Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Buttlefly album is out. it's Alright...

[imnew09]

Link (http://hypetrak.com/2015/03/stream-kendrick-lamars-new-album-to-pimp-a-butterfly/)

You need a Spotify account to stream it. But overall, this album is too hype up.

Which one is your favorite song?

[navy]

The first song and the last one.

[CeltsGarlic]

Will try it after couple of hours.

Is it like "I" or more like gkmc?

[navy]

Will try it after couple of hours.

Is it like "I" or more like gkmc?
Neither. In fact the I on here is different. Much better.

I prefer GKMC, this one has a sort of jazz and funk rhythm that you have to like before hand. But we'll see if I change after a few listens.

[Fudge]

Momma is dope. Other songs are meh. I'll try giving it another listen.

[CeltsGarlic]

Oh shiit.. It is similar to Kid Cudi's WZRD and Satellite Flight with that big style difference... Whats up with those funky drums? Groovy beats?

It is not what I expected, but thtats just after listening to couple of songs on youtube.

[imnew09]

Will try it after couple of hours.

Is it like "I" or more like gkmc?


Meh this album is whatever. J Cole Forrest Hill sh** on this one BIG TIME

[Swaggin916]

King Kunta is sick

[Bosnian Sajo]

Whoa, it already dropped :eek:

I'm still on this new Drake shit doe, he did a great job.

[TylerOO]

OMFG. Im calling outta work tomorrow

[Megabox!]

Album is damn good, f*ck OP

[EnoughSaid]

So I've listened through it 3 different times. I think Kendrick is the only rapper alive that can do any type of rap song and get it right. The lyrics are on point, production value is gorgeous, and samples and beats are perfect. The transitions from song to song are better on here than any other album. Gonna give it a few more listens to determine meaning and favorite songs.

Pac at the end of Mortal Man ****ed with me so hard. :bowdown:

[BigBoss]

Album is damn good, f*ck OP

Didnt listen but **** op still

[ArbitraryWater]

Oh shit, cant wait to give this a listen when i'm home.

[Asiantastic]

It's alright... Nothing mind blowing like GKMC.

[kurple]

section80 is kendricks best album....

[SexSymbol]

Whoa, it already dropped :eek:

I'm still on this new Drake shit doe, he did a great job.
How can a man actually listen to him? He's bieber-tier

[BRabbiT]

Like this so far.

[T_L_P]

section80 is kendricks best album....

I'd have to agree. The music has more variety and I think a song like 'Ab-Souls Outro' has more to say than some of the more obvious songs on gkmc (gkmc is still a classic though).

Only eight songs in, but I'm enjoying this. I can really appreciate Kendrick's message and what he is trying to do here. I don't like the album version of 'i' though.

Also, here is a HQ cover:

http://i.imgur.com/xA3dOpm.jpg

One I'm using:

http://i.imgur.com/kxSW64V.png

[Budadiiii]

Kendrick is such a bitch. He went from the top of the rap game to irrelevant. Awful album.

Drake is now the lone survivor.

[Budadiiii]

Does Kendrick think he's revolutionary because he talks about racial issues? :oldlol:

Guy is such a ****ing joke.

[Bosnian Sajo]

How can a man actually listen to him? He's bieber-tier

Someone hasn't listened to his new album...btw, anyone got a link for Kendrick's album to download? OP's sends you to itunes.

[T_L_P]

Someone hasn't listened to his new album...btw, anyone got a link for Kendrick's album to download? OP's sends you to itunes.

PMed.

[Fudge]

It's on Spotify to listen for free, if you guys have an account.

And I'm feelin Hood Politics and These Walls. You Aint Gotta Lie, as well. Sounds much better after a second listen.

[T_L_P]

It's on Spotify to listen for free, if you guys have an account.

And I'm feelin Hood Politics and These Walls. You Aint Gotta Lie, as well. Sounds much better after a second listen.

Fudge, fudge, fudge...I assumed you were a connoisseur.

That free Spotify quality is :biggums: imo

[ArbitraryWater]

I reall like it..

but where's the song he sang on the Colbert Report?

[Fudge]

Fudge, fudge, fudge...I assumed you were a connoisseur.

That free Spotify quality is :biggums: imo
Haha, come on, bro. I listen to Chris Brown and Drake. :biggums:

[imnew09]

Didnt listen but **** op still
Nah F U

[Captvic]

I wont sugar coat.

