My first thought too.
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly |OT| It's The American Dream
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ruslandgaga
Member
http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/19/8257319/kendrick-lamar-album-review-to-pimp-a-butterfly
"To Pimp a Butterfly is the best album of the 21st century, the best hip-hop album since Notorious B.I.G.s Ready to Die and Nas Illmatic in 1994, and it cements Kendrick Lamars spot as an all-time great."
"Calling Kendrick Lamar the best rapper alive doesnt seem right. That title seems unworthy for Kendrick Lamar, not the other way around. While artists like Lil Wayne, Eminem, and Drake are happy fighting for that title, Kendrick is seemingly aiming for something far higher than that."
Such hyperbole after less than a week. But goddamn this album is amazing. Kendrick continues racking up W's.
"To Pimp a Butterfly is the best album of the 21st century, the best hip-hop album since Notorious B.I.G.s Ready to Die and Nas Illmatic in 1994, and it cements Kendrick Lamars spot as an all-time great."
"Calling Kendrick Lamar the best rapper alive doesnt seem right. That title seems unworthy for Kendrick Lamar, not the other way around. While artists like Lil Wayne, Eminem, and Drake are happy fighting for that title, Kendrick is seemingly aiming for something far higher than that."
Such hyperbole after less than a week. But goddamn this album is amazing. Kendrick continues racking up W's.
serenewarfare
Banned
Come on dude. I love the album and all but calling it an all time great 4 days after release is absurd
CapitalismSucks DonkeyBalls
Banned
"u"
Fuck me, what a song. ;_;
Fuck me, what a song. ;_;
Pinko Marx
Banned
A bad opinion.
Same. The more I listen the more it grows on me, but I won't be listening to individual songs until the skits are cut.
Anyone found that TPAB and GKMC now compliment each other?
Seeing that growth of character is so engaging. The subtle callbacks to moments from GKMC and how problems that felt very 'upfront' (for lack of a better word) have now developed in to Kendrick's subconscious away from Compton create these very real threads. The other way as well now, listening to GKMC and sort of having an idea of Kendrick's future, the challenges he'll face and his return to Compton illustrates how important some of the stories on GKMC are to his upbringing and the person he is now.
Seeing that growth of character is so engaging. The subtle callbacks to moments from GKMC and how problems that felt very 'upfront' (for lack of a better word) have now developed in to Kendrick's subconscious away from Compton create these very real threads. The other way as well now, listening to GKMC and sort of having an idea of Kendrick's future, the challenges he'll face and his return to Compton illustrates how important some of the stories on GKMC are to his upbringing and the person he is now.
Emperor Bohe
Member
still the best hip hop concept album as far as i'm concerned
yes absolutely. was just listening to GKMC a little bit ago. one line that stuck out was from Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe. that look inside of my soul and you can find gold and maybe get rich line was especially poignant considering Kendrick nearly loses his soul in TPaB. also that's not part of the Sherane narrative so Kendrick is speaking from a place right before GKMC released. crazy what he went through immediately following that.
northead
Member
Do you think this is an album somebody not coming from the US can fully appreciate? Or are the issues being addressed in the songs too deep-rooted in a certain culture that needs to be known in order to assimilate this album for what it really is? Is that degree of knowledge high?
Thanks
Thanks
The production itself and sound of his voice are good enough
Shit, sometimes people don't even catch the words.
NervousXtian
Thought Emoji Movie was good. Take that as you will.
Alright this shit is great.
It's so different than GKMC.. but it's such a statement album. There's no bangers outside TBTB, but start-to-finish.. it's a journey.
It takes the idea behind GKMC and goes even farther... there's no Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst... but there's some that comes close.
I'm really digging the jazzy and funky backing too.. Kendrick baring his soul on this album.
It's so different than GKMC.. but it's such a statement album. There's no bangers outside TBTB, but start-to-finish.. it's a journey.
It takes the idea behind GKMC and goes even farther... there's no Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst... but there's some that comes close.
I'm really digging the jazzy and funky backing too.. Kendrick baring his soul on this album.
EnVy_CaLiBeR
Member
Kid Cudi- Man on the Moon
breadst1cks
Neo Member
I'm a white Australian. Kendrick's lyrics are so succinct that you gain part of an understanding of the situation. The things Kendrick's dealt with due to his race/geography are relatable to things most of us have felt to some degree. Low pride, no direction in life, hopeless. I fully support everything Kendrick says based on his story.
And there's truth to be gained by anyone. Respect yourself or you'll get none. Greed stinks. Love the underdogs. Persevere. That doesn't require much prior knowledge--it's all in the songs.
I know what American blacks have dealt with only based on the stories they've told in rap and on the news, but that's enough to empathize, feel some of that hurt and anger. That makes it even more appreciable on top of it's music, his flow and the album's lyrical cohesiveness.
