untitled unmastered.
by Kendrick Lamar
  • Record Label: Top Dawg
  • Release Date: Mar 4, 2016
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 932 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 854 out of 932
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 932
  3. Negative: 47 out of 932
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  1. tristanengen
    Mar 16, 2016
    10
    Ironic how something so raw can be so precise. Rather than merely dabbling in Jazz, Kendrick jumps full in on this EP, and gives the listeners a groove-sesh feel.
  2. RadioheadLuv17
    Mar 5, 2016
    10
    Good Kid M.A.A.D. City was a masterpiece. To Pimp A Butterfly was a masterpiece. And masterpieces are great, but at the same time masterpieces can be exhausting. An 8-song punch filled with menacing jazz, oddly shaped and constantly morphing verses on the apocalypse, fame and love making is something that will never be exhausting. Especially when every second is filled with relentless earGood Kid M.A.A.D. City was a masterpiece. To Pimp A Butterfly was a masterpiece. And masterpieces are great, but at the same time masterpieces can be exhausting. An 8-song punch filled with menacing jazz, oddly shaped and constantly morphing verses on the apocalypse, fame and love making is something that will never be exhausting. Especially when every second is filled with relentless ear candy. This is a classic, not because its changing the game, but because its the moment when we knew Kendrick Lamar was inarguably the best rapper in the game. And its gonna get more plays its two predecessors for sure. And definitely more plays than the three-years in the making **** The Life Of Pablo.… Expand
  3. SPQR
    Mar 5, 2016
    10
    Kendrick is way above the whole music industry right now. He is confident and original. An EP of leftovers is better than most of the solo projects these days. Kendrick is a confirmed legend
  4. DavidV293
    Mar 8, 2016
    10
    Literally the beats, the vibe, and the lyrics are what makes this one of my favorite albums. Kendrick, can spit rhymes like it's something normal to him. To Pimp A Butterfly is genuine and beautifully written. This is one is perfect in every way. Love how he combines his beats. To me, he's the king of lyrics. Please don't hate, it's just my opinion. King KUNTA!
  5. Samdaman
    Mar 6, 2016
    10
    Kendrick Lamar is back at it again with another masterpiece. Truly an amazing surprise of an album that just captivates the listener in each of its songs. Its got an underground feeling to it that just allows it to stick out from all other modern day hip hop albums. Kendrick Lamar is an incredibly talented artist with amazing flow rhymes beats and anything you could ask for from a rapper.Kendrick Lamar is back at it again with another masterpiece. Truly an amazing surprise of an album that just captivates the listener in each of its songs. Its got an underground feeling to it that just allows it to stick out from all other modern day hip hop albums. Kendrick Lamar is an incredibly talented artist with amazing flow rhymes beats and anything you could ask for from a rapper. This album felt like a madvillain project to me, which truly gives me nostalgia to classic hip hop days. Easy 10/10.… Expand
  6. mc_ryn
    Mar 5, 2016
    10
    kendrick lamar is transcending beyond what a rapper is. by incorporating many different styles and themes tracks on this ep, lamar displays his versatility as an artist and hope for hip-hop in the modern era. #legendstatus
  7. 1jaytrain
    Mar 4, 2016
    10
    if you're expecting a "good kid,m.A.A.d city bamber well you're dissapointed this b-side album is in a way a mirror image of to pimp a butterfly which tracks did not amke the final cut it's an unfinished work but raerly sound like it i loved to pimp a butterfly and ditto with untiled unmastered
  8. NickSiscoe
    Mar 4, 2016
    10
    Kendrick's throw away's are better than most music that has come out in the past year and this EP is cohesive and fit together and are all very enjoyable. I can not wait for what he will do next
  9. eli_obeid
    Mar 4, 2016
    10
    Perfection... absolutely perfect. This EP is slightly under TPAB.... but deserves in the 90's easy.. its funny how Kendrick can put out a little EP like this and easily dominate the game with minimal effort. Heres a quick breakdown of the EP;

    Untitled 1 - GKMC rap on a TPAB beat Untitled 2 - GKMC Untitled 3 - TPAB Untitled 4 - Interlude Untitled 5 - TPAB Feat. Jay Rock Untitled 6 -    Perfection... absolutely perfect. This EP is slightly under TPAB.... but deserves in the 90's easy.. its funny how Kendrick can put out a little EP like this and easily dominate the game with minimal effort. Heres a quick breakdown of the EP;

