DAMN. - Kendrick Lamar - Album Review
- Juan Hernandez
- Sep 19, 2017
- 4 min read
Probably the most anticipated album of 2017, DAMN. finds Kendrick at his rawest, meanest, and most self aware. DAMN. might not be as intricate as To Pimp A Butterfly or cinematic as good kid m.A.A.d city. The record is a thoughtful yet conflicted work that makes a nice addiction to the discography of Compton native, Kendrick Lamar.
When you're Kendrick Lamar how does one follow up To Pimp A Butterfly or good kid m.A.A.d city? Both albums have been listed as one of the best albums of the decade so far, and following them isn't an easy task. With each album Kendrick Lamar goes for bigger and more grand stories of race, money, and vice. However with DAMN. we don't get a story necessarily per say, but we instead have songs that tell their own story and they each have their purpose towards the theme of the album. DAMN. is ultimately Kendrick's most confusing work to date. All of this mostly having to do with the fact that Kendrick finally takes the credibility for being the face of his generation. Topics of fame, greed, racial tensions, and political issues pop up all over the album.
The album starter "BLOOD." shows for what to expect from the album: weaknesses, gunshots, and multiple shots being thrown at fox. Fox, throughout the album get shots thrown at, like on tracks "DNA.", "BLOOD." and "YAH.". If moronic and oblivious reporter, Geraldo Rivera actually listened to the lyrics of "Alright" he could have avoided popping up on the album as often as he does. Kendrick exposes hip hop cliches that many people like to associate the community with on with "DNA." The Mike Will Made-It beat alternates once Kendrick lands on the third verse, and that verse is undoubtedly one of the finest hip-hop moments of 2017. Many songs throughout the album switch beats once they get to the third act such as "ELEMENT.", "XXX.", and "DUCKWORTH." For people who were also worried about the U2 feature, you can be assured that it doesn't contain any cheesy throwbacks to their 80s work. Kendrick never goes back to the 70s funk inspired sound of To Pimp A Butterfly, but instead he digresses to the much more contemporary sound of good kid m.a.a.d city, only with a rawer edge to it.
What makes DAMN. different and refreshing is that at times Kendrick will poke fun at many rap cliches, and the negative portrayals of hip hop within the media. Often enough it feels as though Kendrick has the entire world out to get him. It's funny how about six years ago Kendrick was labelled "Artist to watch" and now songs "ELEMENT." and "HUMBLE." we find him discussing the rise to fame in the most grandiose way ever. The summer hit "HUMBLE." discusses Kendrick's rise to prominence and how everyone seems to wanna get on his bandwagon, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Kendrick has poked fun of people who've jumped on his bandwagon on "King Kunta" and "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" from his earlier projects. Kendrick has talked about the life changes that fame can cause, but he's also mentions how there are downsides to being in the public eye in "PRIDE". On "PRIDE" Kendrick understands that all his actions will make headline in the media, and that obtaining privacy seems near impossible. Kendrick realizes the weight of having many loyal fans, but understands that it also comes with consequences.
Weird samples manage to work somehow and they don't feel as forced as how they should, particularly the Rihanna joint "LOYALTY.", using the "24k Magic" sample. Many tracks feel well produced, but others feel restricted in order to emphasize the lyrics and themes of the album. On "FEEL." and "YAH." the writing of the tracks outweigh the production of the songs in order to emphasize the lyrical content. Both songs take on the topics of fame and how ones actions can affect fans and listeners. It's only a shame that "LOVE." didn't turn out to be an introspective insight on modern romance, instead the track is easily the cheesiest song on the entire record, and Zacari's vocals don't do much "Give me a run for my money, there is nobody no one to outrun me". Simply put, that joint doesn't jive with the momentum of the album. Ultimately what hurts the album the most is how inconsistent the themes are. One moment Kendrick can try to convey messages of peace and hope, and in another song he talks about how he's been abandoned and how nobody prays for him, like on "FEAR" and "FEEL". Still that's only a small issue that doesn't plague the album.
At this point in his career Kendrick has already given us his perspective about life in Compton, the rise to fame, and hood politics, but DAMN. displays a contradictory Kendrick like never before. On "XXX" "GOD" and "HUMBLE" Kendrick presents find himself at point where he doesn't know whether to display heroism or wickedness to the audience. Many times the album tries to make the audience question whether Kendrick is really humble or peaceful. It's not to say that this record isn't a thoughtful piece of work that discusses abandonment, tensions, and the issues of fame, but it's a work that shows the ingenious mind of Kendrick Lamar.
However it's amazing how Kendrick has changed the game within a short span of years. Kendrick has proven to his doubters that he's insightful, clever, and undoubtedly one of the greatest rappers alive. On the album closer, "DUCKWORTH." Kendrick proves why he's the signifies the era of hip-hop we live in right now. The track shows the lyrical prowess of Kendrick and how he can turn a verse into a painting. Just like how Anthony Fantano said "You only get so many Kendrick Lamar's, so be happy with the ones that you get"
While I don't find this record as detailed as good kid m.A.Ad city or To Pimp A Butterfly, I still find it as a compelling addition to the library of K-Dot. The album is much more daring, self aware, and by all means raw. Fans of Kendrick Lamar should be happy to hear that the record does not disappoint in any way, and delivers in almost very aspect. It's simply an album that deserves your attention.
DAMN.
Released: 2017
Favorite Tracks: BLOOD., DNA., ELEMENT., FEEL., PRIDE., HUMBLE., XXX., FEAR., GOD., DUCKWORTH.
Worst Track: LOVE
8/10
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