To Pimp A Butterfly

I was a big Kendrick fan back in the day, and as it happens this is the album that cooled my interest in him, despite it's overwhelming critical praise. I felt it was too self-indulgent and meandering, and to tell the truth I still feel the same way after listening to it in full for the first time in 10 years for this. Personally I feel like Lamar doesn't really have the lyrical chops to match the scope of his thematic ambitions for this album. That's not to say there isn't good lyrical work on the record; Kendrick's by no means a slouch on that front. There are just too many corny moments and too much blunt lyricism that pulls me out of it, like making a song suggesting that Wesley Snipes is some sort of hard-done-by martyr for committing tax evasion, and another song where he puts on some ear-grating, cracking voice to ramble about how sad he is while inserting SFX of beer bottles clinking just to make sure nobody misses his point. All that aside, this album has (mostly) impeccable production from some big names like Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Sounwave and a bunch of others. Honestly the whole album feels very Thundercat even though he's only actually credited on a few tracks. I remember being blown away back in the day hearing a beat with a Sufjan Stevens sample and it actually going hard as hell. The second half (or maybe last third?) of the album in particular, from Hood Politics through to i is fantastic musical experience with great beats and gripping stories. All in all, this album's a mixed bag. A lot of tracks I'm happy to skip, but plenty more that grab my interest right back. I'd probably rate it a 3.5 if given the choice, but screw it, I'll round up. Favourite tracks: How Much a Dollar Cost, The Blacker the Berry, i

this album is such an important time capsule, goddamn 🙏

A+

didn’t like that

I think we had a Kendrick. He’s excellent but one is enough.

Firstly it is not terrible, in terms of whatever it is supposed to be. I've been intrigued by the carry on about AI producing music and yet this Frankenstein is ok? I've never understood the 324 different songwriters thing that goes on with this stuff, and what exactly Kendrick has been doing on this? Singing, yes, but then he's "production". I mean who is playing an instrument here, is it just sampling and sequencing, putting together noise in an interesting way, which is in effect what AI is doing. So I'm not anti it as art I just don't get it. It does not move me. I put Neil Finn's Try Whistling This on straight after this and was swept up in it all, having been stultified by this.

The rise of gangsta rap in the 90s lost me. I found it two dimensional (at best), violent, unpleasant. I mean, the beats were often great and the flow impressive, and I didn't mind the politics (voice of the disempowered etc), but the way many rappers uncritically glorified misogyny, homophobia and violence was just unacceptable to me. Can't listen to it. And it was hard watching the way that those tropes became intrinsically part of the genre of hip hop. Kendrick is absolutely placed within the genre of hip hop, and so acknowledges the tropes and stories of his culture. He is also aware of many other forms of black music (jazz, spoken word, funk, to name a few), but his approach is so much more sophisticated. His lyrics are complex and nuanced, aware of the political and historical perspectives of the world while also being introspective and self-reflective. It's like seeing the world in colour and three dimensions after only seeing crudely drawn cartoons scribbled on scrap paper. And it sounds great (hardly surprising given the amazing line up of musicians). This really is one of the greatest artistic statements of hip hop. it's complicated and beautiful and difficult and surprising and smart and insistent. The edited 'conversation' with Tupac at the end is superfluous, in my opinion, but other than that, perfect. Fifty million stars.

Great album, you can feel the immense cultural, societal, traditional and sociopolitical influence in this project. Some beautiful messages are expressed in this album that leave you contemplating the harsh reality, but also you are able to find beauty in the chaos and madness. Maybe it isn’t my favourite album ever, but I can appreciate it being a masterpiece and a staple in hip-hop culture. Definitely a recommendation for everyone to listen at least once.

8. storytelling

If I listened to it a few times I might like this one, but not feeling it

good songs, not my personal taste in music

sehr experimental, gutes Album, nicht ganz mein Geschmack, muss wahrscheinlich öfters reinhören Lieblingslied: Mortal man

Not really a big rap person, but for rap it’s not terrible. Not really something I would listen to, but I can appreciate what it’s trying to do.

New school, old school & bombastic. Landmark hip hop record.

A modern classic. This is more of a story than it is an album of music. Its spoken word poetry, mixed with a handful of songs, instrumentals that come and go, interludes, live performances, and an ending discussion with Tupac. Personally, I'd find it tiresome if the music wasn't so good and if Kendrick didn't have such a consistent through-line of thought and spirit across the album. Focusing on the music, its mostly fantastic. There are several era-defining songs on this album, including Alright and King Kunta as well as other tracks that are long-time personal favorites (i, Wesley's Theory, The Blacker The Berry). Its jazzy, but also incorporates funk, gospel, and soul, along with the overriding, overproduced sound of g-funk. Its an amazing album that will be remembered forever as among the best of the 2010s.

I'm ambivalent about this album. This is my first time hearing it. It starts off with some funk influence but there's something overblown about the production combined with the lyrics falling back on the old rap tropes that wasn't doing it for me. One thing I r

if my book was 10001 albums this still would not be in it. nothing that I haven't heard before. nothing original that stands out. lucky to get 1*

Good singles, bad album.

Masterpiece, Masterpiece, Masterpiece 11/10

Surprisingly enjoyed the album. Very eerie sound. Would never listen to a single track from the album by itself, together however is another deal.

I'm so confused. Is my playlist messed up? This album is never ending.

Still prefer GKMC. Very funky and production amazing but lose concentration towards the end. Around a 9

This revolution cannot be televised, because every fourth word is fuck, nigger, dick, or shit. Pity, because this album is Gil Scott Heron with incredible production value. Check out the last two songs. But after 20 minutes, it’s just tiring and pathetically stereotypical.

I love Kendrick. Great album. The lyricism, beats, message, flow…it’s the whole package.

It was ok. Really long. I knew and liked Alright, but I’m just not a huge fan of Kendrick Lamar. I don’t get the hype.

I can see how this is kind of different, just not for me.

4/5 I feel like I like better the single version of i and Mortal Man is too damn long, would probably do with the interview/poem alone

No notes.

This album took me so many relistens to get, and i think i still dont get it. That means i should listen to it AGAIN!

I just don’t think I’ll ever like this genre

Töff og flottir textar

Það er erfitt að láta mig hrífast mikið af rappi og þetta breytir ekki miklu. Þetta eru samt rúmlega þrjár. Flottir taktar og textinn líka ef maður hlustar á hann.

One of the greatest albums of all time.

Made it through two minutes before I couldn't take any more. . .

Intelligent and interesting, but I just can’t stand his voice

8/10 - Our favorites were Wesley's Theory, Alright, and i - we didn't love all of the talking parts and the first interlude but it was fun.

Goated for a reason. Incredible writing, rapping, and mixing. King kunta was the fist real rap song I ever liked. The rest is just as great.

this dick aint freeeeeee undoubtedly generational and i respect it a lot, just not something that speaks to me personally or that i seek out often. i did like some songs more than i had previously on this relisten though clo 1 incoming highlights: wesley's theory, for free?, u, momma, you ain't gotta lie, i, mortal man

Standouts: u (ending) Complextion Mortal Man This is some of the better lyrical flow(??) I've heard from hip-hop/rap. I find I can actually understand what they are saying rather than trying decipher a long syllable shoved into a fast beat. Lyrics in general were very hit or miss. Some lyrics hit me quite hard (especially the end of u). I also felt some references went flying 10 feet over my head. Sometimes they were just talking about sex and I couldn't care less. I kept on hearing "So I went runnin for answers" throughout the album which turns out to be part of the poem read at the end of Mortal Man. It's a neat way to tie an entire album together, makes it feel like even though he is clearly working through a lot of difficulty he won't stop until he finds what he's looking for? or maybe the time he finds an answer it leads to another question? I found the album improved as it went on for me. I'm not sure why really. Just feel like it was easier to digest. More interesting topics and less jazz. The little interview/conversation at the end was interesting. I did some digging and found it was fictional, I was hoping it was something like GY!BE does.

Bom demais

It’s hard to properly analyse this without serious repeat listening, which is warranted for a few songs (Wesley’s Theory, Alright, and The Blacker the Berry in particular for me). The lyricism is so layered here that whole theses have been written on this album. There is a strange phenomenon of this being online the ‘white people rap album’, though I think that’s just because this is one of a few truly great albums that are appreciated by all and, though its topics are largely that of systemic oppression of black people in the United States, its poetic merit is nonetheless so confident that its general cultural impact is like that of a universally beloved novel. I don’t have anything negative to say for its lyrical structure, and that is indeed its forte. There are areas where the musical side of things can be slightly overbearing. There are points that are particularly uncomfortable. There are some songs that seem to interrupt the flow. But they all pay off, there is no stone left unturned, there is constant planned-out thought, and a cohesive hip hop album that finally warrants its hour-and-twenty runtime.

lord no

Thank goodness for KDot, I needed a palate cleanser after that last album. This album is very good, not great, more of a storytelling style of rap album than his earlier releases that I liked better (Good Kid, M.A.D.D. City & DAMN). Still very enjoyable with some really good tracks you can bop your head to. 4/5

One of the best albums I've ever heard.

