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. FrankDiaz
    Jul 2, 2017
    9
    una obra de arte, en tiempos donde el rap se orienta a letras vacias Kendrick lo hace real con produccion y liricas honestas. Actualmente ocupa le trono del hip hop
  2. pedrofaro
    Aug 15, 2017
    6
    this is the first kendrick's album that i listen in full and its diferent of what i expected. i liked, its a great album but i dont know why is so overrated, i cant see this WOW that the media and the people are giving to the album because there are bad songs like "loyalty"
  3. Neng-
    Jul 17, 2017
    7
    Kendrick Lamar- Damn
    Damn is way easier to listen to than To Pimp a Butterfly was, the moment Humble came online is was an absolute hit, and every other song in this album is totally enjoyable as well.
    That being said i find TPAB way more interesting to listen to, lyrically is more complex and i think that the experimental sound that it had brings more to it that this one. However, this    Kendrick Lamar- Damn
    Damn is way easier to listen to than To Pimp a Butterfly was, the moment Humble came online is was an absolute hit, and every other song in this album is totally enjoyable as well.
    That being said i find TPAB way more interesting to listen to, lyrically is more complex and i think that the experimental sound that it had brings more to it that this one.
    However, this album has some really imaginative and cool tracks that will stick to you, personally, i enjoy ELEMENT the most, New Kung Fu Kenny!    … Expand
  4. Petrocelli1960
    Sep 28, 2019
    10
    If you didn't give this a 9 or 10, you should read up on each song, and its meaning. Then give it another listen. This album has so many layers. The music is dense with different sounds, even though there are very few instruments used. K dot is a genius.
  5. Yis
    Apr 23, 2017
    9
    Not K-Dot's best album, I'd put it just beneath Section.80. I'm saying this because there are three songs off this record I cannot stand. I feel like LOYALTY., LOVE. and GOD. are really bad, especially LOVE. with its corny songwriting and horrible hook and production. Other than that I feel like this album is really great, with some amazing bars from Kendrick, and some great productionNot K-Dot's best album, I'd put it just beneath Section.80. I'm saying this because there are three songs off this record I cannot stand. I feel like LOYALTY., LOVE. and GOD. are really bad, especially LOVE. with its corny songwriting and horrible hook and production. Other than that I feel like this album is really great, with some amazing bars from Kendrick, and some great production here and there. And I really have to give it to MIKE.will.MADE.it for D.N.A. and XXX. which have great production. I did not have any respect for him before, but he really surprised me with his productions on the two songs.… Expand
  6. StealthyHipo200
    Aug 25, 2018
    7
    I feel like I'm missing something but this project just really doesn't click for me as much as Kendrick's others. It still has some great singles and good themes, but I can't help but feel this is a step down from what "To Pimp a Butterfly" and "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" achieved. It is still a Kendrick project though so objectively it's still great.
  7. YoFineMusic
    Apr 22, 2017
    8
    Kendrick Lamar comes out with another stellar studio album that legitimizes his legacy in hip-hop once and for all. Not only does this album sounds stunning with some new production and sound mashed in, but it has a more complex story and emotion to tell in the duration of the entire project. This may not be his best project he's ever put out, but it sure is one of his best. Kendrick LamarKendrick Lamar comes out with another stellar studio album that legitimizes his legacy in hip-hop once and for all. Not only does this album sounds stunning with some new production and sound mashed in, but it has a more complex story and emotion to tell in the duration of the entire project. This may not be his best project he's ever put out, but it sure is one of his best. Kendrick Lamar is made on his earth to make music for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.

