Pimp A Butterfly: Soundtrack to Your Life

When Kendrick Lamar released his second studio album ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City’ in late 2012, it became an instant classic and placed his name among other top artists in the industry.

Following his previous release, the public had expected Kendrick to make another album that was made for the radio like most of the other hip-hop artists of the time and today. However, about two years later Kendrick released his third studio album, ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ was to everyone’s surprise not commercial music at all. The album’s production showed elements of jazz, funk, soul, and even spoken word. It was less radio friendly ands its lyricism reached new heights.

Basically, his album didn’t present itself like a movie like his previous one - instead it was a web of connected concepts and stories . The mood of this album is chaotic, ironic, and theatrical all at the same time. It goes back and forth from speaking about social issues and traditions of society to pandering the listeners with wry and sardonic stories in one single album. Though it is overshadowed by the success of GKMC, the complex themes Kendrick brings up in TPAB makes the album even more brilliant.

In a time of rappers making music only for clubs and radio play, Kendrick created a genius album which is both a modern classic and a chaotic masterpiece. Along with GKMC this is Kendrick’s second album which should be considered as one of the greatest rap albums ever.