The album blows. Kendrick Lamar has peaked. His 15 minutes of fam are almost over.

[highwhey]

Album is mediocre

[SuperPippen]

lol, every time a new release from a major rapper comes out, we have all of these "it's ight, but def not as good as [insert rapper's last album]" type of comments from people on the internet. Every ****ing time. So predictable.


Y'all are gonna be praisin' the sh*t outta this by the time Kendrick's next album drops.


Anyway, I'm lovin' it so far, but then again, I'm a sucker for tha funk. Lyrics are great, but the real appeal of the album lies in its production. I already prefer it to gkMc.

[imnew09]

lol, every time a new release from a major rapper comes out, we have all of these "it's ight, but def not as good as [insert rapper's last album]" type of comments from people on the internet. Every ****ing time. So predictable.


Y'all are gonna be praisin' the sh*t outta this by the time Kendrick's next album drops.


Anyway, I'm lovin' it so far, but then again, I'm a sucker for tha funk. Lyrics are great, but the real appeal of the album lies in its production. I already prefer it to gkMc.

Youre dumb af. J Cole album was fire

[fsvr54]

PMed.

PM me please, I don't have spotify

[EnoughSaid]

I'd rather have an artist who does different styles. Section 80, GKMC, and TPAB are all different. Each one for a different occasion.

All of J.Cole's shit sounds the same, and I liked FHD2014 a lot. Same with Drake, even though his latest release was fire too.

All in all Kendrick could have done another version of GKMC, made millions, got critical acclaim and appeased all the banger lovers, but he wanted to do it in his own way, and I'd rather have an artist do what he wants and make it great than just succumb to pressure. He's still the best rapper alive. No question about it.

Now him and J. Cole need to start working on that full collab album.

We still got Kanye and Drake to go, along with a shitton of other artists.

[Nowitness]

Doris > TPAB

[navy]

Youre dumb af. J Cole album was fire
It was aight

[fsvr54]

Killer Mike and El-P >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> J Cole and Drake's garbage asses

[Fudge]

Lol @ calling J. Cole garbage.

Cole is the best rapper alive, with Kendrick right behind him.

[EnoughSaid]

Lol @ calling J. Cole garbage.

Cole is the best rapper alive, with Kendrick right behind him.

Cole is nice. But he's not the best rapper alive and it's not really that close. Drake and Kanye are clearly above him.

For me right now it's:

1. Kendrick
2. Drake
3. Kanye
4. J. Cole
5. Pusha T

[navy]

J Cole is easily the best rapper out of those you listed. I wouldnt say he has the best songs though.

Kendrick second, although he can sometimes reach a level Cole never does. Pusha T third. Drake and Kanye are pretty meh at rapping. But they probably put out the best music overall.

[Fudge]

Cole is nice. But he's not the best rapper alive and it's not really that close. Drake and Kanye are clearly above him.

For me right now it's:

1. Kendrick
2. Drake
3. Kanye
4. J. Cole
5. Pusha T
No, here's the actual list.

I know it's subjective and all, but i'm never wrong.

1. J. Cole
2. Kendrick Lamar
3. Drake
4. Big K.R.I.T
5. Chris Brown

[EnoughSaid]

How can you even compare Cole to Kendrick. Cole hasn't come close to tackling the issues that Kendrick does with his music. Cole is a typical mainstream rapper. All of his shit prior to Forest Hills Drive was boring.

There is nobody out there who could pull off To Pimp a Butterfly and the messages in those lyrics but Kendrick. He is the best, most versatile rapper alive right now.

[TylerOO]

Kendrick
Rest doesn't matter.

[TylerOO]

How can you even compare Cole to Kendrick. Cole hasn't come close to tackling the issues that Kendrick does with his music. Cole is a typical mainstream rapper. All of his shit prior to Forest Hills Drive was boring.

There is nobody out there who could pull off To Pimp a Butterfly and the messages in those lyrics but Kendrick. He is the best, most versatile rapper alive right now.

No debate.

[navy]

How can you even compare Cole to Kendrick. Cole hasn't come close to tackling the issues that Kendrick does with his music. Cole is a typical mainstream rapper. All of his shit prior to Forest Hills Drive was boring.

There is nobody out there who could pull off To Pimp a Butterfly and the messages in those lyrics but Kendrick. He is the best, most versatile rapper alive right now.

I'd say on any random song, J Cole's rapping will be better than Kendricks. But your right, Kendrick can reach a level that Cole never does. Or at least does on a lesser extent.

