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. amauriknx
    Apr 15, 2017
    10
    Kendrick just nailed it so much, i cannot stop listening to DAMN. I mean it just acomplishes so much it is a classic from beginning to end, I'm amazed
  2. microvolt52
    Apr 15, 2017
    10
    An absolute masterpiece. It's surreal, haunting, but energetic vibe will surely make this a modern rap classic. Kendrick Lamar has proved, once again, what he is capable of, truly one of the best rappers currently alive.
  3. emanuel_ruiz
    Apr 15, 2017
    10
    After a plethora of listens, I can confidently say that "DAMN." is Kendrick's most simple and simultaneously complex project to date. With each new listen, I discovered additional hidden meanings and devices of potent symbolism densely compacted in the lyrics. The instrumentation is bold and boisterous, with lingering jazz influences and dreamy production from To Pimp A Butterfly. TheAfter a plethora of listens, I can confidently say that "DAMN." is Kendrick's most simple and simultaneously complex project to date. With each new listen, I discovered additional hidden meanings and devices of potent symbolism densely compacted in the lyrics. The instrumentation is bold and boisterous, with lingering jazz influences and dreamy production from To Pimp A Butterfly. The beats on this album are very much in-your-face, almost as if Kendrick is grabbing you by the shoulders and shaking you around, demanding that you absorb the message. And there are many a message to absorb. From the demonization of the black community at the hands of the media, to contemplating his mortality and what he'll leave behind, to pondering where he would be had Top Dawg not had a chance encounter with his father, Kendrick once again showcases his flawless capability to craft compelling narratives with complex rhymes and immense replay appeal. I'm still not sold on whether or not it tops TPAB, but I can confidently say it's a very close second, and definitely worth 55 minutes of your time.… Expand
  4. srtgoren
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    This album is pefect. It's not better than 'To Pimp A Butterfly' (It's sound better but it's not stronger than TPAB), but it's an another classic! This album is different and it's sooo good
  5. YT_Guyyy
    Apr 14, 2017
    9
    Kendrick is back, and as good as ever. This time without the jazz and funk. Although I was a fan of the previous album's style, I like the change. Kendrick went back into a more traditional hip-hop direction here, and it has worked in every way. HUMBLE. is an amazing single, and it seems it will top the hot 100, as it seems this album will be another hit for K-Dot. Perhaps it will be byKendrick is back, and as good as ever. This time without the jazz and funk. Although I was a fan of the previous album's style, I like the change. Kendrick went back into a more traditional hip-hop direction here, and it has worked in every way. HUMBLE. is an amazing single, and it seems it will top the hot 100, as it seems this album will be another hit for K-Dot. Perhaps it will be by far his most successful album to date. I think it deserves to be.

    With the lyrics Kendrick is mainly discussing his normal subjects; being black, America, asserting his dominance on the rap game, etc. Although he isn't as political as in TPAB. His wordplay is as clever as it has always been, and the production is quality. If I were to pick a favorite song it would be HUMBLE. or XXX.. They both have great production and lyrics.

