To Pimp A Butterfly

Rich and dense. Plenty to unpack.

87/1001 Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly Heard before? ✅ Revisit? ✅ There's a lot I like here and a lot I don't. It's way too overlong and some of the interludes added nothing. However, the way he combines his flow with jazz, funk and soul influences is sublime and some of the messaging is so important, and doesn't seem like a lot has changed in 10 years since the album was released. I really appreciate how he's quite insular in his lyrics as well. However, there is a level crudeness that is bordering on eye rolling territory.

Really, really good. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is because it didn't feel like it flowed super well. I think good kid, m.A.A.d city comes together as an album more. But a really good jazz rap album that deserves all of its praise.

Now THIS is Hip-Hop, and good rap music at that. Take a note, post-2000s "Hip-Hop" artists. Great production, sick beats, and an overall fun album to blast which may just take you back ten years ago. Favorite Track: "King Kunta".

première fois que j’écoute kendrick j’aime bien

Awesome.

4.5 stars. Dense with heavy infusion of jazz and soul but works so well. Incredibly talented lyricist, opens window into societal issues of the black struggle. Feels deeply personal and genuine and the production level quality is stratospheres above a typical hip hop record. Favorite tracks are "Complexion (A Zulu Love)" and "i".

Cool! But I didn’t love it as much as good kid.

Wow. I really enjoyed this album in every aspect.

Listen man I wanted to hate it and fully expected to but I just can't. I don't think it's necessarily the best album ever made and there are definitely moments where it veers into the preachy self-important corniness that I was expecting but the whole album is much more musical and spontaneously creative than I expected. I thought it would feel very contrived and try-hard but it did not to me. Fav song: Wesley's Theory

Really enjoyed this album. Wasn't expecting the story telling by Kendrick.

Banggggga

Mjög mikil saga

Bello ho vibato

subtracting 1 star solely because of THIS DICK AIN'T FREE yes i am a hater

Still remember seeing this vinyl in my parents record collection and wanting to listen to it. Eventually bought my own copy and can definitely say it is my favorite of all the Beatles solo efforts. This re-listen affirmed that and maybe made me love it even more.

As much of a rap music as I can appreciate

Another one that I don't think I've ever heard any of before. It's pretty incredible. I think it would be a definite 5 star if I were American. But I'm not, so I admire it rather than it speaking to me. 4.

This lives up to the hype VERY solidly. This is something that could easily be a 5 in the future, it's just not right this second because I'm not sure that I'd listen to most of these too regularly... But regardless, as an album it is very solid. It's cool seeing the poem build up, as well recurring lyrics or phrases, and of course Kendrick is just so good at his craft, god damn. Producers on this are also insane.

This is obviously an all time great album. The production is fantastic, the storytelling is complex, and the way he maneuvers with the narrative on songs like The Blacker the Berry is unbelievable. However, I do think it is a little too long (for a guy who is already known for doing long albums) and would've benefited from a little trimming. It is really hard to say that about something so personal without feeling bad, but GKMC is almost as long and never drags, in my opinion. I also think that this is an album for the more hard-core Kendrick fan who knows all about him - as a more casual listener I would have to do so much research to get the entire picture. Still MUCH better than most of the albums on this list.

First time I've listened to Kendrick Lamar. Once I got through the profanity, I got that he was telling a story, laying some strong lyrics over a smooth and funky beat. This album points to the deterioration of race relations that were occurring at the time and also called to mind Public Enemy with its history lessons. It was also a chronicle of Kendrick Lamar's personal journey, overcoming his surroundings and the new temptations accompanying his success and rise to fame.

listened a recently, so didn't relisten

Yeah this rocks

I like the production, the vibe, and the flow of this album. I also really like Kendrick as a lyricist, even if he's not the best rapper.

I think I’m going to be picky on fives but I really enjoyed this. Some less engaging moments but I want to listen to this album more to understand all the lyricism.

Very good

Not into Rap that much, but loved the political lyrics.

Need to listen to this more carefully I don't listen to a lot of rap Favourites: How much a dollar cost,

4.5 stars.

Not a huge rap

A very finely woven tapestry... I loveee the inclusion of Mr. George Clinton. I think it was a great choice to lean into the experimental modality that you can hear peaking through in the previous album. Unfortunately I found that it kinda lost me towards the end. Perhaps it will need a reappraisal at a later date!

Great sounding, cool compositions

A decade later and its message still rings true sadly. Hard to believe this was 2015, pre trump presidency and everything that happened. 4/5 probably? Maybe 3.5/5?

Great album, but kind of suffers from knowing what he'll do on damn.

the Anthony Fantano ass kissers are going to have a field day with this one

There is a reason that Kendrick is considered the greatest of all time and this album goes some way to proving it. Stunning variety of musical influences from jazz and soul to RnB. Feels difficult to rate this album after one listen as I know it will require repeat listening to fully digest some of the lyrics. Musically, a masterpiece!

The greatest album of all time according to RYM.com. For me it’s not. But it’s still one of the best hip hop albums I’ve heard. Blacker the Berry is as good as any song on this list. The ending 5 minutes I have very mixed feelings as well. Absolutely worthy of its place on the list.

nice one

So much tension!