Final few songs tipped this from 3 to 4. Blacker the Berry probably the rawest, but i and Mortal Man excellent ways to wrap this. King Kunta probably my favorite track on here overall

love love his storytelling combined with commentary. a cohesive and engaging album! 5/5

Fuck yes. Genuinely one of the greatest albums of all time, and one of my favorites. This is the album that really got me into hip hop. Strangely, I came to it through Thundercat (who I also love), and was blown away by Kendrick’s lyricism, social commentary, eclecticism, sense of community, and varied vocal delivery. The beats are complex and interesting, the features are perfect. The Tupac and poetry through-lines elevate it to a great ALBUM, rather than just a collection of songs. I always like Kendrick most when he goes more introspective, and To Pimp A Butterfly does this better than just about anything. I’d argue that if you took any 8 songs off this album at random, it would STILL belong on this list.

The best. Nuostabiai išdėstytos mintys, svarbios temos, tobula tiesiog.

As far as hip hop goes, it was only OK. There are much better artists and much better albums, but this wasn't horrible, just bland.

nice idk tho

I remember you was conflicted Misusing your influence Sometimes I did the same

Ei omalle korvalle mikää räpin riemuvoitto ainakaa ekalla kuuntelulla.

This album has some great production and some of the tracks I think are really good in terms of the songwriting. Unfortunately it just doesn't really make me feel much, and I'm just not a huge fan of lyrics being this front and center in music, and that's a general problem I have with rap. I'll likely give it a couple more listens in the future in case it grows on me, but it doesn't really strike me as one of the greatest albums ever made despite its clear ambition.

Eigentlich nicht das von mir favorisierte Genre, aber diese Album ist überragend.

Der Typ, ey … lächerlich gut auf so vielen Ebenen, dass die Kinnlade im Minutentakt mitflappt … so verletzlich, empowering und motivierend

Habe diese Platte bis heute 3-4 Mal gehört und große Ehrfurcht vor ihr Habe es in seiner Komplexität noch nicht mal ansatzweise durchdrungen. Schlüsseltrack für mich damals war "The Blacker The Berry". Absurd, wie stark und wichtig dieses Album ist.

This is one that will take several listens to really sink in. Musically and lyrically, you feel like you're in the presence of a capacious mind capable of making thematic, metaphoric, and metonymic connections just about anywhere.

Kendrick is the GOAT, and this is probably his most masterpiece-y masterpiece, but it's maybe only my fourth-most-listened-to album in his catalog. Good Kid MAAD City is the Kendrick album that I'd submit as his best, but I also turn to Damn. and GNX a lot more often. That makes TPAB a five-star album that I listen to less than two four-star albums. Is that meaningful? Every song is thoughtfully crafted, his flow is difficult and impressive while still being loaded with substance, and it's an honest-to-goodness *album* in an age of singles and deluxe editions. It's endlessly rewarding. Just parsing out his various personas is a masterclass in rap music. The sequencing is perfect. It's immaculate, but does it feel just a little bit like homework (albeit from a fun class)? Between Thundercat's crazy noodling and the unbreakable pace of almost every song, I get a little exhausted halfway through 'u'. And I use the word exhausted without any negative connotation. I'm exhausted after lots of things that are incredible and worth doing. Plus, making it to the end of 'u' rewards you with the lightning jolt that begins 'Alright'. So, five stars, and if I only throw it on once or twice a year, it's just because it's a heavy lift. *It's worth recommending the Dissect Podcast's track-by-track breakdown of TPAB (amongst other Kendrick albums) if you're interested in digging into the lyrics and music motifs throughout the album.

Such a sense album. I don't know if everything works and if the length is justified. But the total package is just really good. I can imagine that it would be even better if you're a black American. 4,5 rounded up

Favourite songs: Wesley's Theory King Kunta The Blacker The Berry

I'd never listened to this album before. It's got a nice chill vibe to it that makes it easy to listen to but I'd need to spend more time with it to see if it interests me lyrically. At this point, it's a good listen but definitely more "produced" than "played" and doesn't really get its hooks into me.

Not interested in hip hop. Awful genre. Don't even know why this is on here. Not wasting my time on this. Rating it a 1 just to hate. #NotRealMusic

The Flow on "King Kunta" turns me into liquid. I mean one of the best Hip Hop albums of all time. His lyrics are the strongest, his vocals are great and split across multiple personalities. The soundwork is nuts with songs like "U" hitting hard with those chaotic drinking effects. The jazzy instrumentals fit Kendrick’s style so well that everything he does just moves. Some highlights are of course "Alright" which might be one of the best Hip Hop songs ever, "Wesley’s Theory" which is a great opener, and one of my personal favorites "I" with instrumentals that make you dance against your will. Overall this album deserves to sit in the top list of all time. The only reason I can’t give it a 10 is pure personal taste in vocals, with tracks like "For Free? Interlude" and the beginning of "U" taking me out of it even though I get the meaning and why he goes for that sound. I base these reviews on feeling. Still a 9.5 out of 10.

It's a cliché to call someone a wordsmith, but in Kendrick Lamar's case it's the best word that fits. His rhymes are sharp and complex, and the beats are fire.

Personal and political, held together by the "I remember you was conflicted" poem recited at the end of the songs. It feels as though the peels of a layered and nuanced story is layd bare and explored bit by bit. As an album, this is excellent use of themes. The songs themselves vary through all manner of genres, and sounds. From scathing to humorous, dramatic to straight party anthems. But never without having something to say. Those tripping over the cursewords are not listening. They are simply hearing. Fun theory: the rapper with the ghost writer in the second verse of King Kunta is sayd to be Drake.

This is his best album and it gets better everytime i listen

I had an excellent taste in music at 19

One of my favourite albums of all time, 10/10

3.5

3.5

Did not care for on first listen, felt really disjointed, but subsequent listens have opened up some sonic understanding. Excited to see how this one ages for me

Reflective, multi-layered songs - a fascinating rap album to listen to and dig into the lyrics of.

I really want to like it, but it's just dull and adolescent and ultimately kinda boring? It's like being beaten with a pool noodle: frustrating and leaves no lasting impact, despite all the energy put into it.

i don’t want to get kicked out of this group on my second day so i’ll give it a five but sometimes his voice makes me mad </3 love King Kunta and These Walls tho it’s an iconic album you cannot deny it

There isn't any other hip-hop album that sounds like it. I am a sucker for jazz and soul in hip-hop, and the album reminds me of undergrad. True classic and true essential album.

It's peak

Fuckin great album but it’s not DAMN. and no amount of 1500 word entries about this album “establishing Kendrick’s sound” is gonna convince me otherwise

more like "To Make a Really Good Album (possibly one of the best ever made)"

Absolute cinema, what can I say. Definitely his highest quality album, but not the one I like listening to the most on a daily basis. And that is perfectly fine with me. I am continually surprised by this album every time I listen, and it’s a classic for a reason.

I cannot remain objective about this album in any way whatsoever, but I mean every single word when I say this may be unequivocally the greatest art piece of the 21st century, and should be considered as one of the top 10 greatest albums of all-time. I do not know of many albums that have been so finely pieced together and intricately designed. It takes a wealth of time and knowledge of hip hop history to truly appreciate the amount of detail Lamar has devoted to this project. Originally titled "Tu Pimp A Caterpillar" (TuPAC), Kendrick and Top Dawg knew they were ready to make an album that would shake the industry to its core. One that would absorb the cultural movement of the moment and embodied that in its different sonic influences. There are trap beats, classic boom bap, G-funk, and lots and lots of jazz, all of which Lamar floats over seamlessly. I think the diversity in its sound lends itself to invite different types of listeners in -- my dad, a devout Deadhead who has not listened to much hip hop outside of The Sugarhill Gang and other 70s acts from when he was growing up, became a Kendrick fan after I handed him a copy of this album. Where 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' sees Kendrick hyper-focused on Compton and his upbringing, he shifts his focus to Black life in the US and the African diaspora's influence on the West Coast. All the while Lamar stays close to what made 'good kid' such an impressive debut, building upon the stories he created in songs like "These Walls" and "u" by relaying simple yet impactful allusions to characters from his first album like Dave. TPAB has some of my favorite songs of all time. "Alright," "Momma," "Hood Politics," and "How Much a Dollar Cost" constantly enter and reenter my monthly rotations. It led to artists like Thundercat, Rapsody (who has the only other rap verse on this album -- thats huge!), Robert Glasper, and Terrace Martin becoming some of my most-played artists. "u" gave me something to see myself in at really difficult times in my life, and for that alone I owe this album so much. Revisiting this in 2025 feels eerie, almost, as it's fascinating to see Kendrick warn against so many evils of the industry and the culture that still function to this day. Kendrick seemed to be incredibly aware of the predatory record deals that executives like Lucian Grainge (is it possible that he was the inspiration for the album's depiction of "Lucifer/Lucy"?) push on young artists. He speaks against culture vultures in "You Ain't Gotta Lie," which received a lot of attention during last year's beef. I appreciate the messiness of the album, particularly Kendrick's political philosophy as he's changed and grown ten years later. There are some really tough lines to hear on the latter half of the album, but I think this aligns with Kendrick's personal stances on being unashamed of your mistakes and thoughts. He is not one to cover his mistakes, but let them stand for others from which to grow. I'm sure others will say the same, but there is something different and fresh to appreciate with every time I press play or drop the needle on the record. I get still chills during the second verse of "Institutionalized" where Kendrick raps in the voice of his homies. I think that constant and unrelenting excitement with each new listen is a true sign of a great and timeless album. I'll stop here to avoid doing a track-by-track breakdown, just take a month and listen to the Dissect podcast instead.

