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. GodfatherBraylo
    Apr 25, 2018
    10
    To Pimp A Butterfly could be considered of (if not thee) best rap album of all time.
  2. Swift_Milo
    May 28, 2018
    10
    Just going back to this album, it's still a very deep hearing experience. To Pimp a Butterfly in my opinion is one of Kendrick's best albums. With the red vs. blue atheistic, like God vs. The Devil. In this album, I feel like Kendrick Lamar took all his past albums, but he flipped it and made it creative. Tracks like "Alright" and "i" are more or less carefree songs, however, it still hasJust going back to this album, it's still a very deep hearing experience. To Pimp a Butterfly in my opinion is one of Kendrick's best albums. With the red vs. blue atheistic, like God vs. The Devil. In this album, I feel like Kendrick Lamar took all his past albums, but he flipped it and made it creative. Tracks like "Alright" and "i" are more or less carefree songs, however, it still has deep lyrics.

    To Pimp A Butterfly is a amazing album and I recommend all people who don't listen to hip-hop to try this album out, along side "DAMN.". Both are amazing experiences and this album may even get you into hip-hop.    … Expand
  3. Connorcox1997
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    TPAB is a Masterpiece. All the songs are fantastic, the Beats are beautiful, and the Production on the album are on fire. TPAB is one of the best of Kendrick Lamar's Career, one of the best albums of 2015, one of the greatest albums of all time, and one of the best that Top Dawg Entertainment has to offer. I highly recommended.
  4. 4za
    Apr 12, 2018
    10
    Easily my favourite album of all time. I have literally no negatives with this album. It's beautiful. While Kendrick doesn't come through with bangers or bars on every song, he comes through with thought-provoking topics and stories that all lead up to the amazing climax of the album. This is a musician's rap album, the jazz influenced instrumentals accompany the album so well with some ofEasily my favourite album of all time. I have literally no negatives with this album. It's beautiful. While Kendrick doesn't come through with bangers or bars on every song, he comes through with thought-provoking topics and stories that all lead up to the amazing climax of the album. This is a musician's rap album, the jazz influenced instrumentals accompany the album so well with some of the best production on an album in the past decade. A near flawless album.… Expand
  5. ryancarlino22
    Apr 17, 2018
    10
    This will go down as one of the greatest albums of this decade. Brilliant storytelling as well as social commentary throughout. Kendrick's magnum opus
  6. Gamemod
    Aug 8, 2018
    10
    I can see why everyone loves this album. The best album of 2015........................................
  7. SuperLuigi22
    May 12, 2018
    10
    In my opinion, this is the best album ever written and recorded. There is no album that gives me the same enjoyment or fulfillment that this album gives me. I'm not usually a lyrical kind of guy, but this album piques my interest in both the musical aspect and the lyrical aspect. It's such an interesting hip hop record. A wonderful fusion of classic West Coast hip hop sounds in a veryIn my opinion, this is the best album ever written and recorded. There is no album that gives me the same enjoyment or fulfillment that this album gives me. I'm not usually a lyrical kind of guy, but this album piques my interest in both the musical aspect and the lyrical aspect. It's such an interesting hip hop record. A wonderful fusion of classic West Coast hip hop sounds in a very experimental and diverse way, with influences from jazz rap and neo-soul coming into play. Kendrick's flow is impeccable and strange, and the album is tied up beautifully with individual poems that are recited that eventually come into one whole thing. I recommend this to not only hip hop fans, but to fans of any type of music; if you don't like hip hop, this album will surely change your mind. It opened my mind to the genre and to other music in general.… Expand
  8. seancoz
    Jul 20, 2020
    10
    To Pimp a Butterfly is one of the best albums I have ever listened to and my all time favorite album in any genre. That may make it seem like I’m bias but this album is a classic and a 10/10 album, even in the eyes of people who aren’t big hip hop fans or just fans of Kendrick Lamar or any of his songs at all. The fusion of genres, the production, the lyrics perfectly placed guest featuresTo Pimp a Butterfly is one of the best albums I have ever listened to and my all time favorite album in any genre. That may make it seem like I’m bias but this album is a classic and a 10/10 album, even in the eyes of people who aren’t big hip hop fans or just fans of Kendrick Lamar or any of his songs at all. The fusion of genres, the production, the lyrics perfectly placed guest features and the overall flow of the album are just some of the things that make this album so great and timeless. This album seems like it will always be relevant and fitting in whatever political or social landscape we are in, and while that may be sad, being that this album is about life as an African American or Black citizen in this country and the struggles and hurdles that it brings on a human being, this is a perfect album to rebel to, and every revolution needs a soundtrack. It’s been well over 5 years since this album released but it never gets old will still give me goosebumps when listening to the beauty and emotion inside the hour and nineteen minutes of audio of To Pimp a Butterfly. A truly classic and timeless album from one of the best hip hop artists and one of the best artists of all time in terms of any genre and as time passes, To Pimp a Butterfly only seems to grow more important and improve as you look back on it and as you listen it.… Expand
  9. C_dot
    Dec 3, 2018
    10
    As close to perfect as an album can get. Kendrick Lamar masterfully weaves in interludes and skits on this 16 track, hour and 19 minute masterpiece. TPAB is a timeless classic and is easily one of the best hip hop albums of all time. The lyrics are real and amazing as Kendrick explores politics, social issues, and various other major topics. He provides an awesome and refreshing jazz rapAs close to perfect as an album can get. Kendrick Lamar masterfully weaves in interludes and skits on this 16 track, hour and 19 minute masterpiece. TPAB is a timeless classic and is easily one of the best hip hop albums of all time. The lyrics are real and amazing as Kendrick explores politics, social issues, and various other major topics. He provides an awesome and refreshing jazz rap production to go with various voices and flows, which Lamar is known to be a master of.… Expand
  10. M64
    Jul 23, 2018
    10
    An album that’ll most likely stand the test of time as one of the most significant rap albums of all time. I has amazing production, powerful lyrics, and shows the struggles of the African-American community in an era where there’s political uncertainty.
