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==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
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{{Album ratings
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| MC = 95/100<ref name="MC"/>
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Revision as of 04:30, 23 March 2015

Untitled

To Pimp a Butterfly is the third studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on March 16, 2015, by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and distributed by Interscope Records.[1][2]

Background

Kendrick Lamar first revealed plans of releasing a follow-up to his major-label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012), on February 28, 2014, during an interview with Billboard.[3]

Recording

Bilal featured on "Institutionalized" and "These Walls" and added backing vocals to four other songs.

Recording for the album began in 2012 and continued until 2015, the album was recorded at a variety of studios including Chalice Recording Studios, Downtown Studios, House Studios, Notifi Studios and No Excuses Studios. Lamar thought of the albums initial concept while on Kanye West's Yeezus Tour, during the tour producer Flying Lotus, played him some demos intended for his Captain Murphy project. Flying Lotus was responsible for the production of the album opener "Wesley’s Theory", which features Thundercat and George Clinton. Lotus also played Lamar a folder of beats that he was keeping for his next Captain Murphy project, and went on to give Lamar all the productions in the folder.[4] Lotus also produced a version of "For Sale? (Interlude)" that was ultimately discarded, with Lamar favoring Taz Arnold's version of the song, which appears on the album. Lotus said that it is unlikely that his version of the song will see a release.[5]

Rapper Rapsody made an appearance on the album, following a conversation between Lamar and 9th [Wonder], Lamar told 9th he wanted to reach out to Rapsody. Following Rapsody and Lamar exchanged a dialogue on the song but overall there was little instruction from Lamar himself regarding what she should talk about on the song. Speaking about the song she stated that he had the concept already when he reached out. Continuing to say the only instructions she was given were the songs title and that we are beautiful no matter our race but he really wanted to speak to our people and address this light versus dark complex.[6][7] In 2014 producer Pharrell Williams, who had previously worked with Lamar, played the song "Alright" which was produced with Sounwave at the Holy Ship Festival for select fans off of his iPhone. The track features the same unidentified sample that Williams used on Rick Ross' track "Presidential" from his album God Forgives, I Don't. The track reportedly at one time featured rapper Fabolous.[8][9][10] The album went through three different phases before the production team could move forward with the idea, after this producer Thundercat was brought into the process after Flying Lotus brought the producer along to see Lamar's performance on the Yeezus Tour.[11]

The album's lead single "i" was produced by Rahki, who also produced the song "Institutionalized". Although the version of "i" that appears on the album is drastically different from the single release, both versions contain a sample of the song "That Lady" by The Isley Brothers. Lamar personally visited Isley Brothers' lead vocalist Ronald Isley to ask his permission to sample the song, in which he traveled to St. Louis and began working in the studio with Isley. Isley also performs on the song "How Much a Dollar Cost?" with singer-songwriter James Fauntleroy.[12] Another producer and featured guest was producer Pete Rock, who said that his addition to "Complexion (A Zulu Love)" was unusual for him as he was not the producer of the track, instead providing backing vocals and scratches.[13] Singer Bilal, featured on "Institutionalized" and "These Walls" and has backing and uncredited vocals on "u", "For Sale? (Interlude)", "Momma" and "Hood Politics". Bilal stated he was initially unsure of how many songs he would be featured on the album stating he worked on various tracks but did not know what was what. For a lot of the material, Kendrick had a idea of what he wanted. He would sing out the melody and some of the words, and Bilal would interpret what Lamar was telling him. On the songs where Bilal added backing vocals, some of it was freestyle; just adding color to make it a fuller sound."[14]

Music and lyrics

Lamar has described the album, which incorporates elements of funk, spoken word poetry and jazz, as "honest, fearful and unapologetic."[15]

