Best Albums 2015: Kendrick Lamar - 'To Pimp a Butterfly'
The third studio album from Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly,
was roundly accepted as the best album in hip hop of 2015, and one of
the best overall albums of 2015. Branded as 'conscious hip hop' this was
an release that offered a landscape of fused influences from jazz, funk
and spoken word, passed through a very modern filter for the socially
aware, socially networking world.
With executive producing credits being given to Dr. Dre and Anthony Tiffith the guest list of contributing producers presents an incredible role-call; Boi-1da, Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Terrace Martin, Knxwledge, and a whole bunch of other producers sign the visitors book, along with the ubiquitous Pharrell Williams who contributes to the track "Alright" which was heralded as "The Black National Anthem" by B.E.T.
Proceeded by the singles, "i" and "The Blacker The Berry" anticipation for the album had been great. When tracks from the album were released, along with accompanying videos, "King Kunta", "Alright" and "These Walls" the heavyweight album acquired the status of being a modern classic, and cemented Lamar's standing as an artist that reached beyond genre.
With controversial performances, confrontational and anthem-like tracks that inspired hope, courage and honesty, To Pimp a Butterfly delivered a forceful image of current affairs that achieved the rare accomplishment of escaping categorical definition whilst appraising a very specific time in history whilst becoming timeless. It was a great achievement, an unflinching vision, and sonically it kicked ass. A magnificent album.
With executive producing credits being given to Dr. Dre and Anthony Tiffith the guest list of contributing producers presents an incredible role-call; Boi-1da, Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Terrace Martin, Knxwledge, and a whole bunch of other producers sign the visitors book, along with the ubiquitous Pharrell Williams who contributes to the track "Alright" which was heralded as "The Black National Anthem" by B.E.T.
Proceeded by the singles, "i" and "The Blacker The Berry" anticipation for the album had been great. When tracks from the album were released, along with accompanying videos, "King Kunta", "Alright" and "These Walls" the heavyweight album acquired the status of being a modern classic, and cemented Lamar's standing as an artist that reached beyond genre.
With controversial performances, confrontational and anthem-like tracks that inspired hope, courage and honesty, To Pimp a Butterfly delivered a forceful image of current affairs that achieved the rare accomplishment of escaping categorical definition whilst appraising a very specific time in history whilst becoming timeless. It was a great achievement, an unflinching vision, and sonically it kicked ass. A magnificent album.
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