Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp A Butterfly Review

Alright alright, let's cut the crap. No fluffy introduction, this is a rap album review. Not just any rap album, since good kid m.A.A.d city Kendrick Lamar has been the most sought after rapper this decade. His live shows are infamous (I mean have you seen that vine?) and everything word that has been spat out the Compton rapper's lips has been well publicised and talked about. So where do you go when your debut is synonymous with being full with bangers suitable for parties and pre-drinks? You make To Pimp A Butterfly, and give it a surprise release, obviously.

The general form of the album is absurd and free flowing. Styles vary from jazz, G-Funk, straight up funk and gangsta rap. The themes are even more far flung; racism, fear of God, sex and money. This seemingly jumbled mismatch of songs read as confusion. But the war Lamar has mixed them together, trying to create a coherent piece of art has not failed. By adding in vocal samples at the end of his songs to connect them works to a certain extent, I remember you was conflicted/Missing your influence. Undoubtedly it is now his style to try and create the most cinematic experience for his listeners but can become imposing and tiresome. For example the character of Lucy who represents Satan, the conversation with God in How Much A Dollar Cost- maybe just a tad pretentious.

Pretention aside, it is difficult to fault Kendrick Lamar for his content. Setting himself apart from other rappers in 2015 he decides to look objectively at African-American culture and it's capitalistic obsession. Like GKMC made you question gang culture, TPAB makes you question everything. My favourite song on this album is certainly The Blacker The Berry. The most hard hitting beat and violent delivery is justified by the final verse.

I want to give this to my English Lit teacher for him to have a field day, the cutting stereotypes and use of irony is genius. 

Talking to fans of Kendrick Lamar, people have discussed the lack of 'bangers' on TPAB. I personally view see this is as one of the smartest aspects of the album, the lack of another Maad City allows Lamar to be appreciated for his musicality and skill. This album isn't here to be number one, it's here to cement Kendrick Lamar's place as number one.