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. The_Man_With_No
    Apr 3, 2015
    0
    Seriously, enjoyed 1/16 songs on here. Everyone giving it a 10/10 or above a 5 is just some white kid who has no true appreciation for this genre, it is terrible and Lamar has found a way to slip from the previous album by a lot. I can't find a single song where I don't cringe at least once, his flow is about the best part of the album itself and even then he's sorely lacking. His lyricsSeriously, enjoyed 1/16 songs on here. Everyone giving it a 10/10 or above a 5 is just some white kid who has no true appreciation for this genre, it is terrible and Lamar has found a way to slip from the previous album by a lot. I can't find a single song where I don't cringe at least once, his flow is about the best part of the album itself and even then he's sorely lacking. His lyrics are awful, his tone is meh, and the overall product is laughable. If this sets the standard for albums in 2015, it looks like Underground will be the only good thing this year.… Expand
  2. ArturWLM
    Aug 25, 2020
    0
    This is just cRAP. Not music. This autotune voice so awful. I guess rate 96% deserve "Violator" from Depeche mode or "The Dark Side of the moon", not this nonense.
  3. junodaisy
    Mar 18, 2015
    0
    I like when Kendrick raps and paints pictures with his stories. How Much A Dollar Cost is a fantastic hip hop record. However, I don't like it when Kendrick uses gimmicky voices and overly experimental production. Critics and music snobs will eat it up though. I also do not care for the spoken word bits on this album. He's trying too hard to be artsy and different on this project. ForI like when Kendrick raps and paints pictures with his stories. How Much A Dollar Cost is a fantastic hip hop record. However, I don't like it when Kendrick uses gimmicky voices and overly experimental production. Critics and music snobs will eat it up though. I also do not care for the spoken word bits on this album. He's trying too hard to be artsy and different on this project. For Free? Interlude is very cringe worthy. He's trying to be tongue-in-cheek with that spoken word Def Poetry Jam style interlude, but it falls very flat like Neil Patrick Harris hosting the Oscars.

    Very disappointed with this project.    … Expand
  4. Yeelect
    Mar 18, 2015
    0
    Horrible album. He definitely went down hill with this one in my opinion. If he would have created a good kid maad city part 2, I would have fell inlove with it. but this seems very boring.
  5. popo300
    Mar 19, 2015
    0
    The album was really boring. Kendrick should stick to making bangers like TBTB, this is music made for critics to like and is ignoring the consumer totally.
  6. lfarzadl
    Jan 25, 2020
    0
    Overrated album that has some nice instrumentals, flows, and verses here and there but I mostly just found myself bored throughout.
  7. itachiuchiha007
    Jan 23, 2020
    0
    when i feel like sleeping i put this album on. this is so boring i swear ****
  8. emilbodsater
    Mar 29, 2015
    3
    I can't agree at all with the majority, this album was nothing but a big pile of **** Boring beats with mediocre lyrics, same old flow with one of the most annoying voices ever, and his delivery isn't something special. I read an review here where someone said that this is the best rap album of this generation, that's just so wrong, GKMC and Section.80 was easily better than this, SSLP,I can't agree at all with the majority, this album was nothing but a big pile of **** Boring beats with mediocre lyrics, same old flow with one of the most annoying voices ever, and his delivery isn't something special. I read an review here where someone said that this is the best rap album of this generation, that's just so wrong, GKMC and Section.80 was easily better than this, SSLP, MMLP, TES, Relapse, Recovery and MMLP2 are all better than these, Jay has numerous albums better than this, so does Nas and then there's a lot of underground rappers that produce better music then **** like this, especially Logic, Immortal Technique, Vinnie Paz and R.A. The Rugged Man.

