To Pimp a Butterfly Review: A Hip-Hop Epic with Jazz and Funk in Its Veins
10/10 — Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)
Pros
- Rich jazz and funk production
- Powerful lyrics on race and identity
- 'Alright' and 'King Kunta'
Cons
- Dense and demanding
- Slow-moving skits
After good kid, m.A.A.d city, Kendrick Lamar turned inward and outward with To Pimp a Butterfly, bringing in jazz players like Kamasi Washington and producers like Flying Lotus and Thundercat. It topped critics’ polls and won multiple Grammys.
What works
‘Alright’ became a protest anthem, while ‘King Kunta’ and ‘The Blacker the Berry’ are fierce and funky. The album builds to the ‘Mortal Man’ finale with an imagined conversation with Tupac. The production is rich and daring.
Where it falters
It demands attention, with dense lyrics and long tracks, and a few skits slow the flow.
Verdict
A bold, brilliant album that rewards close listening.