To Pimp a Butterfly was good. But more so for the production, message, and feels, than Kendricks rapping. :confusedshrug:

[Fudge]

2014 FHD > TPAB. That is no debate, imo.

BUT... i'll say this. Section.80 and GKMC tops anything Cole put out pre-2014 FHD.

[fsvr54]

People don't know anything about rap except what is fed to them. Killer Mike would straight up massacre kendrick, cole, drake etc

[navy]

2014 FHD > TPAB. That is no debate, imo.

BUT... i'll say this. Section.80 and GKMC tops anything Cole put out pre-2014 FHD.
J Coles mixtapes go hard as fvck.

[navy]

People don't know anything about rap except what is fed to them. Killer Mike would straight up massacre kendrick, cole, drake etc
Killer mike more overrated than Ronald Reagan

[TylerOO]

2014 FHD > TPAB. That is no debate, imo.

BUT... i'll say this. Section.80 and GKMC tops anything Cole put out pre-2014 FHD.

http://karakhaotic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/camron-face-600x338.jpg

[Fudge]

J Coles mixtapes go hard as fvck.
You're right, actually.

Shit was top quality and they were the projects that really put Cole on. FNL is my shit. Always will be. They're all up there with Section.80, but GKMC is a classic, man. Probably a top 10 rap album ever made.

[T_L_P]

J Cole is easily the best rapper out of those you listed. I wouldnt say he has the best songs though.

Kendrick second, although he can sometimes reach a level Cole never does. Pusha T third. Drake and Kanye are pretty meh at rapping. But they probably put out the best music overall.
:biggums:

FNL Cole is incredible, and he still doesn't come close to s.80/gkmc Kendrick. Everything Cole has done since FNL is like 10 tiers down from that.

[SugarHill]

just played this shit

http://gifatron.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/sleeping-under-a-desk-o.gif

[imnew09]

Cole is nice. But he's not the best rapper alive and it's not really that close. Drake and Kanye are clearly above him.

For me right now it's:

1. Kendrick
2. Drake
3. Kanye
4. J. Cole
5. Pusha T

GTFO, drake straight out sucks. Sure, he knows how to make hits, but he sucks.

Cole's mixtape and his Forrest Hill album were fire!

[imnew09]

How can you even compare Cole to Kendrick. Cole hasn't come close to tackling the issues that Kendrick does with his music. Cole is a typical mainstream rapper. All of his shit prior to Forest Hills Drive was boring.

There is nobody out there who could pull off To Pimp a Butterfly and the messages in those lyrics but Kendrick. He is the best, most versatile rapper alive right now.


All Kendrick tackles is about black people.

J Cole conveys his messages about racism, and society as a whole in general. GOAT rapper at the moment

[kurple]

Album is mediocre
people just getting too high expectations

[kurple]

Cole is nice. But he's not the best rapper alive and it's not really that close. Drake and Kanye are clearly above him.

For me right now it's:

1. Kendrick
2. Drake
3. Kanye
4. J. Cole
5. Pusha T
people need to stop this shyt... kanye isnt evet top100 at RAPPPING

but he's the #1 producer IMO

[kurple]

How can you even compare Cole to Kendrick. Cole hasn't come close to tackling the issues that Kendrick does with his music. Cole is a typical mainstream rapper. All of his shit prior to Forest Hills Drive was boring.

There is nobody out there who could pull off To Pimp a Butterfly and the messages in those lyrics but Kendrick. He is the best, most versatile rapper alive right now.
you dont know cole if you think he's mainstream

[kurple]

Joey Badass is the realest rapper around atm

[kurple]

maybe in europe

not in real actual life
:biggums:

realest rapper is probably wrong, as there are hundreds of thousands of rappers i've never heard. But he the realest in the rap industry if you ask me


how is a life in europe not real? and what makes you think euro's relate more to Joeys songs?

I asume you had some thoughts behind your statement, and not just a pathetic attemt to diss me

[Knicks101]

This album was amazing, I'm not surprised people don't like it though.

[BRabbiT]

i liked it. most wanted a fastball, he threw a split.



...gkmc was the story of KL's redemption, not just from street gangs through rapping but from a life of sin by embracing Jesus Christ. tpabf is about carrying the weight of that clarity (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-on-his-new-album-and-the-weight-of-clarity.html?_r=0): What happens when you speak out, spiritually & politically, & people actually start to listen? And what of the world you left behind?