    Kendrick is so damn overrated.    … Expand
  9. AaronM
    Dec 29, 2015
    2
    There is nothing memorable about this album. I have a distaste for meaningless rap and that's all To Pimp A Buttlerfly is. While it is admirable to change the sound of the music created, it fails miserably as far as substance, direction, and cohesiveness. I was expecting some far better after Good Kid, Mad City.
  10. 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.
  11. Jiano74
    Nov 10, 2016
    3
    This album is nothing special. As someone who grew up listening to Eminem, that is what I class as brilliant rap music, that and the work of 2Pac and Biggie but this has to be one of the most overrated albums of all-time.
  12. JesusNN
    Aug 30, 2019
    0
    No me gusto absolutamente nada, tiene mejores álbumes que este, le doy un cero.
  13. RstJ
    May 29, 2015
    1
    Major disappointment for a guy who released one of the best rap records in history. There's no sense of humor on this record, just endless penthouse drunk guy ranting and a self-congratulatory/condemnation vibe that makes it clear Lamar thinks he's a tremendously influential role model rather than a dude with one good record and one piece of junk (this one). Yeah, he jazzily experimentsMajor disappointment for a guy who released one of the best rap records in history. There's no sense of humor on this record, just endless penthouse drunk guy ranting and a self-congratulatory/condemnation vibe that makes it clear Lamar thinks he's a tremendously influential role model rather than a dude with one good record and one piece of junk (this one). Yeah, he jazzily experiments all over the place, but there's not a single coherent piece on here. He never finds a rhythm, never finds an internal logic, and never tells a compelling hood story the way he did on m.a.a.d city. He'll cruise for several more years of this messy new "style" because no critic is ever going to stand up and tell him "this sucks." But do not expecting to be hearing many cuts from Butterfly bumping out of whatever speakers you happen to be in range of this summer. This is bound to be one of those records that everybody loves--and nobody listens to.

    2015's biggest disappointment.    … Expand
  14. JaneMetascore
    Dec 18, 2019
    2
    Kendrick doesn't live up to the promise of P.E., Wu-Tang, Pac, and Dre. The more fans know about him the less pleasing is this recording. This music is no longer groundbreaking, and its initial boringness, or repetition, is now childishly simple. When audiences respond to Lamar they have given up on Hip-Hop, like its kiddie Jackson 5, or just crap.
  15. Ricko
    Oct 18, 2015
    7
    "To Pimp A Butterfly" has been lauded across the board as a gamechanger for the genre. I'm unconvinced. Undoubtedly it's got its moments - "King Kunta", "Institutionalised", "You Aint Gotta Lie" and "Mortal Man" are all standouts. Musically it has more going on than most hip hop albums and is excellently produced. Lyrically it does have a lot to say, even if it can't help itself with"To Pimp A Butterfly" has been lauded across the board as a gamechanger for the genre. I'm unconvinced. Undoubtedly it's got its moments - "King Kunta", "Institutionalised", "You Aint Gotta Lie" and "Mortal Man" are all standouts. Musically it has more going on than most hip hop albums and is excellently produced. Lyrically it does have a lot to say, even if it can't help itself with vulgarity. It's a solid effort deserving of a 7 or 8 out of 10. That's what I'm giving it. I prefer East Coast stuff.… Expand
  16. order
    Mar 20, 2015
    7
    In regards to Art, this album is good and is on par with Andre 3000 skill sheet. Although, in regards to Rap music this album is boring, dull and offers me nothing to stay interested in it, basically it's "lounge music" having subliminal lyrics and lounge instrumentals.

    For those who claim Kendrick is better artist than Tupac, they might be correct in regards to making "Art" but in    In regards to Art, this album is good and is on par with Andre 3000 skill sheet. Although, in regards to Rap music this album is boring, dull and offers me nothing to stay interested in it, basically it's "lounge music" having subliminal lyrics and lounge instrumentals.