    Favorite Tracks: DNA, ELEMENT, FEEL, PRIDE, HUMBLE, LUST, LOVE, XXX, FEAR, DUCKWORTH
    Least Favorite Tracks: GOD - not really feeling this one.    … Expand
  8. fifi3
    Jul 28, 2019
    8
    Kendrick's "DAMN." is lyrically stellar, sonically rich and wrapped in a meticulous and thoughtful concept. I appreciate his experiments on this project, although it has not aged as well as I originally thought it would. Still, it is a terrific addition to an already stellar discography.
  9. HumbleReviewer
    Dec 25, 2017
    10
    After more than a month of listening to DAMN, Kendrick Lamar gives us a reason to believe that Hip Hop is alive and breathing. "DAMN" takes the listener through a story of K-DOT's rise to fame coupled with addressing social justice issues and religious sentiment. In my opinion, notable tracks within this album are DNA, YAH, ELEMENT, LOVE, PRIDE, GOD, and DUCKWORTH. Regardless if you are aAfter more than a month of listening to DAMN, Kendrick Lamar gives us a reason to believe that Hip Hop is alive and breathing. "DAMN" takes the listener through a story of K-DOT's rise to fame coupled with addressing social justice issues and religious sentiment. In my opinion, notable tracks within this album are DNA, YAH, ELEMENT, LOVE, PRIDE, GOD, and DUCKWORTH. Regardless if you are a heavy consumer of Hip-Hop/Rap, this album is worthy of a listen.… Expand
  10. DJShrestha7
    Apr 21, 2017
    8
    By far, this is Kendrick Lamar's most overrated project. It does not deserve a 96. It's maybe as good or a little better than Section 8.0, below GKMC and doesn't even come close to TPAB. Now don't get me wrong, this is a great album, at least lyrically. But it is very inconsistent. Although I love that we get to see this side of K-Dot, thematically, this album is too shaky. Its a veryBy far, this is Kendrick Lamar's most overrated project. It does not deserve a 96. It's maybe as good or a little better than Section 8.0, below GKMC and doesn't even come close to TPAB. Now don't get me wrong, this is a great album, at least lyrically. But it is very inconsistent. Although I love that we get to see this side of K-Dot, thematically, this album is too shaky. Its a very unstable album and where GKMC and TPAB rounded themselves up like a tapestry, this is more like an unfinished knit blanket. Lyrically, this album is spot on, outside of songs like GOD, YAH and LOYALTY, Kenny's delivery is fantastic. The production is amazing on most of the songs like DNA, ELEMENT, DUCKWORTH and even though lyrically im not as interested in it, GOD. Overall, Great Album with some pretty big flaws, I can't say that about TPAB or GKMC so Im going to give it an 8.… Expand
  11. edwardgonzalez
    Apr 21, 2017
    8
    I'm not too much into hip hop but this was refreshing for me, this is my first time listening to Kendrick and it might not have be as good as I hoped considering the opinion of people I mostly agree with I wasn't disappointed.
  12. esteban28gb
    Apr 24, 2017
    7
    El trabajo de Lamar siempre s sido un trabajo de excelencia, innovando tanto en sonido como en expresión artística, en este álbum lo sentí un tanto incómodo y no tan seguro de lo que estaba haciendo como en sus anteriores discos, el sonido sigue siendo impecable y experimental, pero siento que algunos interludios no están bien logrados y algunas canciones tampoco. Es un buen disco peroEl trabajo de Lamar siempre s sido un trabajo de excelencia, innovando tanto en sonido como en expresión artística, en este álbum lo sentí un tanto incómodo y no tan seguro de lo que estaba haciendo como en sus anteriores discos, el sonido sigue siendo impecable y experimental, pero siento que algunos interludios no están bien logrados y algunas canciones tampoco. Es un buen disco pero está lejos de sus trabajos anteriores.… Expand
  13. drgoff
    Apr 24, 2017
    7
    On this album, Kendrick gives everyone something. He gives the common fan an easily accessible project. He gives his fans who love him for his complex story telling and introspection many things to think about. There are a few throwaway tracks, but overall this is not a misstep by King Kendrick. Hopefully this album ages as well as his previous projects.