A Fake Essay on Why the Personal is, and Always Will Be, More Important Than The Political, or why OK Computer is greater than To Pimp a Butterfly I don’t know what to say. Yesterday I finally decided to listen to OK Computer conclusively and you are telling me that my choice today is that very album that exceeds okc and becomes the best album of all time, according to RYM? I mean I of course understands why people love this album. due to my nature of being a music-first listener and secondly for me it really don’t deserves that #1. That evil moment when Kendrick took Thom Yorke’s crown and put it on his own head suggests that the widespread focus on all types of entertainment shifts from the personal experience to the political reality. What a pity. One thing that is funny is that tpab’s status is mainly based upon its politics and how it fused with the music, instead of the music itself. If this album is a bit less political it would plunge to below a 4.2 on rym, making it inferior to OK Computer. And let me tell you the fact. Being conscious and woke and join in activism won’t work. I mean, things might get better for a bit if you do some activism, but the long term outcome still won’t change. In other words, have you ever listened to “Won’t Get Fooled Again” by the Who? In that song Pete Townsend used his lyrics to describe an angry young activist going through revolutions with idealism, only to realise that every promising politician looks the same, or, “meet the new boss, same as the old boss”. What is interesting is that we mentioned Radiohead in this article as a must, and this change is found on Thom Yorke himself. Hail To The Thief is a good example of him being angry and young and frustrated about the life, and in the following years we observed him joining in all kinds of activism but theres seldomly a positive outcome. At the same time thom’s life changed too and he slowly found out that nothing he did actually work. That’s how he began to have these “terrible political takes” regarding the Middle East which are being called “incorrect”. But let us know that he just wants to have a rest from all these things he feels powerless about. And also perhaps people should remember that HTTT is an album that is more than 20 years old and there is seldomly any political songs released after that album, making the point that “Radiohead has always been a political band” worthless. Instead we see personal despair being commonly written about in their albums, from their first ever hit, the great meme song “Creep”, to “True Love Waits”, the last song on A Moon Shaped Pool. Under this condition we can see that Thom’s starting point towards the things around them shifting from the political to the personal, making us able to detect the fact that the political issue’s inferiority when comparing to the everlasting and importance of the personal issue. But anyway, why would you think I, like everyone else, would helf this album in high regard? Is it because I am an Asian and Asians are, like black people, people of colour? That’s funny. When one singer I admire accidentally used racist slurs under the influence of drugs and frustration I choose to temporarily ignore it and still listen to his music while still acknoledging its exist. Political witch hunts has destroyed me and my favourite singer’s life for once and for all in a significant and unforgivable incident a year ago and all discourses and guilt tripping has since began to make me hate politics and made me nonchalant to things that isn't relevent with me. So ladies and gentlemen and non-binary folks, and everybody who lives in a society, i have got a match in my hand and I am here to burn down the house. it might be trauma. or it might be a super terrible political take. or it might be a war that i can only lose. but i don't regret. It is politics that tears us apart, and only by throwing away the political and return to the personal, we can see each other as simply humans. Post Script favourite track: u (due to its relevence regarding the self loathing and mental health theme), Mortal Man (but only the "When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan?" part and the last part with the catepillar allegory), which are also the most personal part on this political album. Special Thanks to: Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brian and Phil Selway. If you didn't form Radiohead, this review would be written in a different light. And to my blue eyed problematic faves: Firstly, Nick Cave, as the AI hater turned middle grounder and supposed zionist, but also somebody juggling expectation and nuances. Then, Liam Gallagher, as the accidental racist, but also a frustrated human without higher education. And again, Thom Yorke, as the supposed zionist, but also a tired human being. "Mortal Man" won't mean that much to me without you. When the shits hit the fan, i think i would still be a fan. 4.5/5

It's very good, at times great, but an editor was needed- a flawed masterpiece.

”The revolution’s about to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrooonng guy” ~Kendrick Lamar Ei vaa kyl tää räppi natsaa

Not my usual fare but I enjoyed it - feels like there are real deep thoughts and messages in it. Also amused by the bit in "Alright" that sounds like a weird geordie accent

Great vibes but I feel like I need to listen with the lyrics up to truly appreciate. Still enjoyed listening end to end while doing laundry

- love the jazz-y instrumentals - very consistent sound - loooveee the transitions between songs - i love the concept and the execution was amazing, but i don’t think im the intended audience, so it feels like something’s missing for me to feel like it’s a 5-star album.

Æ e ikke nokka god på å høre på referansetung musikk, og i så måte e ikke det her et unntak. Æ likte det, men det e jo betydelig mye mer der æ ikke forstår enn omvendt, så æ sitt igjen og e ganske blank.

creative rap album

I dug it. Kind of jazzy/funky for a rap album. Was giving me Thundercat vibes. 4.5⭐️

Not a hig hip hop or rap fan but this is fire.

> the Beatles

Maravilloso. Un género que no frecuento. Álbumes como este hacen que lo respete y me acerque a él

“At first I did love you, but now I just wanna fuck” - the perfect intro to K’s honesty and rawness. Funky, eclectic start that feels the perfect intro to who this man is and what TBAP will deliver. “Late nights thinking of you, until I get my nut” This guy is just the GOAT. Nothing like him. The variety of styles, the lyrics, the playfulness. Genius. I feel like this is an education that makes me want to analyse every song, read every lyric and watch every video. And the variety is insane and still kills each song. This isn’t an album, this is theatre

Good, though perhaps a little bit self-indulgent at times - the extended section where he pretends to interview Tupac is maybe a little much. On the whole though, this album is good stuff.

*Replayable* A lot of the songs are incredible. It really is poetic. However, some of the songs just didn't really click with me for one reason or another. Some songs had the lyrics throw me off and didn't feel as impactful as the other ones I liked. 4/5 album as a whole, but I think its different when trying to pick out individual songs on replayability.

I liked this a lot more than I thought I would, considering I haven't been much of a fan of 21st century hip-hop in general. I get the hype for him now.

I have a nostalgic attachment to this album and Kendrick, so I am biased towards its greatness. I had always listened to rap but never like this. This album has a creative, intentional spirit behind it with storytelling like no other. The only flaw in this album for me is that it is top-heavy and long the first half is a lot more memorable in my opinion. Wesley's theory is the perfect opener and is everything I love about Kendrick.

Maybe some of the best instrumentals I've heard on a hip hop album? Never listened to a Kendrick Lamar album before but I'm glad I had the opportunity to. Each song feels really expertly crafted. I likely won't return to this album, but I loved the listen.

smacznie

Tbap

Unmatched talent. The album reset the bar for the possibilities of the genre.

Obviously a very talented artist and I really like some of these songs but I start to drift off and lose interest about half way through

Loving you is complica DAAAHH

good quite good

too long but damn it is still good and King Kunta remains one of my all time favorites

Not bad, actually. I am not a huge hip-hop fan, but this was quite listenable. Intelligently written, great beats, and well-delivered rhymes. I liked this.