Singles

On September 23, 2014, Kendrick Lamar released "i", as a single via digital distribution.[16] The song was met with critical acclaim from music critics and was placed on numerous critics year end lists.[17][18] On November 15, 2014, Lamar appeared on Saturday Night Live, as the musical guest, where he performed the extended version of "i", which is the version that was included on the album.[19]

On February 9, 2015, Lamar released the album's second official single, titled "The Blacker the Berry".[20]

Release and promotion

On March 10, 2015, Lamar announced his third album to be titled, To Pimp a Butterfly. On the same day, Lamar unveiled the album cover, when he posted a picture of it on his official Instagram page. After a rumored track-listing surfaced via the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), on March 12, 2015, Lamar confirmed the album's track listing.[15][21] In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Kendrick indicated that the title was a play on Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. He was quoted as saying, "Just putting the word 'pimp' next to 'butterfly'… It's a trip. That's something that will be a phrase forever. It'll be taught in college courses — I truly believe that."[22]

On March 15, 2015, the album was released on iTunes eight days ahead of its scheduled release date. According to TDE's CEO, Anthony Tiffith, the album's early release was unintentional, apparently caused by an error on the part of Interscope Records.[23] On the following day, the option to purchase the album was removed from iTunes and the release date was reverted to March 23. On March 16, 2015, the album was digitally released a week ahead of the original schedule. The first, short-lived accidental release might have been the reason for the early release, which was a similar tactic used by Frank Ocean when he released his album channel ORANGE.[24][25]

Commercial performance

Industry sources are forecasting that the album will debut at Number 1 on the Billboard 200 charts in its opening week with sales of over 325,000 copies in the week ending March 22, 2015.[26]

To Pimp a Butterfly debuted at Number 1 in both New Zealand[27] and Australia,[28] even after being released midway through the tracking week.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic95/100[29]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[30]
NY Daily News[31]
Billboard[32]
Chicago Tribune[33]
HipHopDX[34]
Pitchfork9.3/10[35]
Rolling Stone[36]
Slant Magazine[37]
Spin10/10[38]