  14. Stone_Rob
    Apr 29, 2017
    8
    Pardon the pun, but this album is DAMN good. Unlike Good Kid and Butterfly there isn't a main theme running through the album, but songs still feel like they belong together. These songs are pretty straight forward rather then his other works which most times need to understood by really diving into the lyrics. its not perfect, but its completely welcome in this sea of rap that is over runPardon the pun, but this album is DAMN good. Unlike Good Kid and Butterfly there isn't a main theme running through the album, but songs still feel like they belong together. These songs are pretty straight forward rather then his other works which most times need to understood by really diving into the lyrics. its not perfect, but its completely welcome in this sea of rap that is over run with beats that let you down and lyrics that are so bland and braggadocios that i barely listen to any of the words being said.
    Best Songs: "DNA", "ELEMENT", "FEEL", "HUMBLE", and "FEAR"    … Expand
  15. asapkumo
    May 26, 2017
    8
    It's a good album, but not as good as his others. I was really hyped with "HUMBLE" being a great track, and to be honest he delivered, but some of the songs (LOYALTY) didn't have any repeat value. Still a great album - 8/10
  16. Sal4u
    May 11, 2017
    8
    I liked this album and i can see that he mentioned a lot of religious stories and he seems like his kinda angry or something like that and i like it i don't find a problem but comparing to other albums especially after he dropped "to pimp a butterfly" tbh this was his worst album
  17. sounwaves
    May 23, 2017
    7
    This was by far Kendrick's most commercially successful project. And there are some intriguing moments on this album like "fear" "love" and "duckworth" but overall, this is Kendrick's most scattered album both in a sonic sense and a story telling sense. This is the easiest and most available album to listen to out of any of his projects and by far the least politically driven. Much of theThis was by far Kendrick's most commercially successful project. And there are some intriguing moments on this album like "fear" "love" and "duckworth" but overall, this is Kendrick's most scattered album both in a sonic sense and a story telling sense. This is the easiest and most available album to listen to out of any of his projects and by far the least politically driven. Much of the success of this album i feel is owed to the step back from r&b and the step towards mainstream ex: DNA, Loyalty, Humble. But in comparison to his discography, i believe DAMN. lands just above Section .80. But that's just my opinion.… Expand
  18. eli_fjr
    Dec 20, 2017
    9
    Kung Fu Kenny's masterpiece. Took a couple of listens to appreciate this album as his best work.
  19. amoryblue6
    Jun 11, 2017
    8
    A departure of sorts from his recent 2 releases (TPAB and UU), Kendrick Lamar is still able to showcase his incredible lyrical talent. A wide range of songs are on display throughout this record and they all sound incredible. Kendrick's story-telling and ability to put the listener on a journey are similar to the way he did when GKMC dropped. This album is catered to be an easier listenA departure of sorts from his recent 2 releases (TPAB and UU), Kendrick Lamar is still able to showcase his incredible lyrical talent. A wide range of songs are on display throughout this record and they all sound incredible. Kendrick's story-telling and ability to put the listener on a journey are similar to the way he did when GKMC dropped. This album is catered to be an easier listen and is more streamlined for the masses but isn't forgettable as other mainstream media that is usually consumed and forgotten about. It is another album in Kendrick Lamar's catalogue that will be revisited time and time again. If TPABis the masterpiece you listen to alone in your room and GKMC is the joint you play with the homies, then DAMN is the record you bump in your car heading to mart.… Expand
  20. jacoobi456
    Sep 11, 2017
    8
    Before reading: MY OPINION. OK, let's go :D :

