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. MarkJulian
    Mar 7, 2020
    10
    My favorite album of all time, in any genre. Kendrick’s lyricism and concept is far better than anything I have ever heard. Just love this record.
  2. xander999
    Mar 18, 2020
    10
    this is one of my favorite albums of all time due to the many songs that have such high cultural meaning although GKMC is better
  3. MusicBumRusher
    Mar 19, 2020
    10
    This album is a vulnerable masterpiece which changed my life when I first listened to it.
  4. erujabidi
    Apr 6, 2020
    10
    best **** album ever. kendrick outdoes himself again: his best project and it’s not even close, can’t believe there are comparisons to him/
  5. Macrofficial
    Mar 25, 2020
    8
    A lot of people say this is Kendrick's best project, personally it's my 3rd favourite. Lyricism on this album is great. Favourite songs on this album are King Kunta, u, i
  6. JakeWLovesRap
    Apr 2, 2020
    10
    Best rap album ever. Storytelling, lyrics, production, beats, perfectly used features. It's all there. A journey every fan of the genre needs to listen to at least once.
  7. SoundAndFilm
    Apr 6, 2020
    10
    To Pimp A Butterfly is one of the most ambitious musical projects ever. Refusing to stick to a genre, TPAB is a constant voyage of musical discovery.


    Not only stunning musically, but with a storyline filled with symbolism, hard-hitting metaphors, and real world issues means there is absolutely no element of this album that can, or ever will be ignored.
  8. Tomatero9
    Apr 7, 2020
    10
    An innovative cultural and musical classic. This album solidifies Kendrick Lamar as the greatest rapper this generation and one of the greatest of all time. A brilliant concept album with fresh sounds and instrumentation in modern rap. The lyrics stand out as some of the best he has ever written and any songwriter has ever written. This album is the greatest rap album ever and just aAn innovative cultural and musical classic. This album solidifies Kendrick Lamar as the greatest rapper this generation and one of the greatest of all time. A brilliant concept album with fresh sounds and instrumentation in modern rap. The lyrics stand out as some of the best he has ever written and any songwriter has ever written. This album is the greatest rap album ever and just a couple listens will prove that to be a fact.… Expand
  9. kop1
    Apr 7, 2020
    10
    Classic thank you kendrick a big album the sonority the song thé message speachless
  10. UnRealyDuDe
    Apr 16, 2020
    10
    Best Kendrick Lamar album. Best rap album. Best album of decade. One of the greatest albums of all time.
    Songwriting on this one - is the brilliant and genius. I sat with my mouth open when i heard it for the first time. I cried when i listened to "u" and "How Much A Dollar Cost". This concept, this story and storytelling is incredible. Kendrick shows his artistry and emotional depth on a    Best Kendrick Lamar album. Best rap album. Best album of decade. One of the greatest albums of all time.
    Songwriting on this one - is the brilliant and genius. I sat with my mouth open when i heard it for the first time. I cried when i listened to "u" and "How Much A Dollar Cost". This concept, this story and storytelling is incredible. Kendrick shows his artistry and emotional depth on a highest level.
    Is the best produced rap album i ever heard. Jazz and Funk combined with Hip-Hop sounds perfect. This is the album of my life.    … Expand
  11. andyn823
    Jul 21, 2020
    7
    I really want to give this album a higher score. But I guess that this album is not really for me. This album is too much violence and explicit contents, which turn me down. And I don't like some of his bland beats, repetitive lyrics or aggressive rap lyrics. But anyway, I do really love the message behind this album. I love how Kendrick talks about history, racism issues, political,I really want to give this album a higher score. But I guess that this album is not really for me. This album is too much violence and explicit contents, which turn me down. And I don't like some of his bland beats, repetitive lyrics or aggressive rap lyrics. But anyway, I do really love the message behind this album. I love how Kendrick talks about history, racism issues, political, society.... I think this is a good album for the Black Lives Matter movement. I give this album 7/10.… Expand
  12. JacobD
    Apr 22, 2020
    10
    Without a doubt one of the best albums I’ve ever heard, the message behind it and the powerful lyrics make me stop what I’m doing and pay attention 10/10
  13. denjamie
    Sep 5, 2021
    10
    To Pimp A Butterfly is definitely the greatest album of all time!! A masterpiece. A classic.
  14. barologist
    May 3, 2020
    10
    Excellent story, great flow, so much emotion and dedication can be heard and felt in this album.
  15. jaokkkjj
    May 6, 2020
    10
    the jazzy and funky production is something from another world, the song ''for free?'' displays kendrick rapping over a jazz instrumental and its one of the most fun experiences that i ever had, the message is cohesive and important, the songs and the way they are arranged makes the experience completely enjoyable and the more you listen, the more the record grows in you. thank you forthe jazzy and funky production is something from another world, the song ''for free?'' displays kendrick rapping over a jazz instrumental and its one of the most fun experiences that i ever had, the message is cohesive and important, the songs and the way they are arranged makes the experience completely enjoyable and the more you listen, the more the record grows in you. thank you for this masterpiece, kendrick.… Expand
  16. Richard_Amor
    May 8, 2020
    10
    To Pimp a Butterfly is Kendrick Lamar’s third album release, and arguably his best work so far in his discography. Already a renowned lyricist, his rhyme patterns mixed with how he manipulates his voice and flow is ingenious in this album, affirming his stature as one of Hiphop’s most impressive rappers. The theme this album presents is nonetheless dramatic/philosophical, each trackTo Pimp a Butterfly is Kendrick Lamar’s third album release, and arguably his best work so far in his discography. Already a renowned lyricist, his rhyme patterns mixed with how he manipulates his voice and flow is ingenious in this album, affirming his stature as one of Hiphop’s most impressive rappers. The theme this album presents is nonetheless dramatic/philosophical, each track embedding a series of encrypted meanings of society specifically in America. Instrumentals are produced extraordinarily, each track has a sort of emotion that resonates off of it, providing varieties of feelings- bringing the listener into a deep state of thought. This album is arguably the best album I’ve personally listened to, each aspect of it is perfect- down to the overall uniqueness of the songs. Definitely solidifies Kendrick Lamar as the best rapper of possibly the decade.… Expand
  17. Real_g22
    Jun 15, 2020
    9
    Una belleza liricalmente hablando.
    Los ritmos quizás son un poco rebuscados (A excepción de King Kunta) pero el álbum es simplemente una joya de rap
  18. Fnn
    Jun 3, 2020
    10
    I mean... yeh, It’s perfect. It’s crazy to think that I believed that Kendrick would never beat gkms.
  19. sweeterman
    Jun 9, 2020
    10
    This album puts Kendrick Lamar on a pedestal only set foot by a few artists in music history and the majority of them if not all are either Groups or bands whereas Kendrick Lamar might the only singular artist on this level.
    The writing: Superb Strorytelling: brilliant Production: crisp
    Overall : Masterpiece In my book this album I view it in the lens that only see other great albums like    This album puts Kendrick Lamar on a pedestal only set foot by a few artists in music history and the majority of them if not all are either Groups or bands whereas Kendrick Lamar might the only singular artist on this level.
    The writing: Superb Strorytelling: brilliant Production: crisp
    Overall : Masterpiece In my book this album I view it in the lens that only see other great albums like Ok Computer, Dark side of the moon to name a few.    … Expand
  20. Onlyclassicvg1
    Jul 28, 2023
    5
    This is an important--a very important--piece of work that will stand the test of time. It’s also an utter blast to listen to and live with.
  21. flameed
    Jun 26, 2020
    10
    the best rap album of all time, no debate imo. thematically slaughters every other single rap album to ever be released. U is the best rap song to ever be created, and these walls, blacker the berry, and how much a dollar cost can be argued to be top 15-10. this is a less watered down and more abrasive version of MBDTF.
  22. Andrei20
    Jun 28, 2020
    10
    TPAB is my favorite music album from my favorite music artist. This and good kid maad city are the only albums that I can listen over and over again without getting bored or skipping songs.
  23. Jurika7
    Jun 30, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Yleebi smnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnmmmnnnnnnnnnnnnnmmmnnnnnnnnnnnn… Expand
  24. Retroexe
    Jul 1, 2020
    10
    Incredibly insightful, masterfully mixed, and challenges the listener to think
  25. JDMXEN
    Feb 23, 2021
    10
    This is the greatest album i have ever listened to. A great sounding album back to front sonically, with a extremely powerful message which has even changed the way I view things and people. Kendrick has solidified himself as one the greatest rappers of the 21st century with this album alone.

