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. rodericrinehart
    Dec 20, 2017
    10
    Upon first listen, the album is unconditionally amazing. A Grammy-award type album. On further listens and now months later, I'm pretty confident that this is on the of the greatest albums ever made. He is on top of the lyrical game in hip-hop, and really, in all of music. His beats are transcendent and fit perfectly well with his lyrics. I can't say enough good things about this album.
  2. Super-Evil-DOOM
    Apr 17, 2017
    10
    Kendrick Lamar somehow puts together an album that sounds like it's channeling old school, classic hip hop attitude, flavor, and delivery, while also stays fresh, modern, and progressive. This is rap at it's best, from someone that will undoubtedly go down in history as one of, if not the greatest to ever pursue hip hop in all it's glorious artistry.
  3. galzil
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    K-dot killed it from every angle. Concept wise, the songs connects beautifully with one another, and tell an intriguing tale of the inner battle between 'wicked' and 'weak. lyrically, it is a layered and ambitious piece of art that comes full circle - no less than TPAB. music wise, it is in its own realm - it is far from TPAB and also from GKMC. it has the best bangers kendrick everK-dot killed it from every angle. Concept wise, the songs connects beautifully with one another, and tell an intriguing tale of the inner battle between 'wicked' and 'weak. lyrically, it is a layered and ambitious piece of art that comes full circle - no less than TPAB. music wise, it is in its own realm - it is far from TPAB and also from GKMC. it has the best bangers kendrick ever wrote: DNA, ELEMENT ect; great collabs and just and over all amazing production. Even when kendrick sings he KILLS it. Another Classic from one of the best musicians of the 21th century.… Expand
  4. wjw
    Apr 22, 2017
    10
    For the white brothers out there who tire of the same ole' Rush, PInk Floyd, Dream Theater, & Led Zeppelin (perhaps you haven't checked out anything happening in hip hop, but wonder what all the fuss is about with Kendrick), Kendrick's go to albums are the most recent, Damn., and his 2015 release To Pimp A Butterfly (TPAB). Of these two, TPAB is like a prog rock/prog metal/fusion jazzFor the white brothers out there who tire of the same ole' Rush, PInk Floyd, Dream Theater, & Led Zeppelin (perhaps you haven't checked out anything happening in hip hop, but wonder what all the fuss is about with Kendrick), Kendrick's go to albums are the most recent, Damn., and his 2015 release To Pimp A Butterfly (TPAB). Of these two, TPAB is like a prog rock/prog metal/fusion jazz style album. Damn., on the other hand, is like a psychedelic rock album. As to which is better--putting aside the fact that they are both 10 raters--it's hard to say. Depends on your mood, mindset, or what you had for breakfast. Anyway, pick up the latest. It's fantastic.… Expand
  5. Daliman13
    Jul 23, 2017
    10
    Just a brilliant album from start to finish. I keep going back and forth which which song is my favorite. Somehow Kendrick keeps raising the bar, without ever selling out.
  6. jorge89
    Apr 15, 2017
    10
    Tercera obra maestra consecutiva para este maestro.. Sera dificil superar este album en el 2017. Sin duda un 10/10. Podemos decir que Kendrick Lamar es el mejor rapero de todos los tiempos.
  7. Eon2323
    Apr 17, 2017
    10
    Kendrick has always been one to state that change must come from himself first - his music is his own medicine, his own therapy. Here he's direct, visceral, abrasive, minimal, and loud; he states his flaws and sins and how he will be judged by God when the time comes. What brings Kendrick back to earth is how he relates and falls victim to the same attributes that he voices are necessaryKendrick has always been one to state that change must come from himself first - his music is his own medicine, his own therapy. Here he's direct, visceral, abrasive, minimal, and loud; he states his flaws and sins and how he will be judged by God when the time comes. What brings Kendrick back to earth is how he relates and falls victim to the same attributes that he voices are necessary in our world. He expresses instances of pride just as much as humility, and the same goes for lust/love. Kendrick said it himself - we need to stop running away from these things. The urgency is at an all-time high; we need to learn to accept these things, and King Kendrick is leading us on this path.… Expand
  8. CODciller
    Apr 15, 2017
    10
    Simply amazing. How does he keep doing this. It's crazy how good he can make his music sound while still putting so much substance into his lyrics. He has 14 of the top 15 spots in america ,top 50 on spotify as of writing this. That's insane for an artist with this much substance.
