DAMN.
by Kendrick Lamar
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 3346 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,962 out of 3346
  2. Mixed: 111 out of 3346
  3. Negative: 273 out of 3346
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  1. soulfood
    Apr 17, 2017
    6
    This album sees Kendrick going in a more consumable and pop-driven direction, while still keeping a good selection of the songs that are as conscious as we would come to expect from him. Too many repeated flows and lyrics stop this from being phenomenal and his newly-sung vocals & falsettos come across half of the time as forced and the other half beautiful. Concept and energy are grandThis album sees Kendrick going in a more consumable and pop-driven direction, while still keeping a good selection of the songs that are as conscious as we would come to expect from him. Too many repeated flows and lyrics stop this from being phenomenal and his newly-sung vocals & falsettos come across half of the time as forced and the other half beautiful. Concept and energy are grand and it really carries this album, but compared to what he has delivered in the past this is a slight disappointment and journey into a more accessible path.

    6.8 / 10    … Expand
  2. Liam700
    Apr 14, 2017
    6
    Such a goddamn powerful record that takes the best from his previous work and gives new it a new twist. The lyrics are powerful, the different experimental elements are unexpected and fun and the mixing and production is flawless. My only gripe with it is that some of the tracks feel like they were designed for repetitive radio play (LOVE. & LOYALTY.) and although I can tolerate them onSuch a goddamn powerful record that takes the best from his previous work and gives new it a new twist. The lyrics are powerful, the different experimental elements are unexpected and fun and the mixing and production is flawless. My only gripe with it is that some of the tracks feel like they were designed for repetitive radio play (LOVE. & LOYALTY.) and although I can tolerate them on the first couple of plays, I know I will eventually get sick of them. This is something Kendrick's past albums didn't have too much of. Still a fantastic effort overall… Expand
  3. Perfuddled
    Apr 18, 2017
    6
    I'm being a bit unfair - 7 out of 10 would be nearer the mark. But like another reviewer, I was somewhat incensed by all of the ridiculously high marks this album is getting. 'Judge every album on its own merits, not in comparison to an artist's other albums...' Fair enough. To Pimp a Butterfly was unsurpassable anyway. But Damn just is not a classic album by any standards. A great openingI'm being a bit unfair - 7 out of 10 would be nearer the mark. But like another reviewer, I was somewhat incensed by all of the ridiculously high marks this album is getting. 'Judge every album on its own merits, not in comparison to an artist's other albums...' Fair enough. To Pimp a Butterfly was unsurpassable anyway. But Damn just is not a classic album by any standards. A great opening few tracks, and a couple of provocative ones at the end.. but the middle? Sorry, but there's little remarkable going on there, just some seemingly mandatory guest appearances. I'm just hoping this isn't the groove he'll settle into now.… Expand
  4. BShaps
    Apr 21, 2017
    5
    Is Kendrick talented? No question. Is his messaging powerful? Absolutely. Would I listen to any track on this album more than once? Not likely.