This is the first album we’ve gotten where I was there in the moment of the pre-release anticipation and I can tell you without any question exactly where I was when I first listened. I don’t have unique insight into this album, I can only speak on how it made me feel. Like quite a few people my age and socioeconomic background, I first became aware of Kendrick Lamar through his Interlude on Drake’s Take Care album (lolllllllll). I liked him there but I was caught off guard by the rapturous response to good kid, m.A.A.d city the following year, especially when it ended up beating out channel ORANGE for Pitchfork’s AOTY. I was ~that kind~ of teenager so that’s the point where I decided to look into Kendrick a bit deeper and came to accept that Pitchfork had gotten it right this time. Still, Kendrick was a hot new thing but his staying power was uncertain. That changed when I was going into college and his verse on “Control” was unleashed upon the world. This was a guy with something to prove and he definitely wasn’t going anywhere; but what would be his next move? Flash forward to March 15, 2015. It’s like 5am. I can’t sleep. I move from the bed in my dorm to the couch in the sitting area. I pull out my phone and see that the album has been uploaded to Spotify, like 8 days ahead of its announced release date. So I sit there on my own in the dark and listen. No one to talk to, no text interruptions, just me and this album. 78 minutes flew by as the sun began to light my room and I was enraptured. I’d already heard the then-current single, “The Blacker the Berry,” but in context as part of a greater tapestry, it became impactful all over again. I’d heard the single version of “i” so was wholly unprepared for the album version of the track and its ending. That right there was brilliant to me: taking the “fun” single and totally reworking it to work in the album’s narrative. What i remember most of all is the album’s closing moments. As “Mortal Man” closed and I heard ~that voice~ it became apparent to me that this had a very real chance of being the album and artist of my lifetime.

The Odyssey of hip hop

One of the most critically acclaimed albums of all time. It has a lot of memorable lines and I like quite a few of the songs here, such as I, The Blacker The Berry, King Kunta and a few others. The album is a bit too long for my taste though. The interludes I don't really care for the the latter part of Mortal man doesn't feel necessary IMO. Production is really good as well. Just not really my thing though and too long for my tastes.

Loved the funky George Clinton stuff at the beginning.

I'm surprised how much I don't hate this

There is a reason Kendrick won the Pulitzer. Busting out rhymes with the best lyrics since Dylan. Captures the soul of this disrupted nation.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

its a bit fucking good.

Darling, have you heard this? The flow is immaculate!

Absolute banger of an album

Definitely not my thing

The rhythms. The mixing. The messages. One of his many 10/10s. Something about the sounds on “u” are like cleaning out your ears. So satisfying.

Definitely one of my favorite Kendrick albums. Iconic flow, incredible style. Really sets himself apart from everyone else with this album.

Again and again and again....... really enjoyed the music. Its the lyrics I have issues with. Not good.

Of the albums I’ve listened to so far, I think Kendrick’s the performer I’d most consider an artist. He has such a clear vision and point of view, and this was a really intriguing listen. I particularly enjoyed some of the references he made, like the interpolation of “Jump Around” about suicidal ideation.

Deserves the praise.

life ain’t shit but a fat vagina

The definitive album of the 21st century so far.

I never know what modern releases will end up here but this one is definitely deserved. Depending on my mood I could pick this or GKMC but I do think both qualify as must-listens based on cultural significance and quality

Incredible arrangements.

Okay, I see the appeal of Kendrick now.

I think I finally understand Kendrick Lamar and why so many critics place him at the top of modern hip hop. The flow, the speed, the quirks in his delivery, and the sheer vocal dynamism make his music constantly engaging. My taste within Afro-rooted music leans more toward blues, jazz, funk, and soul, while hip hop has always been harder for me to connect with. I keep trying, but I rarely find acts that stay with me. Kendrick Lamar is one of the exceptions. Much of that comes from the echoes of those other genres I can hear throughout the record. The themes feel honest and unapologetic. The album moves from political reflection to personal darkness and back into different emotional rooms with a natural confidence. There is a bold unpredictability in how the songs unfold, shifting in tone, structure, and even genre in a way that occasionally feels almost avant-garde. It kept me curious throughout, always wanting to know where the next track would take me.

masterpiece. i remember you was conflicted misusing your influence

Crap

Nothing I can say that hasn't been said. Still blows me away a decade later. *Heard before

Too much

Indulgência. Essa palavra descreve este disco. Tudo aqui é indulgente ao máximo, ao ponto de gerar repulsa. Só consigo comparar este álbum àquelas sobremesas grotescas que vai brigadeiro, nutella, leite ninho, m&m, ferrero rocher, paçoca, tudo junto e misturado. Dá isso aí pra uma criança e ela vai amar, mas qualquer pessoa com uma palheta gustativa minimamente maturada vai achar a experiência nojenta. Isso aqui não é um disco de Jazz Rap. Jazz Rap é Tribe, isso aqui é um álbum de Jazz E Rap. A diferença? Os dois elementos estão em constante embate um com o outro. Não há harmonia entre os instrumentais e os vocais. E eu digo com confiança que o próprio Kendrick é o elo mais fraco na corrente que é To Pimp A Butterfly. A produção aqui é astronomicamente boa, é imaculada, é perfeita, é pristina, todo adjetivo positivo que você conseguir pensar, você aplica à produção deste álbum. A instrumentalização, os samples, é tudo perfeito e complexo. A faixa inicial é um ótimo exemplo. Mas aí, chega o Kendrick e a estraga com versos medíocres e um conteúdo lírico francamente vergonhoso. Isso continua na canção seguinte, For Free, o mesmo padrão, instrumental maravilhoso e intrinsecamente construído e letras estúpidas acompanhadas da voz Gobliniana de Lamar. Isso acontece no disco inteiro. De vez em quando ele puxa um assunto mais interessante pra rimar, como em Institutionalized, mas é incomum. Ele consistentemente se mostra a pior parte de cada uma dessas faixas, e nem me faça falar sobre quando ele empenha algum truque em sua voz que sempre acaba sendo extremamente desagradavel, como em “u” ou no final de Momma. E aí cria-se em mim uma dúvida tremenda: Por que Kendrick simplesmente não produziu um álbum de Rap de forma mais direta? Com esse nível de produção aqui, facilmente superaria Good Kid e ganharia o título de melhor álbum de sua carreira. Uma escolha bizarra. 1 hora e 19 minutos, tá aí outro aspecto indulgente deste disco. Há muitos deles aqui, interludes, gemidos, sons de tiro, sinos e assobios e etc. Fica a seu critério se tudo isso te conquista, mas não me conquista, ao menos não mais. Quando eu era mais novo eu gostava mais desse álbum e do Kendrick em geral, mas acho que caí numa grande desilusão com esse álbum. Lança uma versão instrumental desse álbum e seria o 5 mais fácil dessa vida. Com a presença do goblin, a nota recebe uma severa penalidade. 3.5/5

This album was absolute fire! I stand firm in that Kendrick is one of the best rap artists and poets of our generation. I love how intricate and complex his lyrics and songs are and he performs them with such raw emotion and passion. This album has a very important message and is still relevant 10 years later. I very much enjoyed this album and I will definitely be listening to this again soon.

A masterpiece. 10/10.

4 - BAD

Not my favorite Kendrick album but still good

Better than Coldplay

Listen to King Kunta first. You're welcome.

Not a great sign when your daily album reveal is immediately followed by a loud groan. This is an album you listen to once or twice and never go back to again and I've listened to it three times. The album is fine but bloated. It's 2025 and I'm suffering from Kendrick fatigue so To Pimp A Butterfly on a Wednesday is a tall ask.

Good stuff here from Kendrick. Way more poetic than almost any hip hop.

