To Pimp A Butterfly

fantastic! not a single dull moment in a 1hr19min album. Bringing new sound blending jazz, funk, etc with interesting chord changes and sharp rap. Favorite track: King kunta other picks: these walls, alright, hood politics, how much a dollar cost.

The citizen Kane of rap, no doubt a masterpiece but not something I’m going to come back to a lot. Probably the most ambitious rap album of all time considering the scope of the storytelling. He pretty successfully weaves together his experience growing up and becoming successful with the history of black people in America and the use of the poem to tie it al together with the 2pac reveal at the end is almost cinematic. It’s long and not always an easy listen but it’s unquestionably and all time album

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.

One of the best hip-hop albums of all time

Not a genre I’m keen on, so it was a struggle. Has all the mudda fukkas and niggas in there as you’d expect but also some interesting bits and bats in the backing tracks. I’m never going to be convinced it’s a classic but better than a lot of similar things from the genre

I have to be in the mood for hip hop. Parts of this album get me and other parts do not.

Really good album.

Not too shabby. Not really my style but I didn't think this album was bad or anything, pretty pleasant.

Awful racist n word all time

the greatest rap album ever

The best of our current generation, good flow and tells stories in song. 7/10.

Great

okay i will listen to it again. i think i have heard it too much, to the point where i even gave away my TPAB vinyl to a friend - mostly because i was excited to share the experience and i thought he might appreciate it more since he had never heard it and i may have overplayed it for myself. he love it ofc so i'm glad....i might need to buy it again though we'll see. Kendrick has caused such a shift in music and culture recently. i think it is time for me to revisit this,maybe the context will add something. I am writing this a day or two after Not Like Us won 5 grammys, and 5 days before Super Bowl LIX. Tbh i kinda wish I had gotten DAMN or good kid instead because I dont feel like I've given those proper attention. gonna try to listen to this on my headphones when I can instead of my left airpod at work. man....I dont even have much to say. It's still a 5 of course. note to self: don't go that long without relistening to this again. It's such a dense record, always something new you can find. Maybe show it to your dad or something

9.5/10 Another one I already new, an easy 5 star and contender for best rap album ever. Hugely ambitious musically and lyrically, basically delivers 100%. Not a wasted second until the very end. Kendrick is amazing, his voice and what he is saying. The music is incredible, hardly a surprise when you see what an all-star lineup it is. The single version of i is definitely better than the album one. Best: King Kunta

Es muy buen disco, quizá mejor que good kid mad city. Arranca increíble pero después se cae e incluso se pone aburrido de lo largo.

A masterpiece.

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⭐️

no thanks

Also better than the one that won the Pulitzer

Less impressive than I though it would be, likely too because I couldn't help but compare this one to other records that in my opinion just took certain aspects to the next level. I liked the incorporation of jazzy elements(but for example, lackluster considering acts like digible planets or common) and other genres and even some guitarwork, which I liked. On the other hand some it felt over the top, which is why I'm not a fan of the first track, which in my opinion should set the tone for the rest of the record and thus is crucial, wesleys theorem left some more to wish for. But overall I can't say too many bad things, it was a good record, just not my style of hiphop I suppose, nonetheless there were some great sounds and lyrics on this album and it has a lasting impact on modern rap, which can't be overlooked. Favorite track: Momma. Overall score: 5/10

absolute godly album

This is not my cup of tea. Not a fan of constant profanity. Would not seek out

This is the top album on RYM, and for a good reason. It is a great hip-hop album, and its lyrics are really good.

An opening into Kendrick Lamar and therefore decent

already said this but Kendrick is one of maybe 3 working artists who can stop the world when new music drops. it’s so so special. I vividly remember this coming out.

I love everything about this. The vibes, the music, the lyrics. Is Kendrick eating puss in a Rockford baseball diamond outfield? Cause he’s in a league of his own.

I liked reading the lyrics as poetry but did not like listening to this as music. BUT it led me to his Damn album, which I liked.

It was ok

ok for rap

звучит пиздато и расслабляюще, но автотюн бесит

Some good songs but album isn't together.

A Hip Hop tour de force.

Two only, not my thing

Banger!

Very good. The pure poetry sections, make it clear why he won a Pulitzer. Love Kendrick.

greatest album of all time

This is the 18th album I’m rating. I’m not really familiar with any if these songs except for How Much a Dollar Cost because it’s Obama’s favorite song. This is one of the most acclaimed albums of all time so this better be good. Wesley’s Theory - Adding to my Playlist. Sounds pretty cool. For Free? (Interlude) - Adding to my Playlist. I definitely listened to this song. King Kunta - Adding to my Playlist. Kendrick’s good. Only critically acclaimed album that’s actually good. Institutionalized - Adding to my Playlist. This is much better than The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. These Walls - Adding to my Playlist. I need to listen to more Kendrick. U - Adding to my Playlist. Worst song so far but sill good. It’s looking like a top 10 album so far. Alright - Adding to my Playlist. I hate to be the guy praising critically acclaimed albums endlessly but this is fantastic. For Sale? (Interlude) - Adding to my Playlist. Easily the worst song. Makes sense because it’s an interlude. Momma - Adding to my Playlist. This was bad at the start but that ending pulled me in. Hood Politics - Adding to my Playlist. Liked the start but gradually got worse. How Much a Dollar Cost - Adding to my Playlist. Obama’s favorite song. When I first listened to this I thought Kendrick was an asshole for not giving him the money. He’s still an asshole. Good song though. Complexion (a Zulu Love) - Adding to my Playlist. The only things I know about Zulus are from reading Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. The Blacker The Berry - Adding to my Playlist. Pretty good. You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said) - Adding to my Playlist. This isn’t the greatest still good enough. I - Adding to my Playlist. That last part wasn’t too great. Mortal Man - Adding to my Playlist. Ending the album with a fantastic 12 minute long song. All in all I liked 16/16 songs. This is one of the greatest albums I’ve ever listened to and in my top 10. Unlike every other album on this list it matched expectations. This was truly fantastic.