Upon its release, To Pimp a Butterfly received positive reviews from music critics, some even hailing it as a hip hop "masterpiece", and other publications billing it as an instant "classic"[who?]. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from music critics, the album has received an average score of 95, indicating "universal acclaim", based on 21 reviews.[29] As of March 20, 2015 the album was the highest scoring album of the year on Metacritic, both in terms of Metascore and user score.[39] Additionally, the album's score of a 95 ties it with OutKast's Stankonia as the highest rated rap album on the entire website and is tied for 8th all time amongst all albums.[40]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Wesley's Theory" (featuring George Clinton & Thundercat)Kendrick Duckworth, George Clinton, Steven Ellison, Ronald Colson, Stephen Bruner, Boris Gardiner
4:47
2."For Free? (Interlude)"Duckworth, Terrace Martin, R. McKinneyMartin2:10
3."King Kunta"Duckworth, Bruner, Johnny Burns, Michael Jackson, Ahmad Lewis, Stefan Gordy
3:54
4."Institutionalized" (featuring Bilal, Anna Wise & Snoop Dogg)Duckworth, Columbus Smith, Fredrik Halldin, Sam Barsh
4:31
5."These Walls" (featuring Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat)Duckworth, Martin, Larrance Dopson, James Fauntleroy, McKinney
  • Martin
  • Dopson
  • Sounwave[a]
5:00
6."u"Duckworth, Taz Arnold, Michael Brown
  • Arnold
  • Whoarei
  • Sounwave[a]
4:28
7."Alright"Duckworth, Pharrell Williams, Mark Spears
  • Williams
  • Sounwave
3:39
8."For Sale? (Interlude)"Duckworth, Arnold
4:51
9."Momma"Duckworth, Glen Boothe, Arnold, Sylvester Stewart, Lalah Hathaway, Rahsaan Patterson, Rex Rideout
  • Knxwledge
  • Arnold
4:43
10."Hood Politics"Duckworth, Donte Perkins, Spears, Bruner, Sufjan Stevens
4:52
11."How Much a Dollar Cost" (featuring James Fauntleroy & Ronald Isley)Duckworth, Martin, Josef Leimberg, McKinney, Fauntleroy, Ronald IsleyLoveDragon4:21
12."Complexion (A Zulu Love)" (featuring Rapsody)Duckworth, Bruner, Spears, Marlanna Evans
4:23
13."The Blacker the Berry" (featuring Assassin)Duckworth, Matthew Samuels, Stephen "KOZ" Kozmeniuk, K. Lewis, Brent Kolatalo, Jefferey Campbell, Alexander Izquierdo, Zale Epstein
5:28
14."You Ain't Gotta Lie (Momma Said)"Duckworth, Martin, McKinney, Leimberg, SpearsLoveDragon4:01
15."i"Duckworth, Columbus Smith, Isley, O'Kelly Isley, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, Rudolph Isley, Christopher JasperRahki5:36
16."Mortal Man"Duckworth, Spears, Bruner, Fela AnikulapoSounwave12:07
Total length:78:51
Notes[41]
  • ^a signifies an additional producer.
  • ^b signifies an additional programmer.
  • "Wesley's Theory" contains additional vocals performed by Dr. Dre, Anna Wise, Ash Rise, Josef Leimberg and Whitney Alford.
  • "For Free? (Interlude)" contains additional vocals performed by Anna Wise and Darlene Tibbs.
  • "King Kunta" contains additional vocals performed by Whitney Alford.
  • "These Walls" contains additional vocals performed by James Fauntleroy.
  • "u" contains additional vocals performed by Bilal, Jessica Vielmas and SZA.
  • "Alright" contains additional vocals performed by Pharrell Williams, Candace Wakefield and Thundercat.
  • "For Sale? (Interlude)" contains additional vocals performed by Bilal, Taz Arnold AKA Ti$A, Preston Harris and SZA.
  • "Momma" contains additional vocals performed by Lalah Hathaway and Bilal.
  • "Hood Politics" contains additional vocals performed by Bilal, Anna Wise, Preston Harris and Dion Friley.
  • "Complexion (A Zulu Love)" contains additional vocals performed by Thundercat, Lalah Hathaway, Talkbox Monte, Javonte and Pete Rock.
  • "The Blacker the Berry" contains additional vocals performed by Lalah Hathaway & James Fauntleroy.
  • "You Ain't Gotta Lie (Momma Said)" contains additional vocals performed by Thundercat, Preston Harris, Wyann Vaughn and Javonte.
  • "i" contains additional vocals performed by Taz Arnold AKA Ti$A, William Sweat, Candace Wakefield, Devon Downing, Edwin Orellana, Dave Free, Dion Friley and Ronald Isley.
  • "Mortal Man" contains additional vocals performed by James Fauntleroy, Javonte and Tupac Shakur.
Sample credits[41]