9/10 I’ve heard this album a few times before, but never spent the time to really focus on it. First thing to note is that this is a really spectacular blend of a lot of musical styles that I really love. Jazz, funk, soul and an edge of electronica all weave their way in and out of one another in a really unique way. There’s so much going on that it keeps your attention, and really rewards repeat listening too, which is generally the hallmark of a great album. With hip-hop, the musical content can often take a bit of a back seat, but the vocals and the music are all part of one coherent whole here and the singing and rapping are not given the overwhelming prominence, which allows the quality and complexity of the music to shine. There are times when I, as a musically focused rather than lyrically focused listener, find hip-hop to be an overly repetitive genre, but there is no way this album could be accused of that. The leaning on, for the most part, fresh musical recordings rather than samples really gives this album its own identity and some of the musicianship is really exceptional. Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper and more just bring so much quality and nuance to their parts that it’s hard not to get sucked in to the mood of each track. There are moments when the depth falls away a little and we find ourselves a little more stuck on a more sparse, repetitive track, but those moments act almost as palate cleansers so that you an refocus for the next epic. This far in and I’ve not really touched on Lamar’s vocal. His delivery is generally pretty understated, with intent and feel conveyed through rhythm rather than intensity, more often than not. He does ramp it up now and then, but that general restraint makes it more impactful when he does inject a slice of venom. And the lyrical thread is strong too, touching on life as a black man in America, discrimination, personal struggles, the pressures of fame and more. There are moments when he slips a little back into the more classic hip hop tropes with hints towards misogyny and financial bravado that I could have done without, but there is a chance that those were intended as more tongue in cheek references to the hip-hop of old. His pacing, rhythmic flow and his ability to switch up emphasis and rhythmic cadence is excellent though, and that kept me interested more or less throughout. I think the slightly thinner, more repetitive moments do hold this album back a tiny bit, as does its length. 80 minutes is a long old album and I feel like he could have said everything he needed to in 60 without losing the quality and depth that he built, especially by chopping the Tupac bit from the end. As a rapper, he can say what he needs to with verse and didn’t need to end the album that way. Wesley's Theory - There’s a lot going on here. The depth of the music is fantastic and there is so much variation and nuance to the composition that it keeps the ear busy at all times. No one part dominates, not vocals or beats, which can be more typical in hip-hop, and there’s a wide range of harmonic and melodic content. But it’s also all very coherent and creates a slightly unsettling edgy vibe to the tone. A very good start For Free? (Interlude) - A nice jazzy interlude. I mean it seems lyrically a bit silly, but there are some really nice rhythmic choices in the delivery. I think the music is great, as is the cadence of the delivery, but I’m not a big fan of the lyrical content. King Kunta - This is a bit more stripped back to begin with, but it builds nicely, allowing all of the elements time to grow and breathe. The back and forth between Kendrick and Whitney Alford on backing vocals is great. There are some really effective key changes and musical drop-outs that let the musical impact hit that bit harder. The shuffling beat and solid bass line give things a solid groove with a nice edge of funk to it. Lovely. Institutionalized - Again, we get a stripped back start. This reminds me a bit of Plantlife and the sound design of it is great. There’s some really interesting editing of the vocal with the double layered elements and panning work on the touches of backing vocals. The beat bounces nicely and he drifts on and off the beat in a really satisfying way. There’s less complexity to the instrumentation, but there’s enough range and production nuance in what’s there to never let things get stale. These Walls - And now we gat a more traditionally structured verse/chorus song. It’s got a nice jazzy edge to it and the sung vocals are top quality. There are some really nice guitar licks and riffs and it all just flows and floats together in such a satisfying way. Again, the production is top quality, with all of the elements getting their space and a really finely struck balance between sparsity and depth through the different sections of the track. U - This is almost free-jazz rapping. The production techniques are really effective at creating almost disturbing experience with the way things cut in and out and pan, and that really backs up the erratic, bereft nature of the track’s themes. This could be hard to parse for some, particularly as a background listen, but it’s a really, solid and effective exploration of self hatred. Alright - Running nicely on from the previous track, some of the instrumental flavour continues onto this, but it lifts up tonally and gives us a solid, rolling beat that forces the momentum. There are some nice instrumental elements, like the sax in particular, that add extra variety to the sound and stop things from getting too stale. The vibe is great too. For Sale? (Interlude) - Much better than the previous interlude, this has a nice blend of synth tones and a more jazzy funk sound. It’s also almost completely absent of any beat apart from a subtle güiro type sound, but still has a solid groove. It ebbs and flows really nicely and there’s a really warm, all encompassing harmonic bed of sound that drifts around the vocal. Really nice. Momma - I think the beat here is great. It’s super loose, but it’s got a lot of feel to it and the sounds used are really interesting for a hip-hop track. There’s so much vibe to this. The backing vocals are gorgeous and the rest of the backing track is super smooth too. Again, it’s another where things could get stale, but there are enough little moments of nuance or sound design to keep things moving along and keep an interested ear engaged. His delivery is really nice here too; smooth but with an edge of insistence. Hood Politics - Oooh, the feel of this intro is nice. I was hoping we’d get more of it, but we quickly shift onto something else. This one has some more of that cool vibe, but it does end up being a little bit too repetitive for once, both lyrically and musically. There are some little changes here and there that add a change to the feel and break the monotony, but not as effectively as previous tracks. I think perhaps the more repetitive elements are just a little too dominant, but it’s still not bad, just not as good. How Much A Dollar Cost - He’s really not afraid to break from the beat and build these harmonically rich passages is he? The slight lazy lilt to the beat is super cool and the sound of it has such great depth. There’s a very rich, downbeat soul sound to this and some of the strings in particular, add something really special, despite not being anything overly complex. Another really lovely track. Complexion (A Zulu Love) - Bring in the funk. This has so much groove to it and the sound design of the beat is strong too. As with a lot of this album, there are some really gorgeous passages of instrumentation that just drift in out of nowhere, like the piano in this one, and some of the instrumental changes are so deftly written that you hardly notice that the entire sound of the track has shifted. The Blacker The Berry - That beat really hits. There’s a real feeling of rage to this and the soundscaping is almost unnervingly icy in its tone. This is less varied and full than some of the other tracks, but I think the focus is meant to not be drawn away from the lyric, which offer a purposeful and effective expression of anger. You Ain't Gotta Lie (Momma Said) - And we’re back to something more full. There are so many parts going on that it’s easy to miss some of the depth to songs like this. There are some really lovely little riffs that just pop in and out from guitar, piano and synth. That variety just enhances the smooth groove of the main themes, but keeps things shifting along in such a satisfying way. I - Ooof, I love ‘That Lady’ by The Isley Brothers, and he uses the sample really well to create something fresh. This pops and shifts brilliantly. It’s got pace and bounce to it and it's super hooky. Again, he’s not afraid to drop things out and develop sections that build on little ideas and flesh them out. It’s a shame this is as short as it is before we get the spoken word section, which is making a point, but isn’t really part of the song per se. Mortal Man - The warm wash of tonality that sits behind the prominent bass here is great. It’s kind of muddy, but in a really pretty way. There’s some lovely slices of instrumentation here too from strings and horns in particular. Some of the Rhodes piano is really pretty too. His vocal is insistent and injects the drive to an otherwise laid back vibe. Another great one during the musical section. And then it gets a bit weird and self indulgent as Kendrick cuts up a Tupac interview to make it sound like he’s having a conversation with him. I get that there are some important and relevant subjects covered, but it’s just a bit weird. He’s been making his point with music up until now and doing this just seems unnecessary.

I should love this but I don't. DAMN is better.

Classic!

Outstanding. Blacker the Berry might be the best rap song I’ve ever heard.

I’ve listened to this album a few times trying to get what makes it a masterpiece. I can appreciate the ambition of a grand artistic statement, but the songs themselves just don’t really connect with me. Some of the vocal tics are rough for me. I don’t like the “boo boo” song. Anyway, I’m not the target audience, but happy to accept it’s a masterpiece for many, just not me.

Did not enjoy

This is my favorite Kendrick album. Start to finish this is a masterpiece beyond compare. Probably my 3rd favorite rap album ever behind Marshall Mathers Lp and 36 Chambers. One of my core memories is sharing this album with both of my adult children saw him live on tour and have been a diehard ever since.

I’ve listened to Kendrick Lamar’s hits for a while now. I was surprised how much of this I’m was like a jazzy improvisational poetry session as much as it was rap. He’s an artist, super deep and also weird. Cool listen.

One of the most overrated albums ever, and not even the best Kendrick album (that would be m.a.a.d city). Still a good album though

Fantano created an army of punishing terminally online music fans off the back of his love of this. Otherwise, no notes. Bit long maybe? Fucked me up first listen. 10 years ago?!

It's interesting. Creative. Has some jazzy elements with saxophone and trumpet, and interesting synth(?) noises. The song Alright has an apt title. Mid-album gets boring, missing what makes the first songs interesting. Mortal Men has some nice orchestral elements. Many songs end with a monologue that's the same poem that gets a bit longer each time. It's an interesting idea.

my personal experience with this album is putting it on for the first time when it came out and having my mind and soul absolutely rocked by wesley's theory to the point where i listened to it 15 times before even listening to track 2

Great beats and lyrics

Just fucking amazing!

No. 18 It’s soo good. The instrumentals are great and I really enjoyed Kendrick’s lyrics.

Mostly interesting music and intriguing, challenging lyrics.

Innovative, hard-hitting, funny. Production is incredible. It's a experimental hip-hop masterpiece. 5/5.

