Kendrick Lamar ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ Tops Charts
April 1, 2015 @ 5:44 PM EDT
News
Every Negus Is A Star.
For a second week in a row, Kendrick’s album stays afloat above Billboard‘s Top 200. It’s the only album this year to occupy the #1 spot for two consecutive weeks.
PREVIOUSLY: By the time you hear the next pop, Kendrick’s To Pimp A Butterfly will soar to the top of the Billboard Hot 200 with 324,000 in sales. Last week, the album broke the Spotify record for most streams in one day.
congrats.nice numbers.it was an ok album.it got hyped tho with all the fuckers listening to one or two songs and calling it a classic.sit your ass down and listen to the entire album motherfucker
The whole album is what made it a classic for me….Mortal Man brings everything together. The poem, the movie like concept, the double entendres on every song….the album has so many layers and is so well put together, I don’t see how (black) people don’t like it. Aw well.
Didn’t hit that million right? Drizzy did better. I need to let this album grow on me, but so far, the beats are subpar and the rhymes are great.
I def agree. I can with the message that Kdot is trying to get across but man there are some wack ass beats on that album.
lol whack ass beats? nah just because they aint bouncey type beats u can bump in the whip or some random ass background music i think most the production on there was amazing
Just cause some people didn’t like the beats on this album doesn’t mean they fans of trap shit or other cliche wack beats. Personally I think Apollo Brown been killing shit for the last couple years with productions of whole albums from O.C, Guilty Simpson, GhostFace, Ras Kass and Rapper BIg Pooh’s album that just came out today.
i know but i dont get how they see them ass “whack” beats different maybe but whack is far from it
People will go to the influence of TPAB beats as well? Ok well I like those kinda beats too which is why I’m a Snoop Dogg fan (The Last Meal, R&G, Blue Carpet, Ego Trippin etc…) So I understand the sound of TPAB as well and still didn’t like his beats. I’m just saying everybody got their opinion but lets not assume that if somebody don’t like TPAB that they must automatically like wack shit.
i aint saying they like wack shit but i seen quite few comments in places saying “oh theres nothing that will sound good in a club” im like really..damn shame lol
I also like live instrumentation and still didn’t like the last Roots album… Sometimes people just don’t like the beats and its just that cut and dry.
Critics miss when Hip hop was rapping, if you did then kdot would be platinum
Yeah I mean Nas and Biggie were rappers that didn’t throw the idea of beats in our face. 2pac.. Eminem.. Obie Trice.. Big Pun.. The raps might be there but they don’t gel well with the sounds.. I am happy I listened to it on spotify before I purchased it. Now I don’t need to purchase this album.
Those sales are pretty low considering all the hype and coverage the album had. J. Cole sold more than that and had a tenth of the hype and promotion.
318 isnt low any rapper should be happy with those numbers
318,000 is a lot. Especially for what is essentially an underground rap album with a pro-black message.
Even still, the cultural impact is far more important than the record sales.
#YOUNGHOMIEPREACH
Megamind
This is the most accurate statement ive heard since it dropped. 100%
Bruh bruh ..cole shitted on Kendrick
Kendrick gets all the hype yet when numbers came back only a few purchased …yet 10 million just wanted to stream it..cole got 400,000 buys ..boom..just off his brand I keep telling people it’s cole and drake then u could argue 3 4 5 6
It’s been one day, that’s the difference. And if you worry about numbers as what music is good I feel sorry for you.
cole sold 354,000 in sales… streams made it 375… k.dot 318… streams 355..
Firstly, your numbers are wrong, as edge pointed out below. It’s 318 to 354.
The margins aren’t significant enough to say Cole “shitted” on him. And considering that Kendrick’s album has gotten universal acclaim, it’s safe to assume that his second week numbers will beat J Cole’s. And I think ultimately, when it’s all said and done it will sell more.
and that’s if we choose to pretend that record sales are the only source of revenue, which they aren’t. Kendrick will likely be nominated for a Grammy for this, will have a massive tour, merchandising, and it will ultimately generate more money for him and his label than Forest Hills drive will for Cole.
And then there’s the only important thing that matters. It’s a better album. Metacritic rating for Forest Hills Drive: 67. To Pimp a Butterfly: 96.
So how, exactly, did J Cole shit on Kendrick?
I agree. But do I feel like streams are hurting the business side of things. 9.6 million streams = 4,600 in sales? fuzzy math.
agreed!
YES. my survey of recording industry teacher tried telling me that was the future and I told her that was the root of destruction. Or we’re all gonna hafta be satisfied earning 30% of what we deserve.
” the cultural impact is far more important than the record sales” that’s some true shit…
I think his streams will fall down a billion percent. It was more of the “ohh what’s everyone talking about” factor that got him all those plays. Unless your a hardcore fan, album doesn’t have repeat value.
Tell that to his record label
His label is good. They knew what they were getting and let him release it on his own terms. It didn’t even have a deluxe version, which is an additional money grab.
1) 318,000 first week numbers are very good. Also, based on the reviews my guess is that his second week numbers will drop less than most albums second week. He’ll be gold in less than a month.
2) Labels don’t rely solely on album sales to make $ and haven’t for a while. Merchandise, touring, streams etc. will make them much more $ than record sales could.
3) Labels understand that impact will generate them more $ in the long run. They’d rather have a Kendrick Lamar, who’s album has a 96 rating on Metacritic, which makes it the highest rated rap album for them ever, than a Chingy who sold 4 million with one album and then faded into obscurity(tranny incidents notwithstanding). 5 years from now they’ll still be making money with Kendrick and they’re good with that.
4) Why do you even care about what his record label thinks? It’s the number 1 album in the country, it broke the Spotify record for streams, and the album is incredible.
I still prefer GKMC over TPaB but it’s still a great album nonetheless 4/5
Ummm what promotion did he do? Just that video of I THATS it!
You don’t know what you’re talking about. He announced the album less then a month before, no singles, people bashing it when it leaked, messed up release and still sold over 300k the first week.
if you think TDE didnt plan all that transpired then youre blind sir…… “i” is a single btw and he came out months ago
So why did they take it off of itunes for a while?
You’re right I forgot about “i” but I don’t think the album was even completed around that time
Don’t forget J cole sold that with physical and digital sales. Kendrick did that with just digital sales.
physical stops what? 5 people from buying? ok.
Kendrick did over 300k easy with no physicals in the store and a messed up roll out – physicals make up more than ppl think – die hard fans be buying like 5 copies each
Kendrick did not have a messsed up release….btw aint nobody spending 55$ on a CD…dont front
how wasn’t the release botched? It dropped unexpectedly a week before the actual release date with no physicals. They even tried to take it down but it was to late. Did you not see what Top Dawg tweeted?
Kendrick could fart into the mic for an entire album and it will still ” top the charts “
Nah, people want to hear substance, and he delivered this time.