Goated

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

White guy here reporting in with a hip hop review. Kendrick Lamar shows us with this record why he is the best in game for the 2010s. An innovative masterpiece here that draws many different music influences including funk and jazz.

Not a genre I usually listen to but wow this made an impression. I've been missing out on something that is mentally engaging. It's doing more than just giving me lyrics and a melody that repeats three times. Just refreshing and looking for more

Heavy!

About the only word I could understand was nigger. Some of the music was creative.

Heard it before. Not massively into Kendrick but this album is the best I've heard from him I think. The instrumentals on this one are interesting, especially Wesley's Theory. But the album is toooo loooong. 3/5

Music was good, lyrics were crap

Never really liked this one and always found it overrated. It's better though than I thought.

Bra, komplekst, mykje, men litt kjedelig

Not my thing. Nice instrumentals, but not my thing. Two out of five.

awful

One of my favorite albums. My first Kendrick album which sent me on a journey.

An incredible album. My favourite so far (even though i've just started). An album i'll be coming back to regularly from time to time. The production and creativity behind the record is amazing, really interesting and unique sounds, slick vocal delivery and incredibly creative lyric wise. I'd listened a few times but felt i'd only really scratched the surface of what this album has the offer. I love Thundercat's contributions, you can really hear his sound shining through in some of the tracks. The sample usage and beats are dope as well. You can really feel Kendrick's attitude come across in the entire album, it's kind of laid back but incredibly coherent and visceral in a way. I would continue listening heavily if i didn't need to move onto other albums.

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

boring. some great songs but probably wouldn't listen again.

Perfection

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.

Great album

Fuuuuuuuck yeah. This is a masterpiece on so many levels. First, Kendrick might be one of the best rappers? I'm not expert on rap, so @ me if I'm wrong, but there's moments where I'm absolutely amazed at his flow. Secondly, there's a lot of masterful blending of genres. The jazz, funk, and soul music backdrops to Kendrick tickle my brain in all the right places. Lastly, this is lyrical genius. I'm still not great at picking up lyrics in rap, unless I'm focusing on doing so, but doing so at any point in the album is a treat. His lyrics are really, really good, while he's also trying to say something really important. This is an album worth listening to multiple times, because I believe that you'll find something new to love in it every time you do. Favorite Song(s): For Free?, u, Hood Politics, i

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

Was ok

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?

I did not enjoy this.

Wow! This blew me away. Really impressive on multiple fronts from the flow to the inventiveness, and the funk/jazzy feel of many of the tracks. Really strong stuff.

So textured and fascinating, there's something a bit Radiohead/OneOhTrixPointNever going on here, but with a totally unique hip-hop take that's political and fun. I favourited "How Much a Dollar Cost" because it's the shit.

Listened before, knew beforehand would be a 5/5, but good excuse to relisten. Don't think it's perfect, not a fan of "For Free? (Interlude)" and the album version of "i" is not as good as the pre-release demo version IMO, but this is a modern classic. Can't get anymore 5/5 than this. Absolute masterpiece.

Another hip hop album. As so often, I gave it a quick listen. Nothing that interested me. And so I finished it quickly. 1/5

One of the best albums ever. Amazingly ambitious and grows with each listen. Crazy highlights like King Kunta, How Much a Dollar Cost, Alright. Deep soul, funk and jazz influences with amazing musicians colloborating on different tracks.

I see why this is one of the highest rated albums from the 21th century. I love the free jazz touch some of the songs have -sorry, but still dislike the “this dick ain’t free” lyric. I cannot say anything new about TPAB. Everyone needs to listen to it once in their lifetime.

Meh

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

AT FIRST I DID LOVE YOU NOW I JUST WANNA FUCK

The arrangement of "u" alone is worth 5 stars. Great album.

About time I gave this one a listen Old school vibe Love kunta

I liked King Kunta the best.

Rap, 2015 -> 1

I have tried SO hard to get into Kendrick, and I truly never can. Personally there’s no denying that his lyrics are actually passing into relevancy, opposed to many of his opposing stars, but his voice is just truthfully hard to listen to and his flow I can’t seem to get behind no matter how hard I try. I understand his influence and I respect that.

