If one were to pinpoint the mission statement of Kendrick Lamar’s impassioned manifestos throughout his career, an accurate place to land would be Section.80‘s “Ab-Soul’s Outro” where he quips, “I’m not the next pop star, I’m not the next socially aware rapper, I am a human muthafucking being over dope ass instrumentation.”
Initially seen as a refuge from the external forces of peer pressure and street gang warfare, Kendrick’s dedicated work ethic has steered his own fate toward becoming the most compelling, acclaimed and widely debated MC of modern times. Routinely putting his conceptual mind to work, DAMN., the Compton scribe’s fourth credited studio album, is an extension of his running narrative of living through spiritual crises while managing stardom and success. Consistent with his themes while always experimenting with new sounds, his latest journey falls in line with urban airwaves and simultaneously sneaks in deeper messages, thus making for a nearly critic-proof final product.
A complete 180° turn from the intricate live arrangements that comprised the bulk of Lamar’s last masterpiece, 2015’s To Pimp a Butterfly, simplistic piano keys and crisp programmed drums took Hip Hop’s preeminent savior figure soaring up the charts with lead single “HUMBLE.” A collaboration with blockbuster rap visionary Mike WiLL Made-It seems like a reach on paper, but Kendrick Lamar designs its catchy hook to amp a club audience up while still offering a lesson (or three) about modesty.
The newly formed collaboration also finds electric synergy on DAMN. opener “DNA.,” as the de facto king of L.A. details the complexities that make up his being before letting his ego run amok to demonstrate deductive reasoning why he should be considered among the all-time elite. Long embroiled in an unspoken war of subliminal jabs where popularity is stacked against quality and audiences have been practically forced to pick a preference, an educated guess can interpret the playful “ELEMENT.” as Kendrick drawing a line in the sand. Though he’s still unwilling to pull the pin from his figurative grenade, the sung hook could be seen as a cheeky imitation of Drake’s highly praised radio-ready vocals. Indulging his fantasies of crossing over while playfully getting his point across, he feeds the public’s frenzy for tension to result in an official beef on wax, with this being perceived as yet another declaration for Drizzy to tread lightly.
For all of his self-fulfilled bravado, Kendrick has made an equal habit of running full speed to bare his soul on wax. When left alone with his emotions over a minimalist production from chief conspirator Sounwave, a performance such as displayed on “FEEL.” is proof positive why diehards consider him peerless. Vulnerability takes center stage here as he rattles off a complex range of thoughts from hopelessness regarding the state of the world to his innermost struggles: the pressures of being a rapping savant whose personal well-being is rarely considered, boiling over with the sobering conclusion “ain’t nobody praying for me” (a phrase repeated throughout DAMN. that ties his storyline together, e.g. the opening words of “HUMBLE.”).
Puzzle pieces are further connected as the Bible-reciting phone call from Kendrick’s cousin referenced on the meditative “YAH.” surfaces on “FEAR.,” which is by and large the arguable highlight of DAMN. Stripping away the glamorous facade upheld by Hip Hop’s more ubiquitous influencers, he paints one of his most vivid pictures to date atop an Alchemist creation as listeners are taken through two decades of anxiety. Physical discipline keeps our protagonist walking a straight line in the early-to-mid ‘90s, then years later he’s forced to face the daily trauma of adolescent street terrors before fast forwarding to his present position, which includes phobias of frivolous spending and shady businessmen mismanaging his finances, all while facing concerns of how his art and legacy will be received.
Kendrick is generally averse to thriving within the mainstream via formulaic paint-by-the-number rhythms, but DAMN. marks the first time he dares to fully embrace the industry’s reindeer games. On “LOYALTY.,” introverted hitmaker DJ Dahi provides K. Dot and pop queen Rihanna with his distinct commercial bounce that’s normally found on songs with far less substance, so much that it’s easy to overlook the greater subversive message of placing God ahead of worldly things and people. “LOVE.” is a heartfelt new age ballad that finds Kendrick proclaiming undying devotion to a woman, and while it’s unlike anything that came before it, it doesn’t stretch boundaries as far as penultimate track “GOD.” By far the album’s least organic occurrence, here he goes hard at keeping pace with the status quo.
Diehard fans may scoff at DAMN.’s crossover ambitions but Kendrick rectifies matters toward traditionalism with the closer “DUCKWORTH.” A tale of Aesopian proportions (also one of the few places DJ Kid Capri’s sporadic drops fit best), 9th Wonder Ginsu chops the vocal samples of eclectic underground band Hiatus Kaiyote three times over on a track that reveals Kung Fu Kenny’s career exists due to his father being spared in a long-since-past chance encounter with TDE boss Top Dawg. The surprise ending takes us back to the LP’s intro where a fatherless Kendrick is murdered by a stray bullet, a callback to how the skits on good kid, m.A.A.d. city and spoken word intermissions on TPAB factor into overall concepts greater than how they appear alone.
In all, DAMN. makes baseless any claims that Kendrick Lamar isn’t an all-time great.
Fans who were skeptical seeing pop icons U2 on the tracklist can be relieved as “XXX” turns out to be an edgy diatribe without so much as scratching the surface on sex like the title suggests. Though he benefits from a lowered bar for achievement within this generation, each outing pushes the envelope to challenge listeners and competition to employ great attention to detail.
Cohesive as ever and undoubtedly his best project from a digestibility standpoint, if there’s any knock against DAMN., it’s that it may not enjoy the earth axis-stopping moments that his previous two releases did, generationally and culturally, respectively. Some fans already exposed their greedy side, having fallen victim to internet urban legends that the project was just the first part to a secret sequel, yet possibly implying that the album’s shelf life won’t be wholly immortal. Whether it’s a future classic or impenetrable catalog builder remains to be seen, but once more, King Kendrick has proved through linear vision he’s naturally able to outshine the rest of the mainstream while still working to figure out the world around him.
Well done sir. Well f*cking done.
best tracks : DNA, FEEL, HUMBLE, LOVE, XXX, FEAR
5/5
How did skip “Element”? That record is crazy! Anyway, another amazing effort from Compton’s most vertically challenged.
What’s with this .9 shit? Either give it a whole numbered score or explain this review score system you have. Seems too much like an arbitrary thinkg at this point.
Damn bro, what you are seeing with the .9 is the remaining of the average score given by all those who voted. Like how a NBA player can score 25.7 points a game. Most times like this ppl round up to the nearest whole number. So that 4.9 is basically a perfect 5 score. I kinda hope you weren’t serious with you’re question. Because it’s basic 5th grade math. But there’s your answer bro. Anyway the album Dope Af.
Most OVERRATED rapper of this generation!
HE’S THE GOAT!!!
Whether you like the album or not, there is no arguing the fact that he is the best hip hop artist or even artist in general of his generation. Personally, I dont think the album is as good as GKMC or TPAB but, very much like S80, it stands out from other albums by other artist in various areas including production, content, flow, rhyme schemes, delivery, balance…
Personally I would rate it at 4.3 or 4.4, like I would S80. GKMC would deserve a 4.9 and TPAB a 4.7 as both albums are better and amongst the best hip hop albums made in the past ten years or even in history.
Salute.
So O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D. Not even funny. Everything he does and says is just soooooooo”deep”. Annoying ass flow. He sounds like the outlawz member on the last verse of Hail Mary. Not top 5 of shit. Not even the best rapper on TDE.