44/1001. Own? Yes, although a library sale copy, which I probably played once. I think I got interested in this after hearing King Kunta in a street dance competition. Around the same time short docufeatures about this album (rap albums which shook the world of something like that) came out. But I think only now I listened to the whole piece concentrated. Or at least tried to concentrate - 1h 20 minutes is just too much to take in for this whitey. Not that any of it is bad, but is more really more in this case? Some thoughts : it has a lot of humour, Kendrick would make an excellent guest in the Muppet Show 😅 But at the same time the thing (not only the lyrics) is dead serious. Hard to find such an interesting mix of the two. The groove is there, the message is there, the little I understand as a cis European male. I don't get the use of the N, F or B words in rap music, shouldn't they spell out NFL or better yet NBA? :D

Putisimo kendrick y sus maldades

Listening to a rap album start to end is a big step out of my comfort zone. And in this case it was rewarded. Do I now like rap? No. But I can appreciate the idea behind this work (with the help of lyrics explanations, cause it requires deciphering), the choice of instrumentals, the production and musicality in "To Pimp A Butterfly". It also gives you something to think about beyond the sound. The biggest discovery on 1001 journey so far, because never ever would I just listen to it on my own.

goated album, need to listen from all the way top to bottom. and also need to understand the context and content of the album songs. .

Bah écoute c’est un enchaînement de bangers, tout simplement. Vraiment cool.

already heard it i really like it

Pretty good, like the synth

Amazing variety of sounds, tackling social issues, although still so relatable. Kendrick is like a gift from the cosmos.

Very creative, although somewhat haphazard

i remember you was conflicted 4+/5

The strength of this album is not only the rapping, which is great, but the variance in styles all over. Also, like all good albums with a lot of features, none of them overshadow the main artist and they add something to each track that only they can. I don't think is quite as good as M.A.A.D. City, but it's still a great hip hop album. Also I swear I am hearing "Pyramid Song" by Radiohead in "How Much a Dollar Cost" but maybe I'm projecting. It's a great track in any case.

This album is pretty good but there are no bangers. This is for people who really appreciate rap and sadly that's not me.

It took me a while since this came out to come around to it but it’s an amazing album. I think a bit too long overall but some straight bangers here!

A modern classic. 9/10

It’s great rap album

Good

An ultimate album in it's genre, also a culture step forward, use if Tupac turns it into a collective piece. Very well done.

I listened while on a long drive which is a good way to take the album in. The density demands attention and listening without distractions lets you feel the connections across the album.

I don't enjoy it at all...but again, being objective because I see that it's important in its focusing attention on racial injustice and systemic racism, as well as blending genres.

Dense, cohesive, impressive in all ways, and the hint of Prince at his most noodly was appealing. I'd have to listen to it a lot more to really appreciate it, though.

L’instru est tres tres stylée

Very cool

IDK why wasn't my fav--maybe I prefer GNX?

Kendrick jest geniuszem. Tu nie ma się co łudzić, że jest inaczej. Ale to nie jest moja ulubiona płyta tego artysty. Nadal doceniam ambicję, jego flow, szczerość. Podejmowane tematy. No wszystko, bo to jest mój ulubiony raper, wielki za życia i pewnie legendarny po śmierci. Po prostu uważam, że zdążył się rozwinąć od tego czasu (i jeszcze bardziej moralizować z piedestału, ale to nie na dzisiaj temat). 7/10

i actually enjoyed this rap album. wow.

4.5

I've listened to this album many many times before this so I was already aware of what it was. Awesome album by Kendrick, and even more powerful in it's prime.

not my favorite Kendrick (Mad City, then Damn) but his magnus opus so afar, no doubt.

A lot of the songs are great, the lyrics tell an interesting story and have a lot of meaning. I also like the diverse influences of the album.

Lamar est certainement un des artistes les plus créatifs et innovateurs, qui prend des risques, sans toutefois sacrifier son sens de l’humour. Un album qui demande plusieurs écoutes pour en approfondir l’expérience

I listened to this three times and I’m still not totally sure how I feel about it. It’s bold, important, and clearly brilliant… but I think I appreciate it more than I enjoy it. This 4 is a 3.6.

One of those albums where I remember when it dropped and listened with friends. I don’t think it’s his best, but undeniably a very good album. He somehow transcends out of rap with his music

It's one of the few rap/hip-hop albums I ever owned, which is saying something for me. In the end I did realise it still simply isn't my genre, try as I might. Still, as great a hip-hop album as I've ever encountered.

Definitely love the differing homages to black music history and how the album talks more about social issues rather than what we’ve seen more recently of “sex, guns, bitches, drugs” as mainline topics.

Class

Great album that I had never spent much time listening to in the past. Definitely will be coming back to it and will be in my regular rotation.

I'm generally not a big rap fan, but I do love what I've heard from Kendrick lately, so I was excited to get this album. Wow it did not disappoint. Kendrick's unique voice, incredible lyricism, and interesting musicality all combine to make an impressive album. The songs have something important to say, and I love how unapologetic he is. It's evident why he is a Pulitzer Prize winner and I am so glad that he's become mainstream. He's incredible.

ye ye

Rap and hip hop with very strong jazz and funk vibes. Angry but clear. Words of power and encouragement

8/10. According to RYM, this is the greatest album of all time. I can see why. :)

cancion favorita: for reai? i

Good album must listen especially the travk king kunta

Heard it before, solid relisten we live kendrick

Sounds like Kendrick Lamar. Good stuff though but nothing life changing or overly catchy for me.

- I love that the tracks flow from one to another - For Free? interlude with the jazz hop influence is spectacular, so is the eclectic mix of r&b, hip-hop, funk etc. - Production is brilliant so far -

Usually since I don’t listen to lyrics this would be a 2 but since I actually put in the work to listen/read them this is the result

a master wordsmith with impeccable flow. socially conscious lyrics. a masterpiece of the genre.

It feels like a mix of different genres, like Motown. It’s chaotic and creates an environment of instancy. The beat is really powerful and feels strange for a rap song. Jazz too.

Favorite Track: Alright

10 years later and seemingly nothings changed except now we're ALL doomed. This one hits allot different in this current era ugh it's rough. Good album though but needs multiple listens to get it

没到能理解的火候

I've been waiting for this album, because it seems to be one of the more controversial picks - not because so many people dislike it, but because so many people think it is so absolutely incredible. I was already given Kendrick Lamar's "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" and didn't love it. It was okay, but I was told that "To Pimp a Butterfly" was his real masterpiece. So, I think this album, "To Pimp a Butterfly" is very good. It may be "great," but it is much too, way too overhyped. I still think there are much greater hip-hop albums out there, personally, though I understand it is a matter of taste. I would take all but the first and last Outkast album over this and think they are more revolutionary and grand in presentation. Or Danny Brown and JPEGMafia's album or even Danny Brown's "Atrocity Exhibition" as a more modern album that I think competes with this Lamar album (Lamar is actually on "Atrocity Exhibition"). But, anyway, I am giving this 4 stars, because I did like it overall, but I still think it is much too over praised.

