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. 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.
  2. 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
  3. bsides15
    Mar 4, 2016
    9
    Don't expect "fire" or a complete idea or thought like To Pimp a Butterfly but its remarkable how his songs not good enough for the album are better than most other rappers.
  4. proterospongia
    Mar 6, 2016
    8
    Whatever "untitled unmastered." is, it's intense, rich, smart. The artistry of Kendrick Lamar is so out of this world that even a compilation album with the rejects of his last album sounds like a solid full studio album. Although this is more flawed than his previous works (on purpose, maybe, which adds to its beauty), untitled unmastered. can serve either as a epilogue or a prologue toWhatever "untitled unmastered." is, it's intense, rich, smart. The artistry of Kendrick Lamar is so out of this world that even a compilation album with the rejects of his last album sounds like a solid full studio album. Although this is more flawed than his previous works (on purpose, maybe, which adds to its beauty), untitled unmastered. can serve either as a epilogue or a prologue to TPAB.

    Best Tracks: untitled 02 06.23.2014; untitled 04 08.14.2014; untitled 05 09.21.2014.    … Expand
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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.
  8. Bew4T
    Mar 4, 2016
    9
    It took me a few listens to fully get into the album, but they really grew on me. I was so impressed by how these were songs that didn't make the cut in TPAB, yet we're still great. It just that speaks to say how Kendrick's "trash" is still treasure. I'm excited for what he'll do next.
  9. 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.
  10. LinttaFlamingo
    Dec 2, 2016
    9
    Leftover stuff that didn't make the final cut of TPAB. Nice production, lyrics work, catchy and all that good stuff. Kendrick is a genius once again but you knew that already.
  11. Allion
    Mar 22, 2016
    8
    Cornrow Kenny, he was born with a vision. Damn right he was. Kendrick is now in a group of elite artists who have struck gold on ALL their projects. Kendrick can do no wrong now
  12. SergioV
    Apr 5, 2016
    8
    83/100. Definitely not Kendrick's best album, but still a gold mine. Best songs on the album are untitled 2, 5, and 6. Still meaningful lyrics, and a great incorporation of real instruments into the beats.
  13. 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.
  14. thethoughthere
    Apr 23, 2016
    9
    It's a true testament to the genius of Kendrick Lamar that a collection of his throwaways, demos and behind-the-scenes recordings can be such a compelling, visceral and beautiful listen. Functioning almost as the epilogue to To Pimp A Butterfly (which itself was a masterpiece), untitled unmastered may very well earn a spot in the top 5 albums of 2016 when all is said and done.
  15. 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!!
  16. 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.
  17. 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
  18. 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.
  19. 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
  20. TrentRey
    Mar 4, 2016
    9
    An outstanding b-side album. This is not his best, but this album is still, a very great hip-hop album. It has the "To Pimp A Butterfly Feeling to it." The lyrics on this album are similar to the ones on his previous album. The theme is the same. Kendrick music is becoming the definition of hip hop. The album might end up being the best album of the year and also the best hip hop album ofAn outstanding b-side album. This is not his best, but this album is still, a very great hip-hop album. It has the "To Pimp A Butterfly Feeling to it." The lyrics on this album are similar to the ones on his previous album. The theme is the same. Kendrick music is becoming the definition of hip hop. The album might end up being the best album of the year and also the best hip hop album of the year. Hopefully better hip hop albums are release this year.… Expand
  21. 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
  22. xavinoya
    Mar 5, 2016
    9
    With this album, Kendrick proves he is, currently, one of the best rappers in the industry and that he will be here for a long time. As it is supposed to be an unfinished record, it looks like a finished, mastered one.
  23. DeanOrDie
    Mar 5, 2016
    9
    K.Dot? One word - brilliant! So soon after dominating the Grammys, he surprises us with something to help us remember exactly why he did. TPAB"s baby brother, untitled unmastered, boasts a perfect fusion of hip hop, jazz and funk; perfect features and an overall superb sound. Album or EP, not too sure which is which but one thing for sure is Kendrick Lamar is here to stay. GOAT? Wouldn'tK.Dot? One word - brilliant! So soon after dominating the Grammys, he surprises us with something to help us remember exactly why he did. TPAB"s baby brother, untitled unmastered, boasts a perfect fusion of hip hop, jazz and funk; perfect features and an overall superb sound. Album or EP, not too sure which is which but one thing for sure is Kendrick Lamar is here to stay. GOAT? Wouldn't bet against that notion. This is excellent work, and another Grammy contender I'm sure.… Expand
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. 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.
  27. swagkonyjohnson
    Mar 16, 2016
    8
    untitled unmastered. is a masterful, cohesive extension of Kendrick's previous project To Pimp A Butterfly. It obviously doesn't reach the monumental heights that TPAB achieved, but this project is so intricate and the lyrics are so dense, just like it's predecessor. This EP hardly feels "unmastered."
  28. AmirAbdiJama
    Mar 5, 2016
    9
    With Religious Theme Lines Still This Feels An Extension Of TPAB, With Topics Such As Self-Conflict And Feeling Desperation Because Of The Hood, Idealogy Regarding Cultures, Acceptance Of Self With The Flaws, And How It's Hard To Be Unique Where Such Gift It's Regarded A Curse And Fought Against, And Supporting Ladies Where Realising The Hardships They Face, It's Great Album Seen As TheWith Religious Theme Lines Still This Feels An Extension Of TPAB, With Topics Such As Self-Conflict And Feeling Desperation Because Of The Hood, Idealogy Regarding Cultures, Acceptance Of Self With The Flaws, And How It's Hard To Be Unique Where Such Gift It's Regarded A Curse And Fought Against, And Supporting Ladies Where Realising The Hardships They Face, It's Great Album Seen As The Conditions It's Delivered.… Expand
  29. linalexander
    Mar 6, 2016
    9
    After the incredible To Pimp a Butterfly album, i really wanted more. This album is probably all the tracks that didn't make it to the last album, but still good enough to blow any other artist out there out of the water. I bought it and listened through it the first day it came out and surprise it was. It will be too much to expect the greatness of the last album, but this is notAfter the incredible To Pimp a Butterfly album, i really wanted more. This album is probably all the tracks that didn't make it to the last album, but still good enough to blow any other artist out there out of the water. I bought it and listened through it the first day it came out and surprise it was. It will be too much to expect the greatness of the last album, but this is not unmastered. The music itself is great without the theme :).… Expand
  30. matttyc123
    Mar 28, 2016
    8
    This just established Kenny as a GOAT. Crazy how a bunch of B-Sides are better than a good chunk of stuff out there now. The great lyrics are standard, along with a jazzy sound that I'd argue is even more prominent then what we heard on TPAB. Obviously not the flair or cohesion of a studio release, but you shouldn't come into this project expecting that. This along with TPAB should keep meThis just established Kenny as a GOAT. Crazy how a bunch of B-Sides are better than a good chunk of stuff out there now. The great lyrics are standard, along with a jazzy sound that I'd argue is even more prominent then what we heard on TPAB. Obviously not the flair or cohesion of a studio release, but you shouldn't come into this project expecting that. This along with TPAB should keep me satisfied for the next few years until his next studio release comes out.

    Fave Songs: 1, 6, 7, 8    … Expand
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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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