Immediately better than his previous ("...m a.a.d city"). Strong and overly-obvious PFunk influence which is great, even starring George Clinton on the opening track. I do love the afrofunk style on many of the songs, that's definitely in my wheelhouse. Where I can't get into it is... Kendrick himself. His style improved since the last album but i just don't know if I like his voice or style. Actually I *do* know ... and I do not. For his style and art he's undeniably talented but it's just too many words crammed in for me to not get distracted and then annoyed. And when the rhythm is off or non-existent in the rapping...I start to hate it. Also this mix is awful. The exaggerated compression killing me in headphones - pump pump pump. Take a dramamine to get through an hour or more. Another negative: I hate skits or these little wordplay interludes. Kills the vibe for me. TL;DR: Yeah this is a big album for a reason - it's super ambitious but it's too exhausting for me to listen to. I've little idea what to mark this - most of the music is pretty great which is almost all I care about. I think this one (as they all should, I suppose...) comes down to preference. I'm just not a fan of his vocal style - it's not bad, just not what gets to me - and the mix is so distracting that listening to the entire album was tough. Feels like I should give it a 3 for reaching for the moon but I won't listen again - if this had a less dense mix and a different vocalist (the whining style on e.g. "Hood Politics" is where it all falls off the rails for me) .... eh, I guess it'd be someone else. :P 5/10 2 stars

Greatest mfing album oat. Kendrick is the goat of rap

Not into this, I'm definitely not the audience here for sure which I understand, but I didn't enjoy it.

This album is phenomenal. The music, the flow. Lyrically, it doesn't resonate with me, but I'm not the target audience. While I don't listen to hip-hop very often, this is definitely one I would reach for again. 5 stars.

The jazz components are so sick.

GREAT

Absolutely fantastic album. So much creativity with lyrics and accompanying instrumentals. What a pleasure to listen to.

This ain't for me.

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

10/10 Favorite Song: Wesley's Theory Least Favorite Song: You Aint Gotta Lie (Still love the song though)

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

10/10 I don't think there's anything I can say that hasn't been said in the last decade. It's a journey, a poem, a manifesto, an Avant Garde jazz concept album, a greatest hits compilation, a funky pop tape. It's a celebration of the past and a message to the future. God this is so good

This was my first time listening to a Kendrick Lamar album from cover to cover and WOW. I suppose there is a reason that he won a Pulitzer for his writing because his lyrics are so deep. The features are so good, especially the Thundercat ones and the technically an interview with Tupac in Mortal Man? Also the production is so clean on all of them that this really is an album you can just close your eyes and enjoy it for all parts of it

FANTASTIC. This is what I'm talking about. The last few albums for me have been "there is a hit song on this album", which does not a great album make. This is a play the whole album start to finish, the jazz and bebop are killer, even a purely instrumental rendition of this would make a sick album, so with Kendrick's lyrics on top its elevated to the next level.

offensive tripe

Endnu en nem 5’er. Jeg er lidt overrasket over at GKMC er vokset til at være ca lige så god som denne i mit hoved, da de kom ud foretrak jeg klart den her

Altid en fornøjelse, et af de mest åbenlyse musik-mesterværker i min tid

There's a lot of different styles on the album and a great vibe.. There's a LOT of words.. I think there's a few good songs, but there's also a lot of "noise" that doesn't really catch my attention. This album is soooo long...

Already listened to this one man dafuq?

9.3/10. The flow of the album was amazing.

0/10 Tranny voice, puked turd overall

Heavy and cool

Very poor writing

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.

Znałem ten album od tak dawna, że mam wrażenie, że pomyślałem już o nim wszystko. Przez to ciężko mi się ustosunkować do niego w słowach. Wydaje mi się, że idealnym tagiem dla tego albumu byłoby "artistic rap". Przy całej swojej wulgarności (która zawsze będzie dla mnie problemem we współczesnym rapie) i złości, krążek jest bardzo przemyślany, głęboki i wielowarstwowy. Muzycznie absolutna perełka - wielość głosów i instrumentów, melodyjność, pomieszanie chwytliwych, "radiowych" kawałków ("Alright") z jazzowym brzmieniem (pierwsze "For Free?"), funkiem ("King Kunta") i nawarstwiającą się historią z interludiów. "u" to fantastyczny kawałek, który wymyka się klasyfikacji. Zresztą wszystkie moje powyższe próby katalogowania utworów są dyskusyjne i na wyrost. Ten album meandruje, przeskakuje, totalny rollercoaster stylów i emocji. Przekrój historii czarnej muzyki i historii, zwłaszcza w wydaniu amerykańskim, ale sięgający też do afrykańskich korzeni. Skala tego albumu jest porażająca. Refren z "The Blacker The Berry" to insta ciary. Absolutny klasyk w momencie wydania, a jego wartość tylko rośnie z czasem.

I think this album well deserves a spot on the list. This is music that will be remembered years later. I think you can take off layers of each track and find something better and better every time. I was a fool to sleep on Kendrick Lamar and it's an easy 5.

Znacie moje zdanie o tym albumie. 5/5

Not bad - start was kinda wierd... but end was definitely better - probably not my favorite album of Kendricks tho - he definitely has done better.

Rubbish - I can see if this is your thing it would be enjoyable. Beats great - lyrics suck ass. Not my thang

ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVOURTIES! This dick aint free

Psh— I am much more familiar with DAMN. than this album, but this was approximately 700x better than some of the other assigned albums. King Kunta is suuuuuch a jam. Alright is another perfect song. Why is “i” so fucking good?? I had never heard the whole track, and it’s incredible.

This thing is such a ride. Musical styles all over the place. Seems like there’s a literary or pop culture reference in every line. This is a dense, heavy listen, and I’m not too proud to admit that a lot of it goes over my head. And yet, while playing 4D chess, Kendrick has a way of making you bob your head and keep coming back for more in hopes that maybe you’ll peel back another layer on the next listen. Plenty of iconic names blazed the hip hop trail, but I don’t think anyone has ever done it better than K.Dot. This one proved GKMC wasn’t a flash in the pan.