    For those who claim Kendrick is better artist than Tupac, they might be correct in regards to making "Art" but in regards to making "Music" and connecting with millions of people around the globe with his raw lyrics and unchallenged flow, to this day there is no one who can top Tupac, Nas and Eminem would be the only one's who are close, albeit they still fall short of the greatest Rap Artist of our generation.    … Expand
  17. bombastulin
    Apr 29, 2015
    7
    Very nice, jazzy backing tracks and clever lyrics raise the score into the mediocre-to-decent range, but this album just isn't a good enough listen to justify the glowing reviews. The vocal mix is very inconsistent, and too often those clever lyrics are incomprehensible. Compare the production values of Lamar's muddy and statically produced vocal mixes to Kanye's mixes, where every lineVery nice, jazzy backing tracks and clever lyrics raise the score into the mediocre-to-decent range, but this album just isn't a good enough listen to justify the glowing reviews. The vocal mix is very inconsistent, and too often those clever lyrics are incomprehensible. Compare the production values of Lamar's muddy and statically produced vocal mixes to Kanye's mixes, where every line sticks clearly and distinctly out from the backing tracks and production tricks like occasional doubling, occasional panning, reverb, delay and the whole nine yards keep monotony well at bay, and this doesn't come off well.

    To me, good rap/hip-hop vocals use the voice as a percussion instrument to organize the backing rhythms. On most of these tracks, Lamar basically ignores vocal rhythm: many of his vocals have little if any rhythm, or the rhythm is the rhythm of a poetry reading, often totally off-kilter from and unrelated to the underlying rhythm from the backing tracks. Too often, it is more like a guy talking with some music in the background.

    In fact, at least twice, including one time for perhaps 5 full minutes, Lamar stops the music and just talks. Even though what he says is relatively clever, I don't care. Even the cleverest speech wears thin after 2 or 3 hearings. Sorry Kendrick, I don't buy an album to listen to some damn guy talk: I want music.    … Expand
  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. 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
  20. andrew260z
    Dec 30, 2015
    10
    King Kendrick! You've done it again! Its a **** masterpiece don't care if you don't like rap or hip hop this album is fantastic, tells a story, a poignant, relevant album and a well deserved AOTY on metacritic.
  21. owenw218
    Nov 30, 2015
    10
    King Kendrick continue to lead the rap game. This album is an amazing continuation of his legacy, and the outro with Pac is perfect. In my opinion, Kendrick is the realization of the mind that Pac sparked that will change the world. If you like Kendrick, check out this album, it's excellent.
  22. Tonyo
    Jan 30, 2016
    9
    Quel plaisir de retrouver Kendrick avec un excellent album comme celui-ci!!!

    Coup de cœur: King Kunta, For Free (Interlude), Alright & Hood Politics.
  23. SergioV
    May 25, 2016
    7
    73/100. Ok, I understand why this album is rated so amazingly, and I also don't. Yes it is a great politically driven lyrical performance, but there's also something to be said for just the simple listening-ability to the music itself. Some songs are so weird and out there that it's hard to listen to, and as a whole it drags down the album. Although some songs really make this album an odd73/100. Ok, I understand why this album is rated so amazingly, and I also don't. Yes it is a great politically driven lyrical performance, but there's also something to be said for just the simple listening-ability to the music itself. Some songs are so weird and out there that it's hard to listen to, and as a whole it drags down the album. Although some songs really make this album an odd anomaly in the Hip-Hop world, there are some hits. The best tracks are "King Kunta", "Alright", "The Blacker the Berry" and "i".… Expand
  24. thethoughthere
    Apr 23, 2016
    10
    There's not much I can say about "To Pimp A Butterfly" which hasn't already been said. This album is an absolute masterpiece. I have not experienced anything quite as amazing, quite as transcendent, nor quite as musically gorgeous which was contemporary to my adulthood.

    If Cornrow Kenny can come through with another album as stellar as TPAB, he will unarguably be in contention for    There's not much I can say about "To Pimp A Butterfly" which hasn't already been said. This album is an absolute masterpiece. I have not experienced anything quite as amazing, quite as transcendent, nor quite as musically gorgeous which was contemporary to my adulthood.

