Is Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ Already Album Of The Year?
Kendrick Lamar’s third studio album, To Pimp A Butterfly, has left critics and fans alike at their knees singing the praises of a rapper that many are now calling one of the all time greats in the genre.
Despite it being released so early in the year, many believe that To Pimp A Butterfly is already the standout album of the year, if not the decade. Reviews of the album are so far unanimous in praise for Kendrick’s sophomore album. So far, To Pimp A Butterfly has garnered a metascore of 95, making it the 8th highest album of all time on Metacritic.
Critics have more or less agreed that Lamar has followed the success of his second album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
Spin’s Dan Weiss gave the album a full 10/10 and described the album as “mandatory listening.”
“Listenability is the difference between the majesty of this 79-minute behemoth on paper, and the songs it needs to succeed. So let’s give it up to the astounding thicket of music here, the best-produced rap since the dawn of Drake.”
Rolling Stone’s Greg Tate heaped praises upon Kendrick Lamar, giving the album 4 and a half stars in the process.
“Clearly, this is Lamar’s moment to remake rap in his own blood-sick image. If we’re talking insurgent content and currency, Lamar straight up owns rap relevancy on Butterfly, whatever challengers to the throne barely visible in his dusty rear-view.”
Pitchfork’s Craig Jenkins gave To Pimp A Butterfly a 9.3/10 and summed the album up as “a celebration of the audacity to wake up each morning to try to be better, knowing it could all end in a second, for no reason at all.”
And his peers have also passed on their judgment of the release and again they were in awe.
Did Kendrick Lamar drop his album while I was on stage?! #headstoitunesasap
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) March 16, 2015
KENDRICK IS AN INSPIRATION. THANK YOU FOR THE VIBRATIONS AND THE SPIRIT. YOUR MEANING, MESSAGE AND EXECUTION ARE GIFTS TO THE WORLD.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) March 17, 2015
Haven’t heard the whole thing yet but this Kendrick album super funky. this is riding music
— Rapper Pooh (@RapperBigPooh) March 16, 2015
All in all, Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly has passed the mark with flying colors while carving out his territory in the genre. So far, To Pimp A Butterfly has captivated many deep within the rap community and way beyond. Perhaps it is too early to talk Grammy, but Kendrick Lamar has certainly emerged with a front-runner.
[Photo by Angelo Merendino/Getty Images]