    I strongly urge people to give this album a listen and fully give it a chance even if you are not    This is the greatest album i have ever listened to. A great sounding album back to front sonically, with a extremely powerful message which has even changed the way I view things and people. Kendrick has solidified himself as one the greatest rappers of the 21st century with this album alone.

    I strongly urge people to give this album a listen and fully give it a chance even if you are not a kendrick fan or a rap fan.    … Expand
  26. matteoz
    Aug 29, 2020
    10
    This stunning and unique album made and continues to make rap music history. "Alright" is probably one of the best, if not the best, rap song ever written. In this work of art, Kendrick does not only create an original and innovative production but also shows a very deep meaning behind every lyric.
    Best tracks: "Alright"/ "How Much A Dollar Cost" / "Mortal Man"
  27. JulianTarantino
    Sep 25, 2020
    10
    An instant classic, even in 2020, 5 years after its release. Kendrick Lamar paints a vivid image of a race oppressed in America, speaks out on police violence and urges blacks to be proud of their color and heritage. Musically, To Pimp A Butterfly incorporates an ambitious jazz-rap style that blends excellently with his flow and choruses. A perfect album if there ever was one.
  28. MemerGamerBoiz
    Jul 9, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The greatest rap album of all time. Storytelling, Production, Lyricism, Consistency, and more.… Expand
  29. Momoki_02
    Jul 26, 2020
    9
    Really good album
  30. Jerryb220105
    Oct 27, 2021
    10
    This album is absolutely incredible, I love every second of it. Would recommend to anyone.
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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 »