March 22, 201510 yr So happy this managed to hit #1. For a hip-hop album to do it in this climate is exciting enough but Kendrick really is one of the most exciting hip-hop artists out there and this album really is boundary pushing. Lovely surprise and so deserved :wub:
March 22, 201510 yr I suppose I need to wait and see how it holds up with age, but I'm actually thinking I might like TPAB more than GKMC. GKMC was already a big, ambitious step forward from Section.80, but I think TPAB is another step forward from that! Only real 'negative' is that there are less obvious standalone cuts (though The Blacker The Berry is definitely my favourite song of the year so far), but from start to finish just so, so, so good. I have been scared to admit it, but i think it may end up doing the same thing for me... liking it more than 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' argh who would have thought it!! But then maybe not, as, like you say, there are much less BIG highlights, so GKMC will always have that benefit and return-to value. We shall see~ But i feel weird comparing them even now - they are both triumphant bodies of work and for his talent to finally be recognised by the masses makes me very happy. :wub:
March 27, 201510 yr A very interesting and enlightening article about the poetry behind the album and the responsibility of artists (and hip-hop) to their communities: http://mic.com/articles/113840/kendrick-la..._ref_map=%5B%5D Well worth a read!
March 27, 201510 yr fDn0WViwWiQ 'King Kunta' is being pushed as the album's next single. An incredible song, that represents the album wonderfully so i am very happy about the choice. Also the fact that it is perhaps the album's most accessible song, it should do big things. For those that are unaware, a bit of context on the real Kunta: http://images.rapgenius.com/543469e2781ddcea7f89565f65bb20ae.500x322x1.jpg Kunta Kinte was an 18th century slave in Virginia whose story is the basis of the novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley. Kinte is known for having his right foot cut off because of his attempts to escape his plantation. Kinte is an archetypal rebellious slave; he kept his own name, rejecting the slave name imposed on him by his plantation owner, and refused to integrate into slave society. The ultimate loss of his foot came only after four attempted escapes; offered the choice between losing his foot and being castrated, Kinte chose to have his foot amputated, symbolically refusing to be emasculated by his captors. In this sense, Kinte is a powerful symbol of black resistence against oppressive institutions, a recurring theme of To Pimp A Butterfly.
March 27, 201510 yr He's shooting a music video for the song too! Behind the scenes footage has emerged: ZW7g2GGsf4c
March 27, 201510 yr http://static.djbooth.net/pics-features/kendrick-metacritic-score.jpg I think we're all aware of the critical acclaim that Kendrick Lamar's album has received since its suprise release the other week. But as critics race to give it a listen and time has allowed the dust to settle, the true extent of this acclaim has now been revealed. According to metacritic (a website that aggregates reviews of music albums from major newpapers, magazines and digital publishers), the album is now the highest rated hip-hop album of all time, narrowly overtaking the likes of Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' and the former #1, OutKast's 'Stankonia'. http://bluntiq.com/2015/03/19/to-pimp-a-bu...-of-the-decade/ http://www.djbooth.net/index/news/entry/20...top-rated-album Have a look at the album's metacritic page here: http://www.metacritic.com/music/to-pimp-a-.../kendrick-lamar An incredible and undeniably HUGE feat for the artist, the question is.. do you agree? Does the album represent the pinnacle of urban music? Perhaps it is too early to judge and in time it may not age as well as Kanye and OutKast's efforts, but that is just playing devil's advocate. I am sure the album is here to stay and reign supreme for some time yet!
March 28, 201510 yr Phresh off listening sesh with Bre and Bal, think it's time for a rate! 08 Wesley’s Theory 09 For Free? (Interlude) (*.*) 10 King Kunta 08 Institutionalized 09 These Walls 11 U :wub: 09 Alright 07 For Sale? (Interlude) 09 Momma 08 Hood Politics 07 How Much A Dollar Cost 07 Complexion 10 The Blacker The Berry 09 You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said) 10 i 10 Mortal Man *.* Incredible piece of work, 'u' is untouchable. Wonderfully unique ending as well with 'Mortal Man'.
March 28, 201510 yr Author Yas I have finally heard this (as per Jade's post) ;o I think the whole thing will take a few more listens to properly sink in, it's a very solid body of work and the production is ON POINT throughout (the start of 'Momma' made me DIE). It does lack the obvious highlights of 'good kid, m.A.A.d city', I don't really think any of the tracks beyond the 3 singles would really make much sense outside the album context. 'King Kunta' is brilliant both as an album track and a single though and my other immediate album track highlights are 'u' and 'Hood Politics'. 'Mortal Man' is a great listen as well though not so much for the song part of it. Vague first listen (apart from 'The Blacker The Berry' and 'i' single version obvz) rate: 04 Wesley's Theory (this was really quite disappointing on first listen especially as I was excited for another Kendrick/FlyLo collab... thankfully things picked up afterwards and this was by far the weakest on the entire album, maybe this will grow on future listens) 08 For Free? (Interlude) (I love how he pronounces 'dick' so definitely, almost as if he's making up for 'Fuckin' Problems' :lol:) 10 King Kunta 09 Institutionalized 09 These Walls 10 u (the emotions in this song tho, what a rollercoaster) 09 Alright 07 For Sale? (Interlude) 08 Momma (10 for the very start of it tho) 10 Hood Politics 06 How Much A Dollar Cost (a bit forgettable) 08 Complexion (A Zulu Love) 11 The Blacker The Berry 07 You Ain't Gotta Lie (Momma Said) 10 i (I never disliked this song anyway but wasn't sure how it was going to fit in - I really like the new version though and it slots in pretty fine after all!) 09 Mortal Man (song part is a 7, the rest of it bumps it up)
March 28, 201510 yr It was a v swaggy listening session *. My attempt at rating the songs ~ 08 Wesley’s Theory 08 For Free? (Interlude) 11 King Kunta 08 Institutionalized 09 These Walls 10 U 08 Alright 07 For Sale? (Interlude) 09 Momma 07 Hood Politics 08 How Much A Dollar Cost 07 Complexion 10 The Blacker The Berry 07 You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said) 08 i 09 Mortal Man (the Tupac "interview" deserves an 11 for the way in which it is done, but i've rated the song as an entire 12 minute experience here) Nothing below a 7 :o which i'm sure is the case for 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' too, though that has more top scores.
March 28, 201510 yr Author Well this is certainly a no brainer single choice as it's about the ONLY single-suitable song left on the album ha. It's been doing pretty well on cherrypicks / Spotify so far so hopefully in with a shot of being a hit for him ;o
March 28, 201510 yr Was the only choice really. Think this is coming for being my favourite Kendrick song yet. Too brilliant.
March 29, 201510 yr I reckon These Walls could work too, fits in the most with the GKMC singles, but yeah this is the obvious choice (and for good reason). Already his highest lead artist charter in Aus/NZ.
April 2, 201510 yr Can't get over how good this is! His dancing :heart: I can see it being a big hit for him.
May 27, 201510 yr 'Alright' is the 3rd single: Z938ya2fbPo A good choice again! He's currently shooting the music video for it.
July 5, 201510 yr Not heard the album in full yet, but my mates wanted to see him at Wireless tonight and am I glad I went? FUCK YEAH! He absolutely smashed it out of the park. Even the songs I was less familiar with/didn't even know, he had a special power to make me feel like I had heard them all before today! His stage presence is insane!
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