DAMN.
by Kendrick Lamar
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 3346 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,962 out of 3346
  2. Mixed: 111 out of 3346
  3. Negative: 273 out of 3346
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  1. Solsun
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    This 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
  2. TrentRey
    Apr 14, 2017
    9
    A very good Hip-Hop album and Kendrick’s best album, lyrically. The album is different from his previous two albums.

    The album isn’t as strong as TPABF but, the track on the album does sound better. Kendrick isn’t spitting that super political message like he did on TPABF but, his lyrics and bars are more fun to listen to on this album. This album will probably be 2017 the best    A very good Hip-Hop album and Kendrick’s best album, lyrically. The album is different from his previous two albums.

    The album isn’t as strong as TPABF but, the track on the album does sound better. Kendrick isn’t spitting that super political message like he did on TPABF but, his lyrics and bars are more fun to listen to on this album.

    This album will probably be 2017 the best hip-hop albums and top 10 albums of the year and receive many Grammys nominations.

    The lead single, HUMBLE is an overall great track but, it isn’t the best from this album. There are far better songs than Humble.

    The single isn’t the best on the album, but it is one of the best singles of the year. This track could also end up getting an Oscar nomination, depending on what other songs he decides to put out as a single.

    Kendrick Lamar is taking a Kanye West approach with his albums. Every album sounds different from the last. The thing that Kendrick does well with his new sound is keeping it hip-hop. This album doesn’t have that jazz feeling or west coast hip-hop feeling, it actually sounds like more of the newer radio hip hop stuff, but, it still sounds like real hip hop.

    Overall, this album shows that Kendrick can change sounds and still sound great.

    9.3/10 - Great tracks and lyrically his best, but it lacks the overall strong message and storytelling like TPABF and GKMC.

    TPABF: 9.7/10
    GKMC:9.0
    Section: 8/10
    .    … Expand
  3. Cagey75
    May 1, 2017
    0
    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 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 likeI'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
  4. Dannybrownstan
    Apr 18, 2017
    0
    Ive always wondered what kendrick would do after his classic tpab. Will he really go experimental, will he go trap, his style on gkmc or he would continuehis jazz sound? And we got this. Probably the most overrated rap album oat. Not only by fans but also by critics. You know what? I felt like a 5 but when i saw a damn 97 my jaw dropped to the floor. Like are you for real? Lmao ill neverIve always wondered what kendrick would do after his classic tpab. Will he really go experimental, will he go trap, his style on gkmc or he would continuehis jazz sound? And we got this. Probably the most overrated rap album oat. Not only by fans but also by critics. You know what? I felt like a 5 but when i saw a damn 97 my jaw dropped to the floor. Like are you for real? Lmao ill never take reviewers seriously if they overrate it so much and this album ends up having a 90+ not even 75 should get. It doesnt feel done or finished, yes ik its a concept album but he didnt make a good job this time. In no nonno way this is better than good kid maad city no. It has kennys WIRST and poppiest songs he ever made like loyalty and that annoying song love, the banfers are pretty meh, and the overall theme feels not finished. Kendrick ur one of my favourites but this album is your first flaw… Expand
  5. SergioV
    May 14, 2017
    9
    89/100. DAMN. That's what you say when you hear this album. Almost every song rides, and the standouts are "DNA.", "ELEMENT.", "PRIDE.", "LUST.", "LOVE.", "FEAR.", "GOD." and "DUCKWORTH.".
  6. Jensen67
    May 23, 2017
    9
    DAMN. is a great album. From bangers such as DNA. and HUMBLE. to more introspective and meaningful songs such as PRIDE. and YAH. the album is superbly executed. Even the commercial songs like LOYALTY. and LOVE. are good although they would probably the weaker songs in the album in my opinion.