    If Cornrow Kenny can come through with another album as stellar as TPAB, he will unarguably be in contention for Greatest of All Time. A truly perfect album.    … Expand
  25. thewave
    Apr 29, 2016
    4
    I think this is an album with a great message, but it fails in quality of sound compared to his other works. I also feel like the audience the message was intended to did not receive it and paritally defeats the purpose of the album. I still think he is a great artist who is trying to expand his sound, but I also feel he is straying away from hip hop sound.
  26. SumitSumbria
    Jun 9, 2016
    4
    An exceptional piece pf art with a great message but where is music??? This is ironically a music album which has not got music. It is a collection of some random melodies which sound relevant sometimes.
    Favourite tracks - i and Wesley's Theory
    Jewel of the album - i
  27. Grooby
    Mar 8, 2017
    10
    Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp a Butterfly" is without a doubt a masterpiece. It is definitely Kendrick's best album yet and perhaps the best Hip Hop/Rap album of the decade. "To Pimp a Butterfly" will be recognised as a definitive moment in Hip Hop'Rap history. To the funky and catchy "King Kunta", the jazz influenced, dark and disturbing "u", the aggressive, heart-pounding vibes of "TheKendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp a Butterfly" is without a doubt a masterpiece. It is definitely Kendrick's best album yet and perhaps the best Hip Hop/Rap album of the decade. "To Pimp a Butterfly" will be recognised as a definitive moment in Hip Hop'Rap history. To the funky and catchy "King Kunta", the jazz influenced, dark and disturbing "u", the aggressive, heart-pounding vibes of "The Blacker the Berry" and to the Grammy Award winning "i', this album is an absolute astounding masterpiece. A must buy for Hip Hop/Rap fans or anyone that just loves music.… Expand
  28. djdenzel777
    Mar 24, 2017
    7
    Too many times is Kendrick given a pass for boring music because of the message he presents. While the message and lyricism on this project are notable, the music itself is quite lacking.
  29. tommy1607
    Apr 16, 2017
    10
    This album is unquestionably one of the best hip-hop albums of the 2010s and possible of all time. Kendrick describes his experiences as a black man in the music industry and in America, both the universal problems of black people and Kendrick's own personal conflicts are addressed across the album over jazzy, soulful instrumentals. It may take a while to adjust to this blend of spokenThis album is unquestionably one of the best hip-hop albums of the 2010s and possible of all time. Kendrick describes his experiences as a black man in the music industry and in America, both the universal problems of black people and Kendrick's own personal conflicts are addressed across the album over jazzy, soulful instrumentals. It may take a while to adjust to this blend of spoken word and jazz but once the message of the album clicks then it is clear that it truly is a masterpiece.… Expand
  30. Jammy
    May 7, 2017
    4
    I can't fault the ambition or creativity of To Pimp A Butterfly, nor the willingness to eschew the sound that launched Kendrick's career in favour of original, genre-breaking experimentation. I can't fault his subject matter, either.
    What I can fault, however, is just how ugly this album sounds. Flanged, nasal vocals, stale funk production with messy mixing, corny crass bars with subpar    I can't fault the ambition or creativity of To Pimp A Butterfly, nor the willingness to eschew the sound that launched Kendrick's career in favour of original, genre-breaking experimentation. I can't fault his subject matter, either.
    What I can fault, however, is just how ugly this album sounds. Flanged, nasal vocals, stale funk production with messy mixing, corny crass bars with subpar wordplay...
    There's only one song I'll ever return to, and that's The Blacker The Berry, which is the singular moment the stars are in alignment on this album. The production is crunchy and heavy, Kendrick brings energy to every verse and his voice is mixed nice and clean, the hook by Assassin is huge, the boom bap beat is like crack. Unfortunately, I love it because it's unlike pretty much everything else off TPAB.
    I understand this is an unpopular, dissenting opinion, and I'm in the minority here, but this album just sounds bad. I really wanted to enjoy this, but no amount of artistic merit in the world can force someone to enjoy music that sounds awful to them.
    Score: 4/10 [Below Average]    … 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 »