- Record Label: Interscope / Aftermath
- Release Date: Mar 16, 2015
User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 4386 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 3,962 out of 4386
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Mixed: 91 out of 4386
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Negative: 333 out of 4386
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Sep 18, 2015this is amazing. no one will ever be like kendrick lamar, his art is perfected. Every song is made to perfection, the story is embedded so well in the music. The story is amazing to listen to.
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Jul 8, 2015
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Sep 20, 2015A modern masterpiece of ironclad social politics, piercing lyricism, fiercer-than-fierce song-writing that some would say puts the likes of NWA to shame, and with an ever-present enthusiasm from Kendrick Lamar. This album is a straight-forward, in-your-face statement wrapped in poetry and imagery stronger than I think anyone was anticipating.
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Aug 1, 2015Incredible Album, nothing more really needs to be said. Kendrick manage to do the unthinkable and made an album better than GKMC. No other rap album in 2015 will top this.
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Sep 13, 2015
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Aug 6, 2015Incredible album and Kendrick's magnum opus. Honestly, it took me a while for all components of this album to click but now that they all do, whew......
Favourite tracks:
momma
Blacker the berry
You ain't gotta lie
Alright
These walls
U
Is it a classic? Time will only tell, but it's really good -
Aug 11, 2015
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Sep 12, 2015
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Aug 29, 2015Everytime i listen to TPAB i feel so empowered to unite against the police and the rich white man which is quite impressive considering i'm a rich white man
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Aug 29, 2015
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Jan 22, 2016The best album of 2015 and quite possibly one of the greatest albums of all time. To Pimp a Butterfly is a movement, and it's one that you can listen to time and time again.
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Sep 24, 2015
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Sep 26, 2015
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Oct 6, 2015Listening to this album from start to finish, while analyzing every lyric, may have been the greatest musical experience of my life to date. Kendrick does not disappoint in his newest concept album, which hits its climax at the track, "The Blacker the Berry." Possibly the best work of 2015, and Kendrick's best album ever.
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Oct 27, 2015This is an album that both takes the old school of hip-hop and blends with neo-funk, and true spoken word, and modern electronica. This is easily one of the greatest albums of the decade so far (written in 2015) and this album will definitely be established as one of the greatest rap albums of all time.
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Dec 30, 2015King Kendrick! You've done it again! Its a **** masterpiece don't care if you don't like rap or hip hop this album is fantastic, tells a story, a poignant, relevant album and a well deserved AOTY on metacritic.
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Oct 15, 2015To Pimp a Butterfly to say in the least, was one of the greatest works of art in the 21 century. The quality and content of the album was superb, and surpassed all of my expectations.
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Oct 17, 2015
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Oct 19, 2015A masterpiece if ever there was one. A classic and a half. Simply brilliant.
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Jan 2, 2016
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Nov 25, 2015This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
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Nov 30, 2015King Kendrick continue to lead the rap game. This album is an amazing continuation of his legacy, and the outro with Pac is perfect. In my opinion, Kendrick is the realization of the mind that Pac sparked that will change the world. If you like Kendrick, check out this album, it's excellent.
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Nov 24, 2015Kendrick Lamar is a lyrical genius full of soul and passion. Listening to this album like I do many times, going back to most artist's music is impossible. His flow and creative style and the amount of deep analysis he puts into the music is unmatched. KENDRICK LAMAR IS KING KUNTA.
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Dec 1, 2015LA doin' big things again. It's good to see anotha young **** from the block holdin' it down for LA and Compton. The legends supportin' you, son. Big Daddy Kane supports this album.
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Dec 8, 2015Its hard to comprehend the fact that Kendrick could have to upstaged the masterpiece that was "Good Kid, Maad City" but he did. This LP takes us into another sound that keeps the rap feel but with instrumentals that have never been heard on this big of a scale. The messages, stories, and beats make this album a benchmark in not only Hip-Hop history, but all of music...
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Dec 7, 2015I saw the reviews calling it a classic when it came out. I didn't have time to listen to it so I waited, without any opinion formed yet. After a couple of months I came back to it, I discovered the story of the album (the collage of situations to be more precise), the emotional end, the meaning of the title, and I fell in love with TPAB. The production is superb also.
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Jan 8, 2016The best album of 2015, even if I prefer 'If you're reading this it's too late'. :) Best tracks: 'King Kunta', 'Alright', 'The Blacker The Berry'. 10/10
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Dec 23, 2015This album better get a Grammy for a lot of things! Lots of Grammys and lots of awards! This album has so much meaning and lyrical flow to it! I couldn't ask for a better purchase when I took a trip with my band class to Tennessee!
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Dec 24, 2015After first hearing this work of art I couldn't handle how amazing it is. Kendrick Lamar went all funky on this one. A one of a kind poet. This is a legendary rap album.
