To Pimp A Butterfly
by Kendrick Lamar
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 4386 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3,962 out of 4386
  2. Mixed: 91 out of 4386
  3. Negative: 333 out of 4386
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  1. Metagrib
    Jul 17, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Fulfpydoydoydoyxyodoydyodkydoydyodyodoydyodupdupfupfupfipfupdoyxyoxulfuldoufoydyodoydoydoyduo… Expand
  2. ConceptualBagel
    Jun 24, 2021
    9
    To Pimp A Butterfly is easily Kendrick's best work to date, with strong vocals, consistently amazing instrumentals, and timely themes, it will be remembered for years to come.
  3. caueplsk
    Jun 18, 2021
    10
    Indiscutivelmente, um dos melhores álbuns de todos os tempos. Beats incríveis e um álbum verdadeiramente lírico. Kendrick consegue passar uma mensagem sobre racismo em uma música melodicamente agradável. Quase todas as músicas são dignas de serem colocadas na playlist. Projeto sólido e que beira a perfeição.
  4. Juheez
    Jun 8, 2021
    10
    This album told me a deep and complicated story and I enjoyed every second of it.
  5. IvanMalaveReal
    May 30, 2021
    10
    I could go on for an eternity about the poetic and music eccentricity from this album, but I will just tell you to listen to this album with open ears. I haven't had an album listening experience like this since discovering The Wall.
  6. JacobD
    Apr 22, 2020
    10
    Without a doubt one of the best albums I’ve ever heard, the message behind it and the powerful lyrics make me stop what I’m doing and pay attention 10/10
  7. ronanomalley13
    May 7, 2021
    10
    To Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar's 3rd studio album, is in every way his best album he's ever made. This album shows perfectly not only the racial inequality that people of color have to go through throughout their lives, but especially the struggles that Kendrick goes through. Every song on here tells it's own story, like the chilling display of emotion Kendrick uses on "u" , or theTo Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar's 3rd studio album, is in every way his best album he's ever made. This album shows perfectly not only the racial inequality that people of color have to go through throughout their lives, but especially the struggles that Kendrick goes through. Every song on here tells it's own story, like the chilling display of emotion Kendrick uses on "u" , or the lyrical brilliance he uses on "The blacker the berry", which puts onto display the hate the African-American community receives, by showing how his fellow African-Americans are treated, and the stereotypes put onto them which further enables for the hate that is brought onto them. Truly a masterpiece of lyricism, with the songs also staying catchy while also demonstrating a meaning, I cant see this album being less than a 10. 10/10… Expand
  8. Ignatioss
    May 5, 2021
    10
    An amazing album all around with amazing production, lyrics and melody. One of the best albums of the 2010’s
  9. proreview0
    Apr 19, 2021
    10
    he album's immediate influence was felt as "a pantheon for racial empowerment", according to Butler, who also argued that the record helped create a respected space for conscious hip hop and "will be revered not just at the top of some list at the end of the year, but in the subconscious of music fans for decades to come".[96] Writing for Highsnobiety, Robert Blair said, "[To Pimp ahe album's immediate influence was felt as "a pantheon for racial empowerment", according to Butler, who also argued that the record helped create a respected space for conscious hip hop and "will be revered not just at the top of some list at the end of the year, but in the subconscious of music fans for decades to come".[96] Writing for Highsnobiety, Robert Blair said, "[To Pimp a Butterfly] is the crystallized moment in time where Kendrick became a generation's most potent artistic voice."[4] Uproxx journalist Aaron Williams said the album "proved that left-field, experimental rap can function in both the critical and commercial realms".[117] Jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington said that the album "changed music, and we're still seeing the effects of it [...] [the album] meant that intellectually stimulating music doesn't have to be underground. It just didn't change the music. It changed the audience."[4] To Pimp a Butterfly was an influence on David Bowie's 2016 album Blackstar. As its producer Tony Visconti recalled, he and Bowie were "listening to a lot of Kendrick Lamar [...] we loved the fact Kendrick was so open-minded and he didn't do a straight-up hip-hop record. He threw everything on there, and that's exactly what we wanted to do."[118] Prince highlighted that he was a fan of To Pimp a Butterfly and Lamar in an interview, saying, "[Lamar] just has something to say [...] [To Pimp a Butterfly is] pure. And with Thundercat on the album? Come on. You're not taking "Alright" off my playlist!… Expand
  10. TannerThanYou25
    Apr 18, 2021
    10
    You know EXACTLY why this is a 10. The production, lyricism, political influence, and the rap style of Kendrick Lamar are all masterpiece level. I can’t name one thing wrong with this album, and it shouldn’t be this low of a score on Metacritic. Absolutely phenomenal album.