Damn. That’s an album. It’s apparent why Lamar is a Pulitzer Prize winner. To Pimp a Butterfly was an experience. There’s so much to unpack. The interludes with the dialogue was captivating.

Wow its been 10 years since release. I remember the first time listening to this as I rode cross-country on the Amtrak. It was like the evolution of the west coast sound and felt wholly new and powerful. His story telling on this is absolutely on point, the wrap-up on the end I remember how it caught me off guard. Think about America in 2015 and this is very of its time.

If anything it showcases just how good Dr Dre’s production is. Lamar’s obviously a good MC but it’s elevated by Dre. Also a solid 3 (rounding down from 3.5)

Nicht meine Musikrichtung 1/5

Just not my genre

Suprisingly good. It has depth, distinct tracks that still feel like they fit together. I need to pay attention to the lyrics, but currently I'm listening to it in the background. Deserves more listens, but again, I quite like it.

Wow, this one was pretty good. Rap isn't really my thing. This was my first real exposure to Kendrick. I was really impressed. I'll probably go listen to some more Kendrick now

I like Kendrick but had never heard this album before. I appreciate it as art, I see the statement being made, but it's not something I'd want to turn on for fun or listen to while driving around

If My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is 5, this is 4

wooooooooo white people should listen to this

no likey

Not for me

Favourite track: King Kunta

I found most of the music on this album plodding and the vocals delivery clunky. Not as much misogyny as much hiphop on this list but that is damning with faint praise. Is this just a trial balloon by the recording industry to see whether they can convince us that a mediocre artist is good? This reminds me of the bad (Andre 3000) parts of Outkast without any of the good (Big Boi) stuff. No one to save you from my true feelings here Kendrick.

I can't possibly say it's a BAD album, but I can confidently say it's not an album for me. It's DENSE. This album opens up as a firehose of emotion and beats and lyrics. It's too much at once. I feel like I discovered the marble in the oatmeal. And it doesn't let up. There's no room to breathe, Kendrick.

Not my style of music.

I thought I had listened to this album start to finish, but I don't recall a lot of this. Really enjoy rap music that includes instruments (pretty sure I've heard flute and saxophone). So much of a chill vibe. It's times like these I'm often reminded I like the less popular rap songs, the most popular ones on this album I've heard, but they aren't my favorites.

King Kunta var kendingsmelodien for min klasse i gymnasiet. Alligevel er jeg ikke helt solgt på Kendrick og To Pimp A Butterfly

Not really my style of rap. I don't really know how to explain it fully but the flow just isn't satisfying to me and the lyrics are too much bitches, drugs and gangbanging Standouts - 2/5

I haven’t listened to hip hop or rap since the 90’s. So that is my last frame of reference for this review. And I had no idea what to expect going in, I’ve never listened to him before. I thought it was really creative and engaging. I love the different styles he brought musically, a nice range of influence. A couple of songs reminded me of Arrested Development (musically, not lyrically). Great transitions between songs, a cohesive flow, and he definitely commands the mic. I can see why he’s so widely acclaimed. Not the type of music I listen to, but I’m glad we got this album so I got the chance to. It should have been shorter, an hour and 20 minutes is too long for any studio album. A strong 3 for me.

Kendrick is quite the lyricist with rhymes that make you stop and think. The speed with which he delivers his message is mesmerizing and on multiple tracks the beat continues to evolve mid-song which makes what he’s doing even more impressive. A cohesive, thoughtful album.

This album changed music. Not just rap music, but music overall. What we hear, what we expect from an album, how we experience it. David Bowie was listening to it a lot when it came out and tried to make Blackstar, his final album, sound like it. And that’s David-fucking-Bowie. Packed with moments of profound, deep thought delivered through funky, in your face rhyme, this album was a big step forward in rap being seen as a more intellectual voice in music. And Kendrick will always be next level with his lyrics. He is ready to throw down with anyone and it won’t end well for them … just ask Drake. This is not M.A.A.D. City and it’s not Damn., although both of those albums are also outstanding (in purposefully different ways) and are filled with better tracks for most folks, but neither is as important musically and culturally as To Pimp a Butterfly was.

I've never been a big fan of rap and over time I've become less and less of a fan. After my first listen I was disappointed, I've heard some Kendrick Lamar songs and enjoyed them, but the album as a whole was a tough listen. After learning some of the nuance to the music I gave the album a second, more focused, listen. I did get a better appreciation for the writing, this is indeed modern poetry. I now understand all the accolades Kendrick recieves and why this album makes the list, but I still don't understand the album. I like some of the songs, Kendricks voice and cadence are unique and the beats are great. Unfortunately, the album went over my head,

rap once again

Cool album, feels very jazz-inspired. You can also feel what a deeply personal album this is for Kendrick; it's both self-reflective and a meditation on the world he came up in. The tracks are full of bits and pieces of black American music, and on top of that you can really hear how talented Kendrick is as a rapper. Favorite tracks here are King Kunta, Hood Politics, The Blacker the Berry, and i.

The hype is real

Inventive. I enjoyed it. Not my genre though but I can appreciate it.

The inclusion of this album makes me wonder why we're messing around with some of the other albums on this list. One of the best of all time. Why am I listening to some tired ass music from the 80s and 90s? Who put that there? This is what we should be listening to. Lyrical genius: funny, introspective, and groovy to boot.

Awesome

I like how this is constructed as an album, how the songs lead into each other and how it all builds to the butterfly / caterpillar bit at the end. I appreciate that it brings in a lot of different styles, some of that worked for me and some of it didn’t. I probably wouldn’t listen again but I can definitely see why it’s here and I enjoyed listening to it. Fav song: Momma Least fav: For Free?

Would have liked it much more if he didn’t keep repeating that poem and a few other lines. I get that’s kind of the point but still. Some hits in here but also some serious misses. for free is terrible. I really like the cover though. Specific rating - 4.1 Fav song- alright Least fav- for free?/ u

I did some reading both of and about the lyrics to really understand what he was crafting with this album and I can see why people rate it so so highly, there's a lot of lyrical depth that is easy to miss on first listen. That being said there were some songs I just didn't enjoy listening to- I found the voices he gave some characters annoying, the line "shit don't change until you wash yo' ass" might be a good message but its not fun to keep hearing and I understand For Free? is meant to be a metaphor but the way the woman is presented gave me the ick. I'm glad to have listened and learnt about it and there were songs I really enjoyed but as a whole I won't be coming back to the album. Favourite song: i Least: U

Probably my favourite hip hop album of the past decade, a cultural touchstone

Album No. 0056 on my list. I’ve listened to a few Kendrick Lamar songs by chance before (found them to be okay-ish), was aware though of the universal acclaim that this album has gotten over the years. I’m not that much into hip hop (yet), so I was curious whether the good reputation of this album is warranted. And what can I say - it is! I needed some time to get into it, but now I want to listen to it all the time. It’s really really good! As I said, I don’t have much hip hop experience, but I can definitely appreciate how great this is - not only the way Kendrick raps (although I’m not the biggest fan of his voice), but also his lyrics, and the music as well. I will listen go this over and over in the coming weeks and at one point will probably be able to appreciate it fully. In the meantime, I can already name “King Kunta”, “Hood Politics”, “Complexion (A Zulu Love)”, and “i” as my favorites. The reputation of “To Pimp a Butterfly” as a modern classic is definitely justified. 5/5 stars!

not to be a "media literacy is dead" guy, but all the folks saying "ugh I hate all that RAP MUSIC that just uses those SWEARS and talks about SEX and GANGS and DRUGS, this album is the perfect example of that!!" really make me think that George W. Bush owes us all a huge apology for what he did to the American education system

Ethan claims it’s a classic. It is very good with lyricism and production. Definitely deserves many more listens. Some mid songs, so it’s not perfect, but it’s close.

Der US-amerikanische Rapper Kendrick Lamar nahm To Pimp A Butterfly (2015) an mehreren Orten auf, unter anderem Chalice Recording Studios (Hollywood), No Excuses Studios (Santa Monica) und House Studios (Washington, D.C.). Stilistisch ordnet sich das Album dem Hip-Hop / Jazz-Rap mit deutlichen Funk- und Soul-Einflüssen zu. Bekannt gewordene Stücke sind „King Kunta“, „Alright“ und „The Blacker the Berry“. Inhaltlich behandelt Lamar Themen wie Identität, Rassismus und gesellschaftliche Verantwortung; sprachlich arbeitet er dabei mit dichter Bildsprache und prägnanter Erzählhaltung. Musikalisch verbindet das Album komplexe Rhythmen, Bläserarrangements und Passagen mit Sprechgesang zu einem konsistenten Ganzen. Kurze Bewertung: ein inhaltlich fokussiertes, musikalisch durchdachtes Album, das seine thematischen Absichten klar verfolgt.

classic.