Didn’t really appreciate how well Cole’s album did until now. Both albums did well but I didn’t think Cole’s fan base was anywhere near the size of Kendricks
kendricks album will still out sell coles in the long run just like gkmc outsold born sinner(not platinum) and became platinum…1,500,000… might outsell drakes mixtape in the long run too… also kendrick in #1 in the uk album charts …something drake and cole have never done… Higher Quality music sales dont drop significantly after a week.
The hate will began in 5,4,3,2,1…
Love the record.
lol all that hype and doesn’t even outsell 2014 FHD.
U do know they didn’t have physical out at all so that is why the numbers are that way. by next week he probably move another 300k
You simpletons with your corny ass trap beats. Sounded like Kendrick used live intruments to for his beats which takes more time and talent to make. Nigga made what hip hop should be considered as actual music. Simpleton clowns! Kick rocks
took him 3 years to release album with “live instrumentation” that he sounded horrible over. the real clowns are stans like you who thought he’d go platinum first week with this overrated album LOL
Or maybe it took him 3 years to find the motivation and right lyrics for each song he wrote. This is why you’re a simpleton your slow mind can’t listen to the picture being painted by words,just the beat. You lost all creditability to have a name like “truth” and to respond to my comment. SIMPLETON
You can bet your ass that I’m FAR from a simpleton, I’m a lyricist, and yes, lyrically this album is very good. But dawg, to make music, you gotta focus on the FULL PICTURE, which includes the instrumentation. That can be a determining factor as to if people are feeling it and vibing to it.
If you took that personally then you exposed yourself as a simpleton ha! SIMPLETONS
Did you even read what I said?? lol i said that in the beginning to assure you from go that that’s not what I am. You’re the “simpleton” for not understanding English, fucktard.
im sure he didnt spend literally everyday of 3 years on the album and how do u know how much ideas and work got scrapped before he decided hes got the right one?
No one’s going platinum in rap ever again. There are barely any artists period who go platinum in a month.
And if Kendrick was making an album for record sales he wouldn’t have made To Pimp A Butterfly.
What were Illmatic’s first week numbers? How about Reasonable Doubt? Things Fall Apart? Black on Both Sides? Aquemini?
10 years from now people will still be listening to this album, but folks are talking about numbers…smdh
No one’s going platinum in rap ever again.
^
Unless your name is Drake, Eminem, Jay-Z or Kanye West
I meant platinum in a week. And they ain’t doing that either.
FTR, gkmc went platinum.
You’re an idiot. Your statement certifies that. No need for further explanation.
Not every beat is a trap beat or a rick ross movie beat which are way over played. I like the sound of twistas last album which was a throwback to the old sounds of the 90s. The voice is part of the beat on most good songs and kendricks voice rarely rolls with the “beats” on this album. I mean the idea is to make good sounding music. I know your a troll account but still this has to be said.
I stopped reading after you mentioning Rick Ross. Rick Ross is trash if rap radar wasn’t on his dick nigga should never be mentioned to anything pertaining to music
right but he has a style of beat is all I was getting across. which a lot of rappers try to emulate because they think it is the hit sound.
You’re doing it again. Stop it
LOL!
it was a very interesting album. not a banger in any sense of the word, however, but interesting. I won’t be playing it for very long but it still was a solid release.
INTERSCOPE FUCKED UP!!!! WE WANT JIMMY BACK!!!!
#KINGKENDRICK
DON’T HATE ON MY OPINION!!!!
Not really because next week he will go gold I bet he will be at 700k by next week.
NAH, THEY FUCKED UP!!!! WOULD’VE SOLD MORE IF IT DROPPED WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO!!!! GUARANTEE THERE’S A FEW LESS EMPLOYEES OVER THERE!!!! HA!!!!
DON’T HATE ON MY OPINION!!!!
lol that nigga aint coming back he got his beats cheque and bounced
……….HA!!!! A BIG MIDDLE FINGER TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY!!!!
DON’T HATE ON MY OPINION!!!!
No Bullshit features no gimmicks straight heat. J.Cole and Kendrick methods are working other rappers need to follow suit.
TPAB 96 Metascore.
metascore means nothing at all. dont bring that bullshit up. thats like saying rotten tomatoes matters in rating movies. if you live your life by what other people say about or like about an album you will never like it for yourself
Listen I didn’t make the rules it is what it is. I wish they didn’t because 2014FHD had a 67 and I think that is bullshit buy that is how the cards fold.
Young nigga preach !!!
People in these comments are idiots. I thought to pimp a butterfly was okay, and im not a huge kendrick fan, so this comes with some credibillity. Yes, out of context, the numbers are a little dissapointing. However, consider a couple of things: the dude’s roll out got completely fucked. They dropped the album out of the blue, and as much as people might say that people love the hype, thats really only on twitter. Not to mention, the hard copies didn’t even make it into the stores until the end (if even then) of the week. Also, I mean, lets be honest, this is not a mainstream-sounding album. It is an underground hip hop album made by a mainstream artist. The fact that this album did any numbers at all is amazing, and thats a testament to kendrick’s star power, more then anything. Plus, consider his two singles: i, which did okay but not amazing by any means, and blacker the berry, which as good as it is, really is a street record. Since I know a lot of people will compare it to cole’s numbers, you have to realize that cole’s album is very mainstream-sounding and has a lot of pop-appeal. So yeah, even though kendrick is probably the third biggest rapper there is right now, he sold lower numbers because of reasons like that. Again, im not even really a fan, im just being objective.
yeah coles album is good. this album is a slap in the face to rap fans.
Damn, I wouldn’t go that far. Sheesh lol
how is it a slap in the face? if youi know ANYTHING about Kdot and TDE is that they prioritize their content over the MUSIC….and they are talented enough to be able to deliver great content and great music. Any TRUE fan of TDE and/or Hip-Hop will know the importance of this album and appreciate the content and music in it. Period.
Well I look at it this way J.Cole had three week promo with no singles as well and still did those numbers, it is because K.dot has a cult like following. J.Cole album is not mainstream.
That too. I only commented this because I know there are gunna be some people who say kendrick fell off or some shit. again, i prefer cole, but to say he next to cole (in popularity), let alone below him, is rediculous. Kendrick has huge star power, he just got screwed over by the reasons i mentioned above.
Kendrick star power is slightly bigger than Cole but not nowhere near bigger than Drake. He is not bigger than you make him out to be that is why I hate Social Media they make you believe K.dot is on Drake level as star power when he is not.
Its dumb that I find myself defending kendrick, but let me just say this. Compare drake and kendrick for a second. Drake makes music for people who comment on rap radar (young, ignorant, unedcuated black males) and people who listen to top 40 radio (young white girls). He takes absolutley noooooo risk in his music. Every album is the same, half street/808 records, half love/singing records. People talk about how drake doesn’t have a classis; it’s true. But he doesn’t give a shit, because he makes a ton of money. Now look at kendrick: slightly below drake in popularity, but if he reeeaaaalllyyyy wanted to make an album like drake, he could’ve easy, and it would’ve sold a shit ton more. like i said, kendrick went more for the acclaim and message than for music for the clubs and ignorant records like that. Personally, i would prefer if kendrick made music more like drake, but everything i said is completely true. there is really no disputing it.
