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I have been a fan of Kendrick Lamar since I discovered him with “Good Kid, MAAD city”. I bought everything he put on the market since because of his writing skills, his rapping and production skills and how he portrays himself in general.
I went with a friend to watch Black Panther and I remember pointing out to him every time I was hearing Kendrick…So I was bound to buy this album too.
Let’s be clear, this is not the real soundtrack of the movie, more an album based on that theme.
Now onto the tracks, 5 stars stand for a favorite of mine, 4 as a track I would never skip, 3 stars I am fine with it but I may still skip it sometimes, 2 stars I did not like, 1 star I hated:
1- Black Panther (Kendrick Lamar)
This track is a typical Kendrick song. Very much reminiscent of the album To Pimp a Butterfly. Not very musical but well written as usual. 3 stars.
2- All the Stars (Kendrick Lamar $ SZA)
One of the most played song of the album, the singing of SZA is very well complemented by Kendrick’s verses. Excellent! If my memory is correct, that song played in the theater. 5 stars.
3- X (Schoolboy Q, 2 chains, Saudi)
Surprisingly, even if Kendrick’s name is not mentioned, he is in the chorus and the intro of the song. Good catchy rap with good featuring. 4 stars.
4- The Ways (Khalid, Swae Lee)
Could have been called “Power Girl”. I am not a fan of DJ Khalid but I have to admit that this is an excellent track with reggae roots. Swae Lee’s voice is perfect for this song. Kendrick participates as a backup vocalist). 5 stars.
5- Opps (Vince Staples, Yugen Blakrok)
This track is very intense with rolling bass, syncopated music and rap styles. Good featuring again. 3 stars.
6- I AM – Jorja Smith
Trippy track. One of my favorites in the album. Kendrick really has the talent to surround himself with good artists, most of them I had never heard of before. Slow song, with good dense bass and Jorja Smith delivering a song reminiscent of ‘Miss Dynamite” for those who may know her. Love the violons at the end of the track with samples rolling from one hear to the next. 5 stars.
7- Paramedic – SOB X RBE
LA music by excellence…Lots of bass, good rapping… A good track to play in your car with bass making your car vibrate crazily… 4 stars.
8- Bloody Waters (AB-Soul, Anderson PAAK, James Blake)
TDE in the room with Ab-Soul. I love this guy. I am glad that Kendrick is not forgetting his TDE buddies (AB-Soul, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q). AB-Soul shines with this type of production. Excellent sung chorus. 4 stars.
9- King’s dead – (Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, James Blake)
This track is reminiscent of the album DAMN. Excellent flow from Jay Rock (A killer, remember Money tree?). The instrument are almost all percussions and infra-Bass and it put on display the amazing rapping skills on it. The track changes dramatically in the last minute for Kendrick’s verses. 5 stars.
10- Redemption Interlude – Zacari
Musical part with aery lyrics by Zacari… Very reminiscent of The Weeknd. 4 stars (Yes, even interludes are amazing!)
11- Redemption – ( Zacari, Babe’s Wodumo)
One of the most upbeat tracks of the album… Zacari has such a nice voice. Also one of the most African sounding track of the Album. 4 stars.
12- Season – (Mozzy, Sjava, Reason)
First song of the album with non English lyrics (Not sure which African language it is). That track is low paced with a mix of English rap and African singing. The production reminds me of “Fear” from the Damn album (one of my favorites of all times). 5 stars.
13- Big Shot – (Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott)
I love the way Kendrick uses music I would never expect in a Rap Album. The effect is puzzling but good. I would have loved to see the face of Travis Scott when he first heard it. This track is one where Kendrick is the most present. Travis Scott proves his rapping skills very well in this track. 4 stars.
14- Pray for me – (The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar)
- I discovered the Weeknd at about the same time of Kendrick Lamar. I really appreciate the musicality of both and I am happy that they cooperated to deliver this killer track. The production sounds much more like The Weeknd than Kendrick when you start listening and then Kendrick’s voice comes in and then I realize that Kendrick can make his any song with a killer voice and lyrics… 4 stars.
In conclusion:
Kendrick Lamar is one of the only artist that I can grab a CD of and let it play without considering skipping songs. This album is the same. You can put it on and let it play and enjoy every track.
5 stars!
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