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

Meh— I used to really like a lot of the songs and listened to it often, but I’m just not into it anymore. 3 out of respect

One of the best hip hop albums to ever grace my ears. But is it Kendrick’s best? I’m not so sure.

De metafoor, van roekeloze rups, via claustrofobische cocon, naar filosofische vlinder, maakt van dit album één van de best doordachte en tot op de detail rake concept album ooit geproduceerd. Zelfs na vele luisterbeurten intrigeert dit verhaal nog steeds, en ik kan me alleen maar voorstellen dat het de levens van vele zwarte jeugd in vergelijkbare context zal blijven verrijken en inspireren voor de rest van deze eeuw (al is het wenselijk dat het niet meer nodig is). En naast de complexe en emotionele reis door de psyche van Kendrick, en daarmee ook vele lotgenoten, is het ook gewoon één van de meest interessante muziekstukken op productie-technisch en muzikaal vlak. Op een enkele uitzondering na voelt alles zo vol met leven, en is het een ultiem voorbeeld van hoe Hip Hop de kwaliteit heeft om te schakelen tussen allerlei stijlvormen. R&B, neo-soul, funk, avant garde jazz.. moeiteloos, en het draagt allemaal bij aan het vertelsel. Die hints aan free form jazz bijvoorbeeld, die dragen bij aan de chaos in verscheidene passages van het de evolutie van rups naar vlinder in de ghetto, terwijl het ook echt de magie onderstreept van een dergelijke ontwikkeling. En dan die guest appearances, ze lijken allemaal in dezelfde spirituele trip als Kendrick te zitten (The Isley Brothers in het speciaal). Ze sluiten eigenlijk allemaal naadloos aan in de narrative. Ik raak als de rups in het verhaal zelfs na tal van luisterbeurten niet verzadigd. Top 5 hip hop albums ooit. 10/10 Highlights: Wesley's Theory King Kunta These Walls How Much A Dollar Cost The Blacker The Berry

Duurde even voor ik tijd had deze LP op te zetten en echt de tijd te nemen. Want dat verdiend deze plaat. Waanzinnig hoe het album zich langzaam evolueert. Ik vind het gruwelijk hoe sommige nummers zo manisch zijn ('u'), om vervolgens weer heerlijk door te zweven door een nieuw verhaal of conversatie. De interludes en korte tracks plakken het fantastisch aan elkaar. Terwijl de losstaande tracks op zichzelf waanzinnig zijn. King Kunta haalt zelfs de Top2000! De tracks zijn manisch, grimmig en toch is de plaat toegankelijk. Deze zet je echt niet zomaar af en moet afgeluisterd worden tot het eind. Het is een hiphop plaat maar raakt zoveel andere genres, en door de gastoptredens wordt een groot muzikaal spectrum aangeraakt. En toch valt het album telkens weer terug op een kern, enkele melodieën en zinnetjes komen steeds weer terug. De thuishonk van To Pimp A Butterfly. Hiphop en rap is niet mijn favoriete genre, en Kendrick rapt over problemen die ik niet ken. Maar als er een hiphop album is de ik een 10 kan geven is het deze. Dus waarom zou ik het laten? 10/10 Highlights King Kunta Alright The Black er the Berry

Tough call. I hear brilliance though in honesty it's too raw, too hard, and the language is too charged for me to find it an enjoyable listen. That's not even really a critique, just that I'm not the core audience and I absolutely *should* feel uncomfortable around some of the material.

Better than the other one I had to listen to of his. I'm a hip hop fan, but Kendrick just doesn't grab me. King Kunta is a great tune though, and the production feels much nicer on this album. But they whole thing feels very much "throw everything at the wall, some bits WILL stick"

Кендрик сразу 5 звезд, очень клевый и разнообразный альбом

Not my thing

between 3 and 4

Instant classic when this came out

Funk and fury makes it one of the definitive albums of the 10's.

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.

An undeniable talent which I appreciate from afar more than enjoying the entire album. Some amazing moments - especially on the back half of the album. The interludes are great. No for me as a whole but spots are great.

Instant classic

🔥

It was pretty good.

great

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

Its alright

Just not my jam.

very enjoyable, I guess I should read the lyrics

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.

9.9

Holy shit this album is 10 years old. Anyways, it’s one of my favorite albums ever and rightfully considered an all-time rap record. Lamar’s an incredible writer and versatile performer, and the production rises to the occasion. The poem that reveals itself throughout the record is also one of my favorite recurring themes in any given concept album. “I remember you was conflicted/Misusing your influence/Sometimes I did the same/Abusing my power, full of resentment/Resentment that turned into a deep depression.” Et cetera. It’s the best.

Hip hop and rap never really achieves to touch me emotinally like rock or jazz can. I can hear that this is quality, I guess. It is more up beat and playfull than other hip hop, that I’ve tried to avoid in the past, so that is positive.

4.5

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. Lyrically I'm not the target audience so find it hard to appreciate.

One of the greatest albums of alll time. Would give it more stars if I could

Interesting music killed by the words

Such a great album. ofc the tracks I love continue to be amazing, but I was kinda shocked by how great some of the other tracks like Hood Politics and i are. One of those albums that's just so cohesive and strong as a unit.

Not the biggest fan, but can tell why people like it. King Kunta was pretty fun.

I don't like trap, at all

Duh

Gooooooozer 5 sterren anders wordt Fantano boos

Tuvimos la suerte de entre todas la basuras que sonaban en el género allá por esos años, Kendrick Lamar estaba por allí. One of the GOATS

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.