It's great, though I do always think he has a bit of a weird voice

this album is good. it has good songs. i like king kunta, that ones fun. this album also makes me feel racist, because im white. a piece of music that makes me feel something, thats special. this album is special. also the first dot album ive listened to in its entirety :) also pleeeeeease add a 4.5 star option or something

Incredible album, only bit that doesn’t work for me is the boo boo refrain on hood politics? Always stuck out to me as annoying/ grating, but not enough to make me skip the song on a listen. 4.5 nearly a 5

Bastante superior debo decir sin pensarlo. Todo un arsenal de producción, letra y hasta teatro. Aprecio que teniendo un tema tan conocido en el medio, no opaca a los demás. El cierre no me terminó de gustar, pero gratamente sorprendido por un género que no suelo orbitar. Nota: 3.8

This is a middle 2010's rap album that is often regarded as one of the best of all time and whilst I'm not expert in the genre, I can certainly see why that is. Even I know the raw talent of Kendrick Lamar. It's a very powerful album and also a very personal one. You feel as though you're deep inside Kendrick's mind and soul as you traverse through this journey with him. The lyrics are top quality, his flow is positively lethal at times and not to mention his ability to story tell is unmatched. The jazz and funk influenced beats give a nod to the legends that came before him, especially those in the 90's - further backed up by the "interview" with 2Pac at the very end of the album, which I surprisingly loved. To completely re-vamp and overly saturated genre and still be doing it today is no easy feat and whether you like rap or not, you have to take your hat off to him for that. Often imitated, never duplicated.

awesome album, couple of strange songs

Hard to believe that this album is nearly 10 years old at this point. Had some of his greatest hits, but the other tracks weren't as strong as his previous album.

“Hood Politics” is the standout track.

Turns out I kind of like Kendrick, who would've thought?

This was challenging in the best possible way. It challenged my perceptions of hip-hop and rap, it challenged me as a listener to really pay attention and try to understand the art being presented to me, and it challenged my ability to focus and give this the attention it deserved. It challenged me to understand the thesis of this album. I did not live up to all those challenges. One listen isn't enough to even try. But it was a hell of an experience. Let me describe what I heard. I heard beat poetry, jazz, hip-hop, rap, anger, frustration, sensuality, and an unmistakable confidence (hell, cockiness) from a man who, with this album, left an impact on the world and the music industry before the age of thirty. But did I understand it? Well, no. And there are reasons for that. Some good, some weak. The good reasons? It wasn't made for me. It wasn't made by people I share a cultural heritage or cultural present with. It would take a wrecking ball to break down all the barriers I have to understand this. And that's ok. That's good, actually. The weak reasons? I could've paid better attention, read the lyrics along with the tracks, and I could've listened a second time. But that's the nature of this project - one album a day, and then you move on. I, too, then feel conflicted. Knowing that I didn't fully grasp what was in front of me, can I fairly give this any kind of rating? Can I truly say, with confidence, that I assign a specific number to this album, a number I say reflects its worth and meaning as a piece of art? No, but I'm going to anyway because again - that's the nature of this project. So, four stars it is. It's probably five, I just can't justify that without listening and knowing more. Standout Tracks: King Kunta, These Walls, u, Alright, For Sale? - Interlude, Momma, Companion (A Zulu Love), i

Not too bad. Nice and experimental for my tastes.

Noch nie gehört aber ganz prima.

Not my normal genre, and probably did a disservice by not focusing on the lyrics as much as I should have, but it really built up steam as the album went on. Could be a 5 on a relisten with more intentionality.

Todella hyvä kyllä, monipuolisuus saa pysymään kuulolla koko reilun tunnin. Spoken word saa aina mun olon epämukavaksi, mutta onneks se osuus oli lyhyt (oli vielä yhdistetty jazziinkin…)

Täyttä viihdettä alusta loppuun: persoonallinen ääni, hyvät sanat sekä hämmästyttävä lajitelma koukkuja, melodioita ja taustoja. Jazz pysyy hallinnassa koska Kendrick on pohjimmiltaan pop. Jotkin osat, kuten Alright, tökkivät. Puhtaat tunnelmoinnit soljuvat ohitse. Mikään ei poista nautintoa.

Very compelling.

1st time listen, should have long ago, but I'm doing it now! It will require more listens for sure! I think it would be a good album to get on LP.

I wish Kendrick Lamar would take over the contemporary pop musical mantle from the Hamilton guy. This album feels like the soundtrack of one I'd actually want to see. He raps like someone executing a flawless parkour routine, bouncing off buildings and jumping off balconies and landing in a casual strut.

This album is slammin.

Aspects of this feel almost like a concept album, culminating in that final "interview" with Tupac. Love all the jazz/funk touches, and I'd never heard the album version of "i" before--it really hits different with the fight breaking out in the middle.

Is this Kendrick's best album? I paid attention and really liked ...M.A.A.D City but never gave butterfly a good listen until now.

4.2 I liken this to reading a difficult novel. When your finished you think "How the hell does someone think like that and create something so interesting/unique". Probably could be 5 star.

Really good album.

The most important hip hop album of the decade, with hard-hitting lyricism, flow beyond compare, and incredible jazz and funk-influenced beats. 4.5⭐️

absolute godly album

Started blegh, but in the end I enjoyed this very much.

Całkiem fajne. Kilka piosenek do zapisania, ale chyba gorszy album niż good kid... 4/5

Cool album

Complex. Oh and I got this record on Trump 2.0 inauguration day which feels a little on the nose. Some spectacular jazz and soulful instrumentation laid down and wonderful production. I find his voice annoying at times. I struggled to get on board with GKMC and didn't enjoy it much at all. This is so much better, and so interesting. But fucking hell it's dense. Absolutely demands close listening, which you can't always afford. Also, this white guy can't comfortably listen to this outside of the house due to the sheer number of "n____s" delivered. And why do we keep finding him screaming to himself in his hotel room? What are the evils of Lisa? I mean, socially conscious music should invite questions so this isn't a criticism. How Much a Dollar Cost was excellent, although the end of the story was a bit lame. Blacker the Berry was great too, a more straightforward hip hop song on the whole, reminded me of RtJ. I stayed engaged throughout this very long album, that warrants a high score.

