“The Kendrick album, which is maybe my favorite album of the year. It's just as eccentric and wild as like free jazz in parts, but then the hooks and it's got West Coast g-funk and George Clinton and Gary Bartz and all these things that I love. And then put together with these just incredibly fucking vivid, heart-wrenching lyrics.”Watch this moment
To Pimp a Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar's 2015 release envelops listeners in a complex tapestry of sound that marries jazz, funk, and spoken word with contemporary hip-hop. The album opens with the lush, layered instrumentation of "Wesley's Theory," featuring a hypnotic bassline and playful horns, setting the tone for an exploration of identity and societal issues. Lamar’s introspective lyrics are delivered with a commanding presence, often shifting from smooth flows to sharp, urgent bursts that reflect the emotional gravity of his themes. The production, primarily helmed by Lamar alongside a diverse array of collaborators, incorporates live instrumentation, intricate samples, and frequent tempo shifts, creating an organic yet polished sound. Tracks like "King Kunta" and "The Blacker the Berry" are underpinned by heavy, rhythmic grooves that invite listeners to engage both physically and intellectually. Meanwhile, “i” stands out with its uplifting message and infectious hook, juxtaposed against the darker moments that permeate the album. Culturally, "To Pimp a Butterfly" emerges during a time of heightened racial tensions in America, making its commentary on black identity, systemic oppression, and personal struggle particularly resonant. The use of interludes and spoken word segments—most notably in "Mortal Man"—adds layers of narrative depth, inviting listeners to reflect on Lamar's journey from Compton to global recognition. In its entirety, the album is a multifaceted exploration of self and society, pushing the boundaries of hip-hop while remaining deeply rooted in the struggles and triumphs of the black experience.
“Mr. K-Dots 'To Pimp a Butterfly.' An incredible album and I think it was not only a statement just for the black community but for the community, for human beings, for people. The message on this album was one of great importance.”Watch this moment
“Last year, a Kendrick Lamar record, 'To Pimp a Butterfly.' The way that it blends jazz and funk and slam poetry and West Coast hip-hop, it's pretty remarkable and seamless, and it tells this story from beginning to end of the trajectory of his career and it kind of culminates in this moment at the end of it.”Watch this moment
“Kendrick Lamar is pretty much my favorite person of my generation right now. I'm extremely inspired by him. 'To Pimp a Butterfly'... it really, really, really affected my life in more than just a musical way, it affected me in a critical thinking, strategizing, inspired kind of way.”
“The concept of this album's insane, the vibe, everything. Kendrick just nailed it.”Watch this moment
“Very important for me. I put Kendrick Lamar on when I think I can't do what I need to do. Y'know it's like very motivational music. It's like, 'ok, get up, get out, do it.' I mean I still listen to 'Alright' today. So I don't know, it just makes me feel empowered.”Watch this moment
“When it came out, I remember my lady and I, we listened to this from top to bottom and it was one of those experiences of listening to an album that sticks, which you remember where you were, what you were doing, how you felt and the influence of it. I really love how he brought in all of the different musicians, you know, Thundercat, Robert Glasper, Terence Martin, all of the homies. This was a real accomplishment.”Watch this moment
“To Pimp a Butterfly, my favorite album of all time. The subject matter, obviously the way the music is layered and put together, I love coming back to something and finding something that I didn't find the first time, and this album is kind of like a treasure trove for that.”Watch this moment
Tracklist
16 tracks · 78:59 · click to preview1
Wesley's Theory (feat. George Clinton & Thundercat)
4:47
2
For Free? (Interlude)
2:10
3
King Kunta
3:54
4
Institutionalized (feat. Bilal, Anna Wise & Snoop Dogg)
4:31
5
These Walls (feat. Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat)
5:00
6
u
4:28
7
Alright
3:39
8
For Sale? (Interlude)
4:51
9
Momma
4:43
10
Hood Politics
4:52
11
How Much a Dollar Cost (feat. James Fauntleroy & Ronald Isley)
4:21
12
Complexion (A Zulu Love) [feat. Rapsody]
4:23
13
The Blacker the Berry
5:28
14
You Ain't Gotta Lie (Momma Said)
4:01
15
i
5:36
16
Mortal Man
12:07
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
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