    Good: Genius lyrics. Genius beats. Appeals to fans that can be bothered to stick around for multiple listens to properly understand the lyrics (which when interpreted are effing amazing). Basically, not trying to get radio time (mostly anyways.). Bad: Two songs, but again: MY OPINION. I don't like the songs LOVE. and LOYALTY.,    Before reading: MY OPINION. OK, let's go :D :

    Good:

    Genius lyrics.
    Genius beats.
    Appeals to fans that can be bothered to stick around for multiple listens to properly understand the lyrics (which when interpreted are effing amazing). Basically, not trying to get radio time (mostly anyways.).

    Bad:

    Two songs, but again: MY OPINION.

    I don't like the songs LOVE. and LOYALTY., mainly due to Zacari and Rihanna respectively. I think they're a litte too mainstream and IMO it almost feels like Kendrick is being held on reigns, not allowed to let rip like he does on pretty much all of the other tracks ( I know, not the best wording, but do you see what I mean??)

    Ugly:

    I don't really have an opinion on the track GOD., so I decided to make turn the 'pro & con' review into the 'good, bad & ugly', and make the ugly section the bit where I put GOD. .) Just a bit meh.

    All in all, I love this album. I know three tracks from 14 I don't really like, but the other 11 I have had on repeat for the past week, and I mean that quite literally. Kendrick is well, well, well of all the other rappers in the game currently. For me, the best aspect of this album is Kendrick's raw talent, and how he spits bars at blistering paces on 11 tracks, lyrics which make you really sit back and rethink your view of the world ATM.    … Expand
  21. scepticpurple
    Aug 17, 2017
    9
    It may not quite stand up to either of it's monumental predecessors, but DAMN is without question Lamar's darkest and most personal album to date, with hits that will no doubt dominate radio stations for the rest of the year.
  22. Buradanu
    Aug 25, 2017
    9
    This is different from Kendrick but then again another incredible almost masterpiece from this decade defining rapper.
    Unfortunately this project seems just a little unfinished and some songs I found were a bit so so for Kendrick standards
    Here are my ratings from each song on this album: DNA. - 10/10 YAH. - 6/10 ELEMENT. - 10/10 FEEL. - 9/10 LOYALTY. - 7/10 PRIDE. - 8/10 HUMBLE.    This is different from Kendrick but then again another incredible almost masterpiece from this decade defining rapper.
    Unfortunately this project seems just a little unfinished and some songs I found were a bit so so for Kendrick standards
    Here are my ratings from each song on this album:
    DNA. - 10/10
    YAH. - 6/10
    ELEMENT. - 10/10
    FEEL. - 9/10
    LOYALTY. - 7/10
    PRIDE. - 8/10
    HUMBLE. - 7/10
    LUST. - 10/10
    LOVE. - 5/10 : This song in particular was a let down for the project. Kendrick's vocals felt a little lazy for an album like this, and in my opinion it sort of turned into cheesy quickly written lyrics that were catchy, but not mastered in the way that the feeling of LOVE. should be depicted.
    XXX. - 9/10
    FEAR. - 10/10
    GOD. - 9/10 : A lot of people did not like this song but I really could not understand why. Well written lyrics, a simple but effective chorus, I could agree that Kendrick might not be sounding very, I dunno, Humble but he is what he is, an inspiration to listen to and an excellent rapper whose lyrics are always from the heart.
    DUCKWORTH - 10/10    … Expand
  23. AdmiralJones42
    Jun 23, 2017
    7
    Kendrick Lamar's weakest is stronger than most rapper's best, but his weakest is still what it is. Too much pop woven into a record by an artist who has thrived away from the Top 40 and found his greatest inspiration in the shadows away from the radio airwaves, and within the realms of deeper political commentary and jazz fusion.. Less Rihanna features, more Thundercat and Kamasi Washington.
  24. SorryBeat402
    Jun 26, 2017
    8
    This album is good, but no where near as good as To Pimp a Butterfly or good kid m.A.A.d city. Though this album is overall enjoyable only a couple of songs are really good, (Humble, DNA, Element, and XXX)
  25. HiMyNamesEthan
    Jan 15, 2018
    10
    9.5/10 As usual, Kendrick Lamar's poeticism ,taste in production, and storytelling is absolutely phenomenal, and once again, Kendrick Lamar has released another groundbreaking, shocking, and chilling album to his discography.