  9. olidox
    Apr 15, 2017
    10
    Another flawless project in Kendrick's discography. This record doesn't try to be super political like TPAB, or have an overarching story like GKMC, instead we get smaller self-contained tracks with Kendrick addressing different emotions and aspects of his personal life. The storytelling is as vivid as ever, the metaphors are as clever as ever, the music is as dense and lush as ever, bothAnother flawless project in Kendrick's discography. This record doesn't try to be super political like TPAB, or have an overarching story like GKMC, instead we get smaller self-contained tracks with Kendrick addressing different emotions and aspects of his personal life. The storytelling is as vivid as ever, the metaphors are as clever as ever, the music is as dense and lush as ever, both sonically and lyrically. So many themes and messages to digest and unpack here.… Expand
  10. erenay
    Apr 18, 2017
    10
    Whether you find the album's concept theories running across the internet to all be a stretch (most of them are not), Kendrick's ability to consistently create captivating songs, flowing with emotion and thought demanding responses is the true characteristic that sets him out from literally every single other artist in hip hop. He is simply a genius that our children (and their children)Whether you find the album's concept theories running across the internet to all be a stretch (most of them are not), Kendrick's ability to consistently create captivating songs, flowing with emotion and thought demanding responses is the true characteristic that sets him out from literally every single other artist in hip hop. He is simply a genius that our children (and their children) will also enjoy and respect. The greatest of all time.… Expand
  11. brockcheese
    Oct 24, 2018
    10
    This is a great album. While it certainly is more accessible than his previous albums, he still shows nearly unlimited potential.
  12. Andremax
    Jul 10, 2018
    10
    Sounds more homogenic than To Pimp a Butterfly. A bit less epic, but it isn't a demerit, because the beats are still tastefull, lyrics increasingly sincere and confessional, but still squandering lyricism on perfect flows and beats, that, by the way, sound very modern and tasteful, with pitchs of trap. Such a perfect discography has Kendrick Lamar.
  13. OdoubleP
    Apr 21, 2017
    10
    He's done it again. Started listening to Kendrick with Section.80, then heard his previous stuff and was a fan definitely but I don't think anyone saw what was to come. GKMC - Classic, TPAB - Classic+1, Damn - Classic. From the first track to the last thing you hear Kendrick say on the last track, the album had me hooked. As with all Kendrick material, you need to keep listening to reallyHe's done it again. Started listening to Kendrick with Section.80, then heard his previous stuff and was a fan definitely but I don't think anyone saw what was to come. GKMC - Classic, TPAB - Classic+1, Damn - Classic. From the first track to the last thing you hear Kendrick say on the last track, the album had me hooked. As with all Kendrick material, you need to keep listening to really understand what he is saying in some of the songs but after about 10 listens in, I have no problem in saying he's dropped another classic and I'm with Rosenberg - Arguably he's the best to ever do this!!!… Expand
  14. KBarbosa
    Apr 17, 2017
    10
    Esse album trouxe um Kendrick mais forte! É um album com letras bem fortes e com uma sonoridade impecável, de longe um dos melhores albuns lançados em 2017.
  15. heisenbergsfan
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    As if Kendrick hadn't proven himself already as the most important artist of this generation, he goes on and drops this masterpiece. It isn't quite as good as To Pimp a Butterfly, but even Kendrick's worst is better than anyone else's best.
  16. yocool7890
    Apr 24, 2017
    10
    Great followup to tpab. This a great new sound for Kendrick and really shows that he plans to keep killing the game. Overall each track was special and made for one of my favorite albums ever.
  17. myfaultstudios
    Apr 16, 2017
    10
    I wasn't a huge fan of Kendrick before, I loved a few songs off the last two albums but otherwise I didn't really get into them deeply. This album is layered deeply and yet still still appeals on the surface. There are few albums that can be enjoyed from beginning to end and this is one of them. Don't just hear, listen.