    Best songs: PRIDE. / XXX. / ELEMENT.
  7. claytastic
    Jul 2, 2017
    9
    Most of the time when I listen to music, I just play it in the background while I play video games. However, there are a few artists that I listen to where I need to drop everything just to listen to their songs and pay attention to every lyric, especially when it's new. One of these artists is Kendrick Lamar, who I was admittedly late to the hype train for. 2015's To Pimp A Butterfly wasMost of the time when I listen to music, I just play it in the background while I play video games. However, there are a few artists that I listen to where I need to drop everything just to listen to their songs and pay attention to every lyric, especially when it's new. One of these artists is Kendrick Lamar, who I was admittedly late to the hype train for. 2015's To Pimp A Butterfly was one of the best albums I had ever heard in my life, so I knew that nothing he ever did again would match it, let alone top it, but I wanted him to at least come close. In this regard, DAMN. has met my expectations, but this isn't a bad thing.

    Seeing how every other album up until this point has sounded different from the last, it's no surprise that DAMN. follows this trend. TPAB was heavily influenced by jazz, making it sound more like a blast from the past than a modern expedition, but DAMN. has filled that gap for someone looking for the ladder. Kendrick has somehow made a more mainstream album that still sounds unique. There's just track after track of musical genius. HUMBLE., DNA., ELEMENT., and LOYALTY. all now rank among my favorites of the artist. Almost every song on here sounds amazing, and even the one's I don't like I can still appreciate the quality of.

    My one gripe with DAMN. is that it lacks the strong overall message that was present in TPAB or the stageshow-like storytelling of Good Kid, m.A.A.d City, but this is a small complaint because the music is still consistently amazing and entertaining to listen to.

    Easily some of Kendrick's best work. 9/10.    … Expand
  8. Merciless723
    May 17, 2017
    10
    Kendrick Lamar strikes again with a new style to his rap career. What makes K.dot unique is the fact that each of his albums has a distinct and innovative style. Kendrick stands out in this album as a rapper who has now become 'mainstream' yet remained true to his music and background.