...Whereas gkmc zoomed in on a day in the old life of Mr. Lamar, a gifted but wayward high schooler in a neighborhood filled with death & temptation, tpabf brings listeners up to his present day, from world tours to the B.E.T. Awards, & the separation he feels from his past.

Rather than relief, his escape from Compton has brought only more opportunities for sin & self-doubt, an internal chaos reflected not only in Mr. Lamar’s intricate stories but also in vigorous jazz- & funk-inflected production that builds on the smoother West Coast sounds of his debut.



“I’m the closest thing to a preacher that (many fans) have,..I know that from being on tour — kids are living by my music....but my word will never be as strong as God’s word. All I am is just a vessel, doing his work.”

“From my perspective, I can only give you the good with the bad...It’s bigger than a responsibility, it’s a calling.”

[Shade8780]

Gonna give this a listen now. Mixed reviews in here so far.

[SugarHill]

I asume you had some thoughts behind your statement, and not just a pathetic attemt to diss me

That's all it is. :yaohappy:

He's being "hilarious"


“I’m the closest thing to a preacher that (many fans) have,..I know that from being on tour — kids are living by my music....but my word will never be as strong as God’s word. All I am is just a vessel, doing his work.”

“From my perspective, I can only give you the good with the bad...It’s bigger than a responsibility, it’s a calling.”


lmao :kobe:

[Knicks101]

I feel like Kendrick is who Lupe Fiasco thinks he is, or maybe wishes he could be. He can have a message without being boring and still make good music.

[ArbitraryWater]

Kanye is the best Rap Artist, as no other Rapper makes better music.

Kendrick next.

[T_L_P]

Kanye is the best Rap Artist, as no other Rapper makes better music.

Kendrick next.

Yep. Kanye's not a good rapper, but he's a hip-hop artist and he arguably makes the best music. That's all that really matters, not the semantics.

[andgar923]

Not a fan of Kendrick either.

[KNOW1EDGE]

I have it on my Spotify playlist,
but I want to download it directly to my phone so I can listen to it on the plane (I have a Droid and don't use iTunes)

Anyone know a legit place to download it straight to my phone. For free? Or will pay the $15 from a legit source

[BRabbiT]

...Lamar is working to purify hip-hop (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-on-his-new-album-and-the-weight-of-clarity.html?_r=1), a genre he hopes to ground in his true experiences of growing up poor, the son of a former gangbanger.

He offers a corrective, or at least an alternative, to the opulent fabulism of some mainstream rap. “You know the songs that are out — we all love these songs,” he said.

“They sell a lot of singles & make these record labels a lot of money.”

But those “really living” in the streets don’t want to hear boasts about murder & drug dealing, he continued.

“They want to get away from that,..If it comes across as just a game all the time, the kids are going to think it’s just a game.”

...In addition to being religious, he rarely drinks or smokes, eschews fancy clothes & jewelry & has reportedly been in a quiet, decade-long relationship with his high school sweetheart. (“I don’t want to put somebody else in the spotlight & make them a celebrity when they don’t want to be a celebrity,” he said.)




good interview.

[Shade8780]

Just finished listening for the first time. Kendrick killed it again.

I think some people in this thread were expecting a GKMC 2.0, but he was going for a completely different sound/message in this album. It shows that no matter what you throw at the guy, he'll put out something that can blow your mind. I admit it though, the first half of the album was all decent/pretty good, but didn't jump out at me like the second half. After Momma is when it picks up, and it's fantastic.

At first glance, these are my favourite tracks:

Hood Politics
How Much A Dollar Cost
Complexion
The Blacker The Berry
i
Mortal Man

[Shade8780]

I reall like it..

but where's the song he sang on the Colbert Report?
This. That was a great song. I'm pretty sure Colbert said it was on the album too.

[Megabox!]

I've been listening to this album non-stop for like 2 days and I can honestly say the only track I don't really like is Wesley's theory. The rest of the album is fantastic IMO

[TylerOO]

I didn't move or blink throughout the second half of "u". Crazy emotion

[Fudge]

Yup, it's official. We've all come to the conclusion that J. Cole is the best rapper alive.

[ArbitraryWater]

God damn... everything he brings out, I dig it.

I can already see myself bumping this for the next month.

[Shade8780]

Forgot about These Walls. u is pretty damn good also. Hell, he's going off in 'For Free?' too.

