DAMN.
by Kendrick Lamar
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 3346 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,962 out of 3346
  2. Mixed: 111 out of 3346
  3. Negative: 273 out of 3346
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  1. as1an
    Sep 2, 2017
    9
    A deep and truly fantastic album from Kendrick. Kendrick brings a unique sound to this album and does not focus on the generic topics that rappers bring up and instead brings up real social issues. This album might not be for everyone, but the quality of this album is clear if you have an ounce of tone awareness.
  2. MasterofHeaarts
    Nov 14, 2017
    9
    DAMNNN GOOD!!

    Kendrick Lamar really outdid himself on this album proving why he is one of the best rappers of this generation. The Highlights of this album is Humble DNA, Element, Love and God. Some of the tracks were a bit boring and sometimes his rhymes go over your head. But DNA HUMBLE and ELEMENT and LOVE are very addictive with flawless production make up for those songs.    DAMNNN GOOD!!

    Kendrick Lamar really outdid himself on this album proving why he is one of the best rappers of this generation. The Highlights of this album is Humble DNA, Element, Love and God. Some of the tracks were a bit boring and sometimes his rhymes go over your head. But DNA HUMBLE and ELEMENT and LOVE are very addictive with flawless production make up for those songs. Definitely one of the best albums of the year    … Expand
  3. kayhamed
    Jun 1, 2019
    9
    couldn't live up to the quality of his previous masterpieces (good kid & TPAB) but is worth a listen.
  4. CORNROWKENNY
    May 19, 2018
    9
    "DAMN." isn't as conceptual as Kendrick Lamars last two records. It's shorter, more scattered and seemingly less grand. After the epic "To Pimp a Butterfly", it may have been the only logical step to make a more stripped down, easily digestible album, relying more on contemporary hip hop production than TPABs Jazz and Funk influenced sound.
    Kendrick seems as conflicted as ever on this    "DAMN." isn't as conceptual as Kendrick Lamars last two records. It's shorter, more scattered and seemingly less grand. After the epic "To Pimp a Butterfly", it may have been the only logical step to make a more stripped down, easily digestible album, relying more on contemporary hip hop production than TPABs Jazz and Funk influenced sound.
    Kendrick seems as conflicted as ever on this album, and the lack of a strict concept reflects that. Sure, there seem to be track pairings that contrast each other ("LOVE." and "LUST." for example), and similar themes and phrases appear throughout the album (plus there's this whole "play the album in reverse" thing), but anyone who thinks there is a story like in "good kid, M.A.A.D. City" or an overall theme and idea like on TPAB is really reaching.
    That doesn't mean it's a bad album though. Sure, tracks like "GOD.", "LOYALTY.", "YAH." and "LOVE." seem kind of simple when compared to Kendricks usual ambition, but they're still well-produced, earnest and lot of fun.
    No, "DAMN." is actually a great album. Tracks like "DNA.", "ELEMENT." or "HUMBLE." are total bangers, letting everyone know who's the king of rap right now. "FEEL.", "LUST." and "XXX." express a lot of the internal conflict that Kendrick is going through. He doesn't seem to be one hundred percent comfortable with the saviour role that was attributed to him after TPAB. He's only a human, at times flawed, undecided and insecure. These sentiments also reflect on "FEAR." and "PRIDE.", both of which are among the best tracks he's ever released, especially the first, which is a 7-minute masterpiece of a conscious rap song that has rightfully been described as the centerpiece of the album. The album closes with the fantastic "DUCKWORTH.", which tells the true (?) story of how Kendricks father and Top Dawg, TDEs label boss, met eachother, which set the table for Kendricks career.
    It goes without saying that all of these tracks feature great production and seemingly effortless fantastic rapping by Kendrick Lamar, even if it all doesn't seem to fit together as well as the music on his last couple of albums did.
    Maybe that's intentional, as "DAMN." shows Kendrick maybe at his most conflicted and unsure. Whatever he might feel, the album is another victory lap for him, containing his biggest singles and outselling Drake. Kendrick Lamar isn't the messiah, but he's the world's greatest rapper.    … Expand
  5. BB2
    Feb 22, 2018
    9
    I really really REALLY want to give this album a 10/10, trust me. I love DUCKWORTH., DNA., and LUST. a lot! Plus, this album got me into some of Kendrick Lamar's other classics.

    And if you listen to it enough you can appreciate how great the songs really are and the story they tell. And that story is also very different if you listen or the collectors edition (the album but in backwards    I really really REALLY want to give this album a 10/10, trust me. I love DUCKWORTH., DNA., and LUST. a lot! Plus, this album got me into some of Kendrick Lamar's other classics.

    And if you listen to it enough you can appreciate how great the songs really are and the story they tell. And that story is also very different if you listen or the collectors edition (the album but in backwards order), that puts DUCKWORTH. first and BLOOD. last, making his death seem useless in BLOOD, and also having the first lines of BLOOD. as the last lines of DUCKWORTH. makes the album come into full circle.

    But there's just two songs that *really* put me off.