    This album is insanely smart, and is definitely a great successor to the ever-so-great To Pimp a Butterfly shortly released 2 years prior. Like To PImp a    9.5/10 As usual, Kendrick Lamar's poeticism ,taste in production, and storytelling is absolutely phenomenal, and once again, Kendrick Lamar has released another groundbreaking, shocking, and chilling album to his discography.

    This album is insanely smart, and is definitely a great successor to the ever-so-great To Pimp a Butterfly shortly released 2 years prior. Like To PImp a Butterfly, this album breaks ground with its incredibly genius twist - the altering of the story when played reversed. This album continuously foreshadows this great twist, and in the last song, and probably my favorite track of the beautiful collection, DUCKWORTH., the narrator, Kid Cupri, who has set the tone for this album along with the vocals Bekon, essentially reveals this great twist. To my knowledge this has NEVER been done before in the lifetime of hip-hop. In a brief summarization, this album shows Kendrick Lamar overcoming his weaknesses, surviving the figurative gunshot the blind women has given him, and surviving the possible fate of dying in a gunfight, as referred to in DUCKWORTH., given the TDE record labels creator is sent to jail for life (charged for the murder of Kendrick's own father.) The album really challenges this idea of "what if?" The album, played backwards, polarizes Kendrick's fate when played initially, and shows him submitting to a life of cruelty, agressiveness, and crime, dying to the gunshoit wound we were referred to in the beginning of the album when played in its original order. This concept is absolutely stunning. The production is great, as always, though its production is flawed by certain instrumentals that feel compensated for something more raw and cutting edge. Overall, this album is definitely a masterpiece, disregarding the good, yet not perfect production, which is why I have rounded its score to a perfect 10. It's not the best he's done, but a very close match.    … Expand
  26. GlennTheMaster2
    Aug 2, 2017
    10
    I love the album and every song up there it's definitely a masterpiece. I can truly say that Kendrick always makes perfect projects great songs all the time and then the way he raps is just amazing props to him and others that worked on this album as well fantastic job. This album should definitely win best rap album and album of the year at the Grammy's for sure I hope he does anyhow nextI love the album and every song up there it's definitely a masterpiece. I can truly say that Kendrick always makes perfect projects great songs all the time and then the way he raps is just amazing props to him and others that worked on this album as well fantastic job. This album should definitely win best rap album and album of the year at the Grammy's for sure I hope he does anyhow next year in 2018.… Expand
  27. Danila12
    Jul 16, 2017
    10
    DAMN. is so deep album. Everyone needs to feel it! Ten! Already have top of favorite tracks. It will be good if we saw a feat. with Eminem, Dre, The Game.
  28. FruitJuice
    Jul 17, 2017
    8
    great album............................................................................................................................................................
  29. Tuneison
    May 26, 2018
    8
    DAMN. What a fantastic album from a fantastic creator. Kendrick drops some great bars and has some of the sickest flows of the year. I can't wait to hear what he does next.
  30. thejasxyeezus
    Aug 3, 2017
    8
    This is a good album, but a step down from To Pimp A Butterfly. The production is all over the place, from trap beats to soulful beats. Lyrically, a lot of the song may seem shallow or underwhelming, but works well with the album's "wicked/weakness" concept. There are some low points, for example, GOD. or LOVE. But overall, it is a solid album.

    Favorites: DNA., ELEMENT., FEEL., FEAR.,    This is a good album, but a step down from To Pimp A Butterfly. The production is all over the place, from trap beats to soulful beats. Lyrically, a lot of the song may seem shallow or underwhelming, but works well with the album's "wicked/weakness" concept. There are some low points, for example, GOD. or LOVE. But overall, it is a solid album.

    Favorites: DNA., ELEMENT., FEEL., FEAR., PRIDE., HUMBLE., XXX., DUCKWORTH    … 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.
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  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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