GOAT
Trash album. Trash flow. 2 good songs on the whole album. Most overrated rapper of all time
Average but still dope
Stop with this top 5 GOAT shit. Not even the best rapper on TDE and not even the best among his peers. Good kid and Section 80 were solid, TPAB & this Damn album bad. I’m a fan of hip-hop so I’ll always listen when he drops but come on. Stop gassin this shit. Interscope propaganda gotta stop. BTW this album is subpar. Wish I had 2 more hands, I would’ve gave this shit 4 thumbs down.
try hard
Below TPAB right around GKMC. Signs of a deep discography. 8.5/10
Kendrick is great. He makes good records and is consistent. But still. He is not the dopest mc of TDE’s roster. In my opinion Ab-Soul is a beast. Probably the best lyricist of his generation. The only reason Kendrick is getting all the credit is because of his deal with Interscope and his ties with Dr. Dre. That put him under the spots where his music could benefit a strong visibility among the audience. Once again, I’m not taking anything away from Kendrick’s album. He deserves his shine. And DAMN. is a good album. It sounds like a 4/5 to me. But I personaly think that Ab-Soul is more talented lyricly speaking.
Well deserved
Definitely not a 5 but its also 100 times better then pimp butterfly album which to me is a horrible album. Hate when someone as dope as Kendrick drops a non hip-hop album like butterfly and then gets great review after great review as a hip-hop album when it was definitely not, or at least to me. Just like Andre 3K went from being dope rapper to some corny ass sing-song garbage. So I wasnt expecting much when I heard Damn was coming out but pleasantly surprised and happy to see him back to spitting on just about every track. Still a few tracks I skip but overall its dope.
Listen to Divine Council feat Andre 3000 he ripped it!
Amazing album.
Album is good. Kendrick is a beast and probably alongside Royce da 59′ as the best current rapper at the moment. But you guys are slowly making this kid overrated. Everybody needs to slow down. Your hurting the kid with this goat talk. I give it a 3/5. Good but not great. Joey badass album was waaaay better.
I agree with this statement 1000%. Kdot is awesome but all this hyping from bandwagon jumpers are hurting him. Stop this silly goat talk. To me rae and joey had better albums. I didnt like lupes album that much but DAMN to me is worse. 3/5
Fuck the trolls
Another Great album from Kendrick. Definitely my favorite album of the year so far. I expected a little more from Big Sean and J.Cole. Joey Bada$$ album is good, and drake did his normal radio friendly thing. K.Dot is the leader of the generation hands down. To many bars, lyrics, realness, creative songs and styles the dude just got it on lock
Joints a 5/5. Way better than TPAB as a cohesive album and a lot of maturity since GKMC. Hasn’t left the tape deck since I got it!
King Kendrick
GOAT.
Yea right….DAMN ssucked ass and this is coming from a kdot fan. Its not even better than tpba. Joey badass and raekwon had much better records. This is like the COMPTON sndtrk, all hype that will die out quickly and be forgotten about. 3/5 this album is nowhere being a masterpiece or classic. Stop dickriding.
Instant classic
damn is his worst album. it’s average at best. poor metaphors, weak beats, bland.
Kendrick and J. Cole are both battling it out for this generation’s G.O.A.T. but after listening to DAMN I have to put Cole in the #1 spot. Fuck what anybody else says, 4 Your Eyes Only was a classic and DAMN sucked, I’m a fan of both though.
4 Eyes Only was trash, DAMN destroys that album.
I’ve been listening to this album nonstop since it dropped .. I went ahead and gave it the classic status… Dope beats..Dope rhymes, dope concept.. ..What else do you guys want ? We are lucky to get 3 great hip hop albums this last month ..Kendrick, Joey , Raekwon.. beyond hip hop John Mayer even put out a great album ..Thank God music is still alive and thriving …
cant fux wit mayer after his david duke comment, which we know is a lie anyway
Can’t lie. I haven’t listened to an album since “Continuum” (which I still think is amazing 5/5). I’m not running around screaming FJM but that shit still doesn’t sit right with me.
And I disagree with that .9 thing.. come on hiphopdx… Did the beat change a sec too soon or what ?!
Hard to read this review when every other word is “slurp, slurp, slurp.” Kendrick is straight overrated. Drake is the greatest of this generation and all time. More Life already a classic.
No wonder slurp is the only word you hear…
shut you bitch ass up.
.
Kendrick did it again.
fire
His second best album ??
Wtf is a 4.9? Lol.
It means it’s an excellent album, that falls short of perfection. Obviously. You don’t read very much, do you?
don’t know why these idiots can’t see that
Recently Lupe drogas & Joey bad ass American bad ass run circles around it. Just because he out shines Dr Seuss mumblers I could name 100 better than this dude I just don’t get the hype sounds like a wanna be Andre 3K
Let’s see just off top of my head minus most people’s goats, spice 1, mc right, quick, face, rakim, Kool g rap, 8ball mjg, big boi, bun b, Pimp c, Devin the dude, Cool breeze, Twista, Ludacris, killer Mike, big Krit, 50, phife dawg, q tip, souls of mischief, del, above the law, bone, brotha Lynch, ESHAM, childish Gambino, dead prez, talib, mos def, dmx, e40, ice cube, WC, Mack 10, big pun, guru, Redman, wutang, Jay z, KRS 1, LL Cool J, tela…..
It was worth a listen but geez call me a hater or old but not even top 100 when it comes to this game also consider all the biting from those that came before. When Dre Pimped em round 2000 is when it officially died beefing with boy bands and pop stars pandering to the masses 100% corporate control
Shit I’d say haystack, AOC Obama got better projects then this dude but seems like everyone Dre cosign gets a pass
Not TPAB, but the best album since
Not a 1 but had to give it cuz this is no where near a classic nor are any other of his joints. Standards are terrible but yes it out shines the Dr Seuss mumblers.
American bad ass & drogas out shines
Dude, Drogas was 2 steps backwards AGAIN for Lupe. More pop, more out of element production, just Lupe trying to be something he’s not just like he was on Lasers and F&L2
Didn’t like the album too much, listened through twice… TPAB is SO MUCH better, the production and mixing alone are light years ahead of this album. 🙁
Great album, great beats, great rhymes, great concept.
I really don’t see the hype. Listened objectively. He’s just not that good to be honest, flow is awful.
Listened objectively? so is that you trying to write off your clear bias as honesty? lol. This is why you’re not writing in depth reviews. your 1 out of 5 speaks to you listening to one song and dropping the rest of the album. I can promise you there is not a blog out there rating his album less than a 7 out of 10 and I’ll listen to them before you
Only songs I liked was DNA, Element, & Fear. Sue me for not writing a long review. Lol can I not like the album?
Bruh only songs I liked was DNA, Element, & Fear. Sue me for not writing a long review. Lol can I not like the album?
Wtf? Yo I like Kendick but this review is wayyy over hyped, this album pales in comparison to his previous two and has tracks that are completely skipable.
Not as good as TPAB, but still top-notch album. Kendrick is a living legend.
To sum up this discussion/commenting/trolling is Kung Fu Kenny Hiphops savior Yep or Nope? …..support quality Hiphop y’all
I understand that he’s labeled this generation’s great rapper, but production and concept aside, he’s not a super-great rapper. At times he hits you over the head with his lyrics as opposed to being nice on the mic. He’s definitely a huge step above the mumblers and auto-tuners, but historically, as just an MC, he’s middle of the pack.
As just as an MC middle of the pack? He has more flows than Jay z and Nas. More depth than Biggie and better albums than Common and Mos Def. How’s he middle of the the pack?
Lol wtf… everyone u named has more classics ban kendrick by a long shot. I mean, are any of the kendrick albums more playable than any of biggies? Or most of Jayz?
Never liked Jay personally, so I’d say Kendrick-album all (except for this one) are more playable than Jay’s albums are.
He is the greatest rapper of all time. Most rap enthusiasts cant admit since they find it hard to accept a new school rapper can surpass their favorite rappers of the 90s. Furthermore, he has the best discography in hiphop; 4 classics back to back!!!!
