DAMN. Image
DAMN.
Kendrick Lamar
Aftermath
Release Date:
Metascore
96
Based on
35 Critics
User Score
9.0
Based on
1530 Ratings
Buy On
Summary Back to top
The fourth full-length studio release for the Compton rapper features guest appearances from Rihanna, U2, and Zacari.
Record Label: Aftermath
Genre(s): Rap
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Critic Reviews Back to top
Positive:
34
Mixed:
1
Negative:
0
100
Q Magazine
May 9, 2017
Damn. is an almost flawless hip-hop masterclass that crunches Kendrick's consuming concerns--life and death, pride and guilt, fate and freewill--into the tightest, most explosive package yet. [Jul 2017, p.102]
100
Pretty Much Amazing
Apr 17, 2017
This one is no less ambitious and rewarding than some of his previous entries.
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100
Tiny Mix Tapes
Apr 20, 2017
Three months in, DAMN. feels like our first Trump-era classic. It’s as bold and as hard and as hopeful as it is bursting with vitriol. It’s as distracting as it is inciting. It’s as cohesive as it is dense.
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90
Slant Magazine
Apr 17, 2017
Clocking in at under an hour, the new album maintains its predecessor's varied sonic palette with a mishmash of stark trap flourishes and woozy, impressionistic melodies but also distills these sounds to an ear-wormy directness primed for your car speakers.
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90
Drowned In Sound
Apr 25, 2017
It’s not what you might have expected or even--on one or two initial listens--have been hoping for from Kendrick Lamar. But this is an artist in his absolute prime: artistically, lyrically and musically.
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90
Rolling Stone
Apr 18, 2017
Much like the recent A Tribe Called Quest record, Damn. is a brilliant combination of the timeless and the modern, the old school and the next-level. The most gifted rapper of a generation stomps into the Nineties and continues to blaze a trail forward.
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60
Exclaim
Apr 18, 2017
DAMN. is the first time in Lamar's career that he hasn't broken new ground, explored old themes in new ways or exhibited sonic growth.
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User Reviews Back to top
Positive:
244
Mixed:
9
Negative:
9
10
dxoid
Apr 29, 2017
DAMN. is definitely going down in history as one of Kendrick's greatest albums. I personally was not a fan of To Pimp a Butterfly, but his newDAMN. is definitely going down in history as one of Kendrick's greatest albums. I personally was not a fan of To Pimp a Butterfly, but his new release delivers a punch with it's lyrical input and vibes.… Expand
10
Solsun
Apr 14, 2017
This album was Kendrick changing his sound and offering something different than his previous albums. A great listen from start to end, stillThis album was Kendrick changing his sound and offering something different than his previous albums. A great listen from start to end, still need to listen a couple more times to unpack the lyrics… Expand
10
yocool7890
Apr 24, 2017
Great followup to tpab. This a great new sound for Kendrick and really shows that he plans to keep killing the game. Overall each track wasGreat followup to tpab. This a great new sound for Kendrick and really shows that he plans to keep killing the game. Overall each track was special and made for one of my favorite albums ever.… Expand
10
xcfreak7
Apr 14, 2017
King Kendrick still reigns!

A long time Kendrick Stan here, but this album is an incredible listen. Kendrick shows that he is confidentKing Kendrick still reigns!

A long time Kendrick Stan here, but this album is an incredible listen. Kendrick shows that he is confident sitting on top and knows that he can handle the expanding sounds of hip-hop. From Blood to Duckworth there was never a misstep. I realize everyone has their own opinions and the only track that could be seen as low tier is Love, but the song immediately hops into the droning and in your face XXX which has both hard hitting and soft points. NOT TO MENTION DNA. IS INSANE.

It will definitely take a few more listens to dissect the lyrics, since this is his most lyrical album yet.
Please, if you haven't heard this album yet. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR!… Expand
10
nolanrabine
Apr 15, 2017
DAMN. gives us more of the same revolutionary, groundbreaking hip-hop that Kendrick Lamar delivered on both of his past two albums, while alsoDAMN. gives us more of the same revolutionary, groundbreaking hip-hop that Kendrick Lamar delivered on both of his past two albums, while also allowing K. Dot to give us his hardest song yet, with DNA. Kung Fu Kenny with the 3 Peat.… Expand
9
TimW001
Apr 27, 2017
Needless to say this is a very strong album. This is actually my favourite Kendrick Lamar album. Incredibly unique beats. What KendrickNeedless to say this is a very strong album. This is actually my favourite Kendrick Lamar album. Incredibly unique beats. What Kendrick succeeds so well on this album is that he always sounds different than the rest of hip hop. I especially liked the deep lyrics on Feel, and the classic hip hop sounding beat in Humble. Other tracks that are a must listen: DNA, Loyalty, Love, XXX.… Expand
0
Cagey75
May 1, 2017
I'm not sure what the hell happened to hip hop over the years, but this is over rated in the extreme. I'd say it's complete rubbish but II'm not sure what the hell happened to hip hop over the years, but this is over rated in the extreme. I'd say it's complete rubbish but I guess some of the beats are cool. I cannot stomach the sound of this guy though, what is in the water of the critics? :/ Stop start, all over the shop riddled with auto tuning and some of the crappiest lyrics I've heard in decades. I honestly feel like people rate this because they think they should.… Expand
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