Artiste inconnu. Hip-Hop, 18eme album =>1/5

An album so bad it proves his fans are morons

Some good songs some boring ones. 6.5/10

Tells a powerful story. Great album to run to

if you really care about replay value this is a 4, but otherwise it's undeniably a 5 listening to it front to back is the only way to experience it, listening to it by singles only is much worse *IN COMPARISON*, although you can argue that's not the right way to listen to any album and that it shouldn't be punished for that

People always assume if your name is Ken then you’re a Kenneth. There’s always great surprise when people find out my full name is Kenry Daylesford Rickworth Chutney. It’s even more a surprise when they find out Kendrick has the same name! 2.6

Vervelende Rap

Brilliant

I thought the Leftfield album would be my favorite album I’ve been given for a while, and it just so happens that my very next album is arguably the greatest album in the history of hip hop. Crazy how life works

This album gets so much praise, but I just don't get it. The production is pretty good but that is about it for me.

9.5/10

Not my cup of tea

Good rhythm and beat but not my favorite lyrics

I liked the spoken word poetry bits, and the incorporation of other musical styles beyond just Rap. Overall a pretty solid album, with depth to it. I think it's one that probably rewards relistens.

This was an incredible listen. The lyrics are tight and his flow is great but the instrumental work and way is all blends is wild. Lots of cool genre work through it. I don't know if it's the best song of the album but King Kunta is so easy to keep listening to. What the heck was Drake thinking.

A pretty tight album. Blends a lot of influences really well. Decided to read the lyrics along with my second listen. It was like sitting down with an interesting book. This is an album. Requires more than one listen. I missed out by not listening to this when it came out.

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

A generational artistic achievement and truly worthy of all the acclaim. Kendrick is a master of storytelling in rhymes and this entire record, as it's ever unfolding form reflects, is a work of poetry above everything else. I am not a hip-hop aficionado myself but I am familiar with it enough to know that what Kendrick does on this record on every level is unprecedented and a groundbreaking feat. From funky bangers like King Kunta to life-affirming anthems like Alright, TPAB tells a profound story that only an artist in Kendrick's position is able to bring to light and make it sound so damn good. Certainly a more difficult record to approach than GKMC or DAMN but all the more rewarding for it. I don't think one listen is enough to fully comprehend the scope and depth of this record and I look forward to revisiting it many times more. This is what got Kendrick the Pulitzer prize, DAMN was just a confirmation. Literature put in sonic domain.

not my cup of tea

Rap con lievi influenze soul.

I won't be aiming to listen to this again. I don't understand the hype for this at all.

I liked good kid maad city better. I'm sure I would appreciate this album more if I had time to research the background and listen through it again, but at first impression it was mostly just jarring.

I thought initially that I was going to hate it, but I was surprised!

Nah, bit yawn and a bit off tempo for me.

This was really freaking good. I really stopped paying attention to most current music starting in the 2010s, and honestly my only real regret is missing out on Kendrick until now. His two albums on this list are both fantastic, but I give a slight edge to this one. Just top to bottom great songs, great lyrics, great production, etc. Kendrick expertly continues the legacy of West Coast hip hop. “Wesley’s Theory” is a perfect way to start the album and “Mortal Man” is the best way to end it. “Alright” is another highlight. The only real drawback to this is that it drags at times. Some of these songs could have benefited from brevity. Still a fantastic record, though. Wish I could give this a 4.5, as it’s not quite a 5 for me. Edit: Considering how much I’ve listened to this since this album was generated for me and how long “Wesley’s Theory” has been my most repeated song on Spotify, I have to give this 5 stars.

Experimental jazz rap. Sounds like noise and word salad. I’m not the audience for this.

This was quite varied and interesting musically. 3.5 rounded down due to length. Stand-out: Wesley's Theory

This kind of music continues to sound like pure filth to me. Vulgar, obnoxious, thug life garbage. Complete and utter shite. Yes, I acknowledge that within the genre this album is considered one of the all-time greats. I'm certain it possesses rich cultural heritage. I also recognized the quality of the jazz-influenced instrumentation. But altogether this culture is so alien to me, and I've heard enough of it through this project, to affirm to myself that nothing can ever be done to allow my ears to appreciate such sonic abhorrence.

Such groovy rap. I love Kendrick's stuff and listening to this was amazing. He definately thinks about the meaning of his lyrics and the composition. Great album!

Sick beats, I'm just really not into rap

Ok cool

The pinnacle of rap. The one before (good kid maad city) and the one after (untitled unmastered) are there with it, but nothing else comes close, in my opinion.

Overlong, self-indulgent bullshit with no redeeming features.

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

Pretty good as far as rap records go. I listened to the whole thing

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.

I just don't see the appeal. Great production value, but the lyrics are often nonsensical, and there's just not enough to it.

Não é meu ritmo predileto, mas a visão que temos de rap no Brasil é um pouco diferente da visão norte-americana. E vai por mim, apesar da ótima produção desse disco, prefiro a versão tupiniquim. Além disso, senti que quiseram fazer uma coisa tipo Daft Punk na construção geral do disco.

Listening to this for the first time since the Super Bowl, it's fascinating how that performance feels so deeply indebted to everything that's going on here, despite the fact that the two share zero songs in common. Someone more talented than I should write some longform piece about this, I'd read the hell out of it.