    Not much more to say really. This album will go down as another Kendrick Lamar classic.    … Expand
  6. Pedro10alves
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is a masterpiece. Kendrick Lamar really evolved with the years and lyrically this album is a sign that Kendrick Lamar knows how to evolve and remain unique. The thing that stands out is how unique and deep the album is.… Expand
  7. GGill
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    Kendrick Lamar proved that he should be discussed as one of the greatest of all time by putting out his third incredible piece of art in a row. Like Kendrick said in The Heart Part 4, he is the difference between accomplishments and astonishments. The intro will send chills down your back as it lays the foundation for what to expect. Whether it's the hard hitting in your face song DNA orKendrick Lamar proved that he should be discussed as one of the greatest of all time by putting out his third incredible piece of art in a row. Like Kendrick said in The Heart Part 4, he is the difference between accomplishments and astonishments. The intro will send chills down your back as it lays the foundation for what to expect. Whether it's the hard hitting in your face song DNA or the smooth and silky RnB flavoured LOVE, Kendrick doesn't dissapoint. FEAR might be the song that solidifies Kendricks spot at the top and then he seconds that with his great storytelling on the closing track DUCKWORTH. He shows off his range of what he is capable of and sounds more lyrically skilled than ever. The production on the album is great and Sounwave deserves a lot of credit for that. This album is not To Pimp a Butterfly, it is it's own entity, and by the end of it's great story and music, it will have you thinking DAMN.… Expand
  8. ps77
    Apr 16, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this album is everything king kendrick really did it another time with a different album. this damn thing keeping the rap alive and also show everyone that kendrick can blow up the world with his music...… Expand
  9. KBarbosa
    Apr 17, 2017
    10
    Esse album trouxe um Kendrick mais forte! É um album com letras bem fortes e com uma sonoridade impecável, de longe um dos melhores albuns lançados em 2017.
  10. yocool7890
    Apr 24, 2017
    10
    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 was special and made for one of my favorite albums ever.
  11. myfaultstudios
    Apr 16, 2017
    10
    I wasn't a huge fan of Kendrick before, I loved a few songs off the last two albums but otherwise I didn't really get into them deeply. This album is layered deeply and yet still still appeals on the surface. There are few albums that can be enjoyed from beginning to end and this is one of them. Don't just hear, listen.
  12. GoodKid96
    Apr 19, 2017
    10
    Damn. isn't as straightforward as his previous projects, instead its presented in the most human and skeptical of ways. Kendrick battles with his perils in the journey through life and his current career status in a intriguing manner. He ponders the idea of a higher power ( God) as a force that may control his fate and questions what kind of route he ( and the listener) could travel down (Damn. isn't as straightforward as his previous projects, instead its presented in the most human and skeptical of ways. Kendrick battles with his perils in the journey through life and his current career status in a intriguing manner. He ponders the idea of a higher power ( God) as a force that may control his fate and questions what kind of route he ( and the listener) could travel down ( Wickedness or Weakness) in order to avoid the wraith of God. In conclusion, Kendrick brilliantly expresses very philosophical thoughts in ways never seen in Hip-hop ever before, and he's speaking from the perspective as a critically thinking human.… Expand
  13. mattinhux
    Apr 15, 2017
    10
    caralho caralho caralho caralho caralho caralho caralho caralho caralho caralho caralho caralho caralho caralho caralho caralho. QUE ÁLBUM AMIGOS! QUE ÁLBUM!
  14. hamidwaziri
    Apr 18, 2017
    10
    Deep thought lyrics with the silkiest angry flow mastered only by greats like Andre 300 and Biggie. The production is something of a hybrid between TPAB and GKMC. This is not something entirely different from what he did in the last album but he came up with a successful alternate version of TPAB. Doesnt dissapoint a bit and is as good as any other Kendrick album. Clockin in to be theDeep thought lyrics with the silkiest angry flow mastered only by greats like Andre 300 and Biggie. The production is something of a hybrid between TPAB and GKMC. This is not something entirely different from what he did in the last album but he came up with a successful alternate version of TPAB. Doesnt dissapoint a bit and is as good as any other Kendrick album. Clockin in to be the shortest KDot album but still packs a nuclear amount of beautiful music for any mood. This wasnt appealing to me on the first listen the more listened the more it hooked me onto it.… Expand
  15. xtinalol
    Apr 14, 2017
    9
    Whether Damn will have the same epochal impact as To Pimp a Butterfly remains to be seen, but either way it sounds like the work of a supremely confident artist at the top of his game.
  16. aleamorfini
    Apr 18, 2017
    10
    Personally this introspective album , got me since the first time i red the lyrics, the sound of it it's definitely fresher than TPAB, the productions are lit and the concept about two different ways to approach the album , according to the web theories , is particular and make me in the right mood.
    Pleased that Lamar tried to made something different even changing his own style.
    Clearly    Personally this introspective album , got me since the first time i red the lyrics, the sound of it it's definitely fresher than TPAB, the productions are lit and the concept about two different ways to approach the album , according to the web theories , is particular and make me in the right mood.
    Pleased that Lamar tried to made something different even changing his own style.
    Clearly the best rapper alive capable to dominate the scene even in these days after two years from TPAB.
    Then i can admit it will be the aoty for this year.    … Expand
  17. SwankyDontay
    Apr 16, 2017
    10
    Kendrick brought a diverse sounds of his own flows and voice, he continues to prove how much of a great lyricist he can be, and deliver with such eloquence. After every verse there is something to keep on discovering. A wonderful hearing from BLOOD. to DUCKWORTH.