Kendrick>>Nas>>Jay z
Crazy replay value
Great album great production. The rollout was on point. The ppls promotion with all the conspiracy therories and posted reactions added a “must cop” appeal. Classic rap album. The guy is solidified and in the conversation at least for the greatest.
Thanks knot for real hiphop 555555 star
tHat ya wHole tHang?
Album of the year. One of the best albums of the last decade.
Wtf is a 4.9??? Just give that man the 5.
Stop playing.
Wtf is a 4.9??? Just give that man the 5. Stop playing
DAMN!!
That’s all I got to say about this album
K.Dot is 3 for 3. The man doesn’t know how to drop the ball.
4 for 4 (section 80)
WIPE THE GIZZ OFF YOUR FACE BEFORE YOUR BOYFRIEND COMES OVER!!!!
4.9??!!! DICKRIDIN’ TDE MUCH??!! HOW ABOUT A 4.0!!!!
Fire!!
album was great we the USA needed real hip-hop like this. I love this album and had played it over and over. but I would not give it a 4.9 or a 5 I’ll give it a 4.2 it’s not close to good kidd mad city!!!
Honestly loved his first album. Tried hard to like this one – 4 listens in just isn’t grabbing me. He is trying to hard. Sorry from a real old school hip hop fan.
classic
aoty
Listened a few times, I can only get into “DNA, HUMBLE, FEEL, LUST, and FEAR. Rest I’m not feeling that much. TPAB>DAMN.
Can somebody from hiphopdx please explain to me why every comment i post gets deleted. I rarely do it but when I do I actually put some thought into unlike 98% of the other comments which makes me think thats the reason. I rarely swear and even use asterisks when I do, I never say racist sh*t like some people and yet every time I post a comment hiphopdx removed it. I know this cause it always shows its posted but when I come back to see if anyone said anything my comments just disappear. Like I said I rarely comment so its not that big of a deal but id still like to know why?
It just deleted my comment too. They have the worst run comment section on the net. Nothing worst than writing a thoughtful racist free curse free comment only to have it disappear smh
4.9 is ridiculous. Kendrick is fantastic, the album is fantastic, but everybody calm down please. Just because most of rap today is garbage, it shouldn’t bump up how great this album is. It was very good, but not classic. Instead of giving the wack shit 3.5 and 4, give them the 1s and 2s they deserve so we don’t get flooded with ridiculously high ratings. Once you make this a 4.9, every album better (and there are plenty) has to be a 5, and that is nonsense because a 5 is supposed to be perfect. Again, I love Kendrick, really liked the album, but God damn you guys are too easy to impress, like giving Nate Robinson a 10 on a dunk he attempted 14 times.
I agree 100%. This is a very good album, but I don’t think it is on the level of his last three (which was a hell of a run as it was). I would give this album somewhere between a 3.8 and a 4.
This was a very good album, just not quite on the level of his last three. I think this album was dragged down by some of the concessions made to current trends in hip hop (trap and pop style tracks), but even then the album is still probably better than most of his peers.
Jesus Christ! This is the hight of ass licking.I swear every Kendrick fan knows this is his worst album.
To follow up from 2PAB so well is ridiculous, especially considering it’s his fourth “instant-classic” album in a row.
Strong message, tight sound, highly-repeatable joints. Hell yeah it’s a 5/5
I think people don’t like it like they did TPAB cuz there isn’t any poem or skit to explain the concept (tho Kid Capri somehow does it). Also in TPAB he explained the concept on mortal man’s outro, but here on DAMN. there’s no explanation. Otherwise, production is a trapped-up version of GKMC which fits his flow and energy well, and the lyrics are some of the best he’s ever wrote. I don’t understand the hate tbh, It’s a dope album.
So ‘boring’ is ‘hiphop’ now?
The album had so much dynamic to it. What album were you listening to. I think you put on Drake’s last mood jazz album or I’m sorry “playlist”.
The album was refreshing with the lack of good music in the atmosphere. I liked almost every song but Loyalty was my favorite joint. Dope ass album! Hip Hop is not dead.
Garbo
Thank God I can see through the fuckery.
U want real hip hop fuckboy? Listen to mokobe african french rapper with femi kuti afro beats. Then holla back at lil dick
Shit is beyond ridiculous now
My 10 sexiest : Vanilla Ice Nas Pharrell Will Smith 50 Andre3000 Wacka Rick Ross Tupac Too Short
He looks like a retarded goat on that album cover
I know!
Not sexy
This rating is an insult to real hiphop classics.
I prefer 50cent. He has that big body
It’s a 5/5. It’s a classic in his own right, just as TPAB is a classic, just like GKMC was a classic and Section 80 was a classic. They all sound different so it’s hard to compare his albums. Matter of fact, I think it would be a mistake to compare his albums because they all serve different purposes
I didnt listen but know its shit.
U a fuckboy. Listen to Mokobe with femi kuti afro beats french rap like Iam, Nekfeu, Cut Killa, Arsenik. Listen to Booba album Temps Mort and Iam album Sad Hill. Real hip hop in France. usa wasted sad finished the worms already eating flesh of us rap.
Listen and holla back at Lil dick
GOAT
Kendrick is the best
Some people listened to this album with a template already in their mind on how the album should go. That’s not the right way to listen to this album and music in general. I get that at first listen, you may not get the entire concept but when you listen to it a second time without bias and too much expectation, you will start to get the artist’s (Kendrick) idea and realize that great attention to details was put into the creation of this album. From my own experience, its a classic album.
American rap is for fuckboys. Listen to Mokobe with Femi Kuti afro beats french african rapper. IAM greatest rap group in the world check their concert next to egyptian pyramids on youtube. Listen to Nekfeu and shut yo mouth like for ever. US rap for retards losers fuckboys.You will never grow up to be a real man ready for that sovereign debt crisis when us japanese and european debt has no bid in 2018 2020 and government cant spend no more. Buy stocks now even at all time high and keep buying cause it wont crash with retail participation at all time low. Dow jones will eventually reach 40.000. You will remember these words for ever fuckboy. quadruple og talk
espèce de boufon, tu nous sors des Neukfeu IOI des Mokobe IOI et tu n’as même pas honte !!!! get out of here!!
Bonjour fuckboy comment vas tu
Toi encore bb moi ton papa
Je vis sur une ile et ya pas un arabe de merde c le pied pa une mosquee de merde pa une racaille de merde. Tahiti Huahine Demin je vais ou Las Vegas ou New Zealand? Mais tu pourras jamais relativiser. Tu es un fuckbot
I think Lil dick is right. Has anyone here ever heard “La vallee de Dana” ? hip hop masterpiece
Bonjour fuckboy tu connais mem pas benny b
So, Kendrick isn’t Black anymore. He is an Israelite. Right… When will he be on the corner screaming with his crew downtown.
U less a fuckboy than the others. But there is no israelite conspiration fuckboy the world is just stupid messy with short term big mafia moves nobody can control the world. Stop acting like fuckboy and listen to Mokobe read my posts on here and holla back at Lil dick
Kendrick set the bar again
Read below my posts and holla back at Lil dick
2nd best to TPAB, amazing way to foolow the masterpiece by another classic, this journey through his mind left me speechless. Keep it up, Kenny <3
It’s a good album, but my fav is still good kid m.A.A.d city.
yall better stop it, or else kendrick is gonna become overrated. the album is good but i honestly dont considerate it dope.
kendrick is getting hyped for nothing.
his albums were never good.
they were mediocre, boring, nothing special.
his rap skills are nothing special also.
this album is just bad, but those hipster boys outside buy anthing that is getting hyped 🙂 sad sad!