A great album from an artist I love 4.5

Not my style of music. Nice harmony but I don't really enjoy

I don’t usually like Kendrick Lamar songs. They’re just not my style, but I kind of liked this album. It just had a different feel than his other music I’ve listened to

.

Got some important topics in here. But overall it’s just not grabbing me like I want it to. Probably partly because I’m not a jazz fan. Not an album that I instantly want to listen to again.

I don't know if I've ever heard so much hype for an album. Listening was a stressful task, and I often felt as if I must be missing some crucial context. The samples draw influence from jazz/funk/soul music, as many other pieces of music have. Other albums have tackled themes of racism and black urban poverty. Other albums have been introspective, have been introspective regarding fame and the music industry. Maybe I'm jealous of how he can mask his insecurities with machismo. Jealous of how he can use depression to deflect from the angry young man persona. I've never felt like a white person, nor comfortably non-white, and maybe I'm envious of the confidence with which he wields his background and his identity. This album is not for me. (They not like me.) I probably would have given this a 2 or a 3 but the importance attached to this album makes me feel like garbage. If art is subjective, I hated the experience of listening to this. If art is objective, I still hated the experience of listening to this. Even the cover art makes me feel miserable. I'm sorry I don't get it and I'm sorry if I'm too dumb to explain why.

Favorite tracks: u, Alright, For Sale?, Momma, i, Mortal Man. I like how the tracks connect and flow into each other, and I respect the chaos of the different styles, instrumentation, etc. I really liked the "conversation" with Tupac at the end of Mortal Man. But overall, I'd say this isn't really for me (nor was it ever meant for me). It felt too long, but this seems like an album where the tracks shouldn't be separated or skipped. I also think maybe I don't like Kendrick's vocals? Ah idk. Going with 2.5 stars on this one, noting again that I am not the audience for this.

Favorite song: Mortal Man

Not really my jam

4.25

ITS THE GREATEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME, YOU CANT DISAGREE WITH BANGERS LIKE WESLEY THEORYS AND HMADC, I LOVE KENDRICK LAMAR THE BEST RAP ALBUM IF NOT THE BEST ALBUM OAT

One of the best modern hip hop records. Creative jazz beats coupled with politically charged lyricism.

Not my taste

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

Not my bag, but the wash your ass refrain had me laughing.

I tried to like it, but I can get myself to enjoy this kind of music. It just feels flat and repetitive, musically uninteresting. 3/10

Powerful, profound, pointed and provocative. An incredible blend of fantastic lyrics with wild melodies and beats to make every song matter, both to the album and to the listener. Unmatched in creativity. Top tracks: Wesley's Theory, Alright, Hood Politics, The Blacker The Berry, Mortal Man

Good shit. Not a super cohesive album though so 3 stars

If you take a look at any critical list of 'Top 10 Albums of the 2010's', you're likely to find this one on every list somewhere. It's widely agreed upon at this point that this album is cemented as one of, if not, the best album in the last decade. Who am I to disagree? Regardless of its status as "best" or whatever, it's by far one of the most introspective albums I've ever heard. After years of revisiting it and peeling back the layers, it has genuinely changed the way I think; the way I think about America, the way I think about the Black experience, the way I think about materialism, and so much more. It's rare that you have an album that gets better and even more interesting every time you listen to it; and that's just through the lyrics and themes. I haven't even scratched the surface on how good the production is. Flying Lotus, Thundercat and George Clinton offer their jazzy influence all across the record, and guest spots from Snoop, Pharrell Williams, Rapsody and more just boost already great songs to another level. "The only hope we have left is music and vibrations." I think that quote a lot. I also think about this one: "Life ain't shit but a fat vagina."

The greatest rapper's greatest achievement; an album sharing space not just with other GOAT albums but with other GOAT works of art, regardless of medium.

A top ten album for me. I could write a thousand words on what makes this so good or why the themes hit so hard and feel so relevant a decade on. It’s just someone else has written it better. That first listen though, coming off a 16 hour shift and finding out it had released. Hearing that Flying Lotus production on the opening track sounded like nothing else out there. The emotional peaks of u. The Radiohead samples on How Much a Dollar Cost. The shift i has on the album. How raw and hard The Blacker The Berry hits. The conversation it created with GKMC. Not leaving my car until the first listen was done. That was a special experience that fueled a decade of listening habits. What Kendrick excels at is imperfect answers to complicated questions that are honest rather than truth because his experience is always at the center of them. A dense high mark for emotional honesty and storytelling in a genre that can often get misaligned by its content.

Sublime, a joy from start to finish. The next album is going to do well not to be a disappointment compared to this.

I'm not too much in the mood today - on a Cure binge interspersed with the angry, desperate spoken word black metal of Ashenspire, see? Not in the mood - but I remember how a longer while ago I asked my social media peers what would be the contemporary, progressive equivalent to Jazzmatazz and Kendrick Lamar was pretty much the consensus. Indeed it is.

Did not listen to the full album, not my thang...

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

Production is excellent on this album. Some good songs like King Kunta, These Walls and You Ain’t Gotta Lie About 3/5

How not

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

Incredible, iconic, magical

4.5/5 - wow

Me gusta la producción (es excelente), varias de las músicas detrás de la voz, en especial cuando son instrumentos reales o suenan como eso. Más allá de eso, me cuesta escuchar el album. No me gusta para nada la voz, que es típica del rap. No le gustan nada las canciones que hasta la música es digital y no suena como ningún instumento. Me pasó varias veces pensar que me gustaría poder eliminar la pista de la voz principal para poder disfrutar mejor del resto. Me da la impresión como si Kendrick Lamar se hubiese rodeado de músicos y productores excelentes pero que él no es realmente tan excelente y esa es la parte que no me gusta. Probablemente muy erróneo, pero así lo siento.