    I must be missing something because not a single song made me want to listen to it again.
  5. fredphoesh
    Aug 16, 2017
    4
    Is there such a thing as a rap album that does not resort to the same old dumbed down conversation about nheegaz and guns? Surely guys? The music is good at times, but it seems there is an expectation in the audience that is negatively affecting the music. It s too often downbeat, negative, victim orientated and cliche'd lyrically. Lamar is much better than most but still not something IIs there such a thing as a rap album that does not resort to the same old dumbed down conversation about nheegaz and guns? Surely guys? The music is good at times, but it seems there is an expectation in the audience that is negatively affecting the music. It s too often downbeat, negative, victim orientated and cliche'd lyrically. Lamar is much better than most but still not something I could listen to. Way over-rated IMO, as is most rap.… Expand
  6. TheNeedleDrops
    Jan 29, 2018
    5
    Being a big fan of his previous work I was really disappointed with this album. Not nearly as experimental as TBAB or GKMC and the production just kinda bores me. Fav Tracks: PRIDE and ELEMENT
  7. Mittgrant
    Aug 6, 2017
    4
    so bad. cover is so sad to look at. Americans make trash not music these days its very sad. qualitty is bad. it is even hip hop?. he is not that good rapper to have album with over 70 Score. sad
  8. armygirl
    Oct 17, 2017
    5
    this album is okay i guess... i mean i don't really like the song humble on this album. i mean seriously Kendrick why would you put this lyric give me something natural like give me an ass with some stretch marks. What?
  9. cpfeiffer
    Apr 16, 2017
    6
    YAH, FEEL, FEAR, LOYALTY, PRIDE and DUCKWORTH are beautiful tracks. This is the Kenny I have come to love. Stand out lyrics, look inside to his psyche, solid production. The other songs, not so much. They edge too far into the hip hop/trap/pop mainstream & feel out of place. I think this album could have easily been split into two albums: an introspective album with the aforementionedYAH, FEEL, FEAR, LOYALTY, PRIDE and DUCKWORTH are beautiful tracks. This is the Kenny I have come to love. Stand out lyrics, look inside to his psyche, solid production. The other songs, not so much. They edge too far into the hip hop/trap/pop mainstream & feel out of place. I think this album could have easily been split into two albums: an introspective album with the aforementioned songs, for the listener who enjoys deep, cerebral looks into life, politics, and the rapper himself, and a second album for songs you want to blast in your car, full of braggadocio and bravado. Those songs feel a bit to radio friendly and at odds with the other songs. 9/10 on those few songs, the rest is sub par. LOVE feels like emotional Drake, XXX is Kendricks odd take on trap. I was skeptical if it would be possible to top the genre bending wizardry of TPAB, and sadly, I was proved right.… Expand
  10. illphil
    Apr 17, 2017
    4
    Really boring and totally overhyped like his last one. Since the Good kid MAAd city album (which was definitely his best) he has become the darling of the critics but I really can't understand it. I barely got through a listen with this one before I deleted it. i re-downloaded the last one twice but I knew it was rubbish the first time. His voice, flows, beats, ideas... i am sorry butReally boring and totally overhyped like his last one. Since the Good kid MAAd city album (which was definitely his best) he has become the darling of the critics but I really can't understand it. I barely got through a listen with this one before I deleted it. i re-downloaded the last one twice but I knew it was rubbish the first time. His voice, flows, beats, ideas... i am sorry but no, I am not buying it, you're all wrong.… Expand
  11. Eagles102097
    Apr 18, 2017
    4
    Very Overrated album, its way too short to have that many skippable songs. Kendrick continues to use beats that have no place in music and often doesn't flow on them well and I find the narrative that he is an all time great laughable
  12. brettrosey
    Apr 16, 2017
    5
    A record for people that value verses over melodies -- lyrics over hooks. When people talk about a track as melodically absent as DNA as the track of the year -- well that's just plain sad. There are a few tracks on here that are worth people's time -- most notably "Love" which stands out like a sore thumb as compared to the rest of the record. Nonetheless this is an overhyped effort fromA record for people that value verses over melodies -- lyrics over hooks. When people talk about a track as melodically absent as DNA as the track of the year -- well that's just plain sad. There are a few tracks on here that are worth people's time -- most notably "Love" which stands out like a sore thumb as compared to the rest of the record. Nonetheless this is an overhyped effort from one of the best rappers in the business.… Expand
  13. jamescameron234
    Apr 18, 2017
    6
    Good Album will probably be the best this year. However overhyped and reviewed. To be a 97 on meta critic it must be one of the greatest albums in hiphop history which it isn't. Kendrick will probably go down as top ten Greatest Of All Time but in my opinion will never break top 5 (Naz, Em, Jay Z, Big, Pac)
  14. padrah_
    May 6, 2017
    6
    A solid follow-up to "To Pimp A Butterfly". However, there are too many inconsistent, and sometimes just downright bad, tracks on this album. Thematically, "DAMN." goes deeper into Kendrick's psyche than his listeners have ever heard before. But I wasn't as big on this release as I have been on every other release he's had so far. If Kendrick cut some tracks, and didn't sing as often, thisA solid follow-up to "To Pimp A Butterfly". However, there are too many inconsistent, and sometimes just downright bad, tracks on this album. Thematically, "DAMN." goes deeper into Kendrick's psyche than his listeners have ever heard before. But I wasn't as big on this release as I have been on every other release he's had so far. If Kendrick cut some tracks, and didn't sing as often, this would've been a winner. Rather, we have an 'I Ran A Race' album.… Expand
