I have always had a love-hate relationship with current mainstream rap. The rise of artists such as Lil Wayne or Drake have made it impossible for me to take the genre seriously. I approach its authenticity on a completely different scale than other music because its main objective appears to sacrifice well-written lyrics or any meaningful message to become a “club anthem.”
Don’t get me wrong. Take Care by Drake is an album I heavily enjoy but only because it is catchy and fun. I prefer the strong messages displayed by artists along the likes of NWA or Public Enemy and I prefer the nostalgic sound displayed by Wu Tang Clan or Tribe Called Quest.
Kendrick Lamar has restored my faith in the genre entirely.
One of my absolute favorite releases of last year was producer Flying Lotus’ LP You’re Dead. The album’s leading single “Never Catch Me” features groundbreaking verses provided by Kendrick and thus my interest for any of his future releases was beyond peaked.
The 27-year-old rapper’s sophomore Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is considered by many to be his magnum opus so expectations were at an all-time high when word hit the street that a third album was to be released in 2015. To Pimp a Butterfly not only shows Mr. Lamar meeting his expectations, but exceeding them on every level.
Flying Lotus and Thundercat (the masterminds behind “Never Catch Me”) leave their jazzy fingerprints on various points of the album’s production. The beats are groovy, the choruses are catchy, and Kendrick’s flow has never been stronger.
The most important part of this album is the strong politically-fueled message. To Pimp a Butterfly is a beautifully written narrative of black culture and the current events associated with it. The highlight track “The Blacker The Berry” shows Kendrick at his most angry delivering each verse from various perspectives on the issue.
This is just not any hip hop album. Lamar’s latest is a cultural rally that will remain a classic in years to come.