You make it sound like Drake makes Chief Keef music.
Lets be real here I like Drake but what do you want Drake to talk about in his music, if Drake did an TPAB no one will buy it, If K.dot start making songs about his relationship with women and started to sing you think people will buy it as well. All I am saying is Drake is a bigger artist and has more star power than K.dot which again nothing wrong with that at the end of the day we have J.Cole,Drake,K.dot who are the new legends putting out dope shit,. PS Drake albums is not filled with club shit that is a lie and you know it Drake has substance in his music.
Drake has substance…? Be honest with me: when does he talk about anything other than women, wealth, and family. The dude only talks about himself.
What do you want him to talk about? He talks about his life and thats substance
Talking about your family isn’t substance? GTFOH
The roll out was done on purpose ..they knew the buzz wasn’t there so a little marketing fuck up can explain the sales ..c’mon people c’mon
you think they care about what people say about sales? “they” only care about the money. the idea that it was done on purpose, even when the head of tde blasted interscope on twitter and the cd’s didn’t come in until the end of the week, is just dumb. Oh, on a completely separate note, you do realize were talking about kendrick lamar right? how did the dude not have buzz?
Uhm let’s see when top thought he could do a milli?! Lol that’s the buzz they were talking about..I’m not saying he didn’t have a buzz but when tde camp predicting numbers like that it was foolish..it actually added to the disappointment..and it’s not Kendrick’s fault it’s the media…cole proved he has a bigger audience..they may not be as vocal as Kendrick fans but they bought the album..so this whole king Kendrick shit and he’s better then drake shit needs to stop..
did you not just read what that nigga davan explained in his comment? the rollout got completely fucked up and he made a pro-black, underground-sounding album… AND STILL SOLD over 300,000. Cole would not be able to do that. he just wouldn’t. And the “kendrick is better than drake shit”. i mean, yeah drake sells more, congrats, but does drake have two of the most highly-rated, risk-taking, culture shifting albums of the 2010’s? kendrick has that and he still sells a lot
Kendricks albums did not shift the culture….he has two great albums and lets leave it at that
He just two grammys prior to the release of a highly anticipated album and the buzz wasn’t there….drink some bleach boy!
exactly..
Congrats, I don’t really like the album but i support Kendrick’s messages and what it stands for so i hope it has more success.
Forest Hill is my type of sound,but atleast Kendrick isnt doing the typical dumb downed i get money,bitches,sell drugs rap, so Salute.
Recognize real Hip-Hop and stop with this cookie cutter bullshit… We’re sorry if this album goes over your head
#Replayvalue
Physical copies will have him gold next week. Album of the decade . The some of trap beat babies will eventually grow up appreciate the album. Plus he’s headlining a lot festivals this summer,
niggas so caught up on numbers . look what illmatic sold and look at it now
Exactly. What were Tribe’s first week numbers? Aquemini? 36 Chambers?
When you look at the best rap albums ever made, most of them had shitty first week numbers.
It’s real basic. If an artist is focused on sales alone, the album will probably not be great. (i.e. Cruel Summer) That had hit after hit (Mercy, Clique, Cold, New God Flow) but the album was pretty shitty.
Drake’s album is cool, but you know that shit;’ll be played out by the time summer comes around…
yep i think thats the difference most these so called summer anthems dont stand the test of time
Ya name is ill son lol
thanks g
Yea but is Illmatic and 36 Chambers really that influential anymore? I don’t think so. If anything Uncle Luke is more influential.
You must be smoking cabbage! GOTSTOBE!
WTF you talking about?? Ask your favorite rapper.
It’s no coincidence your favorite rapper named a song “Wu-Tang Forever” on his last album!!!
You never answered my question from yesterday either…I’m curious, are you Black or white? You say a lot of suspect shit. It could be troll patrol shit,,,but don’t be foolish!
Megamind
Don’t feed the troll man. Uncle Luke? It’s obvious this dude just trying to get a reaction.
Absolutely still influential. Albums BEFORE those are still influential. Nas can do an illmatic tour and wu can do a 36 chambers tour…to this day.
Please don’t compare illmatic to this album.
Why? Both are classics.
Kenrick album is ok, y’all throw Classic around too much, its an ok album, not Classic.
I don’t. This is the first classic album of the decade.
The decade? Im curious to know what makes this album so Classic, again, i like the album, i fucks with Kdot, just not too big on this album, GKMC is better imo.
It’s art. It’s a journey of self actualization. Its creative, Afrocentric, lyrically creative, and the most cohesive album I’ve heard in a while. The songs all have several meanings in them….should I go on? I was only a Luke warm fan of his before this, and I thought Gkmc was good not great
I hear you, and the other hundred ppl that say the same stuff, creative, afrocentric, etc. To me, he tries too hard at times to be different, too left field for me, he can rap his ass off, one of the best out today, I’m no wet behind the ears kid you talking to either, i’ve heard and gee up on albums from Nas(illmatic), A Tribe Calld Quest(Midnight Marauders), NWA(Niggaz 4 Life), Raekwon(OB4CL) just to name a few, i know a Classic album when i hear one, and this new Kendrick album is not it.
Tries too hard to be different? Huh? Too in left field? Everything he talks about are real world issues..sounds to me like someone doesn’t get it. Luckily, a lot of people do and are praising it as a classic album, including some of the rappers you just mentioned, and every major music publication. Sad thing is you could probably benefit from listening to it thoroughly…every black man can.
Oh ok, someone doesnt get it.
GKMC was awesome. But it sounds downright basic compared to TPAB. “Poetic Justice”, “Backseat freestlye”, “The recipe” are dope tracks, but they’re pretty devoid of depth….
Every single song on TPAB has depth and crazy replay value. A lot of the people who don’t like the album haven’t even been paying attention to it. If he added a Swimming Pools and a Backseat freestlye or a “Control”, everyone would call it a classic, but he didn’t want to feed the people just bars for the sake of showing how dope he is. Every record is saying something. Every record flows into the next perfectly. Each song has 2 layers, the independent record and it’s context within the album as explained by the poem, which essentially serves as a narrative of Kendrick’s journey from success and all of the temptations that come along with it to self-actualization and understanding that his role is to uplift his people.. The album itself (with it’s lack of catchy, bs singles) is actually the embodement of that message.
He’s asking himself. Is the point of being successful to achieve this all $ and fame despite it not really making him happy? Is it to just to make more $ and feed into stereotypes that will only hurt his people more and more? Or is it about uplifting folks and showing them the right path? By the time you get to the end of the album, it’s clear what the answer is….the album itself is the answer.