Kendrick is one of my favorite all time rappers. This album is a bit of an enigma for me though...I enjoy many parts of it, but overall I can't put it on the pantheon of other greats. 4.5/5

For Free? is just a Geordie Greep song. I know people love this album and its one of the highest rated on RYM, but I just don't like his voice. It is just too high pitched and nasally for me. I think I would like this album so much more if anyone else was rapping. The beats and production are great though, some really creative ideas. I was also ready for this album to end around the 50 minute mark. low 4.

Totally new to me, no context but super impressive and creative and powerful. Will listen to other albums.

I don't think the lyrical content is very special as far as "conscious" hip hop goes; it follows the standard race-mythology and worldview that hip hop has long been known for. Feels a bit stale now in that regard. The music is undeniably ambitious and interesting, though. I can appreciate the progressive nature of the music itself

Some absolute bangers, I didn't really like every song but it's an ALBUM ya know?

Already know I’m a fan of this one. Excited to listen to it again. First time I really listened to the mortal man interview… not sure how I missed that so many times in the past

I liked King Kunta the best.

The jazz components are so sick.

i've recently listened to this in full & so i will not be giving it another listen this time. i didn't like this album at first & it's grown on me. i'm glad for the fact it brought kendrick to a broader audience & at the same time there's still something about it that doesn't quite connect with me... solid stuff tho

i remember you was conflicted

A masterpiece, but a record that wasn’t made for me.

Excellent album, not my kind of music so I can't really say what makes it good but it's good

I skipped the song For Free? because it was gratuitously vulgar in my opinion but the rest of this album is fantastic. It's a great blend of jazz, hip-hop, fusion, rap and soul that I was very impressed with. The social commentary on the album truly moved me and has sat in my head like coins dropped in a wishing well ever since, which is what socially conscious hip-hop was originally released to do. Though it's explicit and more so than what I would usually listen to it's a rough, honest and mature album without glorifying vulgarity or immorality for most of its entirety. My favorite songs are How Much A Dollar Cost, For Sale? and Hood Politics.

I always thought of this one as two halves. The first half which I don’t like that much and then the second half that is pretty great. Maybe that’s on purpose as The caterpillar metamorphosizes and becomes more conscious

Kendrick>Drake

I love Kendrick and to be honest, I don't know what it is about him, it took me a while to connect but once I did..I also love that his mom named him after Eddie Kendricks :) listening now 'To Pimp a Butterfly' it seems like a prelude to the greatness that is his next album, DAMN. There are a lot of great tracks on this one, but knowing what comes after makes it pale in comparison. However! You ain't gotta lie, King Kunta and These Walls all fantastic and enjoyed heavy rotation in my spin classes. Kendrick's in another league

This is like a table read. It moves in and out of emotions, spoken word, and vibes in an intimate way. It doesn't feel overly practiced; instead, it feels in the moment, like we are discovering it together.

I have a ceiling for hip-hop; it is very much a “songs” genre for me, rather than an album genre. I find that full albums by the same artist tend to wear on me at a certain point, even the absolute best ones. Although this one is no exception, I don’t think there’s a hip-hop album I respect more than this one. Kendrick is the absolute fucking best; no one writes or performs like this guy. Absolutely no one is on his level, present day at least. A 4-star album on my enjoyment scale, but a 5-star piece of art. 4/5

Very solid. A bit too long but still this is a worthwhile listen. King Kunta is a flat out banger. Can't wait to see him perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. I remember you was conflicted, misusing your influence.

4.5

Again my lack of anything but a superficial knowledge of Hip-Hop means I only know, and like, Kendrick Lamar’s Black Panther soundtrack. But I do know George Clinton and Ronald Isley and Thundercat and Kamasi Washington, all of whom appear here. Yet To Pimp A Butterfly sounds like a cohesive album. There are echoes of Parliament, ‘70s Stevie Wonder, Prince - impressive.

good flow, didn't feel hard to listen to the whole album, never listened to Kendrick before but I can see why he's popular. could dead songs but they didn't bring the whole album down

i like the first song a lot

so good, i was surprised by how much of it i already knew

No one is doing it like Kendrick. This album shows that he isn’t ever trying to be a hit factory - he makes really catchy tunes but they don’t really go to full song length. Always incredibly thoughtful

Interesting. There is a lot going on here. Sometimes too much. I feel like some songs had too many samples and effects going. It made it hard to concentrate on the lyrics. The lyrics are all over the place. Sometimes deep and sometimes pure nonsense. Overall much more enjoyable than I expected.

There’s a reason Kendrick Lamar has a Pulitzer. The man knows how to write. His lyrics are sharp, layered, and full of meaning without ever sounding preachy. This album is packed with ideas and feels more like a statement than just a collection of songs. That said, I still like good kid, m.A.A.d city more. It’s more cohesive and a little easier to throw on. To Pimp a Butterfly asks more of you as a listener, but it rewards you for paying attention. Not an everyday listen, but definitely an important one.

A great album from an artist I love 4.5

Favorite song: Mortal Man

Not really my jam

4.25

CLASSIC hip hop album. Socially charged with kendrick speaking on lots of issues in his community, while also making entertaining music. I give the edge to good kid madd city as this maybe drags just a bit more in some parts but really great album

what a ride. This is very different from maad and it's awesome.

Ain't nothin gonna change until you get up and wash yo ass.

One of the most important albums ever, incredibly powerful but just not personally something I would choose to listen to all the way through again. 4/5

I couldn't put into words why I love this but I do.

Vividly remember my grandpa saying "to pump a butterfly" in disgust, prolly a sign it's a fantastic album!