    ELEMENT is my favorite track.
  18. Bilal99
    Apr 16, 2017
    10
    I was nervous about the release of this album. I wondered: how could he follow up the brilliant TPAB? Good lawd! Kendrick's genius overflows on this piercing record. DNA is one of the most viscious rap songs in recent memory. YAH simmers like my grandma's grits in Mississippi. ELEMENT is straight fire.

    "Ain't nobody praying for me" is recurring refrain throughout the album. Like a lead    I was nervous about the release of this album. I wondered: how could he follow up the brilliant TPAB? Good lawd! Kendrick's genius overflows on this piercing record. DNA is one of the most viscious rap songs in recent memory. YAH simmers like my grandma's grits in Mississippi. ELEMENT is straight fire.

    "Ain't nobody praying for me" is recurring refrain throughout the album. Like a lead Eminem single, I didn't judge the entire project based on HUMBLE because I knew that the song would tie into the overall story of the album. Honestly, after hearing HUMBLE I didn't even notice when he says nobody prays for him in the beginning until the album came out.

    Kendrick bares his soul on FEEL. LOYALTY is a great duet with Rihanna...This album is equal to rather briilliant GKMC and TPAB but different from both. I highly recommend listening to this album. Glad i was alive to hear 2pac, BIG, Nas and now Kendrick.    … Expand
  19. 260zay
    Apr 17, 2017
    10
    Kendrick. Lamar. WOW.

    What can I say that hasn't been said already, Kendrick has transcended the genre yet again. Usually with critically acclaimed artists like Kendrick, after an album that has been praised and viewed as their best work, artists usually release another album that does not live towards the hype or just falls short. Nas is a victim of this, after Illmatic he was already    Kendrick. Lamar. WOW.

    What can I say that hasn't been said already, Kendrick has transcended the genre yet again. Usually with critically acclaimed artists like Kendrick, after an album that has been praised and viewed as their best work, artists usually release another album that does not live towards the hype or just falls short. Nas is a victim of this, after Illmatic he was already viewed as an all time great. And with every album he released, they could never measure up to "illmatic" standards, even though they were very good albums. But with kendrick, there has not been an album where he seems to lose sight, have writers block, or just falls short in an album. Each and every album he puts out are phenomenal, one being better from each other and being different with sounds and textures. Somehow Kendrick Lamar pulls off the impossible, by coming off one of the Benchmark albums of the genre (TPAB), and delivering, yet another classic. Duckworth is one of the best songs I've ever heard, and with that story he tells within it, it amazes me. Raps savior, Kendrick lamar does it again. This solidifies him as an all time great.    … Expand
  20. CubKid54
    Apr 17, 2017
    10
    Kendrick Lamar has become his own genre and doesn't deserve comparison to any album or person who makes hip-hop music. He doesn't really deserve comparison to anyone currently making any kind of music. Just for something simple and fun go record random parts of LOYALTY. on Snapchat and use the backwards filter, specifically the pre-chorus at the beginning of the song and on the lines "I'mKendrick Lamar has become his own genre and doesn't deserve comparison to any album or person who makes hip-hop music. He doesn't really deserve comparison to anyone currently making any kind of music. Just for something simple and fun go record random parts of LOYALTY. on Snapchat and use the backwards filter, specifically the pre-chorus at the beginning of the song and on the lines "I'm a savage, I'm a **** I'm a king Shimmy-yeah, shimmy-yeah, shimmy-yeah, rock (yeah)" at the beginning of verse 3. The amount of time and effort that Kendrick puts into the lyrics on these songs is unmatched and utterly astounding, even the songs people are bashing as too radio friendly probably have messages and meanings that would be impossible to decypher and understand a few days after its release. DAMN. is an intricately made web of of pure musical creativeness that will be studied and finely combed over for years to come.… Expand
  21. ghettonerd
    Apr 18, 2017
    10
    Kendrick cements his legacy with DAMN.