It’s intensely personal, but at the same time it’s a universal message and it’s political. It amounts to a call to black people to use our voices responsibly. Tupac’s influence resonates over this whole album, said, “How can these people be talking about how they so real that they don’t care about our communities?
How can they be talking about what they all this the hood blah blah?
They don’t care about our communities, you know what I mean. Listen to the words people say in their lyrics and tell me if that’s some real shit. If that’s real to you, you know what I mean. Listen to what they’re saying. Don’t just bob your head to the beat, peep the game. And listen to what I’m saying and hold us accountable for it.”
Outside of that, the amount of talent displayed by Kendrick rapping is insane. The amount of voices that Kendrick channels on this album. It’s hard to believe that there’s only 1 rap feature. “For Free?” the spoken word to rap is crack. He blends jazz, funk, neo soul, west coast g funk, and rap in a way that sounds seamless. His verses on “Momma” are crazy. The story on “How much a Dollar Cost?” is crazy. “These Walls” which recalls “Sing About Me” is crazy. The music is phenomenal. “For Sale?” musically alone is bananas, not to mention his flow and voice change, not to mention the content. “Wesley’s Theory” another gem. It’s on another level.
Sure. It doesn’t have the catchy joints that gkmc had, but it’s not supposed to. Keep listening to it.
It baffles me how much TPAB has gone ova so many heads.
Great review
U sir, take a bow.
2015 Rap Fan Rating System
TRASH
*****Where most albums really fall*****
CLASSIC
That’s true.
But sometimes people are right in the moment. You said the same thing when good kid m.a.A.d city came out. You said “i think it’s the most superior album of 2012, but i don’t think it’s “classic”. i think it’s VERY good.”
And, at this point, it’s an undeniable classic, right?
The way I see it the only classic rap albums of the last decade (since 2005) are TPAB, GKMC, MBDTF, Be (Common), and MAYBE Food and Liquor. I don’t use the term lightly, only when it’s appropriate. And in this case it is.
The Cool is classic because Lupe fans will never let him artistically get past it and Superstar as well as the Michael Young History concept will carry that album forever. Jayz American Gangster is classic because from beginning to end if that concept doesn’t equate to a classic in a culture that praises everything “gangsta”? Then I don’t know what is. That album is about the “mentality” of a gangsta not simply about being a gangsta and he carries a concept for almost the entire album. It wasn’t a lose concept, the concept was tight meaning the actual lyrics carry one song to the next but done in a way where there are very few breaks in between each line that doesn’t add on to the narrative. From a lyrical perspective Hip Hop just does not get these kinda albums that often.
I like both of those albums. A LOT actually. But both are a little too long with too much filler. “Hello Brooklyn” “Blue Magic” and “Party Life” are skippable. And there are other songs that are just okay like “I Know” that prevent me from calling it a classic. The Cool is great but also has a little filler “Gotta Eat” and some songs that are just okay “The Die” “Hello Goodbye” “Intruder Alert” “Hi Definition”. It’s a great album. And closer than AG to me, but it’s not quite classic in my eyes.
Hello Brooklyn, Blue Magic and Party Life on an album called “American Gangster” makes perfect sense. I Know was a concept song that also fits the narrative. Again the fact that “America” has this undying interest in “Gangster” culture and you have an entire album that speaks to that conceptually. American Gangster from an artistic standpoint is one of a kind. The Cool has gotta be a classic. Too many people have said to much about that album and its impact is under the surface but after that album came out, an entire generation of “non gangster” rappers became more popular then gangster rappers. That complete 180 turn in Hip Hop culture can be traced back to Kanye’s first two albums and Lupe’s first two albums. And again, people talk about the Cool like its a Hip Hop bible. Even those songs you pointed out from the album are still just artistically superior to most of what comes almost ten years later. Ain’t too many rappers that can artistically outdo Intruder Alert, let alone the rest of that album.
You already have TPAB marked as a classic and it just came out? Forget it, I already see what kinda fan you are…
Yeah, I do. You know it when you hear it. A lot of bloggers and journalists wait to see which way the wind’s blowing then decide. Or change their thoughts after more acclaim comes. I don’t need to wait for the consensus.
I felt the same way the second after I heard GKMC and MBDTF. I don’t think Section 80 is a classic (but it’s really close) and Overly Dedicated definitely isn’t.
Ok well this “you know it when you hear it” concept? 99.9% of time doesn’t work because a “classic” has to do with alot more then just hearing. For the next ten years this album from its ideas, concepts, musicality, impact and ‘INFLUENCE” has to pretty much outdo everything else from various aspects, artistic and otherwise… The chances of this album doing that aint as easily decided as you just making that decision for the rest of an entire culture.
I’m not sure how my opinion became “making that decision for the rest on entire culture” but given that it’s received universal acclaim from every publication out, my opinion, seems to be the opinion of the majority.
Those that give critical acclaim are just people with opinions and to some degree they have to give that critical acclaim to Kendrick because for them they have no other option really. Any critic saying he aint really feeling the album most likely wont get his opinion published.
Ignoring the notion that this is some kind of grand conspiracy for one second…
Considering that everyone seems to like it the one critic who would say they didn’t like it WOULD get published and would probably gain a lot of attention. Also, metacritic doesn’t just compile crtics rating it also has users score it. It got a 96 rating from critics and 9.2 out of 10 from users. Those same critics and users gave positive reviews for Tetsuo and Youth, giving it an 80 rating and a user revew of 8.8. So are you saying it’s a conspiracy for Kendrick but legit for Lupe? And for what reason exactly?
my argument that it’s good is:
1) I think it’s a classic
2) It’s conceptually, lyrically, and musically miles ahead of anyone in hip hop, probably the most layered hip hop album ever made.
3) Critics of carrying publications have given it universal acclaim, the highest metacritic ranking of any rap album ever.
4) Fans are giving universal acclaim
5) Sold over 300,000 in its first week. Broke the Spotify record for streams
6) The fact that this post alone has over 200 comments (more than Drake, Lupe or J Cole got about their album releases) says that there’s way more interest in this project.
7) The hip hop community at large LOVES this album
Peter Rosenberg “If you don’t like TPAB –you’re either not a true head, not someone who understands the content, or a contrarian”
Kanye West “starting my day by listening to Kendrick’s new album!!! Thank you for the music and messaging!!!”
Busta : “@kendricklamar #Cocaina flow on #institutionalized… #Flawless King. #TOPIMPABUTTERFLY #INCREDIBLE”
Twista: “FINALLY!!! Real Hip Hop #ToPimpAButterfly @kendricklamar”
Mac Miller: “Kendrick album a masterpiece”
Lupe Fiasco: “Get that.”