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Jan 8, 2016
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May 1, 2016I know i have to use 150 characters but you only need 1 to sum up this album. Masterpiece. Kendrick Lamar has really emerged as the top name in rap at the moment and it is absolutely justified on the beautiful heartbreaking LP.
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Jan 30, 2016when i first listened to this album i was not feeling i loved Kendrick's other work (good kid m.A.A.d city) i decided to go back to it and it is now one of my favorite albums of all time. truly a masterpiece
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Feb 5, 2016This is an album for people who truly appreciate music and many different genres and don't listen to crap trap just to drink and "turn up to". This is an album that you need a high IQ to understand and is the album of a life time and is by far my favorite ever.
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Feb 5, 2016My expectations for this album were incredibly high after good kid, m.A.A.d city, but To Pimp a Butterfly still blew my mind. It takes you on a journey through musical styles and emotions. Simply a masterpiece.
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Feb 8, 2016The night this album was released, I listened to it, and right after the last song, i said to myself "This is the album of the year." And in one week, it will be.
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Feb 18, 2016This is an album that will stand the test of time. Kendrick lays down raw, unfiltered, and conscious poetry to incredible tracks that blend funk, jazz, and hip hop. His best work yet.
Favorite Tracks: Wesley's Theory, For Free? (Interlude), King Kunta, Institutionalized, u, Alright, Momma, Hood Politics, How Much a Dollar Cost, The Blacker the Berry, and i. -
Feb 16, 2016This is the best work of Kendrick and one of the Best albums of 2015 for sure... That's it!
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May 1, 2016Incredibly dense and powerful album from start to finish, that seems to only reveal more with repeated listens and sound consistently amazing with age.
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Feb 23, 2016
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Feb 26, 2016Perfect album. innovative, creative, beautiful, political, intense, meaningful, complex, unbelievable flows, unbelievable beats, unbelievable instrumental and vocal performances from anna wise, great production by flying lotus, and outstanding instrumental work from artists like kamasi Washington and thundercat nominated for 11 grammys and should have won every one.
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Mar 14, 2016This album is amazing. Everything from the creative way of mixing jazz, funk, soul, and hip hop to the writing was near perfection. The content, lyrics, content, and instrumentals were amazing.
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Mar 15, 2016This is a very well developed album from Kendrick Lamar. Somehow he always maintains to give the listener a message to think about. In a time where rappers are focused on cadence and melodic flows..Kendrick still stays true to himself by delivering some technical rhyme schemes and patterns. His message and lyrical ability fused with funk creates something unique to modern rap music.
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Mar 27, 2016
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Aug 9, 201610.0
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz -
Apr 10, 2016
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Apr 23, 2016
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May 1, 2016god touched this album. this album is literally perfect in every way imaginable. this is the second - if not the greatest - rap album ever. all hail king kendrick.
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May 30, 2016
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Jun 3, 2016
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Aug 19, 2016
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Jul 15, 2016
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Aug 1, 2018
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Jul 5, 2017
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May 14, 2017This is a great album. I was enjoying myself through every song and interlude. This album had a great concept, and I can't wait to see what's next for Kendrick.
Favorite tracks: Wesley's Theory, King Kunta, Institutionalized, Momma, Hood Politics, How Much a Dollar Cost, The Blacker the Berry
Least favorite track: Mortal Man
Rating: 10/10 -
Jun 9, 2017This album raised the hip-hop bar to the sky and above. No one in the game right now can touch Kendrick Lamar. Taylor Swift winning album of the year is the single largest mistake in Grammy history.
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Feb 16, 2017This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
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Mar 8, 2017
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Dec 9, 2016The Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band of Hip-Hop/Rap. Instant classic and definitely a benchmark in music history. I have no more words to explain how legendary this piece of art is. 11/10.
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Apr 23, 2017
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Dec 19, 2016
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Apr 19, 2017There's nothing I can say about this legendary album that hasn't already been said before. This is a beautiful project that promotes self love and unity amongst the black community. Definitely a classic, and solidifies Kendrick as one of the best to ever do it.
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Jan 9, 2017
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Aug 25, 2018A truly phenomenal experience. The lyrics are deep, the beats are intoxicating and the experience gets better with every subsequent listen. My favourite hip hop album of all time, Kendrick should be proud of the masterpiece he’s made here
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Mar 6, 2017This album has created its own genre. Rap is heading in a different direction from the ballsy gangster rap and for good reason. Conscious, politically charged and introspective.
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Mar 11, 2017I rarely give 10s or even 9s to rap albums, but this one's special. Kendrick talks about the issues his people back home are facing. Not much else to say, this album is just fantastic.
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Jun 18, 2017
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Mar 27, 2017Just perfection. You can't do anything but love the beats, the delivery, and the story behind every single song. When I first listened to this album, I didn't like it. It was too weird, but the more I opened my ears to how meticulous every words is how unique the beats are, it's seriously hard to say "what could have done more?"