[kurple]

Yep. Kanye's not a good rapper, but he's a hip-hop artist and he arguably makes the best music. That's all that really matters, not the semantics.
best music?

that depends on what you want to get out of you listening experience. if you give a single shit about what the person js saying, then Kanye is far from making the best music

[fsvr54]

This was good, but not great. Tetsuo and Youth destroyed this.

[waseem780]

Anybody got a link to the album for free??? Youtube ??

[T_L_P]

The final song is proof that Kendrick is on something completely different to these other rappers.

The last poem he reads explaining the album concept is mind blowing.

[kurple]

Anybody got a link to the album for free??? Youtube ??
its on spotify

[MP.Trey]

This shit sounds so dope with a nice pair of headphones. Listened to a couple songs in the whip but it didn't have the same effect. Got it on repeat right now though, probably an 8.5/10 in my opinion. King Kunta and Alright have great vibes but How Much a Dollar Cost is probably my favorite song at this point. Love the revised version of i as well

[Megabox!]

It f*cking blew my mind when I realized the song "For Sale?" Is him talking about Lucifer(AKA Lucy) trying to get him to sell his soul. The crazy thing about is the beat is so damn jazzy and cheerful

[TylerOO]

Needledrop gave it a perfect ten.

This album has grown on me like a mother****er. Liked it at first, now I'm loving it!

[G-Funk]

People don't know anything about rap except what is fed to them. Killer Mike would straight up massacre kendrick, cole, drake etc

That's funny u guys talking about this, On Kendrick new Album Hood Politics he says:

"Everybody want to talk about who this and who that
Who the realest and who wack, who white or who black
Critics want to mention that they miss when hip hop was rappin

[G-Funk]

All Kendrick tackles is about black people.

J Cole conveys his messages about racism, and society as a whole in general. GOAT rapper at the moment

Thats cause J Cole is half white, he has a different prespective.

[G-Funk]

Also I was a big fan of J-cole and his mixtapes, I thought he was better than Kendrick at the time. then he signed to Jay and messed his whole thing up and Kendrick dropped an all-time album, instant classic.

I feel Kendrick took his thunder, he is what J-cole wanted to be to hip-hop. I blame it on Cole for falling under pressure to make an album to please the label. I think he understands that now, thats why his last album was better than his 1st 2.


Anyway this album was great. The mellow style is not for everyone, that's why it gets mixed reviews. I will say, kendrick Lamar Does not put out whack shyt. He puts out quality music every time it's just a matter of liking the style he's going with. If GkMC is a 9 than I give this a strong 8

[G-Funk]

Also, Drake completly lost me, when he was videotaped on funkmasterflex radio station, "Freestyling" off his blueberry.

[Knicks101]

Also, Drake completly lost me, when was videotaped on funkmasterflex radio station, "Freestyling" off his blueberry.

:lol

[G-Funk]

Just finished listening for the first time. Kendrick killed it again.

I think some people in this thread were expecting a GKMC 2.0, but he was going for a completely different sound/message in this album. It shows that no matter what you throw at the guy, he'll put out something that can blow your mind. I admit it though, the first half of the album was all decent/pretty good, but didn't jump out at me like the second half. After Momma is when it picks up, and it's fantastic.

At first glance, these are my favourite tracks:

Hood Politics
How Much A Dollar Cost
Complexion
The Blacker The Berry
i
Mortal Man

listen to alright again

[T_L_P]

u, Momma and Mortal Man are probably my top three songs off this.

[Simple Jack]

How can people say Cole doesn't touch on these same issues?

https://youtu.be/_0LNMviSTTg?t=2m22s

One of his best verses imo.

[TylerOO]

Cole and Kendrick is not a debate. Cole stans need to stop trying to put them on the same level.

[andgar923]

Oddisee>>>

Even tho Kendrick is from my home, this cat Oddisee is the better MC and sadly, the best rapper/producer in a long time.

Sadly cause I just heard of the dude. This cat should be a star not drake, big Sean and 98% of these other whack rappers.

[Fudge]

Cole is the greatest rapper alive. Y'all just gotta deal with it.

[Nowitness]

Cole is the greatest rapper alive. Y'all just gotta deal with it.

:facepalm

Corn Dinner.

[plowking]

Oddisee>>>

Even tho Kendrick is from my home, this cat Oddisee is the better MC and sadly, the best rapper/producer in a long time.

Sadly cause I just heard of the dude. This cat should be a star not drake, big Sean and 98% of these other whack rappers.