Your argument amounts to
1) I, marty mcfly, don’t like it and everyone else is lying or part of a pro-Kendrick conspiracy
You bugging man….stop wylin and just appreciate the music. And if you don’t like it, let the rest of us appreciate it. It’s that simple.
Its the most layered Hip Hop album ever made? HELL NO.
The fact most critics like it? Of course they do, they can’t say anything else but that. Every major platform has a relationship with Kendrick already.
I mean your argument is because people like it then it must be a classic? There has been ALOT of albums in Hip Hop history that people have liked that are not classic. Your calling this album a classic on the day/week after its release because you see that other people like it? GTFOH
I never said there was some conspiracy about anything. Only that people who jump to say something is classic right out the gate have yet to factor in that most times when people do that their WRONG. In 2020-25 when you look back and see the album came and went and the Hip Hop culture moved in another direction musically that Kendrick had no influence on artistically… You’ll see why now your comments are ridiculous. If your right and I’m wrong then cool but I’ve seen how this works since the beginning of this rap shit. People just say something is classic and years later that same album is NEVER mentioned when people speak about classics.
Of course other rappers say they like the album. What else could they say? The shits wack? Of course not, they have a brand in the music business and mostly likely a friendship with Kendrick that was already established before his album was released. Of course they gonna say they like but that does not make it classic. Your simply arguing that since people like it then it must be classic? No fool.
It’s not just him, bruh. It’s recieved “universal acclaim” through meta critic which averages the reviews from 20+ credible review sources. The fact you aren’t calling it Classic says more…
You know those critics giving it acclaim are just people with a opinions right? A large portion of them didn’t even grow up Hip Hop music, they came up on Rock and Pop culture… Maybe your just excited because the album just came out and can’t see yet why years down the line the chances of people still champing this album is slim. Empire State by Jayz is a classic song, the biggest record of his entire career and it became the NY Yankees anthem song in 2009… Now that level of impact is what this album is gonna have to produce and thats gonna have to last years…. If that happens then the classic argument makes sense. Aside from this album, even its the greatest piece of recorded music ever, the constant stream of new music in this digital age almost makes it impossible for any album to be considered “classic”. Literally in 24 hours songs and projects that are would be considered great a decade ago become old and “not relevant” by the next day. I’m not saying thats gonna happen with TPAB obviously but I’m saying its a slim chance that any album becomes a classic outside of debut major major built up albums these days.
Only time will tell. .
Glad you realize “time” is a factor here.
How can an album be a classic in two weeks? Let it stand the test of time first…at minimum.
The message is one that will always be relevant, the composition and lyrics are timeless, and the creativity and content are something that rivals, and maybe even better than many albums. Ever hear of an instant classic? That’s the criteria. I don’t need years to know this is special.
Yes, i have heard of “instant classic”, just like ive heard of “love at first sight”. Doesn’t mean much.
Over time, if you’re still listening to, referencing, talking about and comparing it, i’ll believe you. But right now, while it’s new, it can cloud judgement a bit.
Bad comparisons. You can’t truly know someone in two weeks. You can truly know an album and study it in depth in two weeks, and the intricacies, composition, double entendres, and lyrics are almost unlike anything I’ve ever heard. I saw Lbj play once and knew he was special. Saw Mike Jack perform once and knew he was legendary. When things and people are so outstanding and unlike anything before them, you can just tell, and as I stated, I was only a Luke warm Kendrick fan before this album, so it’s not like I’m thinking with my emotions.
Aiight no doubt, we’ll disagree. But I’ll say though, that one of my BIG points of criteria for a classic is time. I like to put on an album and feel the same way i did when i first heard it…OR…i like to play an album over time and keep picking up on shit that i hadn’t before (which makes it more crack juice then when i first heard it).
Good bread though. i respect your opinion.
Respect homie.
Album is like 2 weeks old and already a “classic”
Lmfao FOH
i dont remember comparing them but ok
That’s always been apart of hip-hop tho. Hell, 2Pac bragged about how he sold 5 million in 2 months vs. Biggie’s album sales. There’s value in buying power. Sales aren’t the end all-be all, but they do matter.
true not saying they dont matter its just some people exaggerate over sales like it defines an artists whole career . carter 4 sold a shitload but lets be honest was average at best. i think kendrick himself would rather have overall respect long term for his albums than bragging rights over drake or whoever for a few weeks
School em
shuut up
Yes mam’am with yo six days late ass.
shut up
2Pac ang Biggie were rivals so of course he’d point out any advantage he had. Just cause Pac said it doesn’t make it so…
Sales matter, but classics matter more. Wouldn’t you agree?
And sales don’t have as much relevance in an era where NO ONE in rap is capable of selling more than 3 million copies total. Especially no one black.
Let me give you some examples:
Kanye’s My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy, arguably his best album, and one of the best rap albums ever sold less than Chingy’s Jackpot.
Blueprint 2 and Kingdom Come, Jay Z’s 2 worst albums have sold more than Reasonable Doubt, arguably his best.
Volume 3 (the one with Big Pimpin, So Ghetto and then a bunch of bullshit like that Mariah Carey collabo no one remembers. Hopefully) sold more than the Blueprint or the Black Album, arguably his second and 3rd best albums.
Roc la Familia sold more than Watch the Throne.
Last one. Country Grammar sold more than illmatic, Reasonable Doubt, My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy, good Kid m.a.a.d City and Atliens combined..
I use Pac’s rhetoric as an example because people act like artists/fans talking about sales numbers is a new thing when it’s not.
but like i said, “Sales aren’t the end all-be all”. I don’t believe they validate the quality of a project. However, i’d be remiss to pretend that an artist that sells 2 million LPs isn’t impacting the culture.
You’re right. Artists and fans have incorrectly equated record sales with talent for a long time. The fact that it’s been happening for awhile doesn’t make them right though.
I agree that there might be a threshhold where an artist’s sales make them become impactful, but then again when some artists become HUGELY successful they step outside of rap territory and no longer have rap relevance (Hammer, Black Eyed Peas, B.o.B, Flo Rida, Nelly) despite massive sales.
To me sales (esp first week) equals in-the-moment popularity. And popularity doesn’t always indicate cultural impact. Where does critical acclaim fit in all this? To Pimp a Butterfly is the highest rated rap album on MetaCritic ever. And only behind Led Zeppelin for highest rated of any genre. That should weigh fairly heavily in terms of impact.