EnVy_CaLiBeR
Member
This is some legendary dick riding. Holy shit. The album is good but jeez.
PhoenixDark
Banned
Ali, the engineer who mixed the album (and is TDE's in-house engineer) did a Q&A today about the mixing process for the album. You can scroll through his timeline for interesting info. Lots of technical stuff but there are a few simple notes about the album's creation. I'd love to see a documentary or interview about the creation process. I'm sure they recorded some of this stuff...
interesting:
interesting:
https://twitter.com/MixedByAli
Christberg
Member
I don't think it's generally a problem. That said, there's a pretty damn thorough deconstruction of the album's lyrics here you can use. Might require a scant bit of Wikipedia work outside of that but nothing too serious.
Yaphett Kotto
Member
I hope they have some behind the scenes stuff somewhere to upload. It would be cool to see what else they worked with.
nice
-what albums where u listening to for reference or inspiration?
-mothership connection, Abbey road to name a few
https://twitter.com/MixedByAli/status/578687837983277056
can hear that mothership connection for days but cool to hear abbey road
PhoenixDark
Banned
To Pimp A Butterfly: Samples Mix
interestingly there aren't many samples. Lots of original compositions throughout the album, based on the linear notes.
interestingly there aren't many samples. Lots of original compositions throughout the album, based on the linear notes.
BravesCountry
Banned
This is exactly how I'm feeling after a couple of listens. Really incredible album.
curlyfriski
Banned
Classical music most definitely had themes beyond creating a mood.
Princess Carl
Member
Lot's of callbacks to GKMC.
5 listens and this album is truly a powerful experience, moreso than GKMC even without a "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" on it. We'll see how I feel after 15-20 listens but I don't see that opinion changing. It feels like so much to digest every time you listen.
5 listens and this album is truly a powerful experience, moreso than GKMC even without a "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" on it. We'll see how I feel after 15-20 listens but I don't see that opinion changing. It feels like so much to digest every time you listen.
It was just one example of how an instrumental can portray something.
You guys are right, instrumental music is exactly the same as music with a books worth of lyrics.
Its been like only 72 hours I think.
I am infatuated with this album, but that Verge review is a major d ride. Should have let the hyperbole cool overnight, wake up fresh, read it again, and realize how ridiculous some of the stuff you typed is. Correct accordingly, lot of the points and ideas in the review aren't totally crazy, just way overblown.
Princess Carl
Member
Yup.
I love this album and for me it will surely be the AOTY. Arguably its also one of the best in the last couple of years but this is the biggest hyperbole of the decade. Theverge gonna verge I guess.
I'm not from the US and I can still find so many things in this album that I can relate to.
depths20XX
Member
Lol @ that verge review
"omg Kendrick has clearly transcended the whole genre. Never before has an artist ever had socially aware lyrics or mixed jazz with rap. We can't even call this music, it's above that. "
"omg Kendrick has clearly transcended the whole genre. Never before has an artist ever had socially aware lyrics or mixed jazz with rap. We can't even call this music, it's above that. "
Robot Pants
Member
Listened to only half of it so far and I'm not really feeling it.
:/
:/
Starting with 'Momma' the album picks up.
You will probably prefer the second half then, get past U and you'll probably enjoy it.
Nappuccino
Member
I always seem to like songs where Kendrick is playing a character the best. Something about the way he encapsulates another's life-story in 180ish seconds is unbelievably affecting.
Dreams-Visions
Member
WE SHOULDA NEVAH GAVE
WE SHOULDA NEVAH GAVE DEEZ NIGGAS MONEY
you goddamn right
WE SHOULDA NEVAH GAVE DEEZ NIGGAS MONEY
you goddamn right
Snowblindvictim
Member
Finished listening to it this morning and I needed to go for a walk after I had finished it.
Everything I want to say about the album has been said already. I don't think I've heard an album as narratively cohesive since the Mars Volta's Frances the Mute.
Its a cinematic (can I use that word in this case?) experience, I've noticed that when I've talked about the record with friends I try not to say too much like I'm potentially spoiling a movie.
My favorite track is probably "How much a dollar cost"
Fantastic album. Believe the hype.
Everything I want to say about the album has been said already. I don't think I've heard an album as narratively cohesive since the Mars Volta's Frances the Mute.
Its a cinematic (can I use that word in this case?) experience, I've noticed that when I've talked about the record with friends I try not to say too much like I'm potentially spoiling a movie.
My favorite track is probably "How much a dollar cost"
Fantastic album. Believe the hype.
I've been listening to this album a lot. King Kunta is so fucking cool. That was the first song that really stuck out. It took a few listens for me to really like everything else on the album. The track order is perfect, and I am impressed with the tonal/lyrical cohesiveness of it all. Never really got into Kendrick before but this is definitely one of my favorite albums of the year.
Hypemaster
Member
Got depressed when he called for Pac and no reply.
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