This is a good album man, esp in light of coming off the back of TPAB. It’s like doing what we didnt expect. Great concept (duality – living thru FEAR or living thru RAP), amazing rapping (DNA, YAH, FEEL, PRIDE, FEAR, DUCKWORTH), production is heavy, grounded and solid. Personallly think this dude has improved as a rapper and artist but he still makes wack ass love songs (LOVE is weak – dont care what anyone says, lol) and a dud (GOD – this song is wack man). Overall this is a step in the right direction for a top tier hiphop artist, like troling aside, whether you fucks with him or not, this dude stepped his whole shit up. 4/5
Kendrick the goat of hiphop
Album is overrated, TPAB was really an impressive album. This is just OK……….I know it’s not fair to compare albums but Amerikkkan Bada$$ is a much more rounded listening experience
perfectiion
best album I have ever heard
outstanding
masterpiece
WOOOW this is crazy
best album of the 2010 from a pure objective standpoint
I can guarantee anybody who is calling this album a classic or labelling Kendrick as the goat or top 5 and other cringeworthy phrases will not even listen to one song from this album in a couple of months. Y’all need to realize that it takes time for something to be considered a “classic”. Listened to the album 4 times, including one time in reverse, it’s nothing crazy. Problem is that nobody listens to the music anymore, they got their ears to the hype not the tunes. In fact, a lot of people don’t even like this, but they’re trying too hard to make themselves seem like they’re enjoying it. Nothing too deep or special here except constant unpleasant beat switches or Kendrick’s high pitched alien voice and bad vocal delivery. This dude is not even the best rapper on the label how the fuck is he the “GOAT” ? goat used to stand for greatest of all time last time i checked.
Jay Rock and Ab-Soul are miles ahead of him but they get zero exposure and promotion, they need off TDE fast. “DNA” and “FEEL” are great songs specially the latter which Kendrick keeps it real and raps his ass off on the smooth beat, “BLOOD” has an amazing instrumental even tho it’s not actually a “song” but the rest is utter boring trash. What the fuck was going through his mind when he was singing like a retarded kid on “GOD” and “LOVE” ? or that shitty “HUMBLE” track. The vocals and mixing on “LOYALTY” were awful and he got outshined by a pop star. These are all coming from someone who used to be a big fan and considers S80 a 9/10 and GKMC a 10/10 greatest album of the 2010s so far but with the last two releases, i’ve lost all hope in Kendrick Lamar. everybody who is overrating the shit of this dude is to be blamed for this atrocity, you’re making a god out of someone that can’t live up to his own expectations and goes on trying to make singy songy deep abstract dogshit. You ain’t foolin nobody except these hypebeast teenagers. I can name at least 50 rappers better than Kdot, and at least 200 albums better than this mess. A 99 on metacritic is a disrespect to hiphop as a whole genre, i mean seriously a 99 ??! i could understand a 90 somehow but this shit is beyond ridiculous. And before you get to judging and assuming let me say that i’m not a Drake fan lmao, and i’m not an “old head”, just turned 20 and listen to all types of hiphop, even if Lil Uzi Vert drops a good song i’ll listen to it. If this is a 4.9 then what is “It Was Written”, “How I Got Over”, “Undun”, “Slim Shady LP”, “The Infamous”, “Hell On Earth”, “Sittin on Chrome”, “Step in The Arena” , the list goes on and on … ??! quit reachin dickriders. Freddie Gibbs currently has the AOTY title with crazy replay value, go listen to “You Only Live 2wice”.
Listen to the album when the hype has died down. Album reviews are the worst thing to happen to music as they sort of tell you what to think or believe about the music. And it’s like a week into this. But the thing is, its important to have your own take-aways. Respect
TPAB made you lose hope in Kendrick? That comment made me lose hope in you. Freddie Gibbs album was okay, probably my third favorite of the year behind Kendrick and Raekwon
2/5?! Clearly you are a hater like your name suggests fuckHHDX. TPAB was rated a perfect 5, and went on to win 5 grammy’s almost breaking MJ’s record for the most nominations in a single night, and yet you call it a dissapointment. Clearly, you do not understand good music or you just don’t possess the ability to analyze the depth and meaning in lyrics. Freddie Gibbs is a good artist too no doubt, but Kendrick > Gibbs. I aint about that trap shit, Im all about the realness, and Kendrick delivered. I give DAMN. a 4/5.
“Analyze the depth and meaning in lyrics” LMAO this shit was funny, i love how you Kendrick stans play the “It’s so deep you don’t understand” card everytime someone doesn’t say mindless positive shit about him, i just don’t like it, and i can guarantee you that i know good music and have listened to good music more than you ever will in your lifetime bro, just quit.
Sad moment when this generation fails to recognize greatness.
This is the epitome music made for Grammy Awards, Music Critics, and Trendies. I often thought that Kanye West was the biggest perpetrator of this fad, but this new album by Rapper turned social activist sellout Kendrick Lamar has ushered in a whole new form of trendiness and it is hidden in the form of social justice. To claim that you listen to, enjoy, and understand this album will make you appear as a hip liberal who is against the establishment. Unfortunately liberalism and anti-establishmentism nowadays means blind acceptance and toleration of any ideology of a minority; the western proliferation of Islam and the establishment and mainstream acceptance of a violence based hate group called The Black Lives Matter Movement come to mind. Be and independent person, don’t blindly accept what the majority tells you is good. This goes beyond music, but it is important to point this out as these people are being made into martyrs by the majority, while they are undeserving of it.
I agree, this album turned me into a homosexual and before I knew it, I was fucking my camel clyde in the ass while reciting sacred verses from the Quaran. Now I have to pay the jizzya or be proclaimed a heretic by The Profit Muhammad, who, by the way, is a fucking pedo. ALLAH FUCKTARD! KENDRIK SUCKS!
PA-POOSE PA-POOOOOSE!
STREET-SWEEPERS STREET-SWEEPERS!
GREEN LANTERN GREEN-LANTERN!!!
classic
Not enough guns drugs sex death stealing humiliation lying pestilence for me. Hip hop has grown powerful thanks to the issues i cited. If it wasnt for hiphop kids wouldnt die as much. More gangsta shit is what the game needs fear of the black man violence and death to bring hiphop to its original source wich is afrika baambata the perversion at the core undying and freaky
I’m loving it a great deal.
I like how he’s tackling death, fate, duality and the perception of himself and his artwork..
He gives you two paths through the album but ultimately they all lead to the same place.
XXX is a perfect example of how he has to deal with the contradiction that he’d be willing
to ride if someone in his family were to be hurt but he also believes in gun control.
Or how he deals with Fate on the song DUCKWORTH. and how decisions can totally change everything like when (who I’m assuming is…) Top Dog meets “Ducky” (Kendrick’s father).
I think what I like about GKMC, TPAB and now DAMN. is dude continually tries to reconcile
reality and his religious beliefs.
Just a couple of my thoughts on the album after a night of listening.
10/10 and it comes from a hater.
K dot doing great… GOAT status
I have yet to hear a better album this decade. only thing that comes close is tpab
Classic album.
The album is good…but having heard it at least 10 times by now, I can tell you it’s not all that. Ya’ll forgetting Kendrick signed a 360 deal..the people behind him have a long term plan and its working. GKMC was his intro and a Westcoast classic, TPAB he got deep/conscious project, and this album is so he can have 4-5 joints to perform when he’s on tour. He gave us Kendrick on it, he gave us some Drake/Big Sean on it. Dude even had the fake Weekdn on his LOVE track. Kendrick’s giving everybody a little bit of everything. GOAT? Nah… Best of this generation? Yeah. The album’s magic wore off on the 10th listen and idk if I’ll be listening to it in a few months. But he’s a better lyricist than Drake for sure, and he makes better MUSIC than J. Cole even though J. Cole’s style is cleaner. Kendrick speaks in riddles and tongue twisters, J. Cole is a more direct lyricist…but J Cole is boring.
