“Several years ago, Kendrick Lamar was hip hop's underdog. Today, he's dropping what's possibly the best rap album of the decade.”
“The dense and complex follow-up to good kid, m.A.A.d city is wry, theatrical, chaotic, ironic, and mournful, often all at once.”
“It’s been nearly nine years since the Robert Glasper Experiment released Black Radio II, the second, Grammy-winning installment of his mélange of contemporary jazz, beat-heavy hip-hop, and neo-soul melodies. Since then, Glasper disbanded the Experiment, embarked on soundtrack work such as the 2020 film The Photograph and the Bel-Air TV series with Terrace Martin, and engaged himself in damaging so”
“**💭 Thoughts:** The jazz and soul influences on this record are wonderful. The highlights of this record to me are definitely the production and lyricism. For a record only a decade old, it’s crazy that you can immediately tell this is a classic. Undoubtedly one of the best albums of the 2010s. **🎶 Tracklist Review** 1.) Wesley’s Theory 🔵 2.) For Free? (Interlude) ⚪️ 3.) King Kunta 🟢 4.) Institutionalized 🔵 5.) These Walls 🔵 6.) u 🔵 7.) Alright 🔵 8.) For Sale? (Interlude) ⚪️ 9.) Momma 🔵🥉 10.) Hood Politics 🟢 11.) How Much A Dollar Cost 🔵🥈 12.) Complexion (A Zulu Love) 🔵 13.) The Blacker the Berry 🔵🥇 14.) You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said) 🔵 15.) i 🟢 16.) Mortal Man 🔵 ──────────────────── **🤔 Track Rating Scale** 🔵 Loved — Thoroughly enjoyed it and will revisit often. 🟢 Liked — Enjoyed it, but it’s not one I’d revisit often. 🟡 Mixed — Enjoyed it somewhat, but some aspects held it back for me; most likely won’t revisit. 🟠 Disliked — Didn’t enjoy it very much; won’t be revisiting. 🔴 Hated — Didn’t enjoy any part of it; no desire to revisit ever again. ⚪️ Interlude, etc. — Not rated as an actual song. ──────────────────── **🏅 Ranking Scale** 10 — Perfect 9 — Exceptional 8 — Great 7 — Good 6 — Decent 5 — Average 4 — Below Average 3 — Poor 2 — Bad 1 — Awful 0 — Unlistenable”
“Arguably the best rap album of the 2000s. Kendrick sticks to & covers its themes very well whilst giving insane rapping performances. Very good singles, good visuals, good production. You don’t get much better than To Pimp A Butterfly. Top songs from the album ‘Wesley’s Theory’ ft George Clinton & Thundercat ‘King Kunta’ ‘These Walls’ ft Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat ‘Alright’ ‘How Much A Dollar Cost’ ‘You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said)’ ‘i’”
“This whole album is pretty close to a masterpiece. It starts off with Kendrick being a caterpillar and being controlled by temptation from his fame. Then proceeds to Kendrick getting guilt from exploitation, and heads home, then after refusing money to a homeless man who turns out to be god he emerges from his cocoon as a butterfly and attempts to tackle the racism and oppression against black people.”
“This app gives me a good reason to listen to new albums like this, new as in I’ve never listened to them before. I was excited to see why everyone loves it so much, and it’s just okay??? The closing track is decent but everything else is just meh.”
“First off this is my first rap album I’ve ever listen to and second off I don’t listen to rap music I primarily listen to rock music got so don’t get mad at me ok. I think this album is pretty decent i enjoy it”
“Beautiful meaning, by far the best of Kendrick’s works. I did an entire Extended Essay on this, that’s how good the meaning was. Lacks a bit in production and overall feeling, but beautiful writing.”
“It’s fine. He’s talented, the jazz stuff is cool I guess. But everyone acts like this is the ceiling of rap when Rap God has more words per second than this album has choruses. He’s no Em.”
“Holy fuck this album is amazing. At first in Hip Hop I was picky as hell only liking Wesley’s Theory and Alright. Until I gave it the true full listen and I was blown away.”