  11. Wowisawow
    Apr 16, 2021
    10
    Perfect Album. One of my only 10/10's. There's not a single song on this album that I don't love to death. So much meaning to everything.
  12. hdcooper
    Apr 8, 2021
    9
    Possibly the greatest rap/hip-hop album of all time, if not one of the greatest albums ever, point blank period. Also one of my favorite of all time. Not only has Kendrick's entire career, but all of hip-hop, has all led to this moment.

    9.7/10
  13. Hendo250
    Mar 29, 2021
    10
    this album is a 10 this album is a 10 this album is a 10 this album is a 10
  14. ThatOneGuy__13
    Mar 25, 2021
    10
    Wow, just wow. brilliant concept, brilliant execution. every time I listen to the album I find another incredible detail. It is truly a brilliant work of art. This has to be one of the greatest albums of all time.
  15. chickensusu
    Feb 24, 2021
    10
    kendrick the goat of the new generation 10/10
    kendrick the goat of the new generation 10/10
    kendrick the goat of the new generation 10/10
  16. JDMXEN
    Feb 23, 2021
    10
    This is the greatest album i have ever listened to. A great sounding album back to front sonically, with a extremely powerful message which has even changed the way I view things and people. Kendrick has solidified himself as one the greatest rappers of the 21st century with this album alone.

    I strongly urge people to give this album a listen and fully give it a chance even if you are not    This is the greatest album i have ever listened to. A great sounding album back to front sonically, with a extremely powerful message which has even changed the way I view things and people. Kendrick has solidified himself as one the greatest rappers of the 21st century with this album alone.

    I strongly urge people to give this album a listen and fully give it a chance even if you are not a kendrick fan or a rap fan.    … Expand
  17. comradebrett
    Feb 3, 2021
    10
    Kendrick Lamar follows good kid, m.A.A.d city with another incredible album. I love the jazzy beats and the insightful and poetic lyrics throughout the entirety of the album. My favorite tracks are The Blacker the Berry, Alright, King Kunta, Institutionalized, and u.
  18. sambartlett2004
    Jan 17, 2021
    10
    This album is high energy and well paced. It smoothly transitions through so many sounds and vibes and is truly a hip hop masterpiece. This album is decade defining and displays Kendrick at his best. A must listen.
  19. Haytammachizaml
    Jan 15, 2021
    10
    A3dama album f tarikh t5yl m3aya chi album fih kolchi peak dyal l music b sara7a
  20. joshtazzy
    Jan 8, 2021
    10
    Best album ever. Perfect music. Kendrick covers big topics in such a personal way that makes the listener feel everything he is saying. Amazing
  21. Wrong_Opinions
    Dec 18, 2020
    10
    A Masterpiece and an Instant Classic that has aged extremely since its release. You’ve probably heard 1000 reasons why this album is absolutely fantastic already so there’s no point in repeating what everyone’s already said about this masterpiece so... The review’s over. 10/10.
  22. averagemusicfan
    Dec 15, 2020
    10
    Top 2 or 3 albums in general for the 2010s. Great listening experience, would recommend listening to it on vinyl.
  23. Charliewigg
    Dec 12, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Incredibly captivating and compelling storytelling on each track and the collective album, impeccable production and literature on each track and phenomenal handling of its themes of societal racism, misuse of power and self-love/self-hatred. There is a uniquely interesting concept on each track, from him screaming at himself through the third person on u to him describing himself as a slave in love on the uplifting complexion. The creativity is also super heavy in the film concepts, such as the antagonists of Lucy and Uncle Sam, created through the personification of sin and capitalist America. My pick for the greatest album of all time and an absolute must listen for anybody reading this review… Expand
  24. Mayel
    Dec 10, 2020
    10
    Probably the best Rap album released this past decade. Tackling subject matter such as race issues all of that with an immaculate production that sounds different than a lot of other contemporary rap albums. This a timeless body of work!