But those of ya’ll saying Joey Badass’s album is better are delusional. Joey Badass has half the skill and every beat on his album sounds like some African tribal shit. The best verse on his album belongs to Styles P. And while I wanna see Joey do good cuz I’m from NYC he’s got a long way to go before he’s at K.Dot’s level
Nobody says hes on his level.. but joey badass does have a better album? Tribal beats? You havent even listened to joeys album. Stop trolling. Raekwon album shits on DAMN.
This album is amazing to say the least
4.9…really just say its a Classic
Album of the year and outselling wheelchair Jimmy too without manipulating numbers and paying people to stream . King Kenny slaying them daily. He told ya to be ready and most people wasn’t. This is a special time for real hip-hop supporters. The controlled media can’t stop people power. Let’s be humble and prepare drake to choke on a fat bacon and pork sausage sandwich .
In Jesus name , Amen
Meh
This rating and the hype nonsense surrounding this boring album made me realise certain things bout life.
That spelling is a key aspect in life
Wow people actually complain about this getting a 4.9, but not more life hitting the 4 mark. That shit was a 3.4
As much as I hate to say it as an OG. Kendrick is definitely a top 10 MC of all time. It’s now #FACTO
Blah as fuck
Kendrick started SINGING all over this album and the little fangirls go crazy and give him the GOAT status. He tried that singing shit on UNTITLED and it was awful just like on DAMN. Somebody tell Kendrick to stop imitating these rappers singing over rap songs. He used to be a trend setter now hes just a follower.
Album was okay..gkmc still his best..this is more personal and tpab isnt all that relevant..4.9 just give it a 5 already i mean then it would be better than illmatic
This website dickrides too much .. this album trash, just like Drake’s album was trash .. stop dickriding these rappers, hiphopdx .. yall probably taking $$ from their record labels to give their artists favorable reviews.
Nah, fam. They do dickride too much but I think they actually believe that shit. This people actually believe this dude and this music is that great. They’ve convinced themselves. It’s crazy.
It may not be his best work, but it’s still a great album.
No way all the people giving this a “1” actually believe that sh**.
The theme of life inconsistency with themes that fall in to it like chance, humility, the internal conversation with outside interaction it’s a classic
Great review. I find this the most listen from Kendrick.
Wtf is up with all these rappers singing through half they albums? This is Kenny’s worst album to date… If you think Kdot is the GOAT and this album is classic you need to go back and review your hip hop history! 2.5/5
Classic album. Shitting on Frake.
this only proofs he is the greatest ano 2017, the storytelling is on a whole other level than any other rapper.
Hip-hop needs this album
Man this album is the shit negus just need to listen to the words cuz he speaking on real life shit not that fairytale bullshit one of my favorite album this year so far
Very solid album.
This shit will be forgotten in 2 weeks.
I agree 100%
ive listened to hiphop since 1996. he is currently the greatest. thats it.
Fuckboy i started wit ze fat boyz. Its shit. Best rapper alive is warren g
4.5/5 This album is just pure rap. TPAB is still better, but I like this more than GKMC. Just barely though.
greatest album I have ever heard
Unexpected type of music experience from kendrick. Was really impressed by his art every time.
Kung-Fu Kenny!
surpassed mbdtf & tpab for album of the decade
Even though time will tell just how Dope & Perfect this album is, in this short frame of time it’s head & shoulders above EVERYTHING else that’s out. IMO, it’s another classic from Kendrick, and you can’t say with a clear intelligent mind that this album sucks or is anything under a 4.5 rating. If you do, you don’t understand what it takes to be a great MC and make great albums!
Great album is something more than just great lyrics.
I agree, so let’s break down your theory:
Content – He’s speaking on Politics, Weak MC’s, Love, Hood, Thugs, Family, Spirituality
Beats – From 9th Wonder, Mike Will, Sounwave, the beats that serve the soundtrack are top notch
Flow of Tracks – All the songs on the album flow with each other, and stay in the theme to the album
Variety – there’s something for everyone on this album with Rihanna, U2 and the new cat singing on it. Radio records, underground, West Coast, Lyrical – all represented
All of those things makes this a GREAT ALBUM and soon to be classic. I think a lot of people go in with expectations of what THEY think something should be, and when it’s different than what they think, it’s foreign and not good.
Note: I am 39 going on 40 and came up in 2 Golden Eras and see the goods in this album and this dominant MC.
I agree, so let’s break down your theory: Content – He’s speaking on Politics, Weak MC’s, Love, Hood, Thugs, Family, Spirituality Beats – From 9th Wonder, Mike Will, Sounwave, the beats that serve the soundtrack are top notch Flow of Tracks – All the songs on the album flow with each other, and stay in the theme to the album Variety – there’s something for everyone on this album with Rihanna, U2 and the new cat singing on it. Radio records, underground, West Coast, Lyrical – all represented All of those things makes this a GREAT ALBUM and soon to be classic. I think a lot of people go in with expectations of what THEY think something should be, and when it’s different than what they think, it’s foreign and not good. Note: I am 39 going on 40 and came up in 2 Golden Eras and see the goods in this album and this dominant MC.
I reviewed the album (track by track) the night it came out before any critic even got a chance to format an opinion….. I honestly gave the album an A- Its not a Classic by any means. It is very solid though, so anyone who is claiming this is not a good album does not deserve any credibility. It’s diverse, intriguing at times, accessible, and modern. If you really pay attention to the samples and album structure- this album is a lot like Life of Pablo from the sudden beat switches, abnormal song structures, and impulsiveness.
I couldn’t name a song off of More Life that is superior to anything on DAMN. And all the critics dick rided the hell out of More Life.
That’s where you messed up…impossible to review an album on first listen. Especially an album like this.
Great Album!
Take off “Loyalty” and “Love” and Maybe it would have been a classic.
goatness
classic, 100% classic
Mehhhhh
This album is awesome. But not no 4.9 out of 5. Smh, can’t even give him a perfect score without hesitation.
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooriiiiiiiiiiinnnng Album
classicccc
fire
A him and jcole always come with it on there albums so some of y’all need to get off drake dick
This is my favorite Kendrick album! I like them all but TPAB had too much spoken word, GKMC also killed it for me with all the skits, and Section 80 is probably my second favorite. All bangers tho and he’s easily the best rapper of his generation!
Instant Classic!!!
I am not a fan of the new direction Kendrick is heading. I liked Good Kidd Madd City a lot, one of my favorite albums of 2012. The album after that was such a stark change, it seems he has taken a serious modern black panther type social turn with his music. I unfortunately am no longer a fan since his new album has solidified this. I like pro black music that is done right, Let’s Get Free is one of my favorite albums of all time of any genre. This new Kendrick Lamar is far too preachy. Come back down from your ivory tower Kendrick and make music for the people, not for music critics and social justice.
You can tell you didn’t even listen to this album lol
why am i supposed to be able to tell that? it was tough listen, kinda like a rough day at work… not my cup of tea. Like I said, I am a fan of his earlier work, but I cant get behind this music that is geared toward music critics and rich white people.
Have to agree with Zero Grav. How is DNA, Fear, Element or Love preachy? I guess you’re talking about lust god and xxx. but even those aren’t preachy if you pay attention to the lyrics. TPAB was preachy. I like it but I can admit it was fucking preachy. This isn’t.
To each his own, or whatever the music critics and the media tell you to like right? This is preachy music to my ears and I don’t care for it.