4.5/5 - wow

De Kendrick isch au sonen Künstler woni immer chli Berüerigsängst gha han, obwohl ich immer wider mitbecho han was de Noah für en riesige Fan isch (und de Musiggschmack vom Noah het ja doch no paar parallele zu mim). Und darum bin ich en maximal grosse Fan vom Album Klöpp Toggeburg und dere Websiite, wie mer doch immer wider mit so Prachtexemplar vo Albene wie am Kendrick siis konfrontiert wird. Absolut grosse Spass gsi das Album über s Wuchenend zchöne lose. Eigentlich viel me es 4.5, aber es 5i getraui mi irgendwie doch noni zgeh

oh shit es gaht also doch witer als 2002 - das buech isch so guet dases scho albe ih de zuekunft predicted hett scho lang kei kendrick meh gloset und scho fast vergesse wie viel gueti lieder das uf dem album sind au zum erste mal sganze ding duregloset, hett sich absolut glohnt! seinzig trurige wos mich dra erinnered hett isch dasmer immernanig en full song usem "hood politics" intro hend... one day maybe :,)

An album that gives you something new to connect with on each listen, but also challenging enough that I don’t listen to it often.

onestamente spacca. Kendrick mi piace.

Not in my top 3 Kendrick albums but that's not much of a knock on this. I still very much enjoy this album.

Hugely ambitious hip hop project with thoughtful expirations of politics, black culture, among other important social concepts. Great instrumentals and beats drawing from diverse influences of funk, jazz, soul, r&b, other hip hop (like g-funk). Conscious and thought-provoking, experimental and challenging, but not at the expense of fun and enjoyment. Despite its length and ambition, it’s a pretty cohesive feeling album that also includes a lot of great songs. There’s an insane amount of depth it - it’s great on first listen, but will continue to reward repeated close examinations of the music and lyrics.

This was very good. Very thoughtfully crafted. Real music. Even the stuff that’s just okay is well done. Respect.

Entertaining and a bit different.

This album feels like a journey. The fusion of jazz, funk, and hip-hop is raw and full of energy. It’s layered, complex, yet accessible. The way themes of identity and struggle are woven into the music reminds me of something OutKast might do, but with a sharper edge. Each track hits in its own way, like pieces of a larger puzzle. It’s bold, unflinching, and powerful.

kendrick is so good. this is a beautiful piece of art in the realm of hip hop and the world of music in general. 9/10

I'd give a four for the first half of the album, for the interplay between the vocals and the music, the flow and pacing, but the parts I was drawn to didn't really carry through the back half of the album. A 35 to 40 minute version would be stellar. 3.5

Not Kendrick’s best tbh. I do like the range, but this album could’ve used some cuts.

I hear he's really great but haven't yet come to appreciate Lamar. I'll continue to try.

A true classic. It's hard not to give it five but there are a few always skips which bring it down. Also not as good as Good Kid.

Quite a few cool tracks on this record. /A lot/ of N words, though 'a lot' may actually be an understatement. Highlights: King Kunta, both tracks with Thundercat were absolute bangers, Wesley's Theory and These Walls, and The Blacker the Berry.

A masterful album. Really enjoyed the Snoop and Thundercat features. Not the usual type of album I'd listen to, but it kept me engaged the whole time.

Creative and interesting; could be objectively a five but has too much rap for me

Really good album but it needs a few listens to appreciate fully I think. At least for someone like me that has english as a second language. I like the vibes and the mix of instruments in the songs. Works great even just on in the background with the chill beats.

I only knew a few Kendrick songs before listening to this album - and I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this! I recognised "i" straight away, didn't realise it was his song! Sadly it was just a bit too long for my liking, and I'm not a huge fan of the talking tracks/interludes A very high 4 ⭐️

I was curious how this album would compare (or not compare) to good kid mAAd city and I was genuinely impressed. Compared to gkMc this album explored themes of grappling with fame for African Americans who find success, especially if it's at all related to a perception of gaining clout based on the historic struggles of the community. I could feel Kendrick's turmoil and exhaustion at trying to raise up instead of tear down, but was really moved by how fine a needle he was able to thread of pointing out huge social issues while giving glimmers of hope. His story-telling is unparalleled and I will definitely be giving this more listens in the future.

I was looking forward to trying out To Pimp A Butterfly. It is smooth, funky, and jazzy. Not my usual kind of thing, but I enjoyed it. The lyrics seemed to have a good message, though I felt like it wasn't always expressed in the best way.

Strong point of view and throughline across the album. Felt more like poetry at times.

Never listened to Kendrick Lamar before but I was floored by this. Is progressive rap a thing? The arrangements and choices here are wild. I didn't love all of it but it had my attention. I listened via a playlist on youtube and I think that was the right choice here, cause he's got some great videos that really add a lot to the songs.

multi layered. awesome.

Rap at its finest - in your face, politics, lyrical. Kendrick changed the rap landscape with this

(FIRST TIME LISTEN) wesley’s theory: 3/5 for free? interlude - n/a king kunta - 4/5 institutionalized - 2.5/5 these walls - 3/5 u - 3.5/5 alright - 4.5/5 for sale? interlude - n/a momma - 3.5/5 hood politics - 3/5 how much a dollar cost - 4/5 complexion (a zulu love) - 3/5 the blacker the berry - 3.5/5 you ain’t gotta lie (momma said) - 4/5 i - 5/5 mortal man - 4/5 overall rating: 4/5. it was really fun to listen to an album of a genre i don’t usually dip into, and i was really excited to listen to this because i’d heard just how good it was , and it really lives up to all the hype! honestly incredible

Lyssnade mycket på denna i gymnasiet! Mer sällan nuförtiden. Fortfarande bra och coolt med P funk-influenserna.

To me, this is Kendrick's first truly experimental album. I remember listening to this for the first time back when it first came out in 2015 and not really liking it that much. After listening to 'good kid, m.a.a.d city' religiously, this album felt like a let down. I had kept some of the songs in my listening rotation, but mostly forgot about it. I can honestly say this is my first time relistening in its entirety since then, and I enjoyed it. Honestly, I think the non-popular/non-single songs are the best. There are a whole lot of themes going on and it makes for a great listen. It isn't all capturing, so I can't give it 5 stars personally, but it really is a great album.

I'm not a hip-hop head whatsoever, but I appreciated this album. It is so eclectic that it shows some madurity in the songwriting but I find it pretentious in some way too. I'm not commenting on the lyrics as they are always second for me when listening to music; however, I'm aware that this has been praised as some of KDot's best. Way to open an album too.

