower for me though... "We made a right, then made a left, then made a right Then made a left, we was just circlin' life"
Liked a few of the songs, but just not a big fan of the genre.
So first off, rap is definitely not really my genre. But I did like a lot of this. Some of the rhymes and flow were pretty good, and the music was excellent. A lot of this album felt like talking and was quite boring when I'm looking to listen to music. Overall I appreciated the talent that went into making this album, but I'm probably never listening to it again. Three stars.
A few catchy tracks. I can see the appeal but overall not for me
Didn’t listen. I will come back to it 😊. I think it’s going to be a 3
just not my thing at all. I realise it is important and all that, but it is not for everyone. I listened to it with this in mind but i just could not gel with it.. It was not unbearable though..so 3 stars
7/10
Not my jam at all. Quality production, to be sure, but this one’s a miss for me.
gostei. não ouvi todo.
With drake
I've never listened to Kendrick Lamar before. Although this is very much not my style, it is very well done.
Pet fav songs: Backseat Freestyle; m.A.A.d City; Swimming Pools; Compton. I don't know this a "masterpiece" but it is very good. Great production. Overstays its welcome a bit. Cut 'Sing About Me...' and 'Real' and I think this would be better. Albums hitting 40 to 45 mins or more start to drag. Just because technology lets you run up the play time doesn't mean you should. Forced restraint has helped more artists than anyone would like to admit. 30ish mins for an album is optimal just like 90ish mins for a movie. Make your point and keep it tight.
3.5
The elements are here that came to fruition brilliantly in damn but here it feels the subtlety and the pacing and the samples are not on the same level. This is good but not great.
Hmmm. Parts of this are brilliant. I believe many people have this as his best album. I can understand that. I prefer To Pimp, Mr Morale and GNX. This does not mean I don't like Good Kid. I do. It does start to drag towards the end though. It's a 3.5 really.
I'm not a big rap or hip hop guy so this will be a trip out of the norm for me, but with Kendrick being literally everywhere these days I'm excited to give this a listen. Standouts were "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe," "Backseat Freestyle" - absolutely loved this track for the beat and vocal style - "m.A.A.d. City" was powerful, "Swimming Pools." Also really enjoyed the Janet Jackson sample playing under "Poetic Justice," it complimented the song nicely. This is an album to be experienced as a whole and to really absorb the lyrics while you listen. Considering Kendricks upbringing, the whole package packs a punch. My only negatives are that the recordings interspersed into the songs were interesting snips of Kendrick's life, and I get that they help tell a story, but they kind of threw off the flow for me. Some of the songs switch styles/tempo partway through or after being divided with a recording like 2 songs mashed together, which I can't say I loved. Also I thought the album was on the longer side, 10-15 minutes shorter would have been perfect. This was a hard one to rate. I think you have to incorporate all the background and life experiences that were put into it because it's so personal. But, that can be said about a lot of albums. Musically, a lot of it is interesting, but probably not my favorite. It's a great origin story and piece of art, even if a little rough around the edges, and I'm glad to have listened and gotten a glimpse into Kendrick's life but I think this juuuust misses being a 4/5 for me.
Quite chilled, but better when you’re not listening to the effing and jeffing. Reminded me of the vibe of What’s Going On.
I don’t get Kendrick. I’m not a huge hip hop fan but I can appreciate it. I get why people like some rappers who might not be my personal favorite, but I don’t get Kendrick. I’ve listened to this album and to others and it’s just… mid. Ok rapper ok production. What’s all the hype about? How come this is the #6 most listened artist on Spotify? It’s not offensively bad just super generic. I don’t get it. I understand Kendrick is big so he can get his three stars but I don’t like the music.
Kind of enjoyed
I'm not a rap/hip hop fan. This album had some good tracks I know as classics. Other tracks I didn't like at all.
If I never hear another 16th note trap beat again it will be too soon
Obviously he's a great musician and storyteller. I'm not gonna repeat the same shit everyone else has, but I will say there's more to the lyrics than what's on the surface in the hope that those who dislike it for it's "misogyny" or whatever takes another look at it because that's not the point of this album. Story and meanings aside, he's made better stuff. I'm not a great fan of the downtempo, mellow hip hop stuff in general. The basslines are great though and the way he changes his voice to represent different characters and still maintain a high standard is really impressive. High 3
I get the Album. I get the lyrics. Funny hearing Drake on the album. Was decent
Not bad
Prefer his later albums but this is fine
Good album, everyone should hear it at least once 1001 album worthy: Yes - 60/109
Pretty good. not my personal jam, but I liked it. It wasn’t my closest listen, but I knew that it was sorta about escaping poverty and sjw stuff maybe idk
Muy interesante el uso de samples y audios al final de los temas, mucha coherencia en el disco. Producción 10/10. Las letras son ehhh mmmeh pero bueno. Nota: 3.4
Fine.