    Note: This album requires at least 3 listens to break down the lyrics and understand the message of the album.
  9. Danilakabin
    May 1, 2017
    10
    Absolutely 10!!! Kendrick is continue GROWING UP! Wow: DNA. ELEMENT. FEEL. LOYALTY. PRIDE. HUMBLE. LOVE. XXX. FEAR. GOD. and DUCKWORTH. are FANTASTIC tracks. I don't understand people who stamped 0-4 or 5. But it is their thoughts...let it be. Waiting for untitled unmastered 2.
  10. MarshallMatthew
    May 13, 2017
    10
    Amazing album I loved every part of the album from start to finish it definitely deserves to win a Grammy also rap album of the year and album of the year in general. I mean the album was so dope all songs from the album made its way on the billboard hot 100 list at the same time also the song HUMBLE was the highest debut for a rap song on the billboard hot 100 in seven years yes sevenAmazing album I loved every part of the album from start to finish it definitely deserves to win a Grammy also rap album of the year and album of the year in general. I mean the album was so dope all songs from the album made its way on the billboard hot 100 list at the same time also the song HUMBLE was the highest debut for a rap song on the billboard hot 100 in seven years yes seven that's nearly 10 years. This album has already made history on top of that it has already gone platinum I said it once and I say it again Kendrick Lamar is the greatest and is on another level.… Expand
  11. MikeLP
    May 18, 2017
    10
    Perfect, cause it's not meant to be perfect but at the and it's all what it is: fracking perfect as sheeat. New and old perfectly blended together, words of great inspiration that stucks in your mind and won't leave you alone. One of the best albums of the century with TPAB. Kaboom.
  12. samwich21
    Jun 9, 2017
    10
    This is sonically the most cohesive of 2017. Kendrick raised the bar with To Pimp a Butterfly and continues his reign atop the realm of hip-hop. Not much more can be said.
  13. Music_Observer
    May 14, 2017
    9
    Adding to his illustrious output with this wonderful display of rhythmic mastery and great conveyance of mood through powerful soundscapes, Kendrick Lamar should be considered the greatest rapper of all time. My Score: 156/180 (Great) = 8.7/10
  14. luisDanteAmaru1
    Jun 2, 2017
    10
    Kendrick Lamar has seriously change the Hip Hop game and has raised the bar higher. It overtook Drakes More life (mixable) and all of the other rapper's album. Fast beats, fluid movement, top quality sound music, great collaborations with U2 and Rihanna and many creative and strong songs that has meaning and fire. This album is DAMN lit as hell.
  15. MurendyMakhale
    May 8, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the best album of 2017 so far, one thing I love about Kendrick his albums vary from one another. He comes back with a fresh flow album after album & song after song and the messages are just as refreshing. There's no touching this guy at the moment.… Expand
  16. timur808
    May 24, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. DAMN. Kendrick did it again. From start to end (or from end to start according to one of the fan theories), the album delivers on our expectations. Kendrick is like an extinct milkman who delivers us high quality product (food for thought) consistently and on time. Bravo.… Expand
  17. KungFuSammy
    May 11, 2017
    10
    An excellent introspective by one of the in-demand hip hop acts of this decade. Would highly recommend for first time Kendrick Lamar listeners. Songs like DNA, Pride, Lust, and Duckworth are gems.
  18. SeaConglomerate
    Apr 21, 2017
    10
    The best Hip-hop album so far this year, lyrically straightforward than TPAB, I appreciate his desire to go more mainstream sonically and still able to maintain a superior content level. He deserves all the accolades he's getting considering the trashy Hip-hop music been pushed out today, he gets a 10 from me, for experimenting with 808 sounds, trap beats and doing it very well.
  19. anofe
    May 8, 2017
    9
    Another worthy entry in Kendrick's amazing discography; DAMN. is Kendrick at his most raw and exposed on a project to date as he takes the listener on a tour of his psyche. Featuring bangers, introspective tales, and radio singles- Kendrick manages to present something for everyone in this album all while keeping true to his sound.
  20. Dkirk001
    May 12, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's amazing lyrically and it provides a great story. Kendrick has so many different flows, and seems that he can flow on any beat handed to him. Dude a musical genius and his 4th studio album definitely puts him in the top 5 category.… Expand
  21. toye17
    Jun 16, 2017
    10
    Kendrick has really stepped in up once again. but this time in a softer het hardcore way differentiating it from his last jazz filled album (To Pimp A Butterfly), but this album shows us another side of kendrick. it feels like this time he is not just touching on the society we live in today but also as an individual who is still coming to terms of who he is now that he has reachedKendrick has really stepped in up once again. but this time in a softer het hardcore way differentiating it from his last jazz filled album (To Pimp A Butterfly), but this album shows us another side of kendrick. it feels like this time he is not just touching on the society we live in today but also as an individual who is still coming to terms of who he is now that he has reached stardom. I have listened to this album about 20 times from BLOOD to DUCKWORTH, each track evolves in its own way with riddling and storytelling that captivates the listener. Definitely the GOAT… Expand
  22. Limitlesss
    Jun 28, 2017
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Conceptually, Kendrick's deepest most personal piece of work, with connections between every individual song being incredibly paramount to a structurally fractured tale about faith, which is supported by Kendrick's razor-sharp, masterful rapping as well as his incredible gift at using wordplay and great lyricism to deliver authentic, vivid stories. Furthermore, Kendrick's musical direction shifts once again as he reinvents himself in yet another masterpiece of the genre. Kendrick substitutes smooth, rhythmic jazz for raw, intense beats used in tandem with distorted, warped instrumentals, to supplement the juxtaposition-based, duality centered story line he's created to highlight his personal strife and its relation to faith.… Expand
  23. TheKuz
    Jan 6, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. “I was born like this, since one like this; immaculate conception/I transform like this, perform like this, was Yeshua's new weapon … ”
    - Kendrick Lamar, “DNA.”

    Since Kendrick Lamar Duckworth’s beginnings as a local Compton rapper known as K-Dot, he has pushed the boundaries of the rap genre.

    After releasing his first mixtape, Y.H.N.I.C. (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year) (2003) at age 16, Lamar gained attention locally and signed to LA-based label Top Dawg Entertainment. This prompted the release of the mixtapes Training Day (2005) and No Sleep til’ NYC (2007).

    After releasing his fourth mixtape, C4 (2009), Lamar set aside the peer-dubbed pseudonym “K-Dot” and pulled inspiration from his birth name, a refinement reflected in his release at the end of 2009, The Kendrick Lamar EP.

