There was a time when Kendrick Lamar wasn’t on most people’s “favorite” or “best” rappers list. Even after 2012’s critically-acclaimed Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City it seem K Dot was sort of lost in the shuffle of the new school of rappers who were bringing lyricism back.
Then came the guest verse on Big Sean’s 2013 Control single.
That one verse rocked hip-hop to its core & catapulted Kendrick to the head of the class. While others responded to his challenge(Joell Ortiz gave the best reply), Kendrick went full steam ahead & dropped what many considered 2015’s best album, To Pimp A Butterfly.
2 years have passed and now Lamar is on just about everyone’s list of best rapper. With that type of pressure you might wonder if K Dot would falter. He doesn’t.
DAMN now gives Lamar 3 classic albums. Yes I said the infamous C-word – classic. DAMN is nearly 55 minutes of introspection, rage, doubt and confidence. This album establishes that Kendrick Lamar is the best emcee in the game today. Period.
Track Breakdown
BLOOD: The album opens with Lamar wondering if the world is wicked or weak & in need of help.
DNA: K Dot discusses what makes him who he is while scorning those who try to profit off of black/hip-hop culture. He also takes the first, of many, shots at America’s conscience(“Sex, money and murder – that’s our DNA“)
YAH: BLOOD had a snippet of Fox News “analysts” criticizing Kendrick over 2015’s “Alright“. On this track he returns fire saying FOX is using him for ratings while also slamming Geraldo Rivera(“Somebody tell Geraldo this n**** got some ambition/I’m not a politician/I’m not ’bout a religion“). He also discusses his faith(he professes to be an Israelite).
ELEMENT: This track finds Kendrick discussing the sacrifices & struggles in his life and his family. He also feels he’s at the top of the game and he lets his detractors know(If I gotta slap a p*ssy a** n**** I’ma make it look sexy). There is a cool tip of the hat flow wise to Juvenile’s 1998 classic, Ha.
FEEL: Despite critical & commercial success, Lamar is still dealing with doubt as well as emotional & spiritual struggles. Like J. Cole in 2016’s Ville Mentality, Kendrick desires to get away while lamenting through the chorus that “Ain’t nobody praying for me.”
LOYALTY feat. Rihanna: This track finds Kung Fu Kenny & the bad gal musing over what loyalty means in both the professional & personal sides of life.
PRIDE: K Dot finds himself grappling with religion and fighting against being prideful about his life & career. The start of the track echoes his feelings(“Love’s gonna get you killed, but pride’s gonna be the death of you & me“).
HUMBLE: While a booming piano riff sets the stage, Kendrick wonders if the world is too full of itself and encourages us to humble ourselves
LUST: Here you’ll find Kendrick tackling the boring day-to-day life activities, disheartened by Donald Trump’s election and voicing our lust for money, fame & sex. We all just want a taste(“I just need you to want me/Am I askin’ too much/Let me put the head in“)
LOVE: K Dot is talking to his woman and basically asking her questions to solidify their love(If I didn’t ride blade on curb, would you still love me/If I minimized my net worth, would you still love me… Keep it a whole 100; don’t got you, I got nothin’).
XXX feat U2: Once again Kendrick grapples with violence(a friend asks for advice when his son is murdered) and hypocrisy in this country(“Great American flag is wrapped & dragged in explosives”).
FEAR: Kendrick expresses fear at different stages in his life. He’s witness to domestic violence as a child, wonders if he’ll stay alive because of gang violence & police brutality and fears that he could lose the life he’s worked so hard to build.
GOD: The 1st verse finds Lamar boasting about his successes only to realize that it’s God, not him, who is in charge.
DUCKWORTH: This haunting tale of what could have been tells the story of a hustler who nearly kills K Dot’s father Ducky(Kendrick’s real last name is Duckworth). That hustler is none other than Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith who eventually signed Kendrick to his TDE label some 15+ years after the incident.
Standout tracks: DNA, ELEMENT, FEEL, HUMBLE, LUST, FEAR, DUCKWORTH
Verdict: Kendrick Lamar delivers a masterpiece of wicked lyricism layered over a labyrinth of different beats(sometimes all in the same track). Grade: A+
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