  25. Maximus_Moyles
    Dec 2, 2020
    10
    To pimp A Butterfly is an absolute masterpiece of construction and art. Tells an terrific story of Kendrick Lamar trying to pimp his fame and success to help the kids of Compton get through their struggle. Every song has great hooks mind blowing verses and includes soothing instruments of jazz and other funk elements. Their is not one bad song on this album and its a must listen no matterTo pimp A Butterfly is an absolute masterpiece of construction and art. Tells an terrific story of Kendrick Lamar trying to pimp his fame and success to help the kids of Compton get through their struggle. Every song has great hooks mind blowing verses and includes soothing instruments of jazz and other funk elements. Their is not one bad song on this album and its a must listen no matter what. 10/10… Expand
  26. magic_jam13
    Nov 25, 2020
    10
    This is my most favorite album ever so this is biased. Anyways the sounds on this album are amazing just makes you want to get up and start freestyling. You can tell these tracks come straight from the heart. I think everybody needs to listen to this at least once in their life. All the tracks are amazing so im not doing a standout tracks list cuz their all outstanding. Best song has to beThis is my most favorite album ever so this is biased. Anyways the sounds on this album are amazing just makes you want to get up and start freestyling. You can tell these tracks come straight from the heart. I think everybody needs to listen to this at least once in their life. All the tracks are amazing so im not doing a standout tracks list cuz their all outstanding. Best song has to be "alright" or the "blacker the berry"… Expand
  27. Zebomk
    Nov 24, 2020
    10
    Very impressed by this album. I thought it was a near impossible task to follow up good kid maad city, but I think Kendrick did just that. He fuses a lot of sounds throughout the album flawlessly. He incorporates Jazz in tracks like “ For Free”, “ U”, “ How Much A Dollar Cost”. He fuses funk in tracks like “ Wesleys Theory”, King Kunta” and “ These Walls”. Wesleys Theory sounds like some GVery impressed by this album. I thought it was a near impossible task to follow up good kid maad city, but I think Kendrick did just that. He fuses a lot of sounds throughout the album flawlessly. He incorporates Jazz in tracks like “ For Free”, “ U”, “ How Much A Dollar Cost”. He fuses funk in tracks like “ Wesleys Theory”, King Kunta” and “ These Walls”. Wesleys Theory sounds like some G Funk **** back in the 90s. His lyrical approach is very poetic and hard hitting on this album. From tearing himself apart on “ U” to the uplifting more soulful “ I “. For me this is the album that makes me put Kendrick up there with some of the greats.

    Favorite tracks: Wesleys Theory, King Kunta, These Walls, U, Momma, How Much A Dollar Cost, Mortal Man    … Expand
  28. vstndvd
    Nov 22, 2020
    10
    This is the best and most comprehensive album in hip-hop history! Kendrick reimagined the understanding of African American culture and industry in general! Diamond.
  29. Lamerson19
    Nov 10, 2020
    10
    God damn. God damn. This full album features jazz instrumentals representing the hundreds of years and different generations of black music. This album covers Kendrick's story of growing up in a poor, black neighborhood, the love and pride he has for his race, and the hatred and racism surrounding his people. This album goes over hatred and blame of a loved one, betrayal, social injustice,God damn. God damn. This full album features jazz instrumentals representing the hundreds of years and different generations of black music. This album covers Kendrick's story of growing up in a poor, black neighborhood, the love and pride he has for his race, and the hatred and racism surrounding his people. This album goes over hatred and blame of a loved one, betrayal, social injustice, alternate personalities, and so much more. This album is jam packed with wisdom and lyrical gold that if you zone out for 15 seconds, you will miss a powerful message and get lost. Each track on this record is a scene from a masterful film, it is an experience, this album will put you in a trance of enlightenment. The album features a poem being recited by Kendrick at the beginning or end of most tracks, this poem is a letter to the late rapper Tupac about him still fighting for equality and carrying his legacy 2 decades later. He is tired of the lack of change in society. Kendrick is my personal GOAT after releasing this album. You MUST listen. 10/10.… Expand
  30. AyoRxza
    Oct 14, 2020
    10
    This album was amazong. not a single flaw. Genuinely one of the greatest albums to come out in this previous decade
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2015
3
#3 Most Discussed Album of 2015
11
#11 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. The Wire
    May 15, 2015
    90
    Lamar offers a commitment to effect change through the work itself. Whether or not that's realistic ideal the delivery is so powerful it's hard not to get caught up in the rapture. [May 2015, p.50]
  2. The Source
    May 6, 2015
    90
    Each song means more with reference to the project's overall concept than it does as a standalone record, which shouldn't take away from its impact, but rather speak of the courage of its creator. [Apr-May 2015, p.87]
  3. Q Magazine
    Apr 29, 2015
    80
    It's a challenging, ambitious combination of words and music that becomes increasingly absorbing over time. [Jun 2015, p.103]
See all critic reviews »