Have to agree with Zero Grav. How is DNA, Fear, Element or Love preachy? I guess you’re talking about lust god and xxx. but even those aren’t preachy if you pay attention to the lyrics. TPAB was preachy. I like it but I can admit it was fucking preachy. This isn’t.
I’m speechless. Best hiphop album since…. TPAB…
Drake Stans giving it a 1 or 2 because they know it shits on the last two weed plates Drake released lol. DAMN. is flawless…
He went harder than the whole industry with this one. Haven’t heard an album with no skippable tracks in a long time!
DAMN. is on another level. GOAT of our generation.
This is what a classic sounds like.
anyone giving this anything below a 3 is straight hating, this is not his best album but its not trahs either
Honestly I enjoyed the album. Kendrick one again step out of his box as he usually does.Which is why I rate him high especially at a time when hip hop seems very stale. Creativity is a must for a artist. Is he the greatest of all time, only time will tell. But when its all said and done and you look at his catalog or body of work he certainly will be in the conversation.
This generations rap is so shitty, that when someone makes a slightly above average album, it’s immediately called classic.
I completely agree with you. I got on a kick where everything I was hearing was classics. I listened to the albums again and realized “Don’t Believe The Hype”. Yes, this album is great, and it cements his status as an impressive artist in all aspects but I don’t think he pushed any new beliefs or changed the game with the album. It’s 4 Stars. I know I’m old school, but some of the rappers that’s first four albums were incredible were artists like Ice Cube, Public Enemy, Outkast to name a few. How many hits did these guys have that were because they were just killer cuts. That’s what I want, that’s what I crave.
Without the tracks “Lust” and “Love” this would be right up there with his previous albums. But i would still give it a 4.8 because of the deep meanings in this album. Also i feel like all the Kendrick haters will give it a 1 and all the dick riders will give it an instant 5… and thats not right
US rap for fuckboyz. Listen to Mokobe with femi kuti afro beats then holla back at Lil dick
why u here then?
You a genius but cant recognize a joke
Peace man
Boring. Kendrick’s voice is so annoying that I want to shoot the speakers, or at least unplug them. Musically his albums suck too. I am old school and don’t feel this “new hip hop-pop music”. Nas, rakim, mobb deep (hell on earth, the infamous), wu-tang, cypress hill (temples of boom) – that’s the sound I like, not this bullsh*t. Raekwon has the best album of the year so far.
I also find his voice annoying, and he tends to hit you over the head with his lyrics as opposed to letting it flow. I don’t agree that this album sucks, but the earth doesn’t shake when he picks up a mic, much like his rabid fans seem to believe. He’s a good artist who puts out good music in a very weak playing field.
This album is an easy 5
Five ducks in yo mouf
LOLOLOL!
Obama was in french polynesia living it up with billionaires. I live there. Black people got screwed he doesnt give a fuck. he gets everything tax free yall a bunch of morons.plus he all over children like afrika bambaata. Listen to Mokobe Femi Kuti african french rap and holla back at Lil dick
Why is everyone hating on this album? I dont get it… yes this album is his worst to date, but listen to it. This album still has competitive advantage against his peers. Solid production, raw emotion, thoughtful lyrics and culture changing aspects. I’d still give this album at least 4. Definitely not a classic, but better that most stuff out now.
Comparing this album to his peers is a very low bar. The quality of this generation’s hip-hop is muddled with far too much mumbling and auto-tuning mindless nonsense. Lamar is a solid rapper and this is a solid album, but he lacks serious competition, which is not his fault, but a reality.
Oh wow! An actual Hip Hop album rated Higher than Beyonce and Solange on a Hip Hop site. How refreshing! Its a good album but not sure its his best. The reviews on Hiphopdx need to be revisited, your scores are all over the place for no discernable reason.
Has any of you mofos EVER been out of USA? We are in 2017 and you are still listening to this shitty music? It has made you all stupid you join gangs to imitate these people and then call it a struggle when you make it worse for yourselves. Listen to Jimmy hendrix Otis redding Prince james b eric clapton jazz and listen to music outside your country. No hip hop artist is considered a legend in music among serious people. if you dont know what note is playing youre not even a mudician. Its all about being a legend making history we da best because you got awards in your own country. Its like the 6 Billion other people on earth dont give a shit about american football baseball yet you call yourselves world champs without competing against other nations. So if you black in usa start speaking african listen to femi kuti and surprise somebody. Instead of going to mexico go to cameroon and learn a thing or two. Holla back at Lil dick
Come on! Holla back at Lil dick! Hip hop can be entertaining but its music for kids its ridiculous. You dudes know Im right your brains just shut down. Real people just laugh at your : classics making history legends etc
Look at yourselves deep down hip hop is shit compared to real music
Stop being retards open up go listen to Femi kuti or Fela dim the lights grab a joint drink a whiskey and think about the huge financial crises that are coming and the civil wars that will break the western world. Holla back at Lil dick if you aint a chump
I’m from Africa bro and I can tell you there are plenty of ‘rappers’ better then Kendrick who aren’t even mainstream dudes on this side. But that’s besides the point man, the world is globalized now – I think its a bit harsh to say hiphop isn’t real music. Maybe coming from a composition side of things – our producers can step it up. But to say hiphop is not real music is sorely plain spoken – people in the farms on this side are playing Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Hugh Masekela, Kendrick Lamar, Future, etc. Music is spiritual my dude – it connects to the human soul, gets you dancing – whether it’s sampled beats or playing drums in a church can all get people dancing. So its just about what speaks to you as a person man.
Great response. I dont really mean a word i said. Just tryin to create a flow. You a good man. Be sure of nothing bro there are no certainties.
Finally got someone i was just throwing stuff out there and i got a great guy. Ill go check the music you named. You got some more references bro?
Check out Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte, Jimmy Dludlu (Jazz), Stimela (African Funk), Mani-Fest( Rapper from Ghana), Caiphus Semenya (A legend), Songhoy Blues (Malian Rock band), TKZee (Kwaaito). Theres just a whole lot of great African music man,. Lol. I could tell your comments were more provocative.
Thanx bro ill check it out!
You mofos want real legends. Listen to Lucky Dube african reggae legend. Killed in his car by two young men while going to the world cup of soccer in South Africa. But I guess that isnt part of your culture. My suggestion to you mofos : House of Exile the album. Holla back at Lil dick
Listen to Prince lotusflower album song : Dreamer. His guitar solo rips any hip hop song ever made. Those are called musical notes kids. Prince played all his instruments on certain albums and you want us to believe these retarded rap songs are music classics. Please children. Holla back at Lil dick
Has any of you mofos ever heard All along the watchtower by Jimmy Hendrix? Go listen then come back and holla back at Lil dick. You just got musically touched the less you say the bigger the meaning
Stop rating Kendrick Lamar, out of 5 he’s a 10. You will listen to his tracks whether you like it or not, he’s that good. GOAT status? Why not? Kendrick Lamar is just effortless in this
Listen to Prince live at arsenio on youtube. Song : Mutiny. That is real music kids
Looks to me like Lil dick got Hiphopdx on LOCKDOWN. This my place now. Yall bow down. Gangsta. PIMPIIIIIIN!!!!!
If you never listened to Snoops Doggystyle album go listen to it. Youll see its miles ahead of kendrick
There were no grammys for hip hop before Doggystyle came out. Ya dig?
Even get rich or die tryin is way above this. Marshall mathers lp 2 also. The second Wu album? That was something. Stankonia outkast. Black ice outkast goodie mob. Atliens.
You are on crack… the second Wu album was garbage.