  11. EMISter
    Jul 17, 2018
    10
    There are albums that will be forever burned into the crevasses of your mind and will live on in your stream of thoughts. And I'm here to say that To Pimp A Butterfly is one of those albums. An absolute masterpiece.
  12. Zx4aaE
    Jul 13, 2019
    10
    i mean come on it's to pimp a butterfly, it's one of the most acclaimed albums ever made, let alone in the 2010s
  13. Atum_
    Jun 8, 2020
    10
    This is my favorite album ever. The first ever album I got on vinyl. I think it's one of those albums that, unfortunately, always will remain relevant. This album is just so different from everything else. The instrumentals, Kendrick's lyrics and the narrative thread is all things that are worthy dissecting and studying. The narrative poem growing thoughout the album, and then concludingThis is my favorite album ever. The first ever album I got on vinyl. I think it's one of those albums that, unfortunately, always will remain relevant. This album is just so different from everything else. The instrumentals, Kendrick's lyrics and the narrative thread is all things that are worthy dissecting and studying. The narrative poem growing thoughout the album, and then concluding with a 2Pac interview is just truly a stroke of genius and a great way for Kendrick to get his point even further across: 2Pac was fighting for and writing about the same he is 20 years later, which illustrates the problem that racism is still alive and breathing. This album truly has no bad tracks, they're all so different in a multitude of ways. Personally my favorite track is Alright, who became an anthem for the black lives matter movement, in 2015 and againg in 2020 when the George Floyd riots started. This album will never be topped, this is the peak of hip-hop.… Expand
  14. zeltyy
    Nov 10, 2018
    10
    The deeper meaning, top-tier production with jazzy beats and great lyricism, To Pimp a Butterfly will go down as one of the greatest albums of hip-hop history. Perfect 10.
  15. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 20, 2021
    10
    This is more than an album it is a performance. A grand gratifying claim to a throne that only Kendrick previously held . Taking a sharp but logical turn from the hoodrap of good kid mad city Lamar's storytelling takes prescience again this time in the company of thick jazz. Pulling inspirations not just from different genres but people such as Nelson Mandela ,locations amd historiesThis is more than an album it is a performance. A grand gratifying claim to a throne that only Kendrick previously held . Taking a sharp but logical turn from the hoodrap of good kid mad city Lamar's storytelling takes prescience again this time in the company of thick jazz. Pulling inspirations not just from different genres but people such as Nelson Mandela ,locations amd histories Kendrick leaves no stone unturned. Where a record of this magnitude could've become a dense anti commercial cult classic Kdots ear for hooks and punchline make it the most accessible isolating opus of recent memory. Beloved for the right reasons this quasi-"live" masterpiece has an improvisational quality that makes jazz so admired.

    Reminiscent of a great novel in the likes of Toni Morrison or Ralph Ellison this album goes on telling personal real stories about poignant black experiences such as mass incarceration, institutionalization, depression, addiction, generational trauma and love. Raw and uncompromising,Kendrick returns to using his voice as an instrument that takes diffrent tones&pitches to convey changing perspectives.

    Funny,dark,funky and groovey to rely on words to capture the experience this record promises is to rob yourself of the spectacle of the first listen.    … Expand
  16. marcusxavier
    Dec 22, 2018
    10
    The best hip hop album I've heard in my life, tied with illmatic, that's all i've got to say. Period point blank!