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Apr 19, 2017Kendrick delivered the greatest piece of art in hip hop history. The production is amazing, storytelling is amazing, his lyricism is always amazing. The concept of the album blows your mind when the whole album is unraveled. No doubt my favorite album of all time.
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Apr 7, 2017This was an amazing Album, Kendrick yet again makes music for an album like he's writing a book. would recommend it to anyone who likes hip-hop that paints a picture and tells an engaging and interesting story of trials and tribulations and personal suffering.
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Apr 15, 2017
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Apr 15, 2017This is a 10/10 album. Kendrick had it all, language - theme album - perfect composition - nice mix - wonderful cooperators, excellent choices and perfect mixed genres. Also Kendrick shows us some characters with his voice. This album is made outside of the box. Respect.
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Apr 15, 2017This album is the greatest i have ever listened to, this album is the reason why i love rap, this album is PERFECT. Every song fits and its all interesting and it makes you engaged and every song leads up to a MIND blowing ending.
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Apr 16, 2017
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Apr 16, 2017
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Dec 18, 2017
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Apr 22, 2017This album combines elements of hip-hop, jazz, funk, rock, trap and much more, while sound incredible throughout. Kendrick's lyrics, flow, rhymes and concepts are astonishing. 10/10
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Apr 27, 2017The best album of 2015, and probably the decade. So rich in sounds, so deep in lyrics, so well enginereed that even though I didn't think that Kendrick could not ever top Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, he certainly did it with TPAB.
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May 8, 2017Kendrick Lamar is at the peak of his craft with this album. The beautiful mix of jazz and hip-hop along with the story and issues he attempts to and successfully tackles in this introspective, social commentating masterpiece solidify his place as one the genre's all-time greats.
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May 11, 2017This album was so rich and so soundfull, i love how Kendrick mixed between smooth jazz and rap and i loved the lyrics they were so deep, i think thats the best album of 2015 or i can the best album of the decade so far.
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May 23, 2017To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar makes me proud to be black... and I'm white. Absolute art in every way.
Best songs: How Much a Dollar Cost / u / Alright -
Jun 4, 2017The greatest hip hop album of all time. Production is funky, jazzy, tear-jerking, banging and philosophical all at once. Lyrics are poetic, deep, and playful. So much meaning behind it, and it is conveyed in a beautiful way. I'd say it's the only hip hop album to be in the top 20 albums of all time.
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Jun 21, 2017Has anyone ever done something like this? This is pure art, pure poetry, Lamar at his best. The lyrics, the sounds, the beats, everything is just so perfect. And that finale, maaaan. One of the best albums ever, period!
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Jul 18, 2017
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Dec 21, 2017Definitely the greatest hip hop album of the 21st century, one of the greatest and most important albums in the past 20 years. Truly a modern classic that will be studied and admired for generations to come.
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Jul 26, 2017On of the greatest games ever created! The devotion and care the people at paradox interactive took to maintain and improve this game. Truly a modern masterpiece!
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Aug 18, 2017
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Mar 29, 2018A Beautiful album with layers and upon layers of interesting themes and topics
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Jan 12, 2019
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Sep 24, 2017Masterpiece. Grasping the concept of individual songs throughout the album ultimately paint the pure art of this album. Complex lyrics and jazz/funk infused hip-hop beats lay the foundations of the best body of work this decade.
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Oct 30, 2017
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Mar 14, 2018There's not a bad thing I can say about this piece of art. Kendrick just surpassed himself. Every track is filled with a meaning and also catchy as hell. Gonna be my favorite for years. Thank God for Kendrick!
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Nov 8, 2017Instant classic by the best rapper on Earth dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooont @ me
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Nov 9, 2017
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Nov 24, 2017A modern masterpiece. In my opinion, the height of Kendrick Lamars' remarkable career. TPaB's content is so refreshingly different to that of today's mainstream hip hop, Kendrick addressees political topics, societal ones and confronts his own feelings, both positive and negative. The best album since the turn of the century.
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Nov 24, 2017
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Dec 4, 2017
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May 16, 2018To Pimp a Butterfly is probably one of the best albums that I've ever heard. Every song on this album has a story to tell and a very deep message. Kendrick knows how to write songs and also perform them amazingly. The production is great and the songs are incredibly catchy. In the end, listen to it.
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Jan 3, 2018
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Feb 1, 2018
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Feb 8, 2018This album is just perfect. The lyrics are perfect, the music is perfect, the production is perfect, the content is perfect, the concept is perfect ...
It is undoubtedly the greatests rap album of all time.
Awards & Rankings
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The WireMay 15, 2015Lamar 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]
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The SourceMay 6, 2015Each 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]
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Q MagazineApr 29, 2015It's a challenging, ambitious combination of words and music that becomes increasingly absorbing over time. [Jun 2015, p.103]