It's a tad better than its predecessor, but I still don't understand how this is getting such high rates.

There was a comedy sketch that spoofs American Bandstand in which one of the "audience/dancers" is asked about a song, and they responded "It's got a good beat Dick, but I'm to white to dance to it." It might have on In Living Color. Anyway, that's kind of how I felt about this album. Musically it sounded great for the most part. Lyrically I can't relate to it. Nor would I listen to it again.

I listened to this album when it came out several times, but didn't revisit it. I really want to like Kendrick Lamar more than I do; I appreciate so much about the production, the samples, the instrumentals, the references, and the message/concept (it's interesting to read people's comments--I get the sense that they're not really getting the lyrics or listening to them; there's a lot going on here). For whatever reason, none of his albums really stick with me--I love certain tracks and admire what he's doing with this dense album, even if I don't feel like it moves me as I feel like it should. "King Kunta" and "Alright" are still my favorite tracks off this album. I'd give this a 5 for all of the good points I listed (objectively 5 stars?) but I can't see myself revisiting it in the way I do (so not 5 stars for me, personally?). I'll give it a 3, I guess.

I heard a lot good things about this album and I’ve been left really disappointed. For me the album gets better towards the end but no track stands out a classic. I don’t like jazz so those jazz infused tracks were not nice. A generous 3 stars.

Not for me. 1/5

Kendrick gfallt mer scho und hed au mega skill und gueti Text. Das Album hed mi aber weniger abgholt, liet felecht au dra, das echs zum falsche Ziitpunkt glost ha. Sorry Noah aber es länged nur für es 3.

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

Huch Kendrick Ich han zwei mal i verschiednige gechillte setups probiert mit dem album warm z werde. Aber es hed mich null abgholt und has beides mal ahstrengend und unentspannt gfunde. Sorry Noah Nix für mich

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 :,)

heilige makrele, guete morge kung fu kenny dim lieblingsalbum sis lieblingsalbum, bessers storytelling als die meiste hollywood blockbusters und das projekt wo mir vor paar jahr d'kunstform vom album lose wieder neu ufzeigt hed es musikalischs, lyrischs und konzeptionells meisterwerk, egal öb guet oder schlecht gluunt: TPAB gad immer mis zweitliebschte projekt vo mim favourite artist, top 3 of all time also ich glaub ihr wüssed alli wie vill mir das album bedütet <3

One of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. Not as immediately hard hitting as GKMC but it’s better as an overall album experience

I found this album difficult - overlong with good ideas and a range of styles, but overall too much

I’m not really into rap but I did enjoy this album. But not enough to listen to again…

Already know love and appreciation this album

Ah nigga... i did not enjyo this album

yeahhh, not my thing

There is a richness and complexity to Lamar's music that I just don't hear from other artists of the same genre. To Pimp A Butterfly fuses social consciousness with funk and jazz. Some of the tracks have misogynistic overtones ... too bad, otherwise it's one of the best hip-hop albums, ever.

Not a fan of shitty musica sorry

I've been meaning to actually listen to this for ages, ever since Music League turned me into a Kendrick enjoyer, so thanks for that - and I do mean "thanks", because hot *damn* was that everything it's cracked up to be.

Not really my wheelhouse, but I didn't mind it. Better than the Beastie Boys by a country mile.

This was, frankly, very much not my jam. I'm not a fan of Kendrick's lyrics, and while I can understand the topics and flow may be very worthy of praise I find myself just deeply turned off by the whole product. The instrumentation was good, and probably the main reason this gets the second star, but it's all over the place stylistically which makes for very disjointed listening, and (on a personal level) his voice is just really grating! Also, I don't understand why he chose to make us listen to a secret podcast at the end. Sorry to all the (admittedly millions of) Kendrick fans out there, but I'm not becoming one of you.

Not for me, sounds complex and well produced it’s just not my thing

The evils of Luci are all around me!

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.

Was fine

CLASSIC.

To Pimp A Butterfly is without a doubt the best rap album of all time, and maybe just standalone album. From the intro to the poem to the interview to the interludes, it is all done to perfection. Even songs like i, released as single before the album to negative reviews, was changed by Kendrick to make it one of the most captivating songs on the album. The cover too, it is one of my favourite covers of all time with the black men outside the White House, and the dead white man all in front of them, and K-Dot right in the middle. This is my favourite album OAT. 10/10.

I still don’t get why this one means so much to so many people. Boring, boring beats. Endlessly long. Rhyming over abstract jazz isn’t new by any means, and it just seems to go on and on with no energy, no propulsion. The lyrics are just depressing, bordering on whiny. The interstitial poem which links all the tracks is self-indulgent and dull. Sooooo much talking. Some tracks on here are mildly exciting, and I guess I can appreciate his attempts to incorporate a variety of styles, but the results aren’t there.

There's a lot going on here, it's a complex album. For the most part the tracks are skillfully put together, even though I don't relate much to this particular album. Kendrick Lamar may be bigger than ever right now, with "Not Like Us" and his upcoming Superbowl halftime show. I just don't get it all, I guess.

