It’s been nearly 20 years since Compton-born rapper, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, released his first mixtape in 2003. Kendrick Lamar, who originally went by the stage name K.Dot, was able to obtain a record deal with Top Dawg Entertainment shortly after the release of his first mixtape in 2003. Kendrick went on to release 4 more mixtapes with TDE which generated a buzz from some of the biggest names in hip-hop. It was clear that Kendrick Lamar was a future superstar in the making.
Within the last decade or so, Kendrick has firmly claimed his spot amongst hip-hop royalty via the release of his 5 studio albums, most of which, have received critical acclaim. Each of these 5 albums has its own unique feel and sound. Over the years Kendrick has been able to reinvent himself with each release. It’s become apparent recently that Kendrick Lamar isn’t one to rush his music releases which has resulted in 5 complete albums that are lyrically and sonically ahead of his peers.
This latest esLists entry takes up the tough task of analyzing and ranking each of Kendrick Lamar’s 5 studio albums.
5. Section.80
Release Date: July 2, 2011
Features: Colin Munroe, GLC, Ashtrobot, BJ the Chicago Kid, Ab-Soul
esLists.com’s Analysis: Section.80 is Kendrick Lamar’s first official studio album even though it feels like a mixtape. It was released by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The Section.80 title has two meanings: Section 8 housing and the 1980’s which is the decade in which Kendrick was born. On the album, Kendrick dives into topics such as the controversial Reagan administration, women’s issues, and the crack epidemic. Section.80 is a valiant album entry to Kendrick Lamar’s legendary discography.
esLists.com’s Rating: 82/100
4. Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
Release Date: May 13, 2022
Features: Kodak Black, Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah, Sampha, Blxst, Amanda Reifer, Taylour Paige, Baby Keem, Sam Dew, Tanna Leone, Beth Gibbons
esLists.com’s Analysis: Kendrick’s 5th studio, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, was released over 5 years after his previous album. As a matter of fact, this album’s first track mentions how this release comes exactly 1,855 days after the release of DAMN in 2017. It is the final album released by TDE before Kendrick makes the move over to his own media label, PGLang.
A lot has happened in the world since the DAMN album and Kendrick uses this latest album to touch on a wide range of subjects. From fatherhood, to social injustice, to relationship dynamics; Kendrick discusses relevant topics and still is able to create new sounds and flows that are not widely used in hip-hop today. Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers features production from many of best producers in music today. The album has a little bit of something for everyone and it is deep enough to remain in your rotation for many months to come.
esLists.com’s Rating: 85/100
3. DAMN.
Release Date: April 14, 2017
Features: Rihanna, U2, Zacari
esLists.com’s Analysis: Kendrick’s 3rd studio album features some of his most successful singles of his entire career. The RIAA certifications from DAMN. are as follows: “Humble” 7x Platinum, “Loyalty” 2x Platinum, and “Love” 4x Platinum. Those are impressive achievements an entire career, let alone one album. With DAMN, Kendrick was able to accomplish the rare feat of making a socially conscious album that is both popular and an enjoyable listen.
The title of every song on DAMN. is intentionally only one word with a period at the end. Also, Kendrick intentionally structured the album to be able to be listened to in reverse order. DAMN. is slow at some points of the album but its message and themes are dense.
esLists.com’s Rating: 90/100
2. good kid, m.A.A.d city
Release Date: October 22, 2012
Features: Drake, Jay Rock, MC Eiht, Dr. Dre, Mary J, Blige, Anna Wise
esLists.com’s Analysis: In 2010-12, most hip-hop fans began to learn who Kendrick Lamar was after he released the Overly Dedicated mixtape in 2010 and the Section.80 album in 2011. This buzz led to Kendrick landing a feature on Drake’s 2011 album, Take Care, on the song “Buried Alive Interlude”.
It was with good kid, m.A.A.d city in 2012 that Kendrick Lamar became a household name. The album has a little bit of something for every type of listener. The album is set during Kendrick’s teenage years around 2004-2005. Although he describes himself as a “sober soul” and a “peacemaker”, Kendrick discusses his internal struggles of partaking in alcohol, drugs, and violence when he’s with his friends.
Good kid, m.A.A.d city is an album that is truly ahead of its time. It was a breath of fresh air when it was released in the fall of 2012. It’s an album that is still very relevant nearly a decade after its release.
esLists.com’s Rating: 95/100
1. To Pimp A Butterfly
Release Date: March 15, 2015
Features: Snoop Dogg, Rapsody, Thundercat, Bilal, Anna Wise, James Fauntleroy, George Clinton
esLists.com’s Analysis: Following up a classic like good kid, m.A.A.d city with another classic rarely happens but Kendrick Lamar did just that with To Pimp A Butterfly in 2015. This album is elite Kendrick Lamar combined with elite production, elite subject matter, and elite flows. Kendrick discusses topics such as depression, wealth, race, classism, taxes, and even the United States government.
To Pimp A Butterfly takes the listener through a rollercoaster of emotions. Feelings of triumph, sadness, confusion, and reflection are normal emotions that are felt when listening to this project. Usually, the best albums do that. To Pimp A Butterfly is a near perfect story from beginning to end and is one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all-time.
esLists.com’s Rating: 99/100
Thanks for reading this latest esLists post. Please vote in the poll below and check out my previous article here to see where Section.80, good kid m.A.A.d city, DAMN, and To Pimp A Butterfly landed in my “Top 50 Albums of the (2010’s) Decade, Ranked” list.