    Untitled 1 - GKMC rap on a TPAB beat
    Untitled 2 - GKMC
    Untitled 3 - TPAB
    Untitled 4 - Interlude
    Untitled 5 - TPAB Feat. Jay Rock
    Untitled 6 - TBAP
    Untitled 7 - GKMC
    Untitled 8 - TPAB with a hint of GKMC

    Untitled 1,2,3,7,8 are all 11/10.... The rest all 10/10

    Enjoy this work of art !    … Expand
  10. israelvg49
    Mar 5, 2016
    10
    This obviously sounds like the leftovers of To Pimp a Butterfly, although some of these songs are probably better than some tracks on TPAB. Hate to say it, but Kendrick should've added some of these songs on a deluxe edition. Even though they aren't exactly perfect to be in the album, I believe these tracks were phenomenal.
  11. NaveedChowder
    Mar 4, 2016
    10
    Album with throwaway tracks, yet it is still very cohesive and surprisingly polished. Kendrick experiments with different flows and instrumentals, and it is terrific. Though a b-side project, lyricism and delivery is still as strong as any Kendrick project. Amazing artist.
  12. Purple_Joker
    Mar 6, 2016
    10
    Beautiful. Incredibly enjoyable. It is genius how Kendrick can mix genres. A lot of people see this EP as a bunch of throwaway tracks, but really it is some of Kendricks best work, as he mixes jazz and rap possibly better than he done in to pimp a butterfly. Plus, it was great to hear Kendrick do something i thought he would not do again in untitled 7, as he shows his versatility.
  13. giu3
    Mar 5, 2016
    10
    Après Kanye qui nous a sorti un album fini qui ressemblait à une accumulation de démos, Kendrick sort au contraire une accumulation de démos qui n'a rien à envier à la plupart des albums finis. Flow au top, voix au top, prises de risque au top, paroles au top, que dire... Plusieurs titres sont vraiment excellents, très peu de temps faibles sur l'ensemble (les intros de la 1 et de la 5Après Kanye qui nous a sorti un album fini qui ressemblait à une accumulation de démos, Kendrick sort au contraire une accumulation de démos qui n'a rien à envier à la plupart des albums finis. Flow au top, voix au top, prises de risque au top, paroles au top, que dire... Plusieurs titres sont vraiment excellents, très peu de temps faibles sur l'ensemble (les intros de la 1 et de la 5 peut-être mais ce ne sont que des chutes de studio on ne demande pas la perfection non plus). S'il en a d'autres comme ça on est preneur… Expand
  14. KDizzle
    Mar 4, 2016
    10
    Kendrick lamar's throwaways put together and all I have to say is that this project is amazing. Im not going to compare it to his previous projects due to the fact that it is too short. just enjoy it.
  15. anish289
    Mar 4, 2016
    10
    Although these are his cast offs, the "album" still has a sort of cohesion to it because they were written around the time TPAB was being created and his extra thoughts are put together in this 'unmastered-piece' .
    Love it for what it is.
  16. tylerrbarney
    Mar 4, 2016
    10
    Probably the worst of his 4 albums, if you can even call it an album. However, thats like saying Jordan's worst championship team, still amazing. 10/10
  17. simpla
    Mar 6, 2016
    10
    definitely a game changer and a masterpiece, here Kendrick is showcasing his lyrical prowess irrevocably, this is gonna enjoy its time on all the world hip hop and rap charts, though the most interesting fact about it is that he is representing his roots at the same time minding the classiness
  18. stomas
    Mar 8, 2016
    10
    As an EP this is another masterpiece by Kendrick. Although it doesn't quite live up to the standards of his last 2 albums it is still a great way to end the TPAB era. Listen and enjoy.
  19. TheBison24
    Mar 10, 2016
    10
    This album shows again why Kendrick is in the top-5 rappers right now. The beats are different to other todays rappers, who just have a boring, low bass rhythms. Kendrick has interesting beats, many of them even made with real instruments, which is pretty rare in todays music. And of course the rapping is straight fire like we have got used to with Kendrick.
  20. MovieLover123
    Jul 15, 2016
    10
    Head is the answer! Do you want more lyrical hip-hop with a socially conscious edge?! Take a minute or two to listen to this expanded view into Kendrick's mind during the creation of TPAB. Pimp, pimp, HOORAY!!
  21. KripBop
    Jun 25, 2017
    10
    definetly slept on project easily one of kendricks most fluent albums ever its lyrics and beats show tht for demos they are potential hits the tpab missed in tht sense but however lacks some of the element hes known for best tracks untitled 8, 7, 3 and 2 obviously not his best but definetly a underrated classic jazz rap album and also slept but give it a listen guys its gd
  22. Connorcox1997
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    Untitled Unmastered by Kendrick Lamar may not be a studio album, but even a compilation album is Fantastic. It contains eight demo song on the compilation album that weren't on TPAB. The eight songs on the album are beautiful. I highly recommended.
  23. ea_sergio24
    May 28, 2019
    10
    Considering that this project is made up of a bunch of thrown away songs just shows how amazing it is. Only Kendrick Lamar can pull this off. The project is amazing
  24. juliosocas
    Oct 15, 2020
    10
    The fact is throways is better than half of the hip-hop albums out there is thrilling. This man is at another league.
  25. Macklee
    May 14, 2022
    10
    This is a leftover album yet its some of the most beautiful jazz rap i've ever heard
  26. DenzelJamie
    Jun 20, 2022
    10
    This throwaway rap album is literally better than most of the rap albums being released nowadays. Most rappers would have had this album as their best album of all time in their discographies if it was made by them. This album proves that Kendrick Lamar is in a league of his own, and none of his peers can match up to him.
  27. MKUltra7
    Jul 17, 2022
    10
    This throwaway EP is shockingly great - in fact, it's better than majority of the current rap albums.
  28. RegenT_A_1300
    Dec 23, 2022
    10
    super underrated and levels above DAMN in every single way. best side Bs from the best album ever
  29. Jribs
    Mar 21, 2016
    9
    If this were not a compilation of b-sides and tracks that for some reason was not on To Pimp a Butterfly, I would give it an eight. Albums like untitled unmastered are made to give listeners deeper insight to the artist. Kendrick hamfisted this sentiment by naming every song 'untitled', though this is to no fault of his. Though it is not a perfect album, it is a must for anybody interestedIf this were not a compilation of b-sides and tracks that for some reason was not on To Pimp a Butterfly, I would give it an eight. Albums like untitled unmastered are made to give listeners deeper insight to the artist. Kendrick hamfisted this sentiment by naming every song 'untitled', though this is to no fault of his. Though it is not a perfect album, it is a must for anybody interested in the phenom.