Congratulations on not being apart of the mainstream state of thought. You are so different and cool.

Good job on listening to everything that sounds like 90s hip hop even to this day.

Oddisee better than Kendrick... Dear lord you're dumb. Just shut up. You literally know jack shit about anything.

[ace23]

Oddisee>>>

Even tho Kendrick is from my home, this cat Oddisee is the better MC and sadly, the best rapper/producer in a long time.

Sadly cause I just heard of the dude. This cat should be a star not drake, big Sean and 98% of these other whack rappers.
:roll: @ your Chicano ass just discovering Oddisee

[Smoke117]

Rap and Hipiity Hoppity. The ghetto and slum of music.

Also...if you want to say I'm being "racist"...Sam Cooke is my favorite singer of all time and I'm a half honkie half beaner.. Rap and hip hop for the most part is garbage. That is just a fact.

[BasedTom]

so none of you have ****ed with jenny death?

[Jnr Jnr]

This was good, but not great. Tetsuo and Youth destroyed this.


Aoty. Gonna be hard to beat.

[T_L_P]

Rap and Hipiity Hoppity. The ghetto and slum of music.

Also...if you want to say I'm being "racist"...Sam Cooke is my favorite singer of all time and I'm a half honkie half beaner.. Rap and hip hop for the most part is garbage. That is just a fact.

Has nothing to do with this thread, which is about a specific album.

Is this particular album garbage, or the slum of music?

[T_L_P]

so none of you have ****ed with jenny death?

Death Grips are the shit :cheers:

[ace23]

Not really feeling this.

Tin Wooki (best rap album of 2014) >>>

[TylerOO]

Not really feeling this.

Tin Wooki (best rap album of 2014) >>>

Never heard of that album. Listening now. First track is so Earl-esque

[ace23]

Never heard of that album. Listening now. First track is so Earl-esque
He's definitely influenced by Earl, but has a lot more depth lyrically and better production in my opinion.

[The Iron Sheik]

Rap and Hipiity Hoppity. The ghetto and slum of music.

Also...if you want to say I'm being "racist"...Sam Cooke is my favorite singer of all time and I'm a half honkie half beaner.. Rap and hip hop for the most part is garbage. That is just a fact.

i sincerely hope you're just playing a character online. there's no way you're this unhappy in real life and haven't killed yourself

[TylerOO]

He's definitely influenced by Earl, but has a lot more depth lyrically and better production in my opinion.

I posted that before the first track where he actually spits. That instrumental to open the album reminded me exactly of an Earl beat.

[ace23]

I posted that before the first track where he actually spits. That instrumental to open the album reminded me exactly of an Earl beat.
Yeah lol

[Bosnian Sajo]

GTFO, drake straight out sucks. Sure, he knows how to make hits, but he sucks.

Cole's mixtape and his Forrest Hill album were fire!

Great argument, straight out subjective.

[andgar923]

Not really feeling this.

Tin Wooki (best rap album of 2014) >>>

It was nice, but can't listen to his delivery/style for more than a few tracks at a time. Also reminds me of MF Doom a little too much for my liking (was never a big fan). I do like the production on it, a bit more atmospheric than what I was expecting (but in a good way).

Props for the recommendation tho.

[KobesFinger]

I'm listening for the first time now. Currently on i, so one song left. I wasn't really feeling the first 6 or so songs, but from song 7 onwards, I quite like it. I'm conflicted on The Blacker the Berry. I like the production and the subject matter but I don't like the flow. It sounds like he's trying to cram too many syllables.

[sdot_thadon]

So, 1st listen it didn't really catch me. I liked a few tracks, maybe 3. Gave it another run and it grew on me big time. Production actually sounds like an updated 90s westcoast vibe to me. Don't know how many of you were around during that era but the g-funk and banger shit is evident. A call back to the old days lol. Lyrically he's a beast and he tackled some black community issues without being too heavy handed in writing it. Someone said earlier in the thread the 2nd half is the where it picks up and I agree 100%. Don't want to get ahead of myself saying classic at all but it's definitely in rotation now.

Side note: was really feeling Cole's last one but I think this one will be heavier in rotation for myself. Both dope mcs though, the game is in good hands again.