Ok, on remet ça avec Kendrick Acte II. On venait à peine de se remettre de la claque "good kid, m.A.A.d city" et son très beau 4/5. Et voilà que le grand livre "1001 Albums" nous balance la suite "To Pimp A Butterfly". La pression était cosmique. Que faire après un classique instantané ? Option 1 : la sécurité. Refaire "good kid" en moins bien, capitaliser sur le son G-Funk/cinéma de rue. Option 2 : le suicide artistique (ou le génie, c'est selon). Prendre tout le crédit, toute la thune, et livrer l'album le plus dense, le plus complexe et le moins accessible de sa carrière. Kendrick a pris l'option 2. Si "good kid, m.A.A.d city" (GKMC) était son "OK Computer" – le classique narratif, générationnel, mais encore "rock" (ou "hip-hop") dans sa structure – "To Pimp A Butterfly" (TPAB) est son Kid A. La déconstruction totale. Je le dis direct, la note finale est la même : 4/5. Mais c'est un 4/5 radicalement différent. "GKMC" était le film de gangster parfait, léché, immersif, produit par Dre et sa clique. "TPAB", ce n'est plus un film, c'est une thèse de doctorat sur l'identité noire en Amérique, mise en musique par le gratin de la scène jazz-funk de L.A. Et c'est là que ça coince un peu pour le vieux con que je suis, car Kendrick a pris le contre-pied absolu. Fini les basses G-Funk qui roulent. Ici, ça pue le P-Funk (George Clinton est là), ça dégouline de jazz (Thundercat est à la basse sur presque tout, Kamasi Washington au sax), et c'est produit par des têtes chercheuses comme Flying Lotus. C'est organique, ça refuse l'ordinateur. Ça part en free jazz ("For Free? (Interlude)"). C'est dense. Putain, que c'est dense. "GKMC", malgré son sujet, avait des refrains, une structure à laquelle mon oreille post-punk pouvait se raccrocher. "TPAB" explose tout. Les morceaux s'enchaînent sans pause, s'interrompent par des poèmes (spoken word) que Kendrick complète au fil de l'album ("I remember you was conflicted..."). Le mec est en pleine psychanalyse. C'est l'album post-Ferguson, l'album de Black Lives Matter. "Alright" est (ironiquement, vu le fond sombre du morceau) devenu un hymne de manifestation. Il parle de dépression ("u"), de culpabilité, de haine de soi ("The Blacker the Berry"). C'est lourd. Et c'est là qu'est ma réserve – ce "chouia" en dessous de "GKMC" pour mon plaisir personnel. "GKMC" mariait le Fond (violent, social) et la Forme (pop, incroyablement efficace). "TPAB", lui, est obsédé par le Fond, c'est une œuvre "Importante" avant d'être "divertissante". Le mec va jusqu'à sampler une vieille interview de 2Pac pour dialoguer avec lui à la fin de l'album ("Mortal Man"). Le niveau d'ambition est stratosphérique. Faut oser, et il réussit. Mais c'est un album qui demande un effort. Je le respecte infiniment, c'est un 4/5 de respect. C'est le genre d'album qui te fait te sentir intelligent quand tu l'écoutes. Mais est-ce que je le mets en bagnole pour taper du pied ? Jamais. Il y a des putains de moments de grâce ("King Kunta" est un G-Funk déglingué et arrogant, "Alright" reste une bouffée d'oxygène), mais c'est un voyage éprouvant. Alors oui, 4/5 encore. "GKMC", c'était le 4/5 du cœur, de l'efficacité. "TPAB", c'est le 4/5 du cerveau, de l'ambition démesurée. Les deux sont indispensables. Mais si je dois en garder un pour l'autoroute, je prends good kid. Désolé, Kendrick. Je vieillis.

I don't like rap. But I did like smooth transitions in this album. 5.6/10

One of my favorite albums of all time, even the skits are great. 5/5

Gosh it was good to come back and listen to this album. James Trethway introduced me to Kendrick back in 2012 when he was touring in Max Watts venues around the country. 800 tickets a show. Now he’s doing 2 x AAMI parks - 80,000? Brilliant music, released for good reasons, and compounded over time.

what is there to say. hadnt listened to it in a while, and it’s a great album. i remember you was conflicted

Hip-hop, soul, jazz, funk. Flows well. Some bangers. Creative and varied. Lyrics clearly on another level.

A continuation of the jazzy hip hop conscious rap tradition with a lot of unfashionable (at the time, peak Trap era) sounds from 90s RnB, 70s funk, smooth neo soul that end up sounding fresh and vital - a live band in the middle of a chart full of laptop producers will always sound extremely living and dynamic. The lyrics are a mix of urgency - responding to police violence and mass incarceration - and complacency - an Obama era faith that "we're going to be alright" and that the civil rights movement is an going if painful and painfully slow inexorable march forwards. A very of its era thematic approach, with the political juxtaposed with personal, social and individual experiences of violence weave in and out of each other, hustling in world of mutual and self exploitation, grappling with contradictions and inconsistencies of the world and the self all at once, one through the other. Earnest and cynical and really on the nose. His flow is great, his phrasing precise with a rapid fire cadence, the timbre of his voice isn't my favorite though: thin and nasal. It's really good, but also extremely overrated - critics and audiences needed to anoint a rap genius for the 2010s and he was the vessel for all that cultural weight.

He must be laughing his ass off all the way to the bank listening to people sing the praises of this steaming pile of crap.

Ok

1000000000/1000000000

Excellent album, strong from start to finish. Glad I got the chance to listen to it all the way through again from this list.

vo allne hip-hop/rap albe won ich bisher glost han isch das sicher eis vo de beste: es isch sehr variabel und interessant zum alose. isch aber eif nöd so mini musig..

Classic. Straight classic.

Could quite possibly be the greatest hip-hop album ever. The production is fantasitc, and Kendrick Lamar is a total wordsmith. I'm pretty much speechless on this one. The album speaks for itself. Even at an hour and 20 it didn't feel bloated or long. Masterpiece

This right here is why people homeschool!

Visionary. Arguably the greatest hip-hop record of all time.

Great break from Norah Jones and BB KING

I can't listen to this when the lyrics are so crude and vile. The over the top vulgarity has zero appeal.

This is a tough listen. The songs are good but it is rough and there is not a lot of flow. Not my style.

Another album that didn't really stand out to me for any real reason.

Earlier Kendrick is something different

Dense, complex and very Kendrick.

A lot funkier than I thought it would be

A little repetitive at times, but really dials in on storytelling from a perspective I don't often hear.

One of the greats of its genre for sure. Such tone, such flow. (4.5 stars)

Fresh and crisp. The sound really stands out, not just against these albums but against recent hip-hop too.

Hit and miss but the sting message carries it

To me, not as good as good kid maad city but still some really great bangers.

Very much enjoyed

I can see why he became famous. Some songs feel like they were just thrown together though. Swears so much it loses all meaning.

Wow. I, like all the guys bang into Kendrick, listened to this driving to Rochdale in the rain, and it really helped I think. Seriously though (because sometimes the fun has to stop) this is a tour de force in places, with great depth to the lyrics and quite a surprising amount of lightness of touch at times. I can absolutely see why this has become so quickly so revered.

I was disappointed by this album. For all the hype it gets, I found it lacking something, but I'm not sure what.

DNF. This was a drag just to get through a minute of each song before I allowed myself to skip. I think I just don't like hip hop.

I’m sure it’s a masterpiece but not for me.

Great album. Ferocious in places.

As someone already said on the reviews, this is not a throw on casual album, you need to be in the mood and willing to spend some time dissecting this experience and that will not be for everyone. With that out of the way, I was caught in that lucky mood over the weekend and what an album, super complex, amazing rapping skills from Kendrick and crew, and the content of the songs is super deep. Definitely one of the greatest rap albums ever created, but the one downside is that unlike other great rap albums which you can throw on at anytime, this is not one of them imo.

Interesting but not my jam

This isn't really for me and even though it's good, I just wouldn't listen to it

An interesting experimental hip hop jazz/soul-ish album that I found hard to relate to & a little too long at almost 80 minutes. It certainly outstays it's welcome. Trimmed to 40 minutes this album would have gotten a higher grade at least from me. Nothing all that bad to say about this album and some of the music is incredible but a lot more is just really boring. It likely deserves more than the two stars I'm giving it but seeing how I'm unlikely to ever hear it again that's as high as I can go.

Brilliant album. Incredible musicianship and the concept holds the album together from start to finish. Masterpiece

Muck

I'll never be able to experience life as an African American, but that doesn't stop me from trying to learn about it. This is more than just good music, or a revolution in rap (and it's both of these, too)... it's the latest in a long line of social commentary that is intrinsic in black music. Every American should listen to this (and Kendrick's other albums) to understand where our country is today.

This one is hard for me to rate. I really liked it but at the same time there is something that bothers me. It would be a 3.5 and I could honestly round it up or down. I chose to round it down based on the lower expectation of actually wanting to hear the whole album again

An absolutely fantastic album that highlights the plight of a black man in present day American and speaks to the hypocrisy of our society on many different fronts. The varied musical styles as well bring depth and interest that blend well into a "rap" album.