    HUMBLE.. Although this song was the most poplar song in the album and the one that got me into Kendrick Lamar as an artist, listening to the rest of the songs on here and coming back to this made me realize it was the worst song in the album

    LOYALTY.. At the beginning of the song its really off putting, Kendrick opens sounding like a goat. And this song in its whole is just feels like a regular rap with a singer in it and it gets very boring to listen to after a while.

    Also not that I have a problem with this song, but sometimes I end up skipping over FEAR., whiter its just started or I'm halfway through it. The fact that its 7 minutes long makes it very repetitive or boring to listen to. This is my third least favoritism song in the album, but I usually don't have a problem with it    … Expand
  6. 4za
    Aug 13, 2018
    9
    A year ago I would've gave this a 7, I was severely disappointed with this album, but overtime it has grown on me. I set incredibly high standards for this album after 'To Pimp A Butterfly' was my favourite album of all time, so I was obviously disappointed, but now I can see that DAMN. is a perfectly good pop rap album. Songs like FEEL. and DUCKWORTH. are standouts as what you wouldA year ago I would've gave this a 7, I was severely disappointed with this album, but overtime it has grown on me. I set incredibly high standards for this album after 'To Pimp A Butterfly' was my favourite album of all time, so I was obviously disappointed, but now I can see that DAMN. is a perfectly good pop rap album. Songs like FEEL. and DUCKWORTH. are standouts as what you would expect from Kendrick, but he also delivers songs like DNA. which are completely different for his discography. The bangers on here are incredible alongside the more concsious tracks. As always, the production is tremendous, obviously not being as rich as 'To Pimp A Butterfly' or 'untitled unmastered.', but still great. One of few albums that changed my opinion so greatly over time.… Expand
  7. fwtll636
    May 21, 2018
    9
    Kendrick Lamar released his attempt at trap music with 'DAMN.' and it is incredible. It really makes you wonder what the sonic limit to this man is. He's viable and adaptable, witty and wordy; everything current rap music needs.
  8. M64
    Jul 23, 2018
    9
    This album has a unique sound that makes it very enjoyable and fresh. K-Dot really did well with this one, despite having some flaws in this album.
  9. alexc4761
    Jul 6, 2018
    9
    Amazing storytelling, and it just shows Lamar's overall thoughts of modern day issues. "DNA", "ELEMENT", and "XXX" all shows Lamar speaking up of current problems with an intense tone of rapping. Extremely diverse and a must listen.
  10. Bluesoul
    Dec 9, 2018
    9
    Another great album from K Dot. Songs like HUMBLE, ELEMENT, DNA, XXX, LOYALTY, LOVE ME are masterpieces. Congrats!
  11. Farmermoe
    May 9, 2020
    9
    “What they hear from me make em highlight my simplest lines” Unfortunately, to know the true amazing glory of this album that’s exactly what you have to do. DAMN brilliant. Top 5 Best Tracks: FEAR, DUCKWORTH, FEEL, XXX, PRIDE
    96/100
  12. JimNielsen
    Aug 31, 2019
    9
    This is by far one of the most outstanding records I heard in years. Not only the single 'Humble' is pure perfection
  13. GabrielPaz
    Feb 9, 2020
    9
    Inteligente é a palavra pra esse álbum, parece que o Kendrick Lamar sabe usar tudo certinho e meticulosamente pra criar um bom álbum.
  14. Willypooh11
    Sep 4, 2019
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Vocals - na Flow - 10/10
    Lyrics - 9/10
    Production - 9/10
    Features - 8/10
    Album Artwork - 10/10    … Expand
  15. markosaric
    Nov 2, 2019
    9
    Kendrick Lamar hits hard with some of the best lyrical showcasing in modern hip-hop.
  16. ali1376
    Feb 11, 2020
    9
    great great great great great great great great great great great great great great
  17. Beano_
    Feb 27, 2020
    9
    This album is incredible, Kendrick's lyrical ability is unmatched by any of his piers, this album takes several listens to even understand the full meaning of the lyrics on this album. This album is full of some of the best songs that I've ever heard. Some of these songs are XXX, DUCKWORTH, LUST, PRIDE, and FEAR. There are also a few bangers on this album such as HUMBLE and DNA. Although,This album is incredible, Kendrick's lyrical ability is unmatched by any of his piers, this album takes several listens to even understand the full meaning of the lyrics on this album. This album is full of some of the best songs that I've ever heard. Some of these songs are XXX, DUCKWORTH, LUST, PRIDE, and FEAR. There are also a few bangers on this album such as HUMBLE and DNA. Although, this album does have a few subpar Kendrick songs such as LOYALTY, YAH, and GOD but these songs are by no means terrible or unlistenable. Overall, this album is a masterpiece but not as good as GKMC or TPAB.… Expand
  18. MarkJulian
    Mar 7, 2020
    9
    DAMN. is not nearly as great as Kendrick Lamar’s two previous albums but it is still far better than most music related. It is much more commercial and it is harder to decipher than TPAB but the lyrics, production and themes are still on point. I love every song but cuts like ELEMENT. and HUMBLE. are pretty lackluster compared to the final three songs.
  19. Macrofficial
    Mar 25, 2020
    9
    Great lyrics, production, and features. Kendrick's 2nd best project. I'd say my favourite tracks are LUST. , HUMBLE. , and XXX.
  20. ceshe83
    Apr 14, 2020
    9
    DAMN. should be studied in theology, philosophy, music, history classes and many more. It is a deeply intellectual work that I am still trying to understand. Oh, and musically, it's just as rich. The production on GOD. is ethereal and sublime. LOVE. finds Kendrick exploring his more sentimental side and he does it beautifully. PRIDE. is a woozy, entrancing, introspective masterpiece.DAMN. should be studied in theology, philosophy, music, history classes and many more. It is a deeply intellectual work that I am still trying to understand. Oh, and musically, it's just as rich. The production on GOD. is ethereal and sublime. LOVE. finds Kendrick exploring his more sentimental side and he does it beautifully. PRIDE. is a woozy, entrancing, introspective masterpiece. DUCKWORTH. is a stirring, exhilarating narrative (debatable Kendrick's finest storytelling here). And DNA. just slaps. Kendrick stated that DAMN. is "the idea of: I can't change the world until I change myself." DAMN. brilliantly makes you consider your own vices, virtues, and the raw and honest nature of mankind.