    This album is conceptually genius, lyrically deep, featuring fresh and innovative production. It's rare that an artist is capable of re-inventing himself with such ease and grace. Equally rare is the commercial success that accompanies such deep works of art. Kendrick might just single handedly be this generation's Pink Floyd.
  22. nikoskatsaros
    Apr 18, 2017
    10
    I was convinced that after TPAB Kendrick reached his peak.But damn DAMN. was as good as TPAB but generally i liked it more.In DAMN. there isn't a song that touched my soul as How much a dollar cost,but as a whole TPAB had songs that a few days later were skipped.DAMN is a complete listening.
    Now i won't make the same mistake again i am convinced that K.Dot can give a better album than DAMN.
  23. kapitan_buko
    Apr 18, 2017
    10
    If GKMC and TPAB had a lovechild, this would be it. The depth of the music, not just of the lyrics, but the sound, the feeling, the atmosphere, is just awe-inspiring. I always thought Kendrick was one of the greatest rappers but this puts him at Number 1 no question. The album is not just an amazing rap album, it's one of the greatest albums of all time period. The guy's a genius, whatIf GKMC and TPAB had a lovechild, this would be it. The depth of the music, not just of the lyrics, but the sound, the feeling, the atmosphere, is just awe-inspiring. I always thought Kendrick was one of the greatest rappers but this puts him at Number 1 no question. The album is not just an amazing rap album, it's one of the greatest albums of all time period. The guy's a genius, what more can I say.… Expand
  24. DrWzrdBrz
    Apr 18, 2017
    10
    Wordplay, storytelling, vocal manipulation, clean production: all marks of a classic Kendrick album. Ultimately A tense affair with the King. Not to be missed.
  25. Ma7t865
    Apr 18, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great album with wide diverse in musical sounds and harmony. Complex and lyrical album filled with deep messages and meanings. It was made to where it can be played back from tracks 14-1 rather 1-14 and still provide a relevant story.… Expand
  26. legendofchud
    Apr 19, 2017
    10
    Listening to the record, I don't see how I can put what I experienced into words. All day every day the album is playing on repeat. Best album of all time, no need for discussion.
  27. Klamar
    Apr 20, 2017
    10
    DAMN is return to the more classic rap style of K.dot, but with a 'Kanye' production feel and twist. Each track cleverly interlinks with stand-out tracks like DNA, FEEL and LOVE.
    This is hip-hop at its best and most current form with extreme replay value.

    DAMN: Grammy winner for Rap Album of the Year 2018
  28. aaronthegoat
    Apr 30, 2017
    10
    It is truly incredible that an artist has been able to get better and better with every LP they come out with. If Kendrick keeps this up, he will probably go down as the greatest in rap history, and one of the greatest in music.
  29. funkyhomosapien
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    Great mix of up-tempo production and soulful,jazzy production.Lyrics are great too.Kendrick did it again.Favorite songs:Duckworth,Fear,Lust,Pride,XXX,DNA.
  30. KDotTheGod
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The way that K-Dot infuses his life with the reality of the rap world right now puts people in his place. His lyrics are a masterpiece in his own world and after this I am sure that he is one of the greatest rappers of all time.… 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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