  18. BigTyCoon
    May 1, 2017
    10
    As an initial release Damn. is an instant classic. Songs so full of depth and meaning and still commercial is very hard for artists to pull off, only to find out and discover that the album is an album within an album depending on how you play it puts it in a class of it's own. Kendrick could have G.O.A.T. status at this point.
  19. LatinCritic13
    Apr 17, 2017
    10
    After listening to this dazzling album, I was amazed how Kendrick Lamar takes this album to a new level. The soundtrack is stellar! I have no exact words to say about this album and it's a good thing. There is no doubt that K-Dot is still the King of Modern Day West Coast hip-hop and his SONGS on DAMN. are dope compared to previous albums such as M.A.A.D City and To Pump a Butterfly.After listening to this dazzling album, I was amazed how Kendrick Lamar takes this album to a new level. The soundtrack is stellar! I have no exact words to say about this album and it's a good thing. There is no doubt that K-Dot is still the King of Modern Day West Coast hip-hop and his SONGS on DAMN. are dope compared to previous albums such as M.A.A.D City and To Pump a Butterfly. K-Dot, you made a hell of an impression making this album a modern classic.. You deserved a Grammy, an Oscar, or a Golden Globe for this creative work of art :) 10/10… Expand
  20. Pedro10alves
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is a masterpiece. Kendrick Lamar really evolved with the years and lyrically this album is a sign that Kendrick Lamar knows how to evolve and remain unique. The thing that stands out is how unique and deep the album is.… Expand
  21. LinttaFlamingo
    Sep 30, 2020
    10
    It has been 1 265 days since this absolute chungus of an album was released! :D I love you Mr. Lamar, and I still listen to every song when I decide to listen to the entire album.
  22. GoodKid96
    Apr 19, 2017
    10
    Damn. isn't as straightforward as his previous projects, instead its presented in the most human and skeptical of ways. Kendrick battles with his perils in the journey through life and his current career status in a intriguing manner. He ponders the idea of a higher power ( God) as a force that may control his fate and questions what kind of route he ( and the listener) could travel down (Damn. isn't as straightforward as his previous projects, instead its presented in the most human and skeptical of ways. Kendrick battles with his perils in the journey through life and his current career status in a intriguing manner. He ponders the idea of a higher power ( God) as a force that may control his fate and questions what kind of route he ( and the listener) could travel down ( Wickedness or Weakness) in order to avoid the wraith of God. In conclusion, Kendrick brilliantly expresses very philosophical thoughts in ways never seen in Hip-hop ever before, and he's speaking from the perspective as a critically thinking human.… Expand
  23. merkleman
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    LOYALTY. is just two goats trading verses like they’re spitting lighter fluid over a bonfire. Plus the reversed Bruno Mars sample is 24K Magic for the EARS.

    LOVE. made me cry when I listened to it. It’s beautiful, that’s just all there is to it. ELEMENT., LUST. and GOD. got Kendrick singing those smoooth ass choruses. Like where this Kenny been???? Laughing to the bank like AHA    LOYALTY. is just two goats trading verses like they’re spitting lighter fluid over a bonfire. Plus the reversed Bruno Mars sample is 24K Magic for the EARS.

    LOVE. made me cry when I listened to it. It’s beautiful, that’s just all there is to it.

    ELEMENT., LUST. and GOD. got Kendrick singing those smoooth ass choruses. Like where this Kenny been????

    Laughing to the bank like AHA
    10/10    … Expand
  24. jimla
    May 16, 2017
    10
    This album is in my TOP 5 best rap albums ever. Great, masterpiece. 9.9/10.........................................................................................................................................
  25. s0beit2015
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    Great album overall. It find itself somewhere between TPAB and GKMC. Some of the tracks do take more than one listen though. It follows a similar pattern as TPAB with alot of instruments in the background.