    **** my name is Kendrick … Lamar/I said my name is Kendrick … Lamar/I changed the name ‘cause I was tired of being like y’all/Now finally I’m ready to tell the world who I are …”
    - Kendrick Lamar, “Kendrick Lamar”

    As a redefined artist, Lamar released his O(verly) D(edicated) mixtape in 2010, followed by his debut studio album Section.80 in 2011, earning him more and more attention. Next released were the albums, good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012), To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) and untitled unmastered. (2016), earning him impressive ratings and praise.

    On April 14, 2017, Kendrick Lamar released his fourth studio album to the world: DAMN. The album’s lead single, “HUMBLE.,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. All 14 tracks of DAMN. charted on the Billboard Hot 100, and the album itself peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

    Metacritic, which gives a rating (metascore) out of 100 to albums based on user and critic reviews, assigned DAMN. a 95—giving Lamar the two highest scoring hip-hop/rap albums on Metacritic to date (To Pimp a Butterfly with 96). DAMN. was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in its third week.

    Lamar is in the top five emcees—past and most certainly present—as far as rapping ability, no doubt, but where Lamar stands unrivaled is in his profound artistry. The conceptual beauty of To Pimp a Butterfly was proof, and DAMN. further cemented my belief.

    The album is a new chapter in his career, showing the evolution of Lamar’s character.

    “Kung Fu Kenny now/My resume is real enough for two millenniums . . . ”
    - Kendrick Lamar, “LOYALTY.”

    The protagonist of “good kid, m.A.A.d city” is a young, impressionable Lamar being subjected to the trials and tribulations of growing up in his hometown of Compton, California.

    “To Pimp a Butterfly” delves into the challenges of escaping Compton’s perils, the wider struggles of the American black man, and Lamar’s personal struggle in American black society.

    DAMN. is the most focused on Lamar’s inner-self—his core emotions. His fears, his feelings, his values—and his “DNA.”—are unveiled on this record, as seen in the track titles “FEAR.,” “FEEL.” and “LOYALTY.”

    This is Lamar’s most raw and personal work, conveyed in a humble, but prideful, subdued, but rebellious, manner. After the declarative, hard-hitting “DNA.” comes a dimmed, pensive “YAH.,” followed by the self-empowering “ELEMENT.,” and then the contrastingly somber and vulnerable “FEEL.” The juxtapositions are deliberate and effective.

    "I feel like a chip on my shoulders/I feel like I'm losin' my focus/I feel like I'm losin' my patience/I feel like my thoughts in the basement …"
    - Kendrick Lamar, "FEEL."

    “‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ would be the idea of the thought of changing the world,” Lamar, in an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music, said. “DAMN. would be the idea, ‘I can’t change the world ‘til I change myself.’”

    In DAMN. we hear Lamar’s explicit take on what he sees in the mirror. At the root of this project is his struggle for humility, rendered masterfully in high-level lyricism. DAMN. gives the listener an expanded, human sense of Lamar, something not extensively explored in his previous works. Kendrick this season blesses the world with another creative masterpiece.