Wu-Tang Forever is one of the definitive albums of the 90s, stop smoking crack
Wu Tang Forever??? The double disc??? You’re buggin….ppl played that for 3 yrs STRAIGHT like it was new when that dropped….foh
Nah its 4 20 plus im living it up in tahiti. Not much to do at night on an island
Just that wicked intro with poppa wu talkin kills most rappers today! Listen to that song on album1 with gza reference to Prince he gives that advice to rappers. Make your lyrics half short but twice strong. That bass is crazy. The album was way ahead
As High as Wu tang get name of track. Holla back at Lil dick
lol at least there was 1 classic track on it, unlike any of Lamaar’s cruddy albums
It just took a Lil dick to start a revolution. Ever hear Tracy Chapman talkin bout a revolution?
Come to think of it its a great album.
Peace out chumps
Prince : colonized mind on lotusflower album light up a doobie on 4 20 dim thoz lights. Aint no hip hop song better than that song his guitar play is unreal. Drake can get that weird singing of his out of here.
That song is talking to you so go listen now and holla back at Lil dick
I am tearing this review apart. Dont read that stuff up there read my posts
And holla back at Lil dick
Thats a lot of words but like any hip hop song you wouldnt want to play that during the most important times of your life. Its like real musicians making music with rappers is akin to grown ups taking care of a retarded kid. And he’ll always tell you you did great and that was mindblowing so as not to hurt your feelings plus you could feel like popping ure imaginary Ak47.
4.9 really dx u are some real dick riders!! Not a bad album but no where near perfect u fucks have no idea ur reviews r so random! This album is a 4 at the most. Oh yeah n tpab is fucking terrible…. just saying.
hahahaha….. you lost all credibility by saying TPAB is fucking terrible. Go back to your Lil Yachty bullshit.
DX has lost its mind. Kendrick is singing on songs now and this gets a 4.9? Why not mention how terrible Kendrick’s vocals are? There’s now way GKMC is rated 4.5 and DAMN, easily his worst album is a 4.9. The absolute max this album deserves is a 4. There are a handful of mediocre tracks on this. Keep setting the bar low.
4.9???!
Theres got to be some money exchanging hands with these reviews, the album is alright but doesn’t match the buzz Humble created.
In fact I’d go as far to say that the album is disappointing, as was J.Coles last release.
At first listen I wasn’t sure I’ll find something I’ll like but after the second listen I started to like Element, Feel, Loyalty, Pride, and Lust. Third listen I started to like more songs but Humble isn’t one I’ll truly love but respect it for what it is.
lit
This Def deserves full mark. Accessibility is a thing guys.
Straight fire ?
nice
shit crazy
GOAT
he got mad skills
Cant stop listening. Never a dull moment
An alright album, nothing special
Fucking great.
5/5
If your looking for good albums with alchemist & 9th wonder beats, check out Dilated Peoples – Directors Of Photography, or Sean Price – Mic Tyson, much better albums with better lyrics and better beats, what more do you want?
Living in the past. Those were great albums but Kendrick is the new Tupac Biggie Jayz Nas. He gets air play and is mad lyrical. Everyone shut the fuck up. His shit is dope. I’m 36 grew up on Wu-Tang Nas Jay I’m a NY guy and still see Kendrick is the truth. I listen to little brother I know who 9th wonder is. Alchemist is dope both OGs. They didn’t produce beats for a bum they know Kendrick is dope. So you whack ass wanna be different talking underground fucks stop. I fuck with underground too Apathy Styles of Beyond Bianary Star I can keep going and I can bet all those guys know Kendrick is dope AF too. Thank you that’s all. 5/5 no question
You’re trying to act like Joey’s album wasn’t better than this. This album isn’t GKMC, TPAB or even Section 80. It’s not bad by any stretch, but outside of DNA, Feel, Humble and Fear, I’m not keeping any other tracks on repeat
Agreed 100%.
Garbage by an overrated dude. Dude sucked ever since his first album. Dude has to be for the new generations, cuz dude is trash.
West OG’s co-sign by default cuz he’s from the side. That’s all, otherwise, dude makes the coast look weak. Him and his crew.
This album put the whole industry on an ice pack… he is top 5 greatest rappers of all time, whens its all said an done possible top 3. NO DOUBT not on the level of TPAB but then again no albums released in the last 5 years have been on that level. Still a fucking banger
Actually, i deem dat this album is pretty good but its music and lyric cant be as complex and catchy asTPAB & GKMC.i love Duckworth, Element, fear, lust & xxx, i rate 4.2/5
This is a good album
Flawless
Amazing project
Before he so gladly hung himself, Aaron Hernandez was making love to his jailhouse lover, no one could believe that Aaron Hernandez was bisexual. Plenty of homo. This album is banging KL! Tight production with the thundering bass. Buy this great album!
Not a GOAT yet but soon
A textbook perfect rap album
Period! Point Blank! No explanation needed!
Am i the only one who had to stop in the middle of the road, cuz the switch from Blood to DNA killed my soul. Plus the way he revealed Duckie and Anthony’s story from back in the day. DAMN.
Nahhhh this DX y’all need to give this a 10/10. Its that good GOD. DAMN.!!!
1. You can’t properly review an album after only a week + of it being out, digest the music.
2. HiphopDX gives MUMBLE RAPPERS like Future a 4+ rating so even though I love the album and know Kendrick is nice, the writers on this site don’t deserve to rate music, they know nothing
This shit cured Insomnia. People got the best sleep in years thanks to this garbo. More Life didn’t release physically and still holds the streaming records. Waiting for dat Drake surprise album, gon hit a milli first week raaaahh skrrt
Wow…. Dude sings more than Ja Rule on this album.
And people are calling this a perfect album. The bar is too low today and Kendrick can do no wrong.
“Y’all know what happens on earth stays on earth”
I am sorry this is far from a perfect album. Once the hype off Humble dies down this album will be forgot.
ill give it a 3/5
I like kendrick hes one the best mc’s the last 10 years but the hype n shit over his albums is way overblown n shit. This is far from classic there are 4 or 5 real trash songs on here its better than TPAB but that album has zero replay value after a couple spins. Might just go back to section 80 or Jay Rocks Follow Me Home
Man this is heat. Best Rapper Alive!!!! Close to GOAT status!!! 5/5
5-5
What kind of rating system is this?
Listened to it with an open mind and waited for the hype to be real, but are people really serious comparing this album to classic albums? It’s not bad, not good. 3/5, nothing more, nothing less.
this album is not all that good. I only like 4 songs on there. ELEMENTS. FEEL. DUCKWORTH & HUMBLE. the rest of the songs are just MEHHH Nothing special just the multi grammy award winning hype. As far as I am concerned RiCk Ross RATHER YOU THAN ME is the best rap album I can relate with this year. give KENDRICK another best rap album Grammy *yawns* getting boring already. stupid hype. weird voice. bullcrap. no replay value.
Straight Fire!
What an incredible album. This is for ppl who appreciate great artistry. A lot of try hard rap heads on here, when ya’ll grow up hopefully you’ll appreciate this album.
Amen. This album is absolutely brilliant, closer to poetry than hip hop. Can’t believe how little some of y’all appreciate possibly the greatest rap album of all time. You could listen to it 100 times and still pick up a hidden thread you’d never heard before.
Every Kendrick release has an unbelievable amount of depth. 80 is the perfect intro as a new artist. GKMC is an audience pleaser. TPAB is a culture pleaser. DAMN. Shows the listener how volunerable the mind can be when you know where you are at a given time in your career. It seems like KL is reiterating that he is JUST a human (remaining humble when he knows the extent of his talent). The concept is genius, the sounds are high quality, the message is brilliant!
Lit asf.
DAMN!
