Kendrick Lamar
The essential Kendrick Lamar records, ranked — where to start and what to reach for next.
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1To Pimp a ButterflyKendrick LamarStart here
To Pimp a Butterfly
An ambitious fusion of hip-hop, jazz, funk and spoken word, wrestling with race, fame and self-worth. Challenging on first listen and richer with every return. Widely considered a landmark of the 2010s.
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2Section.80Kendrick LamarClassic
Section.80
A conceptual early peak of social commentary and craft. Sharp and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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3good kid, m.A.A.d cityKendrick LamarClassic
good kid, m.A.A.d city
A self-described 'short film' about growing up in Compton, structured as a cohesive narrative with cinematic detail. Dense, melodic and replayable, it confirmed Kendrick as the leading rapper of his generation. A modern classic.
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4untitled unmastered.Kendrick LamarClassic
untitled unmastered.
A loose, jazzy collection of To Pimp a Butterfly offcuts. Sharp and acclaimed. A surprising gem.
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5DAMN.Kendrick LamarClassic
DAMN.
A sharp, Pulitzer-winning blockbuster balancing introspection and hits. Bold and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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6Mr. Morale & the Big SteppersKendrick LamarClassic
Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
A dense, therapeutic double album of self-examination. Ambitious and acclaimed. A bold statement.
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7GNXKendrick LamarClassic
GNX
A surprise, confident late record of West Coast energy. Sharp and acclaimed. A strong return.
Tracks we've featured in our best-of lists — tap a title to find it on Amazon Music.