  26. wesmith1
    Apr 15, 2017
    10
    Well, what can I say? He did it again. Kendrick already changed the face of hip hop with his conceptual albums with their distinctive sound, going all over the place with black music and giving it new life. About his lyrics, what I appreciate the most is that he can make conscious rap without being preachy, he criticizes the aspects of relations of his world but also criticizes himself,Well, what can I say? He did it again. Kendrick already changed the face of hip hop with his conceptual albums with their distinctive sound, going all over the place with black music and giving it new life. About his lyrics, what I appreciate the most is that he can make conscious rap without being preachy, he criticizes the aspects of relations of his world but also criticizes himself, hell, sometimes even criticizes the fact that he is criticizing other people or other atitudes. Still, he never is a full downer, he knows when to tackle heavier themes but also knows that he has to keep a high self esteem, recognizes everyone has to brag once in a while. And with DAMN. it looks like he mastered that skill, it takes that ''criticism of the world" thing head on, questioning nowadays hip hop and the many feelings a personality in that field goes through. It's a study of kendrick's character, not exactly a personal evolution through an experience like he was in his "short film" good kid maad city for example. There is a lot more anger here, in his lyrics and delivery, which results in a more honest and hard hitting sound, which is something I love he is going back to, (the blacker the berry is probably my favourite song by him) having some pretty insane flows, also changing between them many times in his songs, alongside with the beats (the production on this thing, oh god), and all that never seems jarring, it all fits seamlessly, having quite the consistent tone and song quality. The tracks here work conceptually quite well, but also with a lot of replay value individually, I can't even name which ones are they because it's pretty much all of it. And like I mentioned before, the production on this thing is masterful, with a lot of variety on beats and instrumentals, there's something for everyone here. Hell there's U2 in one of the features and it actually works beautifully. Is it better than the previous albums though? Well, I'll need to give it more listens, but this surely goes toe to toe with good kid as for right now, and it had more replayability than TPAB for me, which I think is a fantastic album with surely the best concept he made so far, but I don't believe it has as many tracks that are great to listen to individually than DAMN., but all of these albums are pretty much on the same level to me, and I can't really say anything bad about any of them, it's really a fantastic career which might be the best one in hip hop of all time. Congratulations, Kung Fu Kenny, keep dropping this amazing music… Expand
  27. yoshimon3
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    Take everything that makes Kendrick great, add a Madlib sense of adventure and bizarreness, add braggadocio, make Kendrick drop bars on his struggle with fame and still that political **** with more subtelty (not addressing the problem) and add features that should NOT work but somehow did, and you get a masterpiece that ranks high in Kendrick's career, more than GKMC for me at thisTake everything that makes Kendrick great, add a Madlib sense of adventure and bizarreness, add braggadocio, make Kendrick drop bars on his struggle with fame and still that political **** with more subtelty (not addressing the problem) and add features that should NOT work but somehow did, and you get a masterpiece that ranks high in Kendrick's career, more than GKMC for me at this point. It was nice knowing you, 2017. Also, DUCKWORTH will leave you speechless. 9.7/10, rounds up to a 10… Expand
  28. Brian8781
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    Another brilliant masterpiece by Kendrick Lamar once again. Everything from the lyrics, flow, and production are just amazing. Going to be quite difficult to see if another rap album will be better than this in 2017.
  29. dj_wet_dreamz
    Apr 16, 2017
    10
    This album might be one of the best albums to ever hit the PLANET EARTH. I say PLANET EARTH because KUNG FU KENNY is not on PLANET EARTH when he makes his music. He kidnaps all of the producers, engineers, and musicians to a PLANET called GREATNESS. KUNG FU KENNY was sent to PLANET EARTH to put this rap game in its proper perspective. The album so good you don't think about "HUMBLE." YouThis album might be one of the best albums to ever hit the PLANET EARTH. I say PLANET EARTH because KUNG FU KENNY is not on PLANET EARTH when he makes his music. He kidnaps all of the producers, engineers, and musicians to a PLANET called GREATNESS. KUNG FU KENNY was sent to PLANET EARTH to put this rap game in its proper perspective. The album so good you don't think about "HUMBLE." You just let the album flow in its entirety. I have listened to a lot of albums and this is on a mountain of its own. KUNG FU KENNY has his own lane. This album is on its own plane. This album is nothing short of GREAT.… Expand
  30. Solsun
    Apr 14, 2017
    10
    This album was Kendrick changing his sound and offering something different than his previous albums. A great listen from start to end, still need to listen a couple more times to unpack the lyrics
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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.
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  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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