Best Songs On Kendrick Lamar's to Pimp a Butterfly

The Top Ten
1 The Blacker the Berry

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! "

Kendrick has been writing this song for some years. The day he heard about the killing of 17 year old Trayvon Martin he was filled with rage. So he put al that rage into this song, which is why its number 1.

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

Amazing lyricism, concsious rapping, a hard hitting instrumental and a very strong message make this arguably one of the most powerful songs of the last 5 years.

2 How Much a Dollar Cost

Probably his best song of all time. The storytelling here is genuinely "deep"(overused word but still) and the beats match pretty well with the song.

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.

3 u

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.

I was becoming skeptical of the album after hearing "King Kunta" and "institutionalized" (I guess not my taste) but then I heard "These Walls" and this song and it was mind blowing. It's rare that any musician from any genre creates a song as unique, meaningful and powerful as this

This is my personal favorite. Kendrick's voice is incredibly realistic and the story that he vividly weaves over the haunting production is perfect.

4 King Kunta

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"...

Hello piggy bank I hope you have a great night tomorrow night so you can come tomorrow night I love king kunta

I think this songs overrated I didn't really like the album there were a few good songs not this one

Actually a perfect song, my anthem. It's addictive and catchy, and no wonder because MJ himself helped to write it

5 Alright

It'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

This right here is as close to a banger you can get in the album and truly it's a dope track.ain't nothing better than a pharell & kendrick team-up ever since good kid...learnt all the lyrics in just a day or so just to rap along to this goldmine

6 These Walls

Neo, 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"

Easily best Kendrick song and 2nd best song of all time in my opinion. So easy to listen to. Such a good beat and such an amazing story to go along with it.

Love this song, probably my favorite song on this perfect album.

YAH. Now ima gonna be sex obsessed 4 the rest of mah life

7 i

A nice Funk influenced song about self esteem. For a long time, this used to be my favourite by him and that was purely for the instrumental(Although his rapping and lyrics are good too)

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

Nice to hear real instruments in a rap song, it's been far too long since that's happened.

One of the most different and best songs rap jhas seen in a long time

8 Mortal Man

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.

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.

The emotion, the way it brings the entire LP together, everything about it is perfect.

Kendrick Lamar feat. Tupac, what more can you ask for?

9 Wesley's Theory

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.

The sample at the beggining definitely sets the tone for the album and the funky beat is so good... Dope intro for a dope album

George Clinton's vocals the verse where Kendrick plays Uncle Sam are great.

10 Hood Politics

This song is definitely not boo boo.

The Contenders
11 Institutionalized

That beat change though and the lyrics have me chills!

Too many people in it that aren't good

Most underrated Kendrick track. it's sonically perfect.

Sadly overlooked, great song

12 Momma

This is by far my favorite track on this masterpiece of an album. "Momma" is on another level; the production is divine. The 2nd verse particularly stands out to me. In it he's basically rapping [almost sounds like slam poetry] about the things which he knows {"I know everything..."} - After going back home he proceeds to realize that everything he thought he knew wasn't accurate. 'Home' in the context of the song probably refers to Africa. Or it could refer to Compton. Or even more generally to self-enlightenment. This is probably my favorite album of all time ☺
Other tracks that stood out to me: u, i, Institutionalized, These Walls, How Much a Dollar Cost? And Mortal Man.

This 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

13 For Sale?

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.

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.

This song carries all the meaning of this album for me. It is beautiful and it moves me greatly. Best song by kendrick!

14 Complexion

Complexion is definitely top 10 on this list. I don't know why it's in last

Great song, maybe not #1, but definitely not last!

Complexion should be in the top 3 at least...

How are complexion and for free so low?

15 You Ain't Gotta Lie

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.

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

By far the greatest track on this album obviously much better than the rest

16 For Free?

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.

Don't like this

I can’t even tell you how satisfying his delivery is on this one for me, and the lyrics are pretty clever when you look into them more. Not my favorite off the album, but my god it’s good.

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