To Pimp A Butterfly Review

I have heard To Pimp a Butterfly at least twice, I wanted to make sure I listened and heard him out. I’m impressed. I understand that Kendrick Lamar may get some heat about being of the most serious rappers of all time, but I’m glad he has that serious mentality. For example, throughout this album, he touched on the super sensitive subject of black people in society. I didn’t listen to the album in Chronological order, but on shuffle to just hear his opinions.

“The Blacker the Berry,” the first track is great. I love “Blacker the Berry.” He clearly gives his opinion on why he loves black people. I could definitely relate to his anger and rage he specified when he flashed back talking about when he was 16 and how black men in society were treated worse than they are now, but that violent streak against black men are coming back. I couldn’t agree more with him on gang violence. Some white people of power act like they care for the poor but they don’t. Black men are going to jail left and right, black kids killing each other. He talked about how black on black crime is crazy due to the “MAN” and politics, I couldn’t agree with Kendrick more on this track.

When the beat of “institutionalized” dropped, I was bouncing as soon as it dropped. I love Kendrick’s designated animated voice, it’s original and raw. With this song, I could definitely relate because growing up in a black household is definitely different from growing up in a white household and he specifically made the difference clear in this song. For example, growing up in a black house you hear, “don’t do this, and don’t do that, the white man’s out there and he wants you back.” You also have to get up wash your ass and do something with your life in order to get out of the same cycle.

“Mortal man” and “How Much a Dollar Cost” are both great tracks. Kendrick’s interviewer stated, “Niggas is tired of grabbing shit, black people just want the same treatment.” That’s true, how much longer do the “man” think that black people are going to sit down and let injustice continue? We are not. Eventually, black people will come together and rise to make changes happen. For example, in “Alright”, my favorite track on the album, is talking about how he made it in this world because for black people we don’t have the same opportunity as others and I’m happy that. When I heard the opening to “Alright,” I was happy he took the infamous line from the Movie, the Color Purple, and “All my Life I had to fight.” I feel that’s true for all black people we always have to put up a fight for shit we want, but if a white man or woman wants it, they get it. Whatever it may be! Why do they black people have to keep fighting? Can we get it easy like the white folk? They did slave and torture us; the least we can get is equality for sure!

I have to say this is my favorite Kendrick Lamar album only because throughout the album he put his heart out there for the world to hear his pain and struggles. I applaud him on touching on the subjects of Ferguson, Trayvon Martin, and the racism problem period. Just because there’s a black president and segregation isn’t anymore, it doesn’t mean that racism doesn’t exist. Along with myself, I consider Kendrick Lamar an activist for black equality no matter what and no one can be mad at him for demanding this. I have to say I feel the same way he does. Angry and pissed off that black people keep getting the shitty end of the stick. When can we get justice? I highly recommend this album to anyone is for equal rights for everyone.

To Pimp a butterfly is one of the most emotional albums of 2015. He put his soul into this album and I couldn’t agree with him more. As a young black woman in America, I would like to step outside knowing I’m not going to get profiled for my race. I can’t just call my “father’s” friend up to get a job; I had to work for everything I have. I highly recommend everyone including the rich white folks to listen to this album. Maybe if they get a black man’s point of view, maybe they can understand better. I wish everyone understood what it’s like to be black and American, but everyone doesn’t know what it feels like. I really appreciate the desperation and anger he showed throughout the album just to show people how frustrated he is with the subject. One of the best albums I’ve heard since 2014 Forest Hill Drive. On that note, one thing the caterpillar notices is how much the world shuts him out, but continues to praise the butterfly. The butterfly is the superstar, everything, but the caterpillar of course turns into a butterfly after so long. I appreciated this album. Thank you Kendrick Lamar.