This is just so much more than a hip hop album. It’s a true master class in just about every aspect it touches. It oscillates between soul, funk, jazz, and some of the purist rap you’ll ever hear. It almost feels like a fools errand to attempt to reduce this album to a few paragraphs, as there’s nothing one can say that hasn’t been said already. It’s an album with a clear vision that comes together to form one of the most powerful pieces of art in the past century. I could write a lot of words about this record, but nothing compares to the feelings this album inspires in you, and it’s impossible to explain the experience. 10/10

Of all the albums released this millennium, probably very few have been written about more than ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’, so I won’t spend too much time trying to say what surely many others have already. It’s a fantastic, inedible creative album that’s as lyric-driven and contemplative as it is full of danceable bangers. Instant classic that will remain relevant for a very long time. 9.5/10

onestamente spacca. Kendrick mi piace.

Per quanto mi stia prepotentemente sulle balle Kendrick Lamar, album potentissimo

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

ANYBODY CAN GET IT THE HARD PART IS KEEPING IT MOTHERFUCKER

This is Kendrick's best album, hands down.

For rap, this wasn't the worst I've heard. Not at all my thing, but I made it through. 2/5

Not my scene

I remember you was conflicted Arguably the best hip-hop album of all time, and (along with Stankonia by Outkast) the one that really got me into the genre. I remember listening to this the day it came out, not too sure what to think, and despite the emotional rollercoaster it takes you on and the sheer length of it (at nearly 80 minutes) I immediately had to relisten as there was just so much I wanted to revisit and explore. It’s incredibly ambitious, both musically with the live jazz backing and lyrically with everything that is tackled on here from institutionalised racism and police brutality to sexism within the hip-hop community to faith and identity and legacy, and so much more. It’s such an important, complex and heavy album but also has some absolute bangers so you can listen to certain tracks like King Kunta, These Walls and Alright in basically any setting (while For Free? and u are maybe best kept off the aux and within the whole album experience) The features are amazing with everyone on their A game and really fitting with the concept of the record, whether it’s a fun Snoop verse, a really powerful Rapsody verse, George Clinton’s funk genius, Kamasi Washington’s otherworldly band leading with Thundercat’s ridiculous basslines, or a posthumous ‘interview’ with 2Pac - but Kendrick remains the star of the show, switching his voice and flow up dramatically whether he’s gliding over Dilla-style grooves on Hood Politics, aggressively spitting fire on The Blacker the Berry, or reciting poetry between the tracks. It’s a long album that never dips, never drags, stays focused, and is constantly impressive and moving Not too sure what else to add about this as I could end up talking about it for days, so let’s just say once again it’s very very good and leave it at that

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.

Enjoyed this a lot, Kendrick really does excellent work.

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

To me this is more of a spoken word album than hip hop.

*brain fog clearly providing a brief moment of lucidity and good taste* this is an Objectively Perfect Album

Best hip hop album i've ever listened to.

Such a great album. Has been a favorite for years. Nice to relisten after a while.

Fucking amazing

Entertaining and a bit different.

Amazing jazz infused beats with next level rapping.

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.

En yleensä diggaa kendrickistä ku sen tyyli on jotenkin... Hyökkäävä ? Mut tää albumi ansaitsee kaiken hurmoksen mitä se on saanu!

Agree, Sarah!

More like Kendrick Lame

I was expecting more

I really wanted to like this album. I like at least some hip-hop (I gave NWA a 5*), because I like the music or (very often) for its significance, or both. And Kendrick Lamar is supposed to be "the man" currently when it comes to quality hip-hop. Wins all the awards. Unfortunately, and I tried hard, I don't see it. It doesn't appeal to me musically as much as some other hip-hop and the lyrics, while meaningful, are not very poetic and still full of "nigga", "dick" and "pussy". OK in the 1980's but by now I hoped people had moved on. I'm going to listen to some more Lamar albums and hope I "get it" one day but for now, I don't.

This is the only album that I can think of that has a poem on it that ends with thee reveal that it’s being read to TUPAC. absolutely fucking PEAK

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

Probably my favorite hip hop album of all time. Takes a sledgehammer to the walls of what music can be behind rap. In the hall of fame of rap’s double entendre venereal jokes, “like a Chevy in quicksand” before that beat shorts out and comes to life is inner circle

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

The vocal style used on "u" got pretty grating, and there were a few other points where songs felt dense/overly long/like some phrases were being repeated. This is a classic case of an album where I recognize it gets critical acclaim for many good reasons, and there's a lot of lyrical interest, but to sit and listen to it front to back is too much for me personally.

One Of The Greatest Modern Rap Albums Out There

Nope

Garbage

I enjoyed the overall flow of the album, and the bass work was exquisite. That said, it's not for me. I just don't relate to it, and that's fine, I'm not the target market.

One of the best albums ever. Amazing jazz instrumentation, lyricism, and cohesion in the album. A story is told, and Kendrick Lamar has established himself as one of if not the greatest rappers of all time.

Ugh what's worse than stereotypical, misogynistic, repetitive hip hop? Stereotypical, misogynistic, repetitive hip hop that's absolutely laden with Auto-Tune. And poorly done Auto-Tune at that. I honestly don't get the appeal of this at all. Call it genius all you want, I politely disagree. This is bad music. 1/5

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

Powerful. Not much in the front half that grabbed me but the back had me locked in.

This album is exhibit A of how Lamar dogwalked Drake during their back-and-forth earlier this year. The man is sharp, smart, obviously well-read and extremely talented.

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.

Solid album, still prefer Good Kid, Maad City.