And, lest we forget, it’s not like Kendrick is some slouch sales-wise.He’s not Little Brother or Pharoahe Monch. Some dude who is talented but isn’t selling. GKMC went platinum. And this will be gold within a month. So the disparity in sales between him and, say Drake, is not as big as the disparity in the critical acclaim between of. (No shots at Drake but are “Energy” “10 Bands” and “0 to 100” not just variations of the same damn song/beat and concept)
Popularity does kinda equate to impact on a cultural level because 99% of those to ever make a cultural impact were popular. The only reason sells matter in Kendrick case is because his hype level makes sells matter. I get what your saying but you seem kind surprised that people would be checking Kendrick’s sells first week? Of course, he’s KENDRICK LAMAR
I think sells matters more then classic material because the shit that sells the most aint the classic material. Again, I understand what your saying but on another note, sells matter in Hip Hop. Why? because Hip Hop must generate millions of dollars at all times. I know thats not what the artsy crowd likes to here but from a business standpoint, a economic standpoint, and an entrepreneurial standpoint the major artists in Hip Hop have to bring in sells and generate large sums of money if the musical aspect of the culture is gonna survive and thrive for the next generation. There will always be rappers, yes but the business aspect of the culture must make sense at all times because Hip Hop doesn’t have a back up system in place once nobody but Drake sells anymore.
Sells matter in this case because Kendrick fans make sells matter. You talk about how Kendrick is like the greatest rapper to ever touch a mic right? So of course people are gonna anticipate a high level of sells. Kendrick is supposed to be like the king of Hip Hop right now right? So therefore yeah people are gonna look at the sells.
What does sales actually mean other than the popularity of the artist? That whole numbers nonsense is just what it is nonsense. Sales dont mean shit imo. If the music is shit does it make it any better just because its at the top of the Billboard charts? Alot of yall “journalist” got a twisted perception of what yall think is important to the game and sales should only be important to the execs in the offices I don’t give two shits about MC so & so sold such & such his first week. All I care about is whether the project is dope or wack.
Preach.
One of the realest post EVER!!!!!!!!! You online ‘journalist’ need to step your game up for real. How about writing an in depth review about the album. How about actually interviewing an artist and writing an article on that. There is a lot more to reporting than just gossip and taking small pieces of information and clips and posting them to your site.
For real I can’t remember when was the last time I read an in depth interview about a new release maybe its because of how music is being released nowadays but that doesn’t excuse the fact that most of these sites are all about the gossip and bullshit.
Aye B.Dot what you think about wales album, honestly, it’ll definetly do enough numbers to knock k.dot out the spot, its pretty fire
also people need to stop saying oh you love trap music or young thug if the not feeling the album its actually to good to have some people say this i dont think everyone was feelin outkast when they first dropped. theres a difference between hate and opinion remember that
its should be gold but it will hit that mark soon.
J.Cole and Kendrick album coming soon this year U heard it here first.
yawn…hyped himself up too much for a mediocre record…drizzy j.cole still at the top….currently in my book
Album is definitely overhyped.. Lyrically, it’s dope, I love the message, but most of the beats have the same feel. I would’ve liked more diversity, a couple “street” (banger) records in between all the mellow shit. Cuz shit almost had me asleep, honestly.
as a whole it was to mellow for me as well, he made it sound like he was working on songs that were going to blow people away, this was just too boring story telling
What a waste of $15. You could buy an $8 rainforest sounds CD and it will put u to sleep just as effectively
I used to think HipHop was in bad shape…but between, KL, Drizzy, Cole, Sean, Gambino, Chance, KRIT, Logic, Schoolboy, ASAP…rap is in good hands there’s diversity, etc….it’s not rap that I’m worried about anymore, I’m concerned about its fans/listeners.
There’s a line that Masta Killa said in Wu-Tang’s “TRIUMPH”…”the dumb are mostly intrigued by the drum”. All i’m hearing you young niggas complain about are the “beats/tracks”. Would it make KL message more palatable if he was rapping over Migos trap tracks??
The soundscape fits the content…he made himself a great body of work that will definitely stand the test of time…showing growth, introspection while being a voice for the voiceless. It’s poignant, vulgar and appropos to what’s going on in society right now…which will make it age like wine.
Megamind
Your concerned about messages but no other rapper gets appreciation for having messages. You mentioned Wu Tang? Ok GZA will come out withe Dark Matter later this year…. Alot of the fans/listeners won’t even take the time to even google “Dark Matter”, why? Because its “Not relatable” its “over their head” or too complex and because Kendrick didn’t say it then it must not be worth investigating the message behind it. While at the same time TPAB is about “Dark”-“Matter” … Hip Hop is in good shape but too many people have selective intelligence these days.
Again Marty…you’re proving my point to show me that you’re the “underground champ”. I know that project, I own it! Fan’s won’t take the time to check it for various reasons…we don’t know why people like certain things. But what I can say with certainty is this, rap is a young man’s game. Beside yourself, that avg teen/young adult aren’t checking for Wu/GZA. Because it’s not relatable to them. I know that’s hard to believe…who don’t like lyrics?? But that’s the fact.
Once again, you’re negating and not understanding that KL is resonating because he’s from THEIR demographic. He’s relatable. He looks like them, dresses like them, uses their vernacular, etc. Don’t discount Kendrick’s level or intelligence or consciousness bc people don’t want to hear or know about GZA, it’s a generational divide. They are essentially saying the same thing.
Bottomline is all his peers are just rapping and he’s giving you a little bit more and that makes him stand out. Who you like is your choice…but good, bad or indifferent KL is conscious standout voice of this generation. (and don’t mention J ELEC bc duke is a tad bit younger than me!)
Megamind
You again try and put me in an underground box. I don’t like “underground” music, I like dope music period. You say rap is a young mans game? Kendrick is 27 years old and most the time whenever people talk about Hip Hop greats or artists that are just dope in general they talking about people who are not young adults or teenagers. If people actually counted how many dope albums come out (that many of them enjoy) from artists that are not teenagers and young adults they would find it hard to say its a young mans game afterwards. There is only a generational divide because the youth embrace that divide out of ignorance. Again, people wanna stop at the conscious level of Kendrick because thats where they choose to stop but its not because they can’t relate to other conscious MCs, they just refuse to relate by choice.
OK if they refuse to relate by choice…now what??
Their opinions aren’t valid?
And contrary to your presentation and rebuttals, you’re super underground…but ain’t nothing wrong with that.
All in all your disdain for Kendrick is type wack.
No matter is people are “deeper” than KL…like I said before If you’re going to be the champion of “consciousness” and rappers being conscious..you should be happy for KL and consciousness being spread at any cost!
Hopefully him planting a seed will make kids want to go listen to some of those other rappers you mentioned. It has to start somewhere. But don’t blame the people for making and having a choice.
Megamind
No I didn’t say their opinions weren’t valid but now I guess you’ll argue against things I have not said rather then things I did say. So yeah I’m super underground because you speak for me musically so you would rather tell me how I feel about music then me comment about it myself. You’ll continue to suggest my comments are attacks at Kendrick when they actually are not and you’ll talk about me being the champion of consciousness when its you that brought up messages. Yeah it has to start somewhere and Kendrick isn’t the started point for me but he’s the limit of where alot of you niggas are willing to go lyrically and some of you are older then Kendrick. I didn’t blame anybody for their choice just because I pointed out that such a choice exists.