Where do I even begin with this album(masterpiece)? This is one of my , if not my all time favorite Album ever. I mean Kendrick followed up one of the goat albums GKMC with an even better one. From Flying Lotus to Thundercat, Snoop to George fucking Clinton, how could this not become a Masterpiece. Wesley's Theory – ANYBODY CAN GET IT, THE HARD PART IS KEEPING IT MOTHERFUCKERRRR!!!!! Starting off with my personal favorite Kendrick song. Just WOWWWW. every time i listen to this song i get transported to another galaxy. From the jazzy ass instrumental to the Lyrics, beat changes, Dre's interlude mannnnn i will never get tired of this song. 12/10 and that's that. For Free Interlude - THIS DICK AIN'T FREEEEEE. Fuckkkkk i love jazz. King Kunta - WE WANT THE FUNK!! Indeed we fucking do. Walking down the street to the beat with a cig in hand and i feel invincible lol. Institustionalized - Vibes Vibes Vibes. So chill but still so powerfull. Love Bilal and Snoop on this, perfect features. and don't forget SHIT DON'T CHANGE UNTIL YOU GET UP AND WASH YO ASS These Walls - ok I don't like the intro with the moaning haha. Everything else is perfect. Sooooo groovyyy (knew it had to be Thundercat hihi) you won't even notice he talks about fucking his enemy's girl lol. Anna Wise and Bilal again just take it up another noch. U - This is a heavy song. I don't usually listen to this one unless i listen to the full album. It hits soo hard. You can feel everything Kendrick is saying to the bone. Also the second part after the cleaning lady is underrated. LOVING YOU IS COMPLICATED 🗣️ Alright - I think this was the first Kendrick song i ever consciously listend to and I fell in love with his music(at 14). Love me a Pharrell beat obv. Powerful message too. What's not to love For Sale Interlude - How are the interludes as good as a song?? Love ittt it's so dreamyyyy NOW BABY WHEN I GET YOU GET YOU GET YOU GET YOUUU Momma - ughhh the lyrical work goes crazy, so so beautiful. Also love the production. I KNOW EVERTHING Hood Politics - BUBUUUUUU beat could come straight out of hiphops golden age the way i bop my head to this How Much A Dollar Cost - this is what you fucking want man. THIS IS RAP!!! Storytelling on point and deep lyrics. The outro is so poetic too: I washed my hands, I said my grace What more do you want from me? Tears of a clown, guess I'm not all what it's all meant to be Shades of grey will never change if I condone Turn this page, help me change to right my wrongs Complexion - I know this song is often regarded as the weakest of the album. I still love it a lot. I think featurring Rhapsody was great. She's sooo talented and doesn't get nearly as much recognition as she deserves. The Blacker The Berry - I'M THE BIGGEST HYPOCRITE IN 2015🗣️ One of my favs off the album. Soooo intense. I love angry Kendrick ok?? You Ain't Gotta Lie - hell yessss fun fun funnnn to listen to. Wanna blast it out my nonexistent car and smoke a cig out the window I - ALBUM VERSION ALLL THE WAY!!! Sooooo much better then the single Version and you're an Opp if you say otherwise. Love the journey from U to I. Mortal Man - WHEN SHIT HIT THE FAN IS YOU STILL A FAN? Yes Kendrick I AM!!! Beautiful way to end an album. I can appreciate the poem(if anyone can pull of a fake convo with Tupac it's Kendrick) but i always felt a bit conflicted about it. But love to hear the full poem in the end. I REMEMBER YOU WAS CONFLICTED I wish i could give it album 6/5. I listen to it almost every week and i never get tired of it never ever ever. Thank you Kendrick.

Fire

I skipped almost every song on this record due to his use of the "n" word. Be better Lamar!

Wesley's Theory

A modern rap masterpiece. Raw, poetic, and unfiltered while still listenable. I still prefer the storytelling style in Good Kid Maad City but this is a high water mark for Kendrick. Hip hop as a true art form.

Ehhhh some songs were decent but I did not really like it overall

🍆

Yesss

This is very innovative hip hop. I like the funk, soul and jazz influences I hear on this album. Powerful lyrics too. I'm not sure what's going on, but when I hear Kendrick Lamar, I keep visualizing that it's actually Kevin Hart rapping. Is it just me??? Liked Songs Added: Complexion (A Zulu Love) i

noisy

Classic

Curti

Not quite complete rubbish. Lamar clearly has some talent as a rapper but, god, it's pompous and overblown.

A special hip-hop album, which transcends most of the genre's previous efforts through its amazing instrumentation, mix of styles and storytelling. I remember listening to this during my secondary school era one evening, following the lyrics closely and trying to make sense of them. Had never done that for an album before. But such was the popular and (especially) critical fervour over the album, I decided I had to give it a proper go. On re-listening now, I've realised just how great the instrumental aspects of the album are. Almost feels like a funk album in points. A listen that requires attention, certainly easier albums to listen to out there, indeed from Kendrick himself, but this is clearly a special project. 5*!

Maybe the rymheads were right this ain’t bad.

An extremely powerful and important album, especially of the last decade. Kendrick's flow is top tier and his lyrics reached new highs here. The only real downside is the runtime and it feels cluttered at times, although sometimes I think Kendrick wanted it to sound cluttered in parts.

First time listening, sorry I didn’t find anything impressive. I don’t like hip hop/rap but I really appreciate MBDTF, this one no, he seemed to have too much ego to express and I would not like to accept that.

fantastic. god knows i love an interlude and an album that tells a story beginning to end. 8.5/10

Never really listened to Kendrick Lamar before. Perfectly enjoyable, but I don't think I'll be humming it to myself later. Solid album, and I like the thematically paired songs like u and i, and for Free? and For Sale? Could probably use a few more listens for it to really sink in properly.

i knew the guy is iconic but was never imagined he was this iconic

This is an album where I can't say add anything to the discourse that hasn't already been said. A modern masterpiece from the instant it was released. The cultural impact, the social message, Kendrick's technical skill and flow, the beats and arrangements. It's a behemoth of hip hop that will be praised for generations.

I like it but I don't care for hip hop/rap or would really need to be in a specific mood for spoken word almost. His lyrics are good and have meaning but this isn't something I would ever put on. 3/5

Este album es muy bueno. No estoy diciendo nada nuevo o controversial. Los beats son una locura, los samples son la hostia y las letras son dignas de un pullizer (no lo digo yo, a Kendrick Lamar le dieron un pullizer). La primera canción debe de ser mi favorita, me encanta la producción y ese bajo tan guay. Bueno, en general el bajo de todo el album es super guay, con razón el artífice de esas basslines es ThunderCat. King Kunta debe de ser mi segunda canción fav del album y en mi top 5 de Kendrick Lamar. Nada que objetar. Es como el album de hip hop que todo el mundo te dice que tienes que escuchar. Ese y Graduation. good album broda 5/5

Actually pretty good

Really enjoyed this actually. Even without listening to lyrics the beat and groove is top class. Lyrics of course are amazing.

Smart and fun. I really, really like “These Walls.” And several other tracks, too, are nearly as appealing. It’s minor criticism, but there *is* a little bit of . . . bloat on the album (which inhibits repeat listening).

I'm sure this album is important to many people. I'm not one of them. If I could make out the words rapped I think I might enjoy trying to decipher all the embedded codes, references, and in jokes contained within them. All I came away with from my one listen was a reference to The A-Team's Mr. T: I pity the poor fool! My experience was akin to sitting in a movie theater watching a movie with a mostly innocuous soundtrack while a neighboring movie patron refuses to shut up throughout the entire film. One listen was plenty for me.

Mid 4? Kendrick fan, cool instrumentals

Not my speed but can see why people praise the album.

Absolutely perfect

This is Kendrick showing up at a jam session, rapping side by side with some of today's greatest jazz, soul and funk musicians who all have great ears for collective improvisation. It gives the feeling that every musician was just asked to do their thing and then just hit record. Lyrically Kendrick is exploring the struggles of a black man in modern day america, being personal but still giving a holistic picture of an issue larger than any of us Possibly the greatest album of all time.

God dammit, det är jättebra. Det är toppen. Ville ge en fyra men några av låtarna var så jävla svängiga och texterna är verkligen en så otrolig inblick i Kendricks liv och hur hudfärg ses på i USA. Fuck it, bra album

Fair play, could be some of the most creative hip hop I’ve heard. Drawing on lots of influences, nothing out of bounds. Profound lyricism and flow is plentiful here. Thundercat puts an absolute shift in on this too.