  17. tpabisa10
    Mar 7, 2019
    10
    Absolutely necessary. Kendrick has made one of the most essential and brilliant albums in years. The lyricism and commentary is completely air tight, and the music itself defies categorization. I'm sure that some people on metacritic don't like this album, but keep in mind these same people gave MMLP2 10s.
  18. Ciuffo
    Nov 3, 2019
    10
    Incredible album, almost perfect i should say. I haven't seen such a great album for quite a while. The sound is just incredible and most of the song feel like poems for example the intro of most of the songs where Kendrick is not even singing, just telling you a poem, a poem we find out, in Mortal man, that was dedicaded to 2pac
    I think the oly reason albums like Ghosteen or Ten Freedom    Incredible album, almost perfect i should say. I haven't seen such a great album for quite a while. The sound is just incredible and most of the song feel like poems for example the intro of most of the songs where Kendrick is not even singing, just telling you a poem, a poem we find out, in Mortal man, that was dedicaded to 2pac
    I think the oly reason albums like Ghosteen or Ten Freedom Summers have higher reviews is because they have a tenth of to pimp a butterfly reviews    … Expand
  19. harshsb
    Mar 2, 2019
    10
    "To Pimp a Butterfly," to this day remains, unequivocally, one of hip-hop's most important projects, telling the tale of Kendrick Lamar and his struggles as an African-American in the 21st Century, and his Self-Reflection on what truly matters the most to him. With contemporary jazz and experimenting with a wide variety of sounds, Kendrick has perfected the sound of TPAB, filling every"To Pimp a Butterfly," to this day remains, unequivocally, one of hip-hop's most important projects, telling the tale of Kendrick Lamar and his struggles as an African-American in the 21st Century, and his Self-Reflection on what truly matters the most to him. With contemporary jazz and experimenting with a wide variety of sounds, Kendrick has perfected the sound of TPAB, filling every nook and cranny with detail. Part of the reason why TPAB was and is so astounding is simply due to Kendrick's pure lyrical ability to tell stories, unrivalled and unmatched by any other artist, Kendrick uses his wordcraft as a tool to paint a picture in your head, a picture that stays and resonates with you, making you create a personal connection with the album. TPAB is simply Kendrick Lamar at his finest.… Expand
  20. 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.
  21. bilborox2
    Apr 2, 2019
    10
    This album is great for various reasons. It has many memorable tracks such as Alright, King Kunta, and These Walls. Kendrick improves on his craft and really takes it to another level!
  22. ea_sergio24
    May 28, 2019
    10
    Most unique album ever known to mankind. All of kendrick's voices are present: enraged, sympathetic, high pitched, rough-edged, panic-driven, authority voice and many more. He manages to outline all the problems within the society. It deserves to be the most acclaimed hip hop album of this decade.
  23. dylancam812
    May 31, 2019
    10
    Just about as close to perfect as you can get. Its incredible that Kendrick was able to one up himself after dropping a project like GKMC.
  24. SovirakchhaiS
    Sep 9, 2019
    10
    I have no negative thing to say about this album. This is one of the greatest rap album of all time, even Kendrick's best album so far! This is an instant classic and a masterpiece! Nothing to say more. sorry.
  25. Pokenight
    Sep 3, 2022
    10
    Hey its me kung fu kenny
    Here to rap
    Rippidy rap
    That's my attack
    On you
    The bad guys
    Yean man
    Poo poo poo
  26. LukeKirkbright
    Jun 21, 2019
    10
    An absolute masterpiece that will act as a time capsule for generations to come of the first 2 decades of this century.
  27. Drr23788
    Jun 29, 2019
    10
    Masterpiece!!! That’s all I got to say. I still play this album front to back at least 6 or 7 times a year.
  28. Josuerl2808
    May 10, 2020
    10
    Masterpiece. Kendrick presents a new way to understand the Hip Hop. Beautiful poem. Wonderful experience and instrumentalization.
  29. aukalender
    Jul 11, 2019
    10
    A perfect 10. This album is a work of art. Kendrick Lamar is a genius. Rap is not just mumble or gangster, this is literature, poetry, social commentary, and beats all rolled into one. I really cannot get over how many great songs there are here. Complexion, Hood Politics, Alright, King Kunta, Institutionalized are some of my favorite Kendrick songs and I believe they truly deserve deeperA perfect 10. This album is a work of art. Kendrick Lamar is a genius. Rap is not just mumble or gangster, this is literature, poetry, social commentary, and beats all rolled into one. I really cannot get over how many great songs there are here. Complexion, Hood Politics, Alright, King Kunta, Institutionalized are some of my favorite Kendrick songs and I believe they truly deserve deeper dives into their meanings. I don't think anyone will ever produce a better hip-hop album.… Expand
  30. Tobuscusfan2007
    Jul 11, 2019
    10
    Greatest album of all time. One of the few albums I consider perfect. My life would not be the same without this album.
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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 »