Best Songs On Kendrick Lamar's to Pimp a Butterfly
zns98The Top Ten
This album wasn't supposed to be about kendrick just rapping about stories, it's supposed to be symbolic of how racism is still around. I saw a comment that said the album was disappointing; well the album isn't supposed to have number one hits, it's more about dealing with issues in the world not about songs with good beats and rap verses. Considering that, the Blacker the Berry still was a single, and I thought it was very good, and I got chills when I heard the last few lines."Hypocrite! "
Alright is my favourite on the album but I can respect this song on number 1.It has a powerful message due to the great lyrics & it is also one of my favourite by King Kendrick
Harsh beat, socially charged themes and impressive lyrics, sounds like the perfect recipe for a great Kendrick song.
"So why did I weep when Trayvon Martin was in the street when gang banging make me kill a n***a blacker than me? Hypocrite! "
If this isn't enough justification for rap on its own then I don't know what is. - WonkeyDude98
This is probably my favorite song on the album behind The Blacker the berry, his flow is amazing and the beat is pure bliss.
This should be top 3 along with The Blacker The Berry and either you or Hood Politics
Amazing song. Chill vibe. Deep meaning. Lyrics are golden. Really gets you thinking.
Best songs on the album. But every song on the album is great.
V 7 CommentsThis is my personal favorite. Kendrick's voice is incredibly realistic and the story that he vividly weaves over the haunting production is perfect.
Out of all the classic tracks on this album, it's very hard to choose a bonafide #1 track. There's at least 5 songs that could be considered the best, but the first time you hear U... man. The emotion on this track is in its rawest and most vulnerable state as Kendrick gives us a real perspective of the depression he was going through whilst becoming a global icon. Other #1 worthy tracks: The Blacker the Berry, I, Hood Politics, King Kunta
The emotion that this song makes me feel is incomparable with any other on the album (maybe comparable to how much a dollar cost), but u is definitely my favorite. The story has Kendrick's magnificent storytelling spiced with subtleties about social problems and persoal criticism.
You can feel the emotion through the song and can see the pain he is going through, and using excellent storytelling while making it rhyme. My overall favorite TPAB song.
V 2 CommentsWow, almost every comment has been negative on this song so far. I gotta ask: why? The lyrics have ths simplest premise on the album, and the funky production is literally perfect. The stunning bassline, the wiry percussion, the bass riff, the insanely catchy guitar melody that anchors the entire song from the 1:15 point, and that scratchy guitar solo at the end just in case it wasn't amazing enough. Every element just builds up, until an ultimate point in fullness, where it completely collapses. - WonkeyDude98
I like the rest of the album. I just think the lyrics aren't particularly important or clever on this track and then he rhymes "baby boo too" with "woo woo"...
Great mix of rap and just strait hip-hop.
Actually a perfect song, my anthem. It's addictive and catchy, and no wonder because MJ himself helped to write it
V 4 CommentsIt's a banger and one of easiest to vibe to. Never am I not in the mood for this song.
No.5? At least it's in the top 5 but this & Blacker The Berry are the best
You will automaticaly love this song when you heard it for the first time - fuddox
Get outta here saying “U” and “The blacker the berry” are better than alright, this song is this albums anthem.
V 2 CommentsNice to hear real instruments in a rap song, it's been far too long since that's happened.
This song not only had a fun side to it but also had a deep message about depression which not a lot of rappers have been addressing in there songs
One of the most different and best songs rap jhas seen in a long time
no.
Mortal man to me just has so much emotion and purpose. Kendrick does this in almost all his songs but I felt it in this track a lot like I did in sing about me I'm dying of thirst.
Kendrick Lamar feat. Tupac, what more can you ask for?
There is something so profound to me about what is essentially half a conversation with Tupac. It is a culmination of everything this album was building up to. I love it. - nocapes_
The emotion, the way it brings the entire LP together, everything about it is perfect.
V 1 CommentNeo, dreamy, creamy, soul, and surprising beautiful to listen to. it paints a very seductive picture, and was the most fitting instrumentals other than " the blacker the berry"
Love this song, probably my favorite song on this perfect album.
Didn't like this one
Seemlessly goes from very sexy to ominous. - GillisL
V 1 CommentBy far most underrated song on the list. Amazing storytelling skill.
Second to King Kunta, this song takes whatever is great and unique from the album and puts it to one song without sounding too grandiose; the funk, the beat, the story telling, creative use of sound and the way Kendrick bodies the beat.
George Clinton's vocals the verse where Kendrick plays Uncle Sam are great.
Favourite Kendrick Lamar song of all time!
V 3 CommentsThis song is definitely not boo boo.
I liked the first 30 seconds, and the story stands up to Alright and i. The beat was pretty decent too, I guess. But Kendrick's voice...man what were you doing here? Probably in a moot attempt to toss back to his section.80 days, his voice is contorted weirdly high on this song, and it's not pleasant. Especially the chorus, which brought this down to being my least favorite song on the album. It's still good, 4/5 exactly, but it's pretty flawed. - WonkeyDude98
Just read the lyrics. It's pure genius.
With shout outs to Snoop and Killer Mike, to call outs on Congress and music critics, this song is angry, fierce, deep, intellectual, and absolute fire. I mean, "Demo-Crips and Re-Blood-icans"? Just shut up if you're still a hater.
I know the song is kind of off the main storyline of TPAB, but it carries its own message and in my opinion overshadows songs like Blacker the Berry, King Kunta, and Alright.
"Nobody can f*** with you! "
The Contenders
That beat change though and the lyrics have me chills!
Criminally Underrated.
My personal favourite.
Most underrated Kendrick track. it's sonically perfect.
V 3 CommentsThis track is definitely the best on this album. It's insane that it's not higher up but I guess that just goes to show how great this album truly is.
My god how is it here its top 3
Best song on the album
the best
V 2 Comments
There was a lot of attention for detail in this song. The attitude in the voices of Kendrick and the female character ("I mean, baby,") and the way the piano plays one chord at a time at the end of his rant
I think this song shoulda been the list, his flow and the beat are amazing and he kinda brings back jazz a bit.
V 2 Comments
Definitely the best song on the album. It's about how Lucy (aka Lucifer, or the music industry) seduces and black artists. It's so catchy and sinister all at once, and the writing is genius. Why it's this low on the list is beyond me.
A song that explores a deep concept reflected throughout the whole album over an interesting and experimental instrumental. This song is my favourite.
This song carries all the meaning of this album for me. It is beautiful and it moves me greatly. Best song by kendrick!
Why is this the worst song? In for sale Kendrick Lamar tells the story of lucifer (aka Lucy) and how it tempted him. One of the best on this album.
V 1 Comment
On of the chillest most lay back, feel good type of beats in the whole album. Definitely top 5, maybe even top 3 on the album
Keep real to yourself if you wanna kick it with Kendrick, I ain't gotta lie to say this is one of my favorite songs on this classic album.
One of my favourite songs on the album. Very layed back and real. The lyrics are very good and the beat sets a great tone for the song.
By far the greatest track on this album obviously much better than the rest

Complexion is definitely top 10 on this list. I don't know why it's in last
How are complexion and for free so low?
Complexion should be in the top 3 at least...
Great beat and harmonics
V 2 Comments
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List Stats
17 listings
3 years, 35 days old
Top Remixes (28)
2. Mortal Man
3. The Blacker the Berry
WonkeyDude98
2. Institutionalized
3. Wesley's Theory
BD25004
2. The Blacker the Berry
3. Alright
Jimmyjones
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