Charts

See also

References

  1. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Announces Album Release Date". Pitchfork Media. March 6, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  2. ^ Kwame Opam (March 6, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar announces the title and release date of his next album". The Verge. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  3. ^ "Top Dawg's Kendrick Lamar & ScHoolboy Q Cover Story: Enter the House of Pain". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  4. ^ "Flying Lotus details involvement on Kendrick Lamar's new album". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music..
  5. ^ HipHopDX (March 16, 2015). "Flying Lotus Details His "To Pimp A Butterfly" Involvement". HipHopDX.
  6. ^ Eric Diep. "Interview: Rapsody Details Her Feature On Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp A Butterfly' Album". Complex UK.
  7. ^ "Q&: Rapsody Talks Secretly Working on Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp a Butterfly' | SPIN | Interviews". Spin. March 16, 2015
  8. ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Alright feat. Pharrell & Thundercat (Pharrell Williams, Sounwave) (15′) | The Neptunes #1 fan site, all about Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo". theneptunes.org. March 2015
  9. ^ CineMasai. "Pharrell Shared A Version Of "Alright" From To Pimp A Butterfly With Fabolous Last Year [VIDEO – WatchLOUD"]. WatchLOUD.
  10. ^ "Was Kendrick Lamar’s Pharrell Produced “Alright” Track was Originally for Fabolous?". The Early Registration. March 16, 2015
  11. ^ Dan Rys (March 18, 2015) Sounwave Says Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ Went Through Three Phases. xxlmag.com
  12. ^ NME News Desk (September 24, 2014). "NME News Kendrick Lamar says he visited Ronald Isley to ask to use 'That Lady' on new track 'I' | NME.COM". NME.
  13. ^ "This Iconic Producer Just Called Kendrick's To Pimp A Butterfly 'The Best Album Out'". MTV News.
  14. ^ "Kendrick Lamar". Billboard.
  15. ^ a b "Tracklisting: Kendrick Lamar – 'To Pimp a Butterfly'". Rap-Up.com. March 13, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  16. ^ Frydenlund, Zach (September 23, 2014). "Listen to Kendrick Lamar's "I"". Complex. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
  17. ^ "50 Best Songs of 2014". December 3, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  18. ^ "The 10 Best Songs of 2014". December 11, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  19. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Makes a Triumphant Return to 'SNL'". Rolling Stone.
  20. ^ "Kendrick Lamar premieres 'The Blacker The Berry', his intense, racially-charged new single — listen – Consequence of Sound". Consequence of Sound. February 2015.
  21. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Confirms To Pimp a Butterfly Tracklist Featuring George Clinton, Snoop Dogg, Thundercat, More". Pitchfork Media. March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  22. ^ "It is No Longer Untitled – Kendrick Lamar's New Album: Everything We Know". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  23. ^ "Kendrick Lamar 'To Pimp A Butterfly' Album Leaked By iTunes". Rapdose.com. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  24. ^ "Update: Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp a Butterfly' Gets Surprise Digital Release". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  25. ^ "NME News Frank Ocean releases his debut album 'Channel Orange' a week early – listen | NME.COM". NME. July 10, 2012.
  26. ^ Keith Claufield (March 19, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar Heading for First Number 1 Album on Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  27. ^ a b "Charts.nz – Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  28. ^ a b "Australiancharts.com – Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  29. ^ a b "Critic Reviews for To Pimp A Butterfly". Metacritic. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  30. ^ Jeffries, David (March 19, 2015). "Read the AllMusic Review and stream Kendrick Lamar's New Album, 'To Pimp a Butterfly'". AllMusic. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  31. ^ {{cite web |http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/kendrick-lamar-pimp-butterfly-instant-classic-article-1.2150923
  32. ^ "Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp A Butterfly' Challenges and Rewards: Album Review". Billboard. March 16, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  33. ^ Kot, Greg (March 17, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar delivers masterful 'To Pimp a Butterfly'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  34. ^ Justin Hunte (March 17, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly". hiphopdx.com. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  35. ^ Craig Jenkins (March 19, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar: To Pimp a Butterfly". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  36. ^ "Kendrick Lamar's New Album: To Pimp a Butterfly". Rolling Stone.
  37. ^ Sam C. Mac (March 19, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar: To Pimp a Butterfly". Slant Magazine. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  38. ^ Dan Weiss (March 20, 2015). "Review: Kendrick Lamar Returns With the Great American Hip-Hop Album, 'To Pimp a Butterfly'". Spin. Retrieved March 20, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  39. ^ "Best Music and Albums for 2015". Metacritic.
  40. ^ "Best Music and Albums of All Time". Metacritic.
  41. ^ a b Digital Booklet - To Pimp a Butterfly (Media notes). Kendrick Lamar. Top Dawg Entertainment. 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  42. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  43. ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week {{{week}}}, {{{year}}}". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  44. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  45. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  46. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.

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