    Score: 9.1/10

    Fav track(s): PRIDE, LUST, GOD, LOVE, DUCKWORTH, FEAR, DNA, BLOOD
    Least fav track(s): HUMBLE    … Expand
  21. Dictatorkk
    Apr 20, 2020
    9
    Love this album feels like it gets overlooked due to his other works having more meaning
  22. Momoki_02
    Jul 26, 2020
    9
    Another Banger from kendrick, some tracks weren't as good as the others but its still
  23. magic_jam13
    Nov 25, 2020
    9
    This has a bit of a different tone than his other projects but its still Kendrick. Now people say this is just Kendrick streamlined but it's still amazing. He changes his tone a lot in this album like in love and loyalty. But i actually think love is awesome it has such a vibe. Loyalty is meh tho. But damn still has such a nice vibe to it, its like a lighter tpab which is fine. StandoutThis has a bit of a different tone than his other projects but its still Kendrick. Now people say this is just Kendrick streamlined but it's still amazing. He changes his tone a lot in this album like in love and loyalty. But i actually think love is awesome it has such a vibe. Loyalty is meh tho. But damn still has such a nice vibe to it, its like a lighter tpab which is fine. Standout tracks are humble, pride, element, xxx, duckworth. yah. But the best has to be duckworth or xxx.… Expand
  24. Wrong_Opinions
    Dec 18, 2020
    9
    He doesn’t miss! King Kendrick simply does not miss. Extremely exited for his next project, heard he leaks and it sounded great. Hope that his next project is just as good as his previous albums. But back to this project, I think it’s great (as expected) however a couple of tracks limit this from getting a 10/10. Still an extremely solid album. Definitely would recommend.
  25. Hendo250
    Mar 29, 2021
    9
    this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9
  26. Cumball
    Jul 11, 2021
    9
    Great album, but i can never forget what anthony fantano said about it.....
  27. isidigalfe
    Sep 7, 2021
    9
    top 3 of kdot tbh

    4 years later still amazing

    bangers and some deep songs
  28. Burgarking
    Jan 31, 2022
    9
    This album is a nice breath of fresh air as Kendrick tries something new and creates a different type of music than we have seen previously but still being true to what Kendrick as an artist wants to do. The album is full of great exciting songs that make your heart pump but also songs on the other side of the spectrum showing versatility in his work and to the listeners ears as they enjoyThis album is a nice breath of fresh air as Kendrick tries something new and creates a different type of music than we have seen previously but still being true to what Kendrick as an artist wants to do. The album is full of great exciting songs that make your heart pump but also songs on the other side of the spectrum showing versatility in his work and to the listeners ears as they enjoy such good sounds.… Expand
  29. JamesJennings
    May 31, 2022
    9
    While not as lyrically packed full of messaging as Kendrick's other albums, that may not actually be a bad thing. This is maybe the most or second most accessible Kendrick album, with more than a couple of hits on here. Not one to be missed.
  30. ScissorS666
    Jul 4, 2022
    9
    Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2017
5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2017
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
95

Universal acclaim - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. The Wire
    Aug 8, 2017
    90
    A less deranged response to celebrity than Kanye West’s Yeezus, more imaginative than Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP or Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III, it shares with the former an economy of form, and with the latter two the giddy energy of an artist coming into perfect sync with their audience. It’s also a sumptuous sounding pop record, polite streamlined mass market psychedelia. [Jun 2017, p.64]
  2. The Skinny
    Jul 5, 2017
    80
    The beats are heavy, spare, and hard. Lamar demonstrates the versatility of his flow.
    Read full review
  3. Record Collector
    May 25, 2017
    100
    DAMN. sees the rapper make a 180 degree turn from the sprawling jazz/funk/hip-hop odyssey of TPAB to deliver 14 taut, tough and wise cutting-edge examples of what’s possible in hip-hop today. ... Essential stuff.
    Read full review
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