To Pimp A Butterfly Image
Kendrick Lamar
Interscope / Aftermath
Release Date:
Metascore
96
Based on
44 Critics
User Score
9.1
Buy On
TOP TRACK
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I done been through a whole lot Trials and tribulations, but I know God Satan wanna put me in a bow-tie Praying that the holy water don't go dry,...
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Summary Back to top
The third full-length studio release from the hip hop artist features guest appearances from Bilal, George Clinton, James Fauntleroy, Ronald Isley, Rapsody, Snoop Dogg, Thundercat, and Anna Wise.
Record Label: Interscope / Aftermath
Genre(s): Rap
Critic Reviews Back to top
Positive:
44
Mixed:
0
Negative:
0
100
Apr 27, 2015
This is an important--a very important--piece of work that will stand the test of time. It’s also an utter blast to listen to and live with.
100
Kendrick can’t be Pac or know everything it took to be him, but he isn’t going to let doubts stop him from making groundbreaking music. With To Pimp a Butterfly, it’s never been more apparent that he’s doing just that and prepared to stride past any and all obstacles.
100
Mar 25, 2015
Rather, it is not a rap album; it is the absolute rap album. There is craft here (and in fact this is the most musical mainstream rap record since Aquemini) but just enough room for it.
90
Mar 18, 2015
It’s a rare record that gives us a call to action, something to act on after the beats drop out and we’re left in silence.
90
Uncut
Apr 29, 2015
A genuine 2015 classic. [Jun 2015, p.77]
90
Mar 23, 2015
At brief points Lamar does err on the side of self-indulgence, but for the most part his grandiosity is matched by his talent. A worthy follow up to its platinum-selling predecessor, To Pimp A Butterfly stands as a fearless and uncompromising manifestation of Lamar's desire to push the culture of rap forwards--a crusade that's as much in his blood as the city of Compton.
80
At its best, it’s a howling work of black protest art on par with Amiri Baraka’s incendiary play “Dutchman,” or David Hammons’s moving decapitated hoodie “In the Hood”.... He hasn’t outrun his tendency toward clutter. He is a dense rapper, and even though he’s more at ease with the music now, he still runs the risk of suffocation.
User Reviews Back to top
Positive:
319
Mixed:
13
Negative:
15
10
anofe
May 8, 2017
Kendrick Lamar is at the peak of his craft with this album. The beautiful mix of jazz and hip-hop along with the story and issues he attemptsKendrick Lamar is at the peak of his craft with this album. The beautiful mix of jazz and hip-hop along with the story and issues he attempts to and successfully tackles in this introspective, social commentating masterpiece solidify his place as one the genre's all-time greats. Expand
10
lisiak
Jan 8, 2016
The best album of 2015, even if I prefer 'If you're reading this it's too late'. :) Best tracks: 'King Kunta', 'Alright', 'The Blacker TheThe best album of 2015, even if I prefer 'If you're reading this it's too late'. :) Best tracks: 'King Kunta', 'Alright', 'The Blacker The Berry'. 10/10 Expand
10
upperclasstwit
Mar 17, 2015
Run the Jewels 2 + Black Messiah + Random Access Memories + Yeezus + Run the Jewels + good kid, m.A.A.d city + London Zoo + Geogaddi +Run the Jewels 2 + Black Messiah + Random Access Memories + Yeezus + Run the Jewels + good kid, m.A.A.d city + London Zoo + Geogaddi + Amnesiac + Things Fall Apart + Aquemeni + Music is Rotted One Note + The Chronic + Loveless + Laughing Stock + Sign "☮" the Times + Aja + Physical Graffiti + Expensive **** + Innervisions + Exile on Main Street + Superfly + Maggot Brain + There's a Riot Goin' On + Electric Ladyland + The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady = To Pimp a Butterfly

10.0
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10
aniceguy96
Mar 24, 2015
This album embodies everything Kendrick has been working towards. It is a masterpiece that brings together everything he is and everything heThis album embodies everything Kendrick has been working towards. It is a masterpiece that brings together everything he is and everything he has experienced. It is a beautiful work of art, and one of the most important albums of this generation, regardless of genre. Expand
10
CiphirSol
Mar 25, 2015
I laugh every time I hear someone mention "Yeezus" and try to compare that half-baked effort to this masterpiece. Kanye isn't a real rapper,I laugh every time I hear someone mention "Yeezus" and try to compare that half-baked effort to this masterpiece. Kanye isn't a real rapper, he's a persona. Kendrick is real and it shines through with flying colors on this release. Originally I gave this a 9, I'm updating to a 10 because subsequent listens have impressed me that much. God bless Kendrick Lamar. Expand
10
jacobim
Mar 19, 2015
"To Pimp a Butterfly" is a true masterpiece. It pulls from the listener a multitude of emotions and points of view. I have never listened to"To Pimp a Butterfly" is a true masterpiece. It pulls from the listener a multitude of emotions and points of view. I have never listened to an album that caused me to have the emotional reaction that I have had while experiencing, "To Pimp a Butterfly." Best album of the decade. Expand
0
junodaisy
Mar 18, 2015
I like when Kendrick raps and paints pictures with his stories. How Much A Dollar Cost is a fantastic hip hop record. However, I don't like itI like when Kendrick raps and paints pictures with his stories. How Much A Dollar Cost is a fantastic hip hop record. However, I don't like it when Kendrick uses gimmicky voices and overly experimental production. Critics and music snobs will eat it up though. I also do not care for the spoken word bits on this album. He's trying too hard to be artsy and different on this project. For Free? Interlude is very cringe worthy. He's trying to be tongue-in-cheek with that spoken word Def Poetry Jam style interlude, but it falls very flat like Neil Patrick Harris hosting the Oscars.

Very disappointed with this project.
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