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. JulianY
    Sep 13, 2015
    10
    I cannot believe how much this album has grown on me and quickly become my number one album of all time. Granted, I don't spend much time listening to much music, but the love I have for this album is beyond anything I have for all the rest I have listened to. The lyrics are rich yet digestible, relatable and full of soul. The delivery Kendrick brings to this album is perfection, showingI cannot believe how much this album has grown on me and quickly become my number one album of all time. Granted, I don't spend much time listening to much music, but the love I have for this album is beyond anything I have for all the rest I have listened to. The lyrics are rich yet digestible, relatable and full of soul. The delivery Kendrick brings to this album is perfection, showing the amount of care and attention he gives to his work. Anybody who has an even remote love of musical talent and artwork needs to listen to this. I do not say that lightly. It only gets better with age, and I know I and everyone else who loves this masterpiece will be listening to this for a very very long time.… Expand
  2. TomaAmer
    Sep 12, 2015
    10
    Probably the best hip-hop album of this last decade, one that ought to be remembered.
    Incredible production, original and sometimes requiring more than one listen to be appreciated at its true value.
    Deep lyrics, with a real protest message which is terribly missing in the actual us rap industry, and that fits remarkably to the time in which it has been released (awareness of the still    Probably the best hip-hop album of this last decade, one that ought to be remembered.
    Incredible production, original and sometimes requiring more than one listen to be appreciated at its true value.
    Deep lyrics, with a real protest message which is terribly missing in the actual us rap industry, and that fits remarkably to the time in which it has been released (awareness of the still existing racism in the us).
    Great concept albums, impressive live performances, beautiful music videos; it feels like Kendrick Lamar couldn't possibly release anything that isn't a masterpiece lately. The only way he could release something bad is if he teamed up with Taylor Swift.    … Expand
  3. KR1527
    Sep 11, 2015
    3
    I was a huge fan of Section 80 and good kid, m.A.A.d city but this album is so hard to listen to. I find it way too politically themed and no fun. Very disappointed in this album.
  4. Bigcrouton
    Sep 9, 2015
    9
    I loved Good Kid/M.A.A.D City **** Don't Kill My Vibe was my soothing, sonic balm for months). Butterfly may be even better. I love the jazz infusion. I love the funk. So much of it is downright gorgeous. After 25+ listens, I still haven't got all the lyrics down, but that's a very good excuse for another 25 listens. Question, though: Is it o.k. for a white boy to sing "every ****I loved Good Kid/M.A.A.D City **** Don't Kill My Vibe was my soothing, sonic balm for months). Butterfly may be even better. I love the jazz infusion. I love the funk. So much of it is downright gorgeous. After 25+ listens, I still haven't got all the lyrics down, but that's a very good excuse for another 25 listens. Question, though: Is it o.k. for a white boy to sing "every **** is a star" at the top of his lungs in the privacy of his own home?… Expand
  5. ameb_14
    Aug 29, 2015
    10
    To Pimp A Butterfly is an incredible album, filled with incredible sounds and real meaningful content. All tracks tell a different story and never fail to entertain. An incredible entry into an outstanding and very aware artists career and into hip hop history. The jazzy and classical sounds may steer fans of the more mainstream good kid, m.A.Ad city away, but a true hip hop listener willTo Pimp A Butterfly is an incredible album, filled with incredible sounds and real meaningful content. All tracks tell a different story and never fail to entertain. An incredible entry into an outstanding and very aware artists career and into hip hop history. The jazzy and classical sounds may steer fans of the more mainstream good kid, m.A.Ad city away, but a true hip hop listener will understand and appreciate the message being given out that Kendrick Lamar has gifted us with. From the west coast sounds in "King Kunta", to the boom bap styled "The Blacker The Berry", this record truly shows the creative genius of Hip Hop's current number 1.… Expand
  6. adamm
    Aug 29, 2015
    10
    Everytime 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
  7. TheKavehJ
    Aug 25, 2015
    10
    To Pimp A Butterfly is amazing, do not listen to all the haters. The songs are catchy, and all have great meanings. This albums could qualify as one of the best Rap albums of the year.