    The tracks on this album do not follow a typical pop structure. There are long intros and long outros throughout. They are never unnecessary parts of a track either, usually they set an emotional tone and the occasionally dispersed lyrics make the tracks' meaning more clear. You will not find any radio songs here, but this does not mean the tracks are not catchy. Some of them are, and will insert earworm choruses into your head.

    Of the few downsides to the album, the instrumentation on the album does not feel as raw as it should for such an esoteric listen. Some more live instruments that are not saxophones would benefit Lamar greatly, as his recent live sets gain an invaluable energy from a fleshed out band.

    You will not find lyrical flaws here. I will simply say, his lyrics here are on par with To Pimp a Butterfly. There are more dark tracks here than on Butterfly, so you'll be hearing some highly deep lyrics. The lyrics remain Afrocentric and pays attention to the wretched in society. Any middle class person, however, will be able to heavily relate to the lyrics, race aside. It's a very human, and very emotional listen.

    Listen to this album if you like deep and esoteric hip-hop, like Kendrick Lamar's previous rapping, and/or are comfortable with odd song structures. Hip-hop heads and Kendrick fans only.    … Expand
  30. TimW001
    Mar 10, 2016
    9
    I can only describe it as a really strong rap-funk album. I really enjoyed these songs. Great use of horns, bass guitar, drums. All the songs are enjoyable to listen to, aside from 07 and 02. This is the best album of 2016 thus far, better than Macklemore's better than Kanye's TLOP.
    A must listen.
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Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best Album of 2016
18
#18 Most Discussed Album of 2016
19
#19 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Uncut
    Apr 27, 2016
    70
    It's typical of Lamr's artistry that even a comp of offcuts comes formatted and conceptualised. [Jun 2016, p.75]
  2. Record Collector
    Apr 22, 2016
    80
    The songs here appear to be fragments sewn together so looking to find any cohesive narrative is beside the point, nor is there any pressure for there to be any obvious hits on the album. The effect is that the focus is shifted to Lamar’s vocal performance and serves as more evidence that he’s not only the foremost rapper of his generation, but is fast becoming one of the most effective vocalists full-stop.
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  3. No Ripcord
    Apr 13, 2016
    80
    Kendrick Lamar’s talent is superficial in the extreme, plumbing his own creative depths with an unerring attention to detail. With untitled unmastered., he has found another way to sheathe people in his compelling vision.
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