TOP 10 MOST UNDERRATED KENDRICK LAMAR SONGS
Explore a curated list of KungKu Kennys most underrated songs in his disography (by some bitch with a hiphop obsession).
Kendrick Lamar has a long and respectable discography which is enjoyed both by hiphop enthusiasts and frat boys alike.
Turns out he has more bangers than “Humble” or “Money Trees” that slap just as hard (if not more). As a songwriter, audio engineer (and just some bitch who enjoys music), Kendrick Lamar’s style stands out for a variety of reasons.
His unique lyrical ability is powerful and undeniable. This MC uses his lyrics to paint vibrant pictures of the story that he is telling. Most of us will never go to Compton, cruise down Rosecrans or share experiences like Lamar, however we can feel a piece of his reality. We can see it and hear it.
His rap songs contain very well thought out poetry that sets him aside from so many rappers nowadays who only rap about money bitches and hoes.
Kendrick is opening up a door, bringing you into his home and into the streets which he has grown up in and evolved in his whole life. Isn’t that what amazing artists are supposed to do?
It’s not a question why he is respected by so many OG rappers, producers and engineers from the trailblazing world of gangster rap. You feel a piece of him in every song and bar that he spits. It all comes straight from the heart.
With albums such as To Pimp A Butterfly and good kid, m.A.A.d city you can feel the inspiration and funk leaking from every track.
He has to be respected to be able to work alongside the greats such as George Clinton, Bootsy Collins and fucking Dr. Dre.
Kendrick Lamar’s inspirations radiate through these songs which he infiltrates with his own flavor.
- Compton
- Wesleys Theory
- Rigamortus
- Count Me Out
- Institutionalized
- God is Fair, Sexy Nasty
- The Art of Peer Pressure
- Blow My High (Members Only)
- We Cry together
- Untitled 08 | 09.06.2014.
1. Compton
Let’s start this shit with a banger. The synth in the first few seconds grabs you by the balls. Seriously. Produced by Just Blaze this intro has the suspense radiating before the beat even drops. This is a love song to Kendricks hometown of Compton, CA. This groovy track performed by not only Kendrick, but Dr. Dre is a powerful song with vintage sounding synths that make you feel like you’ve been transported back to the golden era of 90s hip hop (which to me, is a superpower). I believe this song should be more popular since it sends me on a power trip every time I hear it.
2. Wesleys Theory
The opening track for To Pimp a Butterfly is a collaboration with funkateers: George Clinton and Thundercat. Starting out with vinyl crackles and vintage sounding backup vocals, this song comes in strong. George Clinton’s haunting voice accompanied by thick, compressed kick and snare bring this song to a next level. Thundercats bass tone infuses this song with strong, relentless funk. Kenricks hazy voice soon comes in, singing the chorus before breaking into the first verse. That 90s hip hop synth dances throughout the song to remind you who you are listening to. The different vocalists all bring something to the table and hit you with some of the most unique lines such as one of my favorites: “Leaving metaphors metaphysically in a state of euphoria”. Thundercats production not only on this song, but this entire record, makes it easily one of the most iconic HipHop records of the 2010s.
3.Rigamortus
You know when you hear a brass hook shits going to be good.
Let’s jump back in time to 2011, into Kendrick’s album Section.80. He starts out with an indisputable first verse. His relentless rhymes are occasionally broken up by a satisfying “he dead” “amen” and “yes sir”. Suspense builds when the drums don’t come in for a solid minute. The brass hook is so strong you barely even notice, but when the kick drops you can’t help but feel fulfilled. Produced by Derek Ali, one of Kendricks top collaborators, he brings his mixing skills and interesting approach to this song (such as mixing 80% in mono). Stepping into the scene with a track like this showcases his ability to flow like a mf on top of any beat.
4. Count Me Out
Starting with hypnotic reverb drenched vocals, the production makes you feel like you’re attending some sort of religious mass. Followed by a relaxing guitar and piano melody, it feels like you are being lifted somewhere else. Background vocals kick in to make you feel like you are listening to a choir under Kendricks rap verse. No percussion needed to grace the song for over a minute and a half, Kendrick’s voice acts as the rhythm with a very raw and authentic sound. Something about the piece feels magical. Eventually snaps come in to help carry the song as well as a sub heavy distorted synth. When the beat drops your attention is instantly captivated. You can’t help but move and bounce to the beat. Kendrick’s voice is addicting as his timing hits the beat perfectly. The dynamics, vocal effects and production on this track are out of this world. This song is an undeniable heavenly masterpiece.
5. Institutionalized
Another track off of the iconic To Pimp a Butterfly. Starting with a strong, wet kick this song is being set up for something great. The vocal production on this song is something different that you don’t hear in hip hop anymore. The vocals are performed by not only Kendrick, but also Anna Wise, Bilal and Snoop Dogg.The groove, flow and soft piano are incredibly psychedelic and unique. This song makes you float, but also has a bouncing drum groove. The collaboration on this song shines and is detrimental to the track
6. Wacced Out Murals
Kendricks kicking of GNX with something we weren’t expecting: Mariachi. Deyra Barrera starts off the track with her beautiful voice and acoustic guitar. Synth bass greets the track creating uneasy tension. Kendricks vocals bounce between the stereo synth. Pulsing between the mariachi guitar the beat drops Kendrick calles out everyone who didn’t believe in him. His rhymes are so entertaining as they cruise over the simple beat. His vocals are definitely the focal point in this song.
7. The Art of Peer Pressure
Welcome to another one of Kendricks lyrical masterpieces. Showcasing his storytelling ability over hazy background vocals and piano combo. Produced by Rune Rask, Tabu and Jonas Vestergaard they drop a synth that makes you feel like you’re being lowered into another world. After this, Kendrick’s lyrics greet you with a glimpse into someone else’s life. The questionable morals and truth of being influenced by your friends is the core of this story. You can almost taste the guilt and suspense of being brought along on a home invasion. There is something very human and dark about this song that makes it easily one of my favourite tracks off of good kid, m.A.A.d city.
8. Blow My High (Members Only)
Starting with a crisp beat, a distorted vocal and a funky synth undertone, this track starts strong. After the satisfaction of every rhyming line, you get a classic Kendrick vocal. The back and forth plays out groovy as hell. In my opinion: this entire song grabs your attention. Produced by Thommy Black, this song feels special to listen to. The “RIP Aaliyah RIP” hook is equally catchy and sentimental. This amazing hip hop song is a lovely ode to the amazing Aaliyah and even contains a sample of her song “4 Page Letter”.
9. We Cry Together
I cannot complete this list without this emotional masterpiece. Stepping out of the box, Kendrick wants you to pull up a chair and sit in his living room. Storytelling is taken to the next level with an intense back and forth dialog. The sub bass and emotional female vocals (including a Florence and the Machine sample) add to the overflowing emotions which are the heart of this track. I always believe this song deserves more recognition. I wont get into the details- listen to it yourself.
10. Untitled 08 | 09.06.2014.
Starting with classic Thundercat flow and vocals. Untitled 08 brings that 70s disco groove into the 2010s with Kendricks lyrics and unique vocal production. The kick and snare will have you moving right away. I am a huge fan of this untitled unmastered album Kendrick dropped in 2014. The imperfections and experimentations make this track stand out. Anyone who is a Kendrick Lamar fan should appreciate the exposed creative process of these pieces of work.