  8. nirvanafreak
    Aug 12, 2015
    10
    To Pimp A Butterfly is a beautifully crafted and dense piece of work that addresses social issues very relevant to the modern day world. Ive probably listened to it about 10 times since March and it takes me on an emotional journey every time. I'm in awe every time it gets to the end of Mortal Man. There are so many styles of music on here but Kendrick pulls it all together to create aTo Pimp A Butterfly is a beautifully crafted and dense piece of work that addresses social issues very relevant to the modern day world. Ive probably listened to it about 10 times since March and it takes me on an emotional journey every time. I'm in awe every time it gets to the end of Mortal Man. There are so many styles of music on here but Kendrick pulls it all together to create a masterpiece.… Expand
  9. dj_wet_dreamz
    Aug 11, 2015
    10
    The best album EVER!!!!!! If it's not the best album ever, it's the best RAP ALBUM EVER!!!!!!! This album is a masterpiece to say the least. This album is so amazing and original to the point you wonder what can this guy do next (he's already done everything). Kendrick is one of the few artist in MUSIC history that has dropped two classic albums in a row!!!! That's hard to pull off,The best album EVER!!!!!! If it's not the best album ever, it's the best RAP ALBUM EVER!!!!!!! This album is a masterpiece to say the least. This album is so amazing and original to the point you wonder what can this guy do next (he's already done everything). Kendrick is one of the few artist in MUSIC history that has dropped two classic albums in a row!!!! That's hard to pull off, especially these days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand
  10. kerofaes
    Aug 8, 2015
    10
    Kendrick Lamar definitely go down in history as one of the best representatives of hip hop. This album is also enshrined as one of the best artists of the 21st century.
  11. T-Racks
    Aug 6, 2015
    10
    Incredible 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
  12. Brian8781
    Aug 1, 2015
    10
    Incredible 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.
  13. FredinToronto
    Jul 25, 2015
    6
    I could probably appreciate the genius and the fine music if it weren't for the puerile gutter language. Even if I could tolerate the excessive expletives I could never listen to this in public or in the company of others without suffering embarrassment.
  14. banditpwn
    Jul 21, 2015
    10
    To Pimp a Butterfly is an absolutely brilliant piece of work by one of the best artists in the business. From start to finish, the album tells a cohesive, powerful story driven by Kendrick's skill and passion for music. This has to be hands down one of the best albums I have ever heard, even if I do enjoy some of his work from Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City more as individual songs. I first gotTo Pimp a Butterfly is an absolutely brilliant piece of work by one of the best artists in the business. From start to finish, the album tells a cohesive, powerful story driven by Kendrick's skill and passion for music. This has to be hands down one of the best albums I have ever heard, even if I do enjoy some of his work from Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City more as individual songs. I first got into Kendrick a few years ago and have not regretted it since. Truly an inspirational character with a bright future ahead of him.

    Score: 10, nothing but praise.    … Expand
  15. Arteezy
    Jul 11, 2015
    10
    This is the most mature Kendrick album to date... At 28 years old, instead of doing what 99% of rappers are doing, he discusses love to another extent and brings back politics in rap due to the struggles of African Americans...
    His lyricism is complex and is better than his last two albums...
    When I first heard i last year, I thought that this album would flop but it is his best to date...
  16. melancholia
    Jul 8, 2015
    10
    'To Pimp A Butterfly' by Kendrick Lamar is astounding. It's an album that is filled with poetry and creativity. Lamar expertly shows how emotive and cohesive he can make the album seem. It also helps that the music accompanying is incredible, filled with callbacks to funk and jazz, while making it accessible enough. While some people prefer the expert story telling of 'good kid, m.A.A.d.'To Pimp A Butterfly' by Kendrick Lamar is astounding. It's an album that is filled with poetry and creativity. Lamar expertly shows how emotive and cohesive he can make the album seem. It also helps that the music accompanying is incredible, filled with callbacks to funk and jazz, while making it accessible enough. While some people prefer the expert story telling of 'good kid, m.A.A.d. city', 'To Pimp A Butterfly' has much more ambition, and thus comes off as much more powerful. If you haven't listened to this album yet, you're seriously missing out. This is one of the most creative and ambitious albums, you will hear in 2015.… Expand
  17. Tribulations
    Jul 8, 2015
    8
    It was all good I just couldn't get into the Jazz vibe to much and also Kendrick's Verse structure could've been planned a little more but that is it liked it a lot.