3,5
A simpler time - when Kendrick and Drake could exist in harmony. I'm too damn old to fully appreciate but the mic skills and thoughtful production are in arguable. The best truly rises to the top - not to me but I hope respect.
I was given very high expectations, which maybe it does deserve but as of two listens it’s not quite there for me. I like how he sounds honestly, I think some of the songs I could get into except that the amount of lyrics that use b**ch or just generally talk about women’s bodies as objects in a lot of the songs make it not very listenable for me. I get that apparently it’s like supposed to be not Kendrick’s thoughts but idk his impression of other people or culture or something but I don’t know where to make that distinction so that frustrated me. I appreciate what I’ve heard his commentary is supposed to be, I just don’t understand where to take his word at face value and where not to. I could see myself looking back on this and feeling completely different but this is where I’m at now.
For a small suburb of Los Angeles, Compton has produced a disproportionately large amount of Gangsta Rap albums. Ok, I get it, it’s one of the most deprived areas of the USA, and I can’t imagine how tough it must have been to grow up there as a young black man, but I really think I’ve listened to enough albums like this now. This one is probably one of the better ones, unusually featuring a Christian conversion prayer alongside the usual m— f—in n— words, but enough already.
At first this album didn't trigger anything particular for me; it's OK I guess, but no more. Then The Art of Peer Pressure started, and I really liked everything from this: the atmosphere, the flow, the storytelling... And it goes on: overall it's not memorable but here and there there are really interesting songs. More of this would have been better.
El disco es de los mejores que he escuchado de rap, pero escuchándolo con más atención es menos de la concepción que yo tenía. Los temas top top son 3 o 4.
No doubt he's a super talented lyricist with some very interesting ideas and collaborating here with some solid producers, but every time he says bitch or nigger my soul takes on more water. Great pacing to this album, but ultimately this music is inside baseball to the extreme, made for people other than me.
It seems somehow appropriate that we'd get a Kendrick Lamar album after his Super Bowl halftime show (not sure how I feel about having two Kendrick Lamar albums in this collection, though). Interesting that Drake coexists quite happily in this album (but not so interesting that I have any desire to understand the beef/diss between both of them). Also interesting that this album doesn't really hew to old-school West Coast style (aside from the unfortunately ubiquitous expletives and misogyny), and I liked it that there's plenty of ambiguity in the too-long and somewhat tedious coming-of-age story on this album. His singles seem like the highlights of the album, and the accompanying videos are compelling even while they're also uncomfortable and offensive at times (but why does the video for "B**ch, don't kill my vibe" end with a brief "Death to Molly" message?). Most of all, though, I enjoyed this album more than I expected to, largely because of the strong storytelling and how he sidesteps the seemingly required sledgehammer of bragging and glamorizing that characterizes so much of 21st century hip-hop (or at least my impression of it). I was really tempted to give it four stars, but the too-long runtime and the super-annoying chorus voice that was on too many of the tracks downgraded it by a star. Sorry, Kendrick!
enjoyed the music more than I enjoyed the lyrics or Lamar's voice.
Well this is where a lot of songs that I’ve heard but never listened to came from. Definitely grooves but I’ve had too much caffeine today for it
Не ми е дошъл още акълът за тоя явно
Started off ok but I soon got bored by the lack of any sort of tune or melody. I much prefer old skool hip hop which is actually fun to listen to!
I thought it was pretty good
Ok Kendrik, de brüder woni erst minimst gstreifft han. Aber au weiss dass de lill noah big up hömie vom bre kndrk isch. Da fallt mir ih, haarscharf isch de noah am ne täättoo verbigschlüderet in quito. Heiligsverdiene wär das öpis gsi. Da wäred d platzspitznadle fast iversüchtig wurde. Also ich ha na nie kendrik album glosst. Ersti track hed mi vor de tramhaltestell krass abgholt, es 4i, denn biz weniger und denn wieder uf es 4i zue und natürli mit money trees straight 5er banger track. Ha mich denn gfragt isch das es 4er oder 3er album und nach langem hani mi entschiede das set es 4i si. Aber bürstlis, Ich bin immer na am wiiterlose gsi, und denn isch e gfüllti 2minute jesus preach stell cho. Und aso bitte, was hed das uf dem album z sueche? Und rechtfertigt das denn na es 3.5er album uf es 4i z lüpfe mit so nöd muskalischem nöd inhalt? Und wett mir generell em ne album wo jesus so fest promoted 4 sternlis geh oder heds nöd mind 0.5pünkt abzug verdient? Dilema dilema Und witer führt min gedanke, curtis mayfield album (5sternlis) hed e jesus lovesong drinne gha. Heds mi gstört, nei nöd mega. Was isch de unterschied denn? Erstens in musik verpackt, und zweitens vu 1970, das sind na anderi ziite gsi. Und ez weissi nöd wasi sell mache. Cooli superbowl show btw.
I think this album is better than the last one. 3.
Not bad
I can see why he's so well thought of. I like the storytelling aspect but I'm too white and too woman to enjoy this very much.