[Rake2204]

So, 1st listen it didn't really catch me. I liked a few tracks, maybe 3. Gave it another run and it grew on me big time. Production actually sounds like an updated 90s westcoast vibe to me. Don't know how many of you were around during that era but the g-funk and banger shit is evident. A call back to the old days lol. Lyrically he's a beast and he tackled some black community issues without being too heavy handed in writing it. Someone said earlier in the thread the 2nd half is the where it picks up and I agree 100%. Don't want to get ahead of myself saying classic at all but it's definitely in rotation now.

Side note: was really feeling Cole's last one but I think this one will be heavier in rotation for myself. Both dope mcs though, the game is in good hands again.I usually operate months/years behind new movie and album releases so I just now gave this album a shot and the bolded echoes some of my initial thoughts, right on down to the "King Kunta" music video. It's certainly not a re-tread or anything close, but there's just enough West Coast G-Funk DNA to get me feeling nostalgic while also experiencing something unique and fresh.

I haven't made it through the entire album yet but it's certainly interesting so far. Historically, Kendrick Lamar hasn't been someone that hits me dead in the face upon first listen, but Good Kid, Mad City grew on me upon repeated listens. I trust this may be similar in that regard. I respect the angle he's taken here. Some of it almost feels like The Love Below.

[T_L_P]

Album is a masterpiece, tbh.

[navy]

Album is a masterpiece, tbh.
Nah. Had the bars been better it would have been. The production, meaning, sound quality are all there. But i feel he was so focused on the message and telling a story so much he didnt get the lyrics to his full potential.

[T_L_P]

Nah. Had the bars been better it would have been. The production, meaning, sound quality are all there. But i feel he was so focused on the message and telling a story so much he didnt get the lyrics to his full potential.

Hmmm, I'd disagree. I think the lyrics fit in with the theme of the album. Like you said, the production, meaning, sound quality is all there. I think there lyrics in this instance should just be bringing home whatever points Kendrick is making; I'm not particularly interested in skilled MCeeing here (whereas I would be with a rap album by another artist).

Aside from King Kunta and Institutionalized, I'd honestly have to say every song on this album is great. The use of jazz and funk is great. The poem leading into each song is incredible. The ideas he tackles in U alone. :confusedshrug:

I didn't like this album at first but, as with most great things, it took me a long time to realize its genius. I think Kendrick is on a different level, tbh (the J. Cole comparisons in this thread are mind-boggling to me, and I've been a fan of his since The Warm Up).

EDIT: though I do see your point. Kendrick's lyrics aren't particularly complex in the second half of the album.

[Duggrr]

Album is a masterpiece, tbh.
This. My favorite hip-hop album of the 2010's.

[navy]

Hmmm, I'd disagree. I think the lyrics fit in with the theme of the album. Like you said, the production, meaning, sound quality is all there. I think there lyrics in this instance should just be bringing home whatever points Kendrick is making; I'm not particularly interested in skilled MCeeing here (whereas I would be with a rap album by another artist).

Aside from King Kunta and Institutionalized, I'd honestly have to say every song on this album is great. The use of jazz and funk is great. The poem leading into each song is incredible. The ideas he tackles in U alone. :confusedshrug:

I didn't like this album at first but, as with most great things, it took me a long time to realize its genius. I think Kendrick is on a different level, tbh (the J. Cole comparisons in this thread are mind-boggling to me, and I've been a fan of his since The Warm Up).

EDIT: though I do see your point. Kendrick's lyrics aren't particularly complex in the second half of the album.

Yeah the lyrics fit the theme of the album, but they werent Kendricks best or notable to be honest. I enjoyed the album more when I took it for what it was and not what I wanted it to be.

Hmm...I think Cole's best album was his first one. I went back and listened to it and that shit was legit lyrically and musically. didnt like born sinner. I thought Forest Hill Drive was...too Drake like. A mixture of different flows, singing, and stuff that just isnt him. Needed to come with the bars like his mixtapes.

Anyways Cole is more consistent at rapping than Kendrick is imo. Kendrick has 1 extra gear that few can match.

[raprap]

I didn't like it as much as GKMC. I prefer J. Cole tbh :confusedshrug:

[ekosky]

J. Cole >

2014 Forest Hills Drive >

Cole's skin complexion >

[imnew09]

J cole was good but im really digging Big Seans too

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Much better albums been out this year. Summertime 06, Dirty Sprite 2, Pilot Talk 3, Weekend at the Cape, Twelve Reasons to Die II etc

[Megabox!]

J. Cole >

2014 Forest Hills Drive >

Cole's skin complexion >
:whatever: