OT: So Anyone Listen to Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly Yet?

Submitted by OccaM on

Saw a thread here about Tetsuo & Youth awhile ago, so I figured why not one for To Pimp a Butterfly. 

I was convinced Tetsuo & Youth was going to be the best rap/hiphop album of the year given Lupe's return to form, but holy shit did K.Dot make a masterpiece here. 

I didn't think he was going to be able top Section.80 (his best imo) and GKMC with his 3rd album but wow... this is a great blend of various musical styles, lyrics and storytelling all while being different from his prior 2 go arounds. I don't think this is even comparable to his first 2 albums. It's that different. 

Not many of the songs will stand out much after the first listen, but I think that was done by design to deviate away from his other 2 albums and standard post 2010 hip hop albums. It is a very subliminal album, and I would have a hard time picking out songs that shouldn't be on there. 

The bar has been raised for creativity. 

What did you all think?

Edit:

For all the people that don't know what I'm talking about or don't get the lingo... Rapper Kendrick Lamar or K.Dot recently released a critically acclaimed album. Thus, I wanted to know what hip hop heads on the board think of it compared to his prior work and to 2015's other great release by another rapper Lupe Fiasco named Tetsuo & Youth. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Pimp_a_Butterfly

Here's his Grammy winning single from it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aShfolR6w8

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justingoblue

March 18th, 2015 at 9:37 PM ^

The OP probably would have been better off spending a few seconds on some basic explanations and full names given the audience, but he's saying rapper Kendrick Lamar has released a new album (To Pimp a Butterfly) that tops the album he thought would be the best of the year (rapper Lupe Fiasco's Tetsuo & Youth).

http://genius.com/artists/Kendrick-lamar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Pimp_a_Butterfly

http://genius.com/artists/Lupe-fiasco
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetsuo_%26_Youth

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Mauresi

March 18th, 2015 at 9:34 PM ^

I've listened to it, but still haven't actually "listened" to it. I've popped it on walking my dog, but still haven't done the 'ol, busy out the Dre Beats, plop on the couch and really give my 100% attention to it. I've read all the reviews and all have been super positive, this weekend I will give it a real listen. I've loved Kendrick since he was, K-Dot. It's amazing to track his progression as an artist. Youngest Head N**** In Charge started him out, then C4, followed by, Overly Dedicated, then my personal fav, Section.80... GKMC was very impressive. And I'm hoping this one tops them all. Can't wait to dive in (no pun intended).



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wolverine1987

March 19th, 2015 at 8:54 AM ^

Then why would you listen again? I'm only being partly sarcastic, but I never understood reviews that assure us that if we listen a few times we will "get" the record, or end up loving it, etc. More power to people that want to invest the time necessary to really like a record, but to me, hip hop and rock is an immediate form of music, and actually should appeal to you on first listen, and stand out. IMO every single classic song ever in the rock and hip hop era, every one, has stood out on the very first listen.

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Bambi

March 18th, 2015 at 9:38 PM ^

I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but I honestly might right now. I also loved Tetsuo & Youth and am a huge Lupe fan, so now I wanna listen to that too though. There are just so many options. I'm really looking forward to Kendrick's new album though.

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Oscar

March 19th, 2015 at 3:59 AM ^

Serious question, what other artists do you like?  I just listened to Tetsuo & Youth and I didn't like a single track.  I have not heard a lot of his music, but I did like The Show Goes On. So maybe I need to listen to it more...

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Bambi

March 19th, 2015 at 11:08 AM ^

Testup and Youth, to me, is one of those albums that gets better with ever listen. The first time I heard it I liked it but I wasn't in love, but every time I listen I like each track more. None of the songs on that album though are going to be a Billboard top 100 song, but honestly I think that's when Lupe's at his best.

If you're looking for more Lupe to listen to, listen to his first two albums, Food and Liquor (his first album) and The Cool (his second). Those two albums were just increcible, still my favorite two of his.

As for other music, I have a pretty wide taste, but sticking to rappers still putting out new songs:

Obviously the well knowns like Kanye and Jay-Z. I'm a big Childish Gambino fan as well, and Kendrick too. Some other names:

Logic

G-Eazy

Chiddy Bang

Atmopshere

Chance the Rapper

Chris Webby

Watsky

There are other people I'm probably missing too.

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TNT

March 18th, 2015 at 9:38 PM ^

Bought it because I support everything Kendrick. I can't say this is better than O.D. or Section 80 or G.K.M.C. Lyrically yes, this is on point, but as far as good music I need to dig into further.

In my opinion it's not better than Joey Bad or J. Cole as far as recent new releases.

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UMfanUConnalum

March 18th, 2015 at 9:39 PM ^

I loved both Section.80 and GKMC, listen to some of the songs on their every day on my way to work. I was pretty disapointed by this, I feel like people are just eating it up because its Kendrick and a lot of people think Kendrick can do no wrong.  This new album is way to mellow for me. I feel like he just got really high and put some good lyrics together. I loved his anger and intensity in Section.80 and GKMC and he really got away from that, I have no inclination to really listen to it again.

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wolverineforlife16

March 18th, 2015 at 9:51 PM ^

Channels some of his anger which I love. Most of this album though is supposed to be really chill and just make you feel on top of the world, which "i" does a great job of doing. Also, look up songs that just feature Kendrick, they seem like the kind of songs you would enjoy.

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Yostbound and Down

March 18th, 2015 at 10:22 PM ^

I was gonna say, it isn't Licensed to Ill or College Dropout or De La Soul. There's very little humor in it...it's very cutting. Even "i" strikes me as kinda a sad song, though that might be the music vs. the lyrics.

I do like it upon first listen and it's pretty cool what he's able to do musically with it (his lyrics are the best around right now) but I don't see this as an album I'll come back to, not like GKMC. 

Edit: obviously dating myself with my references. I'm a geezer.

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superstringer

March 18th, 2015 at 9:41 PM ^

I mostly agree. A coupke years ago a young guy named Emileo was probably ascending to this throne but his second self-produced vinyl, IIRC called Mustangs, was too trendy and not transcendent enough. I was hoping his production of Ire & Skate's next album was going to break thru, but surprisingly Adams Pukin and The Cass both kind if stole his thunder. If soneone could mash The Hemmorage (sp?) wuth the reggae beats if Nix Nasge or maybe with 3Occult, maybe then youd be into something. Or something more commercial maybe, like Enrehen or Aardvark on either of their debut albums before they both went pop. I have been waiting for Sckull to make a move into this territory but he just keeps covering Chantelle who of course seems to want to shock you more than rock you. Its like if The LA 2 and Mr Craggety could maybe mix with the backup for Wayshaw, or with the aforementioned Nix Nagle, you'd have something to talk about. Or thats just my thought.



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amir_6

March 18th, 2015 at 9:45 PM ^

OP, I'm pretty sure 90% of the people on mgoblog don't know who "K.Dot" is, could've just put Kendrick Lamar... Poor people so confused.

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