There’s something undeniable about it, even on first blush, even for the songs I didn’t like enough to add to my playlist. I don’t know if I can articulate it very well. I don’t know if I can even hear it very well. I’m still working on that. But it grabs you. There’s a precision to how it grabs attention, to how it pulls in and out, and that precision is calibrated between the music and the lyrics in a way that makes a really strong narrative. I hope, and honestly kind of expect, that when I come back to do an official relisten to all of these albums, however far from now that is, that I’ll like them a lot more. I think it’s the best hip-hop I’ve listened to so far. It’s put together really well, and there are moments in the storytelling that are just super strong.
I like Section.80, To Pimp a Butterfly, untitled unmastered., DAMN., and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers quite a lot. Those are strong, those have a kind of headiness to them, a confidence and a direction that’s really compelling. DAMN. in particular, I think that’s my favorite. The other ones I didn’t feel that as strongly from, good kid, m.A.A.d city and GNX. I know good kid, m.A.A.d city was the one that really launched stuff, that got nominated for stuff and all that jazz, but I liked Section.80 substantially better. I also listened to the five mixtapes before Section.80, those were alright but I don’t think they’re worth counting toward or against Lamar at all. They didn’t sway me.
All told, I think I’m gonna call it a B+ for now. There’s still a lot of stuff I just don’t enjoy, but I think the narratives and poetics were very compelling. There were one or two places that felt jarring, where I felt like the actual construction of the arguments made were confusing and nonsensical, but mostly I felt moved and provoked in positive and effective way. I could feel that Kendrick is moved and provoked, I could feel that he feels, and that that feeling was good and right and real. I’m hoping the A- comes with time, that I can get on the same page enough to enjoy what I respect, but for now it’ll be a B+
Kendrick Lamar complete, now listening to: BØRNS
tunafruitsandwitch 