    Drake? Big Sean? In the words of the man himself, “get out the goddamn way.”    … Expand
  24. I_Pineiro
    Feb 8, 2018
    10
    Again, Kendrick Lamar returns to demonstrate his creativity with an album totally different from the previous ones.
    With a much more commercial sound, it becomes a more pleasant album than the previous one. And the production is wonderful.
    Lyrically, Kendrick once again exposes all his talent, with an impeccable technical quality and an extremely complex and profound content.    Again, Kendrick Lamar returns to demonstrate his creativity with an album totally different from the previous ones.
    With a much more commercial sound, it becomes a more pleasant album than the previous one. And the production is wonderful.
    Lyrically, Kendrick once again exposes all his talent, with an impeccable technical quality and an extremely complex and profound content.
    Conceptually it becomes a much more introspective and personal album, showing a facet of Kendrick never before seen.
    In short, it's an excellent album and another classic by Kendrick Lamar.    … Expand
  25. Connorcox1997
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    This album is not good, This album is DAMN Great. Once again the one and only Kendrick Lamar has made another fantastic album. He's now 4 for 4 so far of his career that he's put out a masterpiece of an album. I totally love all the songs from Kendrick Lamar, Loved the Beats, and I Loved the production on the album. One of the best album of 2017. I Highly recommended.
  26. cashayrie
    Mar 24, 2018
    10
    It's almost a year now since this masterpiece was released, and I can say this was a well thought and crafted album. Nothing is accidental, back to back to back genius delivery from Kendrick Lamar. It's safe to say he has got his place as one of the greatest, not just a rapper, but artist of all time.
  27. Atum_
    Jun 8, 2020
    7
    When I first watched Anthony "The internet's busiest music nerd" Fantano's review of DAMN. and he gave it a 7, I was shocked. How could he give Kendrick such a low score? Then I realized that it makes perfect sense for a couple of reasons. First of all: the production is a lot weaker compared to his other albums, the story, and overall songs as well. But the biggest thing is that thisWhen I first watched Anthony "The internet's busiest music nerd" Fantano's review of DAMN. and he gave it a 7, I was shocked. How could he give Kendrick such a low score? Then I realized that it makes perfect sense for a couple of reasons. First of all: the production is a lot weaker compared to his other albums, the story, and overall songs as well. But the biggest thing is that this album is not as good as TPAB or GKMC (10s), UU (9) or S80 (8), which means that the only fair score to give this thing is a 7. The production, features, flows, lyrics and concept are all weaker on DAMN. I still like this album quite a bit, but it's nothing compared to the rest of his discography. I hope his next album is great though.… Expand
  28. PumpedupKicks
    Jan 12, 2019
    10
    My left stroke just went viral. I got royalty, got loyalty inside my DNA...
    Damn! That's a good album... Damn is one of Kendrick's best albums and features some memorable singles. Master of Poetic Justice (aka Kendrick Lamar), Damn even went on to win the Pulitzer Prize and the board sees Damn as “a virtuosic song collection, unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism    My left stroke just went viral. I got royalty, got loyalty inside my DNA...
    Damn! That's a good album... Damn is one of Kendrick's best albums and features some memorable singles. Master of Poetic Justice (aka Kendrick Lamar), Damn even went on to win the Pulitzer Prize and the board sees Damn as “a virtuosic song collection, unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life”.
    In an age of Rap Beefs and Mumble Rap, Kendrick clearly carves his own niche with his lyrical poetry, from the streets of Compton CA to 12-time Grammy Winner, K-Dot has brought out some of the greatest hip hop hits of recent times... Damn is one of em. The tracklist ranges from HUMBLE. with a strong message to LOVE ME, showing his unconditional love to his fiancée. None of his tracks sound monotonous and aren't filled with Drugs and Gang-Banging and others, that we've come to listen by some other Rappers out there.
    Kendrick hasn't disappointed me with his releases, and they just score greater heights.
    Sipping Bubbly, feeling Lovely
    Living Lovely...    … Expand
  29. GabrielPaz
    Feb 9, 2020
    9
    Inteligente é a palavra pra esse álbum, parece que o Kendrick Lamar sabe usar tudo certinho e meticulosamente pra criar um bom álbum.
  30. Dankill
    Jan 23, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. DAMN. is a great continuation of Kendrick’s genus as he points out that in order to change the world, we must change ourselves first. This album has some bangers and some great slow vibes. Once again Kendrick put out a masterpiece to boost his catalog even more into the stratosphere.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2017
5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2017
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
95

Universal acclaim - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. The Wire
    Aug 8, 2017
    90
    A less deranged response to celebrity than Kanye West’s Yeezus, more imaginative than Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP or Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III, it shares with the former an economy of form, and with the latter two the giddy energy of an artist coming into perfect sync with their audience. It’s also a sumptuous sounding pop record, polite streamlined mass market psychedelia. [Jun 2017, p.64]
  2. The Skinny
    Jul 5, 2017
    80
    The beats are heavy, spare, and hard. Lamar demonstrates the versatility of his flow.
    Read full review
  3. Record Collector
    May 25, 2017
    100
    DAMN. sees the rapper make a 180 degree turn from the sprawling jazz/funk/hip-hop odyssey of TPAB to deliver 14 taut, tough and wise cutting-edge examples of what’s possible in hip-hop today. ... Essential stuff.
    Read full review
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