This album is underwhelming at best, the majority of songs are forgettable. It’s kind of sad to see people get so hyped over a slightly above average album.
i really dont see what the hype is about this album there were 4 or 5 trash tracks on this and ive heard kendrick rhyme a lot better on throwaway tracks.It’s far better than any that mumble mouth fuck-boy music yaughty yung homo thug n them are putting out and better than Drakes pop albums but it aint no ‘game changer’
Literally could copy your name and comment into the newest J Cole album too.
So Kendrick’s DAMN has more comments, a higher DX and community rating, and most of all, had a bigger first week sales than Drake’s More Life? Can we say that Kung Fu Kenny has finally taken over the 6 God in 2017?
Yes we can say so Sir
he was always 10 steps ahead of that pop singer. nothin new.
Mini – GOAT
DAMN
all this praise n dickriding on an average album but Styles P n Talib The Seven album, which is absolute fire n saying more in its lyrics than TPAB did without boring the shit out you, has came out the same day as Damn and still no review not a word said bout it FOH
Talib & Styles P deserve coverage. Especially due to their records content.
TPAB wasn’t boring tho
Who wanna fuck with DAMN
Sorry this isn’t a classic.
you are a moron just becasue it isnt a classic doesn’t make it a one
???? Well does it deserve to be rated almost a 5/5 when its barely a 4/5 record?
fuck haters
Sorry, not feeling it after 3 listens – loved his earlier stuff. Where are the clever rhymes? Screaming on it’s on is not art.
K-Dot is GOAT Dr.Dre had 2 true sons.
#appreciatetheart
#truephilosophy
This album is good overall. I like that it tells two stories. Play the album backwards and you’ll see a different story. Pretty creative from Kung FU Kenny. I actually think the album is good creatively as many top brass GOAT status rappers like Eminem and Andre 3000 have sung on their albums (don’t know why it’s such a problem for yall with Kendrick, lol) , it combines old school hip-hop elements with modern hip-hop elements to great results. HUMBLE has influenced by Easy E written all over it, LUST has those dark jazz chords over modern drums. Moving away from the content to this guys rapping and he really has bossed up on that front. DNA is vicious, FEEL got that raw emotion, FEAR was mastery of the form of rapping and DUCKWORTH is grade A hip-hop story telling. Think my only issue with the album is that corny LOVE, LOYALTY with Rihanna to safe, XXX tries to hard to be m.A.A.d city part 2 and GOD is ……. less said the better, lol. All in all solid from Kendrick. Not a GOAT yet, still aint messing with Andre 3000 but I’m not mad at this project added to his catalogue. Good replay value.
THIS WHAT GOD FEEL LIKE, HMM……. You brazy bro.
Love was written great and is a good song for both radio and just to be a cut on the LP. THE GOD TRACK!!!!!!!! is incredible. You must learn what God feels like lol
I like your take on it, I agree that LOYALTY and XXX are corny pop tracks. LOVE is also kinda corny, but I really do like it so I’ll forgive it. Reminds me a good amount of Pay Attention by Big KRIT, a radio single surrounded by great hip-hop. Why hate on GOD though lol it’s a feel good track to me. Everything else you said is spot on.
Some good songs on the album but 5-6 songs range from mediocre to average. If someone else made this album they’d be getting trashed on.
I thought it was a nice album with some nice songs, and it will be a good album in the long line of albums to come.
4/5
Killed IT all the way 5/5
If Kenny and .Paak could just make a collab i would never Ask for anything more.
truth. that would be the perfect colab.
Absolutely not. You got a sneak peak in the song “LUST” and that little weird voice he does in the chorus is cringworthy…..
???
trash, just like everything that came after good kid maad city
top
Good album highly overrated tho even tho i love kdot
Great album
DAMN.
I am officially converted
never ceased to love his music
Loving the album. Not too keen on XXX yet, but I think it might grow on me. LOYALTY and LOVE are pretty corny, true, but I must admit I really like them anyway. My only issue with this album is DJ Kid Capri screaming random shit all over the place, really ruins the vibe at times in my opinion.
Album of the year again, cuz no one else can keep up. But seriously, great listen both conceptually and just song by song. There’s always deep meaning behind everything he says and this album was really on point. At least a 4.5/5
Kung Fu Kenny
Even the corny songs are listenable, 4.5 at most
GOAT
I can’t understand how hiphop heads can listen to this crap trap shit. Wack beats, wack flow, wack lyrics. Once again rip hip-hop
After 4 weeks I can honestly say that this album is highly overrated. Bad? No. As great as some of you would like to believe it is? No. My official rating is 3, 3.5 but its already out of rotation from what I listen to regulary. Gave it 1 to balance shit out. There are so many better albums in existence and it’s not even that hot on a track by track basis. And yes I’ve done my due diligence. Get Kendricks dick out yo ass just because he’s a star among mediocre peers. Excuse the lack of paragraphing. Peace.
best ever
4.9 album? Are you kidding me? If this is a “near perfect” album, for me hip hop can die today. This LP, except “Humble” has no replay value. Storytelling? If you want that, just buy an audio book. Wack beats and boring songs. I don’t really get all the hype, sorry. Good Kid, B.A.A.D Music
Do you have any problems on your ears. I think you know nothing about music, actualy you dont know anything about life. You are just a jealous meat.
5/5
Great album
DAMN is an absolutely masterpiece. Very strong album for Kdot!!!!
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He is greatest new school mc. This album is the greatest album of the 2017, and he is not like wack rappers. Concept is great. He is in my top 5. 5/5
So, this album has been out for a month and its pretty much dead. How is this a classic again?
One and done(song). This supposed to be the a classic and best album of 2017?
Damn whats all the hype about i mean is it cause theres so much trash from new rappers that this shines people keep talking bout that Duckworth track and its a banging joint but it aint shit compared to Nas I Gave You Power now that’s storytelling that grips you.Why DX still not revied Styles P and Talib The Seven ? Did Talib diss your site or sumthing that album is dope
everyone who “likes” this album or think its good music – has zero clue about hiphop.
that guy (lamar) cant rap at all, just some random stuttering (lol).
instrumentals and beats are shiet and so on budget.
some hipsters with beats by dre would listen to it.
kendrik is on the same level like nicki minaj, made for some popmusic hipsters.
Holy shit you’re retarded. Kill yourself for this retarded comment.
Albums Wack, and so is the album Cover, looks like Lamar spent the night in a room of farts. whack whack whack!
Did You Even Listen To The Lyrics?
Humble was lit…. DNA was okay…. Probably get a POP push from Rihanna backed track Loyalty. Still, don’t see how this scored almost perfect.
Kendrick lamar is garbage like most new rappers. I give this album 2/5.
You have shit taste. GTFO
the album is 9/10 cuz there is one annoying song which is loyalty with Rihanna. This song has a gayish beat. Otherwise, the album is very good but it’s definitely not kendrick’s best work imo.
Are these guys crazy? This album is a masterpiece.
the best work of his life time
GOAT album
Kendrick is the G.O.A.T. and this record helped to solidify that. Not saying it’s his best album, but it’s still amazing. Probably my AOTY.
Wow, people that listen to music for lyrical and spiritual site are actually fewer than I thought in Hip Hop.
How can you say that To Pimp A Butterfly is a bad album with it’s deep thoughts and vibe?
This album is a masterpiece as it combines the strong lyrical side of Kendrick with his great sounding songs.
DNA. is just fire and ironically represents himself as being hedonist because of his black skin color. Loving hoes, money, ganja, being cocky.
XXX, FEAR and Duckworth are my top songs as they show Kendrick’s versatility. Say what you want, he’s representing the new generation of rap and he’s the GOAT right now with TPAB and now DAMN. Give him his credit, he might not be 2Pac but we all know that if legend like Eminem loves Kendrick, then Tupac would aswell ( Also, listen to Mortal Man on TPAB)
Amazing work of art.