  15. kurakok
    Jun 10, 2017
    4
    I don't find this album the best of this year. Maybe one of the most tedious. The music is definitely good, but his voice is ruining everything. Good try to stay relevant. Not that good for the music.
  16. pedrofaro
    Aug 15, 2017
    6
    this is the first kendrick's album that i listen in full and its diferent of what i expected. i liked, its a great album but i dont know why is so overrated, i cant see this WOW that the media and the people are giving to the album because there are bad songs like "loyalty"
  17. Joz
    Nov 4, 2017
    6
    At its best, this album is a constantly changing, snappy piece of production, with a near-flawless Kendrick backing it up. At it worst, this album is an exercise in **** Here we can find songs that are so shamelessly positioned to climb up the billboard charts that they really hold the album back from Kendrick's more impassioned projects, like Madadadad. City and TPAB. That being said itAt its best, this album is a constantly changing, snappy piece of production, with a near-flawless Kendrick backing it up. At it worst, this album is an exercise in **** Here we can find songs that are so shamelessly positioned to climb up the billboard charts that they really hold the album back from Kendrick's more impassioned projects, like Madadadad. City and TPAB. That being said it had so many surprising and enjoyable moments that it ended up coming out as a positive experience for me. Humble is a great, (albeit production-wise, underwhelming) single, and Kung-Fu Kenny is a funny addition. Not Kendrick's best project, but it had his signature polish nevertheless. -2/10… Expand
  18. Gkirkman
    Jun 2, 2018
    6
    Try to be two things at once while pulling at each other. Feels more messy with its message compared to pimp or good
  19. NedsonMelo
    Jan 22, 2020
    5
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    Oi
  20. MaxSaysHi
    Feb 17, 2019
    5
    DAMN. is a lot different than Kendrick's previous work. The album, in general, is a bit too forgettable, sure you can say that there are good songs here and there. Overall this album is pretty average. Most of the album is pretty same-ish. The only standout songs are FEEL., DUCKWORTH., XXX., HUMBLE. and DNA. the rest of the album is really repetitive and not that interesting. TheDAMN. is a lot different than Kendrick's previous work. The album, in general, is a bit too forgettable, sure you can say that there are good songs here and there. Overall this album is pretty average. Most of the album is pretty same-ish. The only standout songs are FEEL., DUCKWORTH., XXX., HUMBLE. and DNA. the rest of the album is really repetitive and not that interesting. The instrumental in all of the songs like usual is good, that's for sure, but with the lyrics, Kendrick doesn't bring his A game, sure I couldn't expect another TPAB or Good Kid. I am glad that Kendrick tried something new for his newest album but in my opinion, he failed. People say that this album is great but I don't understand how. It definitely isn't a 0/10 but it also isn't a 10/10. I think that Kendrick could have done a lot better with this album than he did, and I hope that his next album doesn't fail to meet peoples expectations like this one. 5/10… Expand
  21. sandwichcipher
    Apr 6, 2019
    6
    Album was great. Not gonna lie. It could had been better, it could had been TPAB level but ehh.. I didn't really mind this album. What I could mention about this album, that it's overrated as **** It's one of his worst in his discography. It could had been better honestly. Kendrick is a great rapper, he's up there with the GOATS. But I tried liking this album, I really did. But nah, thisAlbum was great. Not gonna lie. It could had been better, it could had been TPAB level but ehh.. I didn't really mind this album. What I could mention about this album, that it's overrated as **** It's one of his worst in his discography. It could had been better honestly. Kendrick is a great rapper, he's up there with the GOATS. But I tried liking this album, I really did. But nah, this ain't it.

    Favorite Songs: LOYALITY, DNA, HUMBLE, PRIDE, LOVE

    Least Favorite: LUST    … Expand
  22. TammyTaste
    Feb 14, 2022
    6
    Great lyrics and story-telling as it is always with Kendrick. However the beats and production falls flat when you compere them with his previous projects. The songs are pretty good for the most part but nothing here really SOUNDS that unique in my opinion.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2017
5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2017
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
95

Universal acclaim - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. The Wire
    Aug 8, 2017
    90
    A less deranged response to celebrity than Kanye West’s Yeezus, more imaginative than Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP or Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III, it shares with the former an economy of form, and with the latter two the giddy energy of an artist coming into perfect sync with their audience. It’s also a sumptuous sounding pop record, polite streamlined mass market psychedelia. [Jun 2017, p.64]
  2. The Skinny
    Jul 5, 2017
    80
    The beats are heavy, spare, and hard. Lamar demonstrates the versatility of his flow.
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  3. Record Collector
    May 25, 2017
    100
    DAMN. sees the rapper make a 180 degree turn from the sprawling jazz/funk/hip-hop odyssey of TPAB to deliver 14 taut, tough and wise cutting-edge examples of what’s possible in hip-hop today. ... Essential stuff.
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