Most these rappers you say people “can’t relate” to in an attempt to speak for them? Those same people actually do listen to but just wanna front like they don’t so they can pretend they relate to high school kids.
My POINT is stop with the selective intelligence. Don’t be experts on the meaning of lyrics when there from Kendrick but then imply other MCs are too complex, complicated, or over your head… So you can’t understand them so therefore you don’t relate. No you understand artists like Common, Cyhi, Lupe and Jay Elec but you CHOOSE not to relate by putting a limit on your own intelligence and comprehension abilities whenever some substance comes from anybody else other then Kendrick.
U sir, take a bow.
These numbers are great… Although I thought he would do in the 400 range.
It is kind of impressive though how Drake mixtape is going to be the highest selling rap record this year.
unless Jay or Eminem drops this year
just em… jay can’t beat drake in first week sales …
What when hov drops albums it’s an event like Prince or Mj .
I think he’ll drop another album in the fall – just a hunch
Drakes mixtape highest selling rap album this year so far! Damn Interscope yall fucked this one up real bad
I wonder if Kanye will top Kendrick album.
Kendrick makes way better albums than Cole, stop comparing, an album being promoted as “pro black” in white america with a different sound than everything you hear nowadays nd a fucked up release selling 318,000 copies is incredible, and no one is touching drakes sales too many white girls buy his albums
All drakes fans(that actually buy his music) are girls.
by the way did anyone catch on that these walls ties in with sing about me from good kid ?
cole, drizzy, and dot been blessing me with so much music, then kanye, and travis scott I’m just happy that all this good music is dropping
and congrats to kdot doing this with ALL DIGITAL SALES
Good shit K dot. people need to stop focusing on the negative and be supportive if they like a musician and disregard all the BS. Hit the play button if you mad, peeps.
Cole sold 375,000 roughly with physical and digital – Kendrick did a 318,000 with a messed up roll out and a surprise release and NO physical copies, JUST digital – doing over 300k on you second album in almost 3 years is a win – how much cole do on his 2nd album? lol
cole sold 354,000 in sales… streams made it 375… k.dot 318… streams 355
oh ok i forgot about the streams
Yeah but to be fair Kendrick dropped on Sunday so he had 3 additional days of sales counting toward that 318
Who else was disappointed with this album?
i feel like the beats were a bit ehh
exactly
what did you expect son to do on the album?
trying to be original to much and fucked up the album.
#tryingtobeoriginaltoomuch lol
Only the simpletons that skim through music instead of listening to it.
Nigga admit it the album was ass.
Drake and cole both sold more with little to no promotion surprised by these numbers
so.
im just saying im surprised, you niggas look for any reason to get offended
Fuck album sales
kendricks album will still out sell coles in the long run just like gkmc outsold born sinner(not platinum) and became platinum…1,500,000… might outsell drakes mixtape in the long run too… also kendrick in #1 in the uk album charts …something drake and cole have never done… Higher Quality music sales dont drop significantly after a week ..plus physicals just got out after the mess up by interscope
i think kendrick is going trying to get perfect for the next album which im happy about… this is sophomore curse or whatever… they always struggle on the 2nd album after the first one is solid… so he will bounce back… remember he got Dr. Dre on his side lol he will be straight until he becomes a multi millionaire for real…im talking 50-80 million in his bank.
this ain’t his sophomore album bruh
you’re making it sound as if kendrick’s album was disappointing or something? nigga, you do realize this album is being called one of the greatest albums of all time by A LOT of people, right? the dudes who comment on rap radar literally represent a microcosm of a hip hop album’s actual popularity. to them it goes “no 808’s. no song for the strip club. this is shit.” they say that after downloading it illegally and listening through it one time.
Sophomore curse?????? This being held as one of the best albums of the decade!
kendrick better start praying to the 6 god that he will jump on a record with him to get them album sales up
This is a really good album. Congrats to K. Dot for delivering an album that does not sound like everything else out here AND actually has a positive message laced throughout the ENTIRE album. It’s a nice balance to today’s playing field.
I’m not sure about you guys but I’m happy with all the projects that came out recently from J. Cole, Drake (Mixtape), Wale (Mixtape), Big Sean, and now K. Dot
Check back in tomorrow for the FINALLY tally.
#PROOFREAD IS FOREIGN CONCEPT AT RAPRADAR.COM
Are these estimates or did he already chart?
I think ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ is one of the strongest bodies of work I’ve ever heard. This is the first album I’ve listened to from start to finish in a long time. I’m glad I purchased the album and supported greatness.
What hype and coverage?
Why are grown men using sales as proof that one is better than the other? That’s some real homo shit and means nothing in terms of quality. Kendrick’s album is fire, truth, brimstone, gravity, depth, dimension and shifts incredible gears. JCole and Drake pale in comparison to this level of lyricism and are probably hella jealous and feeling insecure as we speak over “To Pimp a Butterfly.” Kendrick is a true gift to music so please stop with the left brained dick riding statistics.
Why are grown men putting artist against each other knowing damn well J.Cole, Kendrick and Drake are dead nice. Mr. Bits you tell people don’t dick ride on sales but you just dick ride Kendrick tho.
Damn lol
the concept was dope but id be lying if i said i listened to this album twice
Hate it or love it, TPAB’s influence will out weigh anything that dropped post WTT. A lot of u cats fail to realize how important this record is to the black experience and the hip hop culture as a whole.
I’d agree that sonically, GKMC may have been more appealing and was easier to digest. It played out like a movie. But the movie is never as good as the book. And that’s exactly what TPAB is, the book.
It’s deeper than rap w/ this lp. U really think Kendrick give a fuck about his record sells??? FOH, that Negus is on a mission to put u motherfuckas on. Get woke or stay sleep.
#MASTERPIECE
Well stated!
I hate when people compare artists to their previous work…any artist not growing is stagnate/stale and that’s wack, no matter how dope/lyrical they may be.
Ppl hate on Ross…but on the real, that dude can RAP! But he’s a perfect example of stagnation. He makes the same song/record now. He peaked with GFID….just a random example LOL
Kendrick and Cole has shown growth…
Megamind
I totally agree.
It’s crazy how a country with a population of 350 million has the top selling album doing 318k. And it felt like “everyone” was talking about it. That’s really bad.
Sales = quality
Only to Drake, and J. Cole fans…lol.
Negative. It matters to them more than us.
To a certain extent. I would care more of acclaim from my peers than worry about the LP going platinum. Is it a nice achievement? Of course, but, even the wackest shit has gone platinum. Obviously Kendrick loves making bodies of work that will stand the test of time, or he wouldn’t have put this album out. This ain’t the stereotypical MAINSTREAM Hip Hop album…
Every artist dreams of going platinum. If u feel ypur shit is the best then acclaim from your peers is irelovant. If your peers said your album was wack, you would agree. I know my shit would be dope. I just would want the numbers to reflect. And theyre in the music business. They tryna get paid. If it was for anything else albums would be for free.