First track hits hard with an eerie funk groove. Sick. King Kunta is next, a big track with a catchy hook. Institutionalized is more low key, but I like These Walls, a smooth beat and an old school sounding chorus. Not vibing with 'u', but we're back with Alright and its stop-start beat and aggressive rapping. How Much a Dollar Cost and Complexion are other standouts for me. The Blacker the Berry is even better, a dark rumbling beat matching the angry lyrics. By the end, I'm feeling the weight of this album, there are parts that are harder to get through but the artistry is obvious.

Some stellar tracks on here, but a lot of filler as well.

Already listened. Already favourite. Wicked

So this is the best album of all time according to the users of rateyourmusic.com and albumoftheyear.com (2 popular music rating sites). As you can imagine this album would have to be very very very good for me to not think it’s overrated. After this single listen, I am not convinced, but it definitely seems like an album worthy of multiple focused listens. I found quite a few songs didn’t really stand out but the others were really cool. The jazz influenced instrumentation is very nice and some of the bass playing is ridiculously good. I found his vocals a little bit annoying sometimes. Overall, although I’m not that into hip hop or rap, I can completely understand the hype this album gets and I definitely want to get into it more through repeated listens.

While I’m a big Kendrick fan and recognise his significance in lyricism and influence on hip-hop as a whole, I dont quite understand the position of this album as supposedly “the best album of all time”. Perhaps I’m missing something, but I’ve heard it plenty times and enjoy it as a very good album and not much more.

A really interesting album with many great highs and a few crass lows that knock it down a notch

Great album.

I am in a strangers basement. I am 16. Kendrick said, hey do you mind if I redefine an entire genre for the next decade??

Killer. As with lots of rap, there were plenty of lyrics and ideas I wasn't completely down with, a lot I didn't quite catch on the one listen, and others that landed good and hard. The diversity of styles was impressive and the music was quality throughout. And, no question, dude's got chops. I get why he's a titan in the rap game.

Loved it on a previous listen. This time Less so. Still a good record.

at its best when it’s playing with genre, samples, and expectations. some really great music here with really fun production. the lyrics go so absolutely insane from personal to more intense topics from sex to politics to race its amazing. and beautifully written. this speaks about an experience i can’t relate to but really fun despite this for me. love when it’s silly and love when the lyrics are deep and referential. will listen again. favs: wesley’s theory, i, and mortal man. didn’t expect to like it this much and i understand why it’s so acclaimed. think it’s a 3.5-4 but really solid!!

Been meaning to listen to more from him, glad i did (better late than never!)

A slightly-overrated follow-up to the generational masterpiece that is "good kid, maad city." Musically, one of the most impressive hip-hop albums, maybe ever. Lyrically dense with introspection and concepts. A great project that should absolutely be heard at least once, but has lost some of its luster over the years.

felt kinda special to listen to like a big movie just ended when the album was over

The highs were high. Good enough album.

This one brings back a lot of good memories. I like everyone of theses songs, but MAAD City is one of my top Kendrick songs. Big fan of Kendrick, and appreciate his lyricism and influence on the hip hop genre.

Definitely enjoyable and had some serious hits on here. My favorite is “King Kunta”

Great album. Lyrically and musically, it's good! I prefer Damn as his masterpiece, though.

my bf loves him. I liked the Album but not too much.

Slow start, but finishes strong 3.75

Kendrick’s album is like opening up a diary and reading through dozens of poems. It’s raw and emotional and sometimes unsettling. At parts it’s like we are in the same room and he’s singing a gospel. My favorite part is the story at the end of the songs that keeps growing. It kept my attention and peaked my curiosity. Mortal man finally recaps the whole story and to tell it as though he is speaking in an interview with his role model Tupac… brilliant.

A long introspective journey by Kendrick. Riddled with poetry and spoken word inserts the multitude of tracks is accompanied by gospel, and classic hip hop ad libs. It’s tough to define any song as a pure bop or radio hit (despite some being so). I feel like this album would be undervalued if you don’t sit in a chair and listen to it front to back with no distractions, like a movie. As such, I’m booting my ranking up into the high 4s.

Not in this world enough to know how influential this album has been, but it was captivating. I feel like an observer rather than a participant, but as a white person, I think that's probably the point. It is still very hard to get past the language, it's just so much all the time

I could do without all the skits, but overall a great album.

A rap album I like? Must be dreaming. yeah this was different. Lots of interesting stuff start to finish. Didn’t have me poking the skip halfway through the tracks. Well done.

Not really sure why I've never listened to this one. Definitely should have. Will I listen to again: 90%

could i write poetry to this? n

schöner fetter soul-Hiphop

I've listened to this album multiple times, and each time I've enjoyed more than the previous listen. Some of the tracks on this album are absolutely top class (the first track may be one of the finest openers to an album I've heard so far), which does mean that a few of them fail to live up to those lofty heights.

Second Kendrick album and I am just as impressed as the first time. He is so talented (not sure why Drake thinks he even has a chance of being this good). He speaks of a world and a life I am far removed from, but his words help me see that world. He makes it seem so natural, simple and easy but it is soooooo deep and complex.

Kendrick is such a talented writer and rapper, and this really feels like a complete album and not just a bunch of songs that sort of go together. Love his depth and his creativity.

4/5

Way better then the other I was listening to. Now wonder it influenced so many artists out there. I really liked this!

uppfyllingarefni. hlaðin oflofi. galbürg er betri. 4,5.

The kind of rap that makes me want to listen to more rap.

I love Kendrick but to pimp a butterfly isn’t my end to end favorite. Great tracks and classic Kendrick story telling. Listenability drops off for me a few times but overall still a very sticky album

Overrated but good

Another solid rap album on this list.

Hieno crossgenrelevy! 4/5

Good Kid M.A.A.D City is better. This one has its moments though. Kendrick is a bit overrated, but only because people talk about him like he’s the GOAT

6 / 10 Musicalmente la mezcla de estilos es una pasada. El rap es lo que no me atrae. Pero sin duda merece una escucha detenida.

i thought that this album had a very interesting take on a mix of jazz and hip hop rap, i really enjoyed it (^O^)

Parts of this album were pretty cool (King Kunta. Alright), and other parts were, uhh, not (Institutionalized). It was cool hearing George Clinton after getting Funkadelics and Parliment this week. I think overall i liked it more than Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.

Solid. Conceptual.