  18. unfk
    Jul 8, 2015
    7
    Its a pretty solid album. Nowhere near as good as GKMC imo, but its still not bad. There are a lot of highpoints, some lowpoints, and mostly mediocre moments. I liked this album, just didnt love it.
  19. cmatth16
    Jul 6, 2015
    10
    Honestly this is one of the best modern hip hop albums that I've heard. By letting some time ago after its debut and being able to fully digest it, I can say that the musicality and lyricism that Kendrick displays on this album surpasses all of his previous material. I've never heard an album like it, and probably never will.
  20. viettungvuong
    Jul 3, 2015
    10
    I don't why can some people hate this album? This is the only good rap album in 2010s. This album is not just about hip hop, it's funk and R&B. Look at on i, King Kunta, The Blacker The Berry or These Walls, these are the album best tracks. Another tracks are good, too. At least this is the album is not talk about sex, drugs, money.
  21. TylerM97
    Jun 30, 2015
    10
    Absolute Classic, a symbol of our generation in the form of pure music and emotion. Highly recommended to lovers of all music.To Pimp a Butterfly will make you reevaluate the way you think about life and those around you. Please listen to the album and support Kendrick Lamar, the best lyrical artist of our time.
  22. loraxdude
    Jun 29, 2015
    10
    Lay down, put your headphones and get ready for an incredible experience. TPAB shows Kendrick's versatility as an artist, as he combines rap with jazz/funk instrumentals, but keeps close to the roots of hip-hop. Kendrick is just as good as ever with his lyrical content, as he tells stories and addresses problems throughout the raps. The album is easy to listen to, but most of all, it is anLay down, put your headphones and get ready for an incredible experience. TPAB shows Kendrick's versatility as an artist, as he combines rap with jazz/funk instrumentals, but keeps close to the roots of hip-hop. Kendrick is just as good as ever with his lyrical content, as he tells stories and addresses problems throughout the raps. The album is easy to listen to, but most of all, it is an incredible piece of artwork. Not much more can be said about the album except, you need to listen to it as soon as possible. If you have already listened to it, go and listen to it again.… Expand
  23. jscity
    Jun 28, 2015
    10
    A rapper created socially conscious music finally. Rightfully so, it came from the best rapper of this generation by leaps and bounds. There is no need for Kendrick to make music meant for the radio when he is releasing albums like this. This album was needed and Kendrick delivered. It definitely takes a few listens to fully appreciate it, but conscious music is not meant to beA rapper created socially conscious music finally. Rightfully so, it came from the best rapper of this generation by leaps and bounds. There is no need for Kendrick to make music meant for the radio when he is releasing albums like this. This album was needed and Kendrick delivered. It definitely takes a few listens to fully appreciate it, but conscious music is not meant to be understood through one listen. Wesley's Theory, Momma, How Much a Dollar Cost, Complexion, and Hood Politics were the highlights for me, but it impacts everyone differently. The album is not meant to be listened to if you want to hear bumping beats or trap music. Every time you listen to this album, it deserves complete focus to understand the power of the words. Sit back on a long car ride or weekend night and enjoy!… Expand
  24. jareddbs
    Jun 27, 2015
    6
    the one thing about kendrick is that his sound sets him apart from others. there is no confusing kendrick with someone else. his second album is a solid one but i think kendrick got lost in trying to be too different rather than just focusing on the music. his first album is a hip hop classic. this is a solid release and i am excited to hear more from him in the future.