Congrats KDot on impacting culture for years to come! The record is a masterpiece! A Better Tomorrow should have got the respect this one got!
Kendrick refers to Lucy alot in the album, Lucy is the Devil right?
Luci Fur
That album has so many layers, so many metaphors, so many double entendres its ridiculous
Right. N!99&$ r so sleep.
Love how Kendrick fanboys are trying to convince themselves these are good numbers, with the hype around the record, and the unexpected drop, these are poor numbers. Where are the people who said he’d do more than Drake?
TPAB is a classic! The first week sales aren’t too important. The album will eventually go platinum no matter what.
This album will go platinum with all the “classic” statements and good reveiws. And it deserves it!
Congrats! http://alltheparticulars.blogspot.com/ – fuck the numbers tho lol
1st week sales are all about caucasian teenagers
Sales period are a white thing. Niggaz dont buy shit.
*Looks at the To Pimp A Butterfly CD case sitting on my table* Indeed. Niggas ain’t buying shit.
And still Still couldnt sell more than Drake.
Anybody who expected him to is an idiot. No should be worried about how another man they have nothing to do with is selling in comparison to other men. That’s Chatty Patty behavior.
If ur on disqus, ur an automatic chatty patty by commenting on shit that dont concern u. U failed
I don’t fail. My success rate just isn’t at 100%. You worrying about what other men are doing on disqus is not boss behavior.
Listen u aint dame dash. If u wqs a boss u wouldnt be worried bout what im doin so yes u failed.
Album and sales still aint fuckin with Drizzy.
this album is pure trash basuraaaa
pretty damn good EVEN with all mishaps of the early release
If you believe that really wasn’t planned you are an IDIOT, respectfully. That was clearly a marketing ploy. They purposely acted like they didn’t know it was going to release early.
Numbers mean nothing. M.C Hammer went diamond.
A bunch of non label employees caring about numbers that have nothing to do with you in anyway, shape or form.
The only thing you should be concerned about is the music. Only the hip hop genre and some bad pop acts relate numbers to quality.
Kendrick dropped a pro black album in this era of ” fuck you, I have more money than you” and was heard.
Ask yourself, why do you listen to artists who keep telling you that you mean nothing???
Good for Kendrick. Respect forever.
Tetsuo & Youth is the perfect example of why sales don’t matter. Nothing is going to come close to that this year.
Stop it.
Deserves all the accolades it gets. Truly a classic album. When you consider lyrics, composition, message, production, and creativity, its arguably one of the top five albums of all time. This coming from someone who was only a lukewarm Kendrick fan before this album, btw.
Let’s not go crazy B, the album is cool. I think the second half saves the first half, which I didn’t think was all that, but regardless, there’s no way you can put something in the Top 5 of All-Time and it’s only been out a week. Longevity has as much to do with something being classic as anything else…
If k.dot the second, Who’s the first then?
drake
Peep…kendrick has a really good album on his hands and he’s a really good artist. However, i think it takes a GREAT artist to deliver a pointed message (like Kdot’s message on this album) while keeping the majority of folks listening. The reason why this album is going over so many heads is because he “put this album in a book”.
Here’s what i mean: There are soooo many GREAT messages and information you can find in books, but niggas will never know about it because books aren’t appealing. Kendrick just made his album appear unappealing to the casual listener.
You know who the casual listener is? Young dudes. You know who kdot’s message needs to be delivered to? Young dudes. But they’re not gonna hear his message because he “put it in a book”.
A great artist would get that message to as many listeners as possible. Kdot didnt do that.
It’s still a good album to me, but I don’t need this message, i need entertainment AND message.
You’re probably a hater or you got a stick up your ass if you can’t admit to yourself and everyone else that TPAB is a certified classic.
Kendrick is 2 out of 2 classics, the boy is going down as one of the greats, I’m absolutely positively sure of this.
Kendrick sold enough to show that he’s relevant. Everything above 300 k is a great first week number. People be sleeping on Cole but that nigga outsold Kanye’s Yeezus project.
All in all, Kendrick is an artist that rises above the numbers. Everything he does creates a massive cultural impact, that shit is priceless.
Drake will always sell more cause his music is primitive and simple, any dumb nigga can relate to Drake records. Kendrick is trying to do something that is much harder, that shit will fly over many niggas heads. Cole is somewhere in between.
I like all three of them and none of them is trash but this is my list for these three niggas who are in my book the leaders of the new school:
1. Kendrick Lamar (Dude is something extraordinary)
2. Cole (Down to earth nigga with substance and is a great artist)
3. Drake (makes good simple tracks, Drake will never make any classics or anything that will blow your mind, but he’ll still give you something to hold)
I agree w/ the majority of ur comment. My only objection is ur point about Drake. I’m w/ u, I’d take Kendrick and Cole on any given day ova Drake. But, I wouldn’t say that his work is primitive or simple. It’s just more appealing. His music has a reach that emcees/rappers out there not named Eminem has. And that’s likely to change in a year or 2.
Take Care is a classic record btw. Maybe not in “hip hop” circles but overall it is. That lp has 7 top 40 joints on it, that’s nothing to sneeze @.
#justsayin’
Real talk I respect your opinion. I may have came across as too harsh on Drake. I respect his hustle, I can just relate way more to Kendrick and Cole. I find the constant obsession with pretty females to be corny as fuck and Drake is the face of that shit.
I feel u
#respect
okay so……you said any dumb nigga can relate to Drake and then you said you like Drakes music…hmmm sounds your opinion is irrelevent
Sales do slightly matter, in order for any project to be considered a classic it has to be heard loved and appreciated by a decent amount of people.
Illmactic didn’t go platinum until the turn of the century. Almost a decade later. So there goes that logic.
Correct but if the few people who originally bought it didn’t praise it and spread word, that amazing album would’ve been forgotten. Believe it or not they still kept that album alive.
I can dig that.
YA’LL GONNA LEARN TODAY!!!!
#KINGKENDRICK
DON’T HATE ON MY OPINION!!!!
Kendrick out here doin Cole numbers LOL
Still think this is the most overated album since The Eminem Show
U know what, on 2nd thought, never mind.
Both amazing
#MASTERPIECE
The Album about Nothing > To Pimp A Butterfly
Nah Album about nothing is like 8/10 and TPAB is 9.5/10
Yo!!! Pass that shit u’re smoking.
King Kendrick is winning love it.
Fhd over tpab…..
Nah…FHD was boring as shit.
Im not suprised bruhhh you straight west coast and nothing else……….
Nah, my all time favorite rappers are from NY. I even put B4.DA.$$ above that boring ass FHD album.
What!!!!!!!!! I gave badass 1 spin from begining to end and wont be bumping that again same for action bronsons mr wonderful…. fhd over tpab….
Lol…aiight.