Лучший альбом эвер 8/10

Good album. This is just a really good hip hop album with a lot of great textures from jazz, soul, R&B, etc. It's a good vibe album and the kind of hip hop/rap that I enjoy. ****

Pretty groovy

K-dot!

Ngl this album pre fire. Language gets intense but their messages are powerful. Beats are also fire

Very dense and good but still not my thing particularly

Really enjoyed this, I knew I like Kendrick Lamar from Swimming Pools; but this was a really interesting and eye opening adventure of an album to listen to.

An iconic album, K Dot won that Pulitzer for a reason. Fave is King Kunta.

Sick beats so smooth they slap, but Kendrick’s lyrics? Like your wild uncle at Thanksgiving, brutally honest, super explicit, and definitely not for polite company.

One of those albums where I can tell there's a lot more depth to it than I really appreciate, however not really my thing

It took me a few days to get through this album because it's so long and dense. I really enjoyed most of it, but less as a musical experience and more as a work of literature. I had to sit down with the lyrics and read a lot of annotations to truly understand the meaning and depth of a lot of the lyrics, like I was back in high school studying Shakespeare. In terms of writing, there aren't many rappers out there better than K.Dot (I'm writing this only weeks after the Kendrick-Drake rap beef of 2024). The imagery, the layers of meaning, the depth of personal storytelling and vulnerability, the recurring motifs and refrains — this is some deep stuff. As a rapper, Kendrick has good flow and excellent phrasing, though the voices he puts on can be a bit jarring and even annoying at times. Musically, the beats and melodies sometimes take a back seat to the words/story, but I didn't mind it most of the time. It's definitely not as "hooky" as most rap/hip-hop, though. I can't give this a 5 for a couple reasons. I didn't love the sound of "Hood Politics" — it's one of the few songs I found annoying to listen to. The final track is also way too long and gets a little too artsy and esoteric for my tastes. The whole weird discussion in the middle is awkward to listen to. And then when he feels the need to explain the symbolism of the entire album, it feels too much like being lectured at — your audience can figure it out on their own. It's an ambitious concept album that mostly succeeds, but it does fall flat in a few places. And I'm not sure how much I'd listen to it again. I'm not sure individual tracks would stand on their own either. 4/5

I was really surprised by this. Does that mean I hate Drake?

1950's in the Hood

Not really my genre but that was a really good experience, a lot of jazz influences in that album and I kinda get the message he was portraying.

Enjoyed it more than I expected to

Great overall album propped up by some iconic songs. The concept of the album sometimes detracts from it being a regular rotation, but serves a larger purpose of making a more legacy achievement that moves the genre forward.

It was ok. Few great tracks.

I first heard this on an Amtrak to Chicago on a trip to visit my best friend. When I asked him what I should listen to he told me Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and this one. In that order. I didn't know what to expect, just that I had heard a lot of great things about Kendrick and wanted some new rap to listen to. I had no idea that anything like this existed. Sure, jazz has been used as a backdrop for hip hop since its inception, but this was the first time I had heard it being used as original compositions rather than samples. Not to mention the power behind the lyrics on so many levels. I'm glad I listened to the two albums back to back like that. And I'm glad this album holds up nearly 10 years later.

not as cohesive and catchy as good kid, m.a.a.d city but there's no denying Kendrick's talent and why this is critically acclaimed.

Kendrick bypassed me somehow, I never heard even one of these songs before let alone the whole storypiece, but it's a great group of collaborators he's brought together. Is this avant-garde-hop? Extra points for the 2pac interview.

Kendrick is like no other and has created a space that he and only he can occupy.

Good shit

Rap. Aber sehr interessante und abwechslungsreiche Musik.

Great album - not written for me, but I can appreciate some of the wizardry of the samples and the musicality of his lyrics.

*This* should have won the Pulitzer. (Well, no. But it is head and shoulders better than that dull and uninspired prize winner...)

4.5. Amazing album with a skip track. One of the greatest rappers of our generation

Ok I know I’m not going to want listen to this album regularly, but like most of Kendrick’s stuff I find myself really with this album. Just feels so detailed and moves in unexpected ways with the jazz elements and spoken word etc. maybe would be good live…. It’s a 3.5

Passion, rage, flow, beauty.

Ambitious, stylish, well-produced. I liked this better than “good kid, m.A.A.d city.” I’ll listen to this one again.

True Rating: 4.5 If not for the length, I might think this a masterpiece, not to use such a loaded term, but it’s hard to set time out for an album this long with an overarching concept. However, I don’t know if I could say anything is worth cutting to shorten. It’s just an endeavor to enjoy completely, and that’s a shame for 0.5 points.

It is a really great album, no denying that, but as far as I'm concerned it has quickly become the most overrated album ever. Kendrick is quite annoying in spots and some of the songs are more impressive than they are enjoyable.

Visionary stuff but not always easy to listen to!

Probably would've said 5 the first time I heard it but some of the tracks are cringe like a decade later so I'm downgrading it to a 4. Kendrick is at his best for me when he sticks to serious conscious lyrics. When he tries to go less serious or god forbid get sexy it's like... Alright cmon my man

The album cover describes where we’re going. Insightful, creative, amazing. As he walks you lyrically through his worldview the music spans many genres. He maintains the hip hop tradition of skits, cameos and interludes. All stimulating and amazing.

This was a good rap album, classical Kendrick Top tracks: King Kunta, Alright, You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said)

this album is when i first started appreciating kendrick and his storytelling albums.

A fun one to relisten to. As ambitious and as uneven as I remember.

Sometimes the hits are hits for a reason. This album is phenomenal. Dare I say almost perfect. The length is a bit of an issue and I do prefer good kid. Curious to see if it continues to age well. Not sure people will remember the random negus spelling bee in the future

Mama is an underrated song in this album

Better than I thought it would be. Reminded me of Andre 3000 in certain ways

I know this album well.. Thanks to my son and the Dissect podcast. Although I appreciate the artistry, but I try to avoid music with certain language... and this album has all of that language. Despite the cons... the use of poetry, storytelling, nods to jazz and the history of African-American music such as Parliament, James Brown, and G-Funk. But the inner turmoil presented in "these walls" and "the blacker the berry" are what really make this album special. Too bad about the language

this album got the yams

why did i like it some of the lyrics were a bit woah though