  25. Gaber
    Jun 22, 2015
    10
    been a fan of kendrick lamar since I 1st heard of him back in 2012 -I live in Egypt so its hard to stay up todate with art sometimes when you are in a 3rd world country in a time of a revolution-
    Always been expecting more and more of him after knowing him for "Section.80" expressing the revolutionary spirit in me, then i dig to know more about him and i get to hear more from K-Dot    been a fan of kendrick lamar since I 1st heard of him back in 2012 -I live in Egypt so its hard to stay up todate with art sometimes when you are in a 3rd world country in a time of a revolution-
    Always been expecting more and more of him after knowing him for "Section.80" expressing the revolutionary spirit in me, then i dig to know more about him and i get to hear more from K-Dot
    loving the anger in his voice and words was so representing me, I came from the ghettos in Egypt, never been to compton but from what i heard from Kendrick its just a copy of where i came from, so i was relating to him and to his experience coming from the ghettos and then getting himself a chance to be somethin and "to make it" and be out of the hood.
    then came Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and i relate to that more and more
    following up his next album and enjoying it but still was waiting for somethin from him i didnt know what..
    Then he released the single The blacker the berry the sweeter the juice
    and booooom daaaamn this anger these words and the timing the song came out right before a wide movement in egypt for blacklifematter it was so strong
    then came this master piece TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY in the beginning i expected more angry beats funk is chill then i play it again and again and i listen to the words
    mixing angry words with funk chill music this is a crazy mix
    i cant express my self how i love Kendrick and his art but man you are raising the bar introducing us to a new level of hiphop expressing us from Compton to my little Ezba hood in ghettos of Egypt, you are doing this brother and its big
    and i will always expect what's better and stronger
    and yes WHEN **** HITS THE FAN I WILL BE A FAN BROTHER    … Expand
  26. Kingly-Carter
    Jun 14, 2015
    8
    Kendrick Lamar's junior album, is a mixed bag. He provides some excellence tracks, while some seem unnecessary and fail to uphold the album. It's a good album, but lackluster in comparison to Section80, GKMC, and Overly Dedicated. It loses it's replay value.
  27. BigTyCoon
    Jun 13, 2015
    10
    This is easily one of the greatest albums ever made. In any genre. It's up there with the best of the best of the best albums across all time. Kendrick has done something truly mind boggling with this album and with his entire career. His run of classics is now at three and each album is better than the last. This album with some much going on is very easy to digest and understand.This is easily one of the greatest albums ever made. In any genre. It's up there with the best of the best of the best albums across all time. Kendrick has done something truly mind boggling with this album and with his entire career. His run of classics is now at three and each album is better than the last. This album with some much going on is very easy to digest and understand. It does take some time to truly fathom the depth in which he takes his messages and stories but upon first listen it's easy to figure out that this is something extraordinary. No other album in history successfully combines so many elements from self love, black history, and personal story. Add that with the combination of so much musical influences from Jazz to funk that somehow all plays at once in each track yet is smooth and uncluttered. Lyrically this album is untouchable from any other cat in the game right now. No other artist is so personal and yet so universal in their writing style and delivery. Kendrick's flow is impeccable and his voice is so distinct even when he changes it up for each song. The sequencing is insanely well done on this album and the flow from one track to another is perfect. It truly is an album to be studied and written about. It is a masterpiece that will go down in history as one of the most brilliant albums ever created.… Expand
  28. das_gute
    Jun 8, 2015
    10
    The trendiest, nuanced rapper of a generation makes probably the best rap album of the decade, that suggests an ideology of togetherness with respect and admiration.
  29. gabriel1
    Jun 5, 2015
    10
    One of the greatest works in hip-hop. Honest, experimental, complete. Hard to see any album ever being better than this. Not as listenable as m.A.A.d city, but far bigger.
  30. seeknot
    May 30, 2015
    10
    When someone looks up the words "beautiful" and "exquisite", there should a picture of this album. It's hip hop music at its best. Fave track: I love them all, but "Momma" really stands out to me. This song pulls my soul from my body whenever I hear it. Kendrick's stunning verses and Lalah Hathaway's whistful vocals combine to make this warm and poignant track a standout. The song, as wellWhen someone looks up the words "beautiful" and "exquisite", there should a picture of this album. It's hip hop music at its best. Fave track: I love them all, but "Momma" really stands out to me. This song pulls my soul from my body whenever I hear it. Kendrick's stunning verses and Lalah Hathaway's whistful vocals combine to make this warm and poignant track a standout. The song, as well as the album itself, are utterly divine.… Expand
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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 »