To Pimp a Butterfly

Modern jazz, soul jazz, G-funk, P-funk, blaxploitation and electro are among the sundry materials that led Kendrick Lamar to create an album emblematic of the decade, thus establishing his leading position on the hip hop planet. The flexibility of his flow, his stylistic diversity, the relevance of his resources, the excellence of his selected players and beatmakers all serve his lyrics marvelously. Within the brilliant MC lies a collection of tales and poetic reflections on the abusive power of money, the miseries of politics, domestic violence, depression, collective pride and vulnerability. We’ve arrived at the pinnacle of African-American creativity and finesse.