To Pimp A Butterfly has cycled through my playlist a good four or five times. And that is where my rating would fall, between four and five. Very selfishly, I wanted to find an irresistible song or two that I had to listen to on repeat until I was satiated. Do not get me wrong, there are plenty of good, solid songs on this album that I like a great deal. I just did not fall in love with any and that would be my only knock on this album. But that is my problem.

coincidentally, i had the same reaction to to pimp a butterfly as i did with ok computer: oof!! in fact, i could probably lift what i wrote in my review of that album verbatim and it would apply here (though the main difference here is that i'm not a prior fan of kendrick lamar and came to this album with fresh ears). the word i keep thinking about with this album is "substantial" - weighty, meaningful, prodigious, etc. etc. even though this wound up being (for me) a rare one-run-through rating, i feel confident saying this is 5 stars knowing that there will be other things on this album that i'll discover and enjoy on the next dozen or so listens. one thing i will plagiarize myself and repeat about to pimp a butterfly is: this is what happens when you're nerdy, pretentious, and care deeply about the art form - it shows!! great stuff!! highlights - wesley's theory, king kunta, institutionalized, alright, momma, how much a dollar cost, you aint gotta lie (momma said), mortal man

There’s a strong sense he’s more talented than to use the particular language he does. Could’ve been great. 3.5

I started listening to Kendrick after the Super Bowl announcement, and wow. It’s new-school hip-hop, but with just enough old-school flavor to keep an older listener like me hooked. A phenomenal album.

Just an incredible work of art. Lyricism, musical expression, versatility, creativity, authenticity. Kendrick was rapping over beats and making songs within this record that were the first of their kind, pulling more inspiration from James Brown than Snoop Dogg. You could spend a semester dissecting every part of what's in here.

Being black and LSD-level creative musical free association are two things I don't identify with. He sounds like a poet though. There's genius here but maybe it's not for me? Can hear the fingerprints all over Blackstar though. That last track through where he brings it all together is boss.

this is a good hip hop album. the only thing I really know about Kendrick Lamar is that he had a big beef with Drake where he just absolutely destroyed him. later he got to do a Superbowl performance of the song where he accused Drake of being a pedophile.

Great album. Awful voice.

i think it's the moths that really need the makeover

Another album fit for an art gallery. If you're not into it by the time Wesley's Theory is over, it's probably not the day for you, consider leaving it for later. I hadn't heard this in a few years, it's aged really well. It's incredible how throughout the project there's knowledge being spread in layman's terms, an effort for the people. And right off the bat we get the jazz inspiration, the similarities on tonal work and energy are scrambled together between the jazz itself and the spoken word. You can expect this to evolve while leaning into culture all the way to the end, conceptually nodding towards other caterpillars in history. I'm rating this high, so I'm nitpicking, I'll dock a few decimals because of the lengthy ending. I find it very literal, though that first listen packs its punch. I just feel it belongs on a kind of "director's cut" for the people that treat listening to this like sitting down with popcorn for a movie. 4.8/5

Started with some cool beats and flow, but halfway through I started getting bored

Kendrick pretty much lives to drop hip hop classics, and this album is no different. Just a banger out the gate, and while the album is almost 1 ½ hours in length, it never feels like it overstays its welcome.

King Kunta- Absolute JAM. Alright- JAM For Sale- Unique beat, prolly the most underrated song on the album Momma- Great tune

Denne følte eg var overhypa til å byrje med, men no sit den mykje betre. Den tek seg opp. Fortsatt litt overengineered og likar betre både Maad city, Untitled.Unmasterd og Humble. Men bra

Respect for the message. The bars are phenomenal. But the endless funk-jazz slog just doesn’t do it for me.

I've tried to get Kendrick from the start, but I must be genetically deficient. On relisten, I did like this one better than expected so I may be warming up.

Amazing album and the fact that this lost to 1989 is still one of life's biggest failures.

A fantastic album all around. Musically interesting and unique, drawing from so many different eras of music. "Wesley's Theory" showcases the musical thesis of the album with its funky bass and throwbacks to 90s hip hop sounds and Dre's cameo. "King Kunta" illuminates K-Dot's ability to make extremely catchy and amusing lyrics. "Institutionalized" and "Hood Politics" tackle more serious issues. Experimental pieces like "u" veer towards the passionate and personal, with the kind of pathos Kendrick let's loose every so often. Overall, a masterpiece.

I enjoyed 1 song, but had to stop listening after 4. It was just a collection of noise that hurt my brain, especially when the beat was off. It was also too jazzy for me. Maybe I'm too white for this album

For an album which is high-concept, calls on several different music styles across it's 78-minute running time and is generally regarded as one of the best albums of the past decade or so, this isn't half a disappointing listen. Sorry to say, it doesn't do much for me. It is all so one-note. Lyrically dense, ideas run into one another, genres and beats collide but the dynamics rarely seem to change from one section to another. The result is, so far as I can discern, vastly overrated and musically pretty uninteresting, for the most part managing to make jazz, soul and funk ingredients come off like run-of-the-mill chart R 'n' B.

Rap's not my thing.

Already an all time classic

Un autre classique, mais Kendrick c'est pas tant ma confiture

Fantastic! It a project that stands apart from his other work and very well can be his masterpiece. Also very few featured guests. This is mostly a Kendrick album. Raw, exposed, alone. Kendrick

I remember you was conflicted

I prefer GKMC over TPAB personally. TPAB is still outstanding, though.

Not sure where from, but there’s a rule that a great movie is 3 great scenes and no bad scenes. I think it’s true enough, and similarly true that a great album follows this rule. This is one of those albums. A good variety of sounds, interesting production, lyricism and overall performance. I’m not a huge fan of Kendrick but it is clear this is him at his best.

Nice sounds, i like his versatile voice A lot of swearing🫠

Not my favourite style but loved the influences from other music styles. Unique.

The production of this album is perfect and Kendrick is the GOAT. All the stars.

Get it all, you deserve it, Kendrick!! A paragon of the album format. Even greater than the sum of its parts, etc. (But if you wanna talk singles—Blacker the Berry: sublime.)

A solid listen and one I'm going to return to, but wasn't in love with it.

Not an ordinary Rap akbum - but Rap.

I love this album, top to bottom. Fond memories back in college listening with my buddies. The jazz influences and instrumentals combo with great beats lets this thing sing.

This isn't the first time I've tried to get into this album or indeed Kendrick. Following last year's _GNX_, which I thought was excellent, I thought I finally got him. But sadly this one just isn't landing the same way. I don't think how it starts helps, although I believe there's layers of meaning here lyrically in a man talking about the size of his dick, I probably need to spend some time with Genius to unearth the reasons. The first few songs are the put off I think and as we get towards the middle and end, songs like _Alright_ and _How Much A Dollar Cost_ are bangers. The runtime doesn't help, no album needs to be this long! Musically it's excellent and Kendrick's flow is incredibly creative, but lyrically I'm finding it jarring. I probably will listen again at some point because I know there's something here.

Solid mix of musical influences

A good old classic bringing me back to my last years as a teenager. 5/5.

Kendrick is een hele goede rapper, maar ik ik vind dit album niet echt super catchy. Ik denk dat na een paar listens deze wel beter wordt, maar het hele culturele significante sluit niet helemaal aan bij mij.

This album certainly takes you on a poetic journey, so to speak.

i get it buy not my cup of tea. Yeah the needle head gave it a 10, don't care

Crap

I mean, what really is there to say about this one.

20/10

holy mastership in songwriting.

Kendrick is the best in the game as far as modern hip hop goes, and this album is his masterpiece. Such a compelling journey from beginning to end. Not a weak track on the album, everything has its place. Still as poignant today as it was 10 years ago. 10/10 My personal favorite hip hop album from the 2010’s.

I couldn't care less about it. I understand the intention of the album, the interest on making some of its songs, but I just don't like this kind of music. So, I value the artistic intention of this album, but it's not done in a way I can value or like. I would give it two stars because of the jazz incursions and some experimentation but... am I really liking the way it's done? Not because you have something in mind or you want to do something deep means you end up doing it. I'm not saying it isn't any of those things, but, for me, a person who doesn't like hip-hop at all, this album is just as the rest. It may have something I like a little but, overall, it's an album of a kind of music I don't like. And it really is not interesting for me, anyway. Do it the right way and, then, talk to me. But not with this album.

Good

Do not particular like KL's delivery - the song with Snoop really highlighted this for me - it just leaves me cold. Musically there as a lot going on (too much) and it just feels over produced and makes me yearn for simpler times.

Can appreciate the musical talent and musical variety on the album. Thoughtful lyrics if unnecessarily crass. Not sure the rapping is all that, and definitely not my scene.

Solid album. I’d rank it above Mr Morales but below Section 80. GKMC at the top with Damn second

The hype behind this guy is very much real. His flow, his voice & voice effects confuse me at times. And I DON'T KNOW WHY? But I dig it. In Dick For Sale it's straight up scatting over jazz. In For Sale, he adds a childlike lisp. This dude tells the world & his own people the harsh reality of the world that needs to heard. I had gotten Solange's album a couple few albums ago, it deals with the same themes as this. I had given it a Medicare review. Difference between the two is the writing & sounds you put around you to tell your truth. Kendrick just does it better. It takes alot to impress me in rap & hip hop world. So my hats off to Kendrick. 5

Really pushed Kendrick's songwriting forward.

I definitely understand the hype. I can't give this 5 stars since this isn't entirely up my alley, and I can't see myself listening to it for pleasure. But it's a great record, no doubt. 4.5/5 Favourite track: Wesley's Theory