Kendrick Lamar Releases To Pimp A Butterfly (Review)

To Pimp A Butterfly (5/5)

To Pimp a Butterfly is set to release on March 23, 2015. The lead single being "i" gave fans controversial feelings on what to expect from the album. Kendrick also revealed that To Pimp a Butterfly will also have "u," serving as a counter part to the single "i." Curiosities continue, but from the looks and sounds of the title, songs, and cover art of To Pimp a Butterfly, I am expecting the more political side of King Kendrick. The Fader revealed that there is also a fake track-list being spread around. Rolling Stones has already announced Kdot as their next cover feature. L!ve is excited about To Pimp A Butterfly, stay tuned for the review! (updated)

Track list 

1. “Wesley’s Theory”
2. “For Free? (Interlude)”
3. “King Kunta”
4. “Institutionalized”
5. “These Walls”
6. “U”
7. “Alright”
8. “For Sale? (Interlude)”
9. “Momma”
10. “Hood Politics”
11. “How Much a Dollar Cost”
12. “Complexion”
13. “The Blacker the Berry”
14. “You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said)”
15. “i”
16. “Mortal Man”

Album Review

The highly anticipated To Pimp a Butterfly, released online Tuesday March 17, 2015 has exceeded expectations. Streamed online over 9.6 million times, music lovers field their ears and social media's with Kendrick Lamar's recent album, fans like Christopher Hemmingway, saying "the most artistic hip hop album I've heard in a few years." To Pimp a Butterfly received raved reviews from the major papers across the board, and Live L!ve doesn't disagree. What To Pimp a Butterfly created was a symphony, synchronizing electro funk, the early 80s R&B soul and rap. As predicated Kendrick Lamar took a risk by elevating his style in such a unique manner. 

I admit that I too needed time to adjust to the sounds of the album, but even that doesn't discredit the lyricism and inspirational impact To Pimp a Butterfly has had on music. In songs like complexion, which features North Carolina rapper Rapsody, the two MCs voice their frustration with racial discrimination, the most spoken about problem in our society. Side note; Rapsody absolutely snapped on this song, like who said us female rappers can't have bars like the guys! From Wesley’s Theory to Mortal Man, Kendrick was a poet on To Pimp a Butterfly. The album is a classic, great job Kendrick, hell of a way to validate the claim as king of hip hop, and solidify you as an icon. 
      

The New York Times: To Pimp a Butterfly is bigger than any minor intra-rapper friction. An album that asks questions as big as this one does, and that will be heard by so many, is a huge taunt to Mr. Lamar’s peers—it’s a dare to ride along, a dare to be different, a dare to be great.

USA Today: Like Kanye West’s monumental Yeezus in 2013, Lamar has made something that feels truly genre-shattering with Butterfly—further cementing his status as not only one of the most innovative rappers, but artists, of the moment. 4/4 

Los Angeles Times: Lamar’s third studio album is a realm away from his breakout 2012 album good kid, m.A.A.d city, equally rich and way, way further gone.

Entertainment Weekly: Kendrick grabs the Best Rapper Alive title by the balls on Butterfly. It’s always satisfying to see superstars reach so high.

New York Daily News: It’s an album meant to be lived with for a long time, making it one of the few recent hip-hop that’s built to last. 5/5

TIME: Lamar wants nothing less than greatness, and To Pimp a Butterfly is yet another step forward on that path.

Chicago Tribune: What’s lacking, if anything, is the potential bounty of singles yielded by good kid, but To Pimp… is designed more as a one-sit continuous listen than a collection of radio-ready hits. 4/4

ABC News: To Pimp a Butterfly is a sobering work made with love and endless sonic imagination. It is an incredibly important record that at the same time isn’t afraid to offend. Its aims are above its mere music. It’s a brutally honest, necessary work anchored in social awareness.