Kendrick Lamar "To Pimp A Butterfly" Reaction (first time listener) 

She really went from IGOR to TPAB in 5 mins talk about musical parkour lmao

I remember you was conflicted Misusing your influence Sometimes I did the same Abusing my power, full of resentment Resentment that turned into a deep depression Found myself screaming in the hotel room I didn’t wanna self destruct The evils of Lucy was all around me So I went running for answers Until I came home

Here we go 🤝

I don’t think people realize how deep hip hop can go

Timestamps: Wesley's Theory: 1:34 For Free? 3:47 King Kunta 4:11 institutionalized 6:05 These Walls 8:09 u 10:36 Alright 12:04 For Sale? 13:42 Momma 16:21 Hood Politics 18:42 How much a dollar cost 21:10 Complexion 23:48 The Blacker The Berry 26:22 You Ain't Gotta Lie 28:43 I 30:08 Mortal Man 32:21

When he mentions “Lucy” he’s actually referencing Lucifer in which he represents temptation in the form of a beautiful girl

Kendrick is the only rapper to ever win the Pulitzer Prize for one of his albums , so don’t be discouraged if you can’t grasp his concepts in one listen ! A lot of his music is dense in subject matter and are studied in some of the most prestigious colleges in the country . Great reaction as always Shelby 👏🏾❤️

Would Love to see "Awaken, My Love" by Childish Gambino

Hellllooo. I made this video since it was highly requested and I won't lie, this was definitely a bit out of my usual music listening comfort zone. This reaction was different because I just was so focused on the lyrics and just how intense/honest they were. So much respect. I hope you enjoy me taking a dive into a pure rap album! ALSO so sorry if my audio was a bit off...I'm playing with a new mic and still learning how to get my volume where I want it.

Don't worry this album took me like over 50 listens to understand and there's still stuff I found out new. That's what happens when u create a musical masterpiece.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

You mentioned the sax in this a few times, so I want to take a moment to shout of a few people: Terrace Martin and Kamasi Washington on saxophone, and Thundercat on bass, all had HUGE contributions to this album, both instrumentally and creatively. Part of what makes this album so incredible is the sheer musicality of it, and those three were absolute powerhouses here (and in their own works, which everyone should check out).

Arguably the best album of the time

the album of the decade....

zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom. -Snoop Dogg

" I'm gonna focus on lyrics." Proceeds to be swept away by the funkadelic sounds of the opening track. love it!

Kendrick has crafted a cinematic universe with his albums. To fully understand the track "U" I recommend listening to Keisha's Song from Section 80, then the Art of Peer Pressure and Sing About Me I'm Dying of Thirst from Good Kid Maad City. "These Walls" and "U" then pick up right where Kendrick left off with the other tracks. You are in for a heartbreaking experience

Kendrick actually was recording the song U in a mic booth lights off and drunk as shit. Best rap album of all time.. si complex and beautifull.

Yes, jazz-rap is THE thing

This is a classic. Mortal Man revealed Kendrick was interviewing the late Tupac.

This album is nothing short of essential listening. Probably the best album of the 2010s, one of the best records of all time. The sheer beauty of it is that the lyrics are clearly related to black people, yet even the musicality supporting the lyrics is grounded in black culture and black influence in music, be it jazz, soul, funk, even spoken word. All of the contributors did a phenomenal job of making sure that the jazzy elements in this album made sense, and boy did they pull it off. It is a true testament to black power as a result of its lyrical mastery and instrumental prowess, hence why I consider it one of the most important albums for black culture, up with the greats like A Tribe, Nas, Outkast, Wu-tang. I'm not even black but this album is beyond inspirational, yet it is also very very very educative. I learnt a lot from every single song (i.e. I never knew that the reparations offered to black people post-slavery were just 40 acres of land and a mule); but, at the same time, the album is not compromised sonically - some people find it difficult to listen to, especially with songs like U or How Much a Dollar Cost, but I could literally fall asleep in a hypnotic trance of comfort and learning listening to TPAB! To see fellow white and asian people listening to this album (and obviously loving it) really goes to show the beautiful power of good hip-hop, and the importance of artists like Kendrick Lamar. Groundbreaking stuff. I also love seeing reactions on RU-vid of this album, shivers to my spine every time! Thanks :))))))

You can never go wrong with reacting to Kendrick’s discography! The in-depthness and performances he creates is trailblazing. With that being said, you really should react to Good Kid MAAD City or Damn., his most recent project! You won’t be disappointed 🔥

Please react to ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’, a true classic

SOMEBODY PLAY THIS WOMAN ‘AWAKEN, MY LOVE’ it’s beautiful and nostalgic and art in every way

I really recommend listening to the dissect podcast. It makes TPAB 100 times better and gives thorough explanations for every track.

Shelby's nightmares be like "I remember you was conflicted"

I'm not a big rap fan, but I have to tell you this album is really brilliant. Kendrick Lamar is a talented and authentic voice which seems pretty rare these days. Excellent lyrics are a must for rap music and Kendrick doesn't disappoint. I love Kamasi Washington's contribution to this work. This is the Los Angeles scene.

Kendrick's label, TDE, is known for having some of the most interesting and acclaimed artists in the rap game. For your next rap reaction, id suggest the album 'The Suns Tirade' by Isaiah Rashad. It has some jazzy rap vibes among others and his range as a vocalist is something you might find interesting. Great reaction video!

u should react to ctrl by sza :))

1:34 Wesley's Theory 3:47 For free- Interlude 4:11 King Kunta 6:06 institutionalized 8:09 These walls 10:37 u 12:05 Alright 13:42 For sale?-Interlude 16:24 Momma 18:42 Hood politics 21:16 How much a dollar cost 23:49 Complexion ( A Zulu love ) 26:24 The Blacker The Berry 28:42 you ain't gotta liye ( Momma said) 30:09 i 32:21 Mortal Men

Discovered you on the Frank Ocean video but I loveeeee Kendrick Lamar. If you like story telling MAAD City is my fav album

He continued with an additional stanza/strophe to the poem he's reciting every couple of songs, it's all incredibly strung together and whenever he cuts the poem off the line where he ends is heavily referenced in the song following, it's so crazy and it took me a couple listens to come to that realization

The poem added at the end of some songs slowly adds a few lines each time it’s told. The last line of the poem told briefly describes the subject matter for the next track. For example, at the end of These Walls, Kendrick says “Resentment that turned into a deep depression. I found myself screaming in a hotel room.” The song u opens up with Kendrick screaming and you can hear the room service person outside his room knocking on the door. And in that song, Kendrick had fallen into a state of self-loathing, depression, and alcoholism.

I feel like these albums will be good reactions for u: - man on the moon (kid cudi) - flower boy (Tyler the Creator) - because the internet (Childish Gambino) - Freudian (Daniel Caesar) - beauty behind the madness (The Weekend) - the Life of Pablo (Kanye West) - more life (Drake) P.S. i saw u listen to quite a few kanye West albums. I would love to see u react to Life of Pablo it has a lot of hits and its a great album :)

11:55 it’s because he was actually crying

Damn, you've been posting bangers!

I don’t know if you caught this, but he talks about “Lucy” a lot on the album. Lucy represents Lucifer and the song “For Sale?” deals with the temptation of “selling your soul” for fame

Yo no shame in being completely lost on a first listen...this one requires multiple listen ....like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon this sucka grows and changes after multiple listens

Fun fact “Lucy” is what Kendrick calls the devil or satan Edit: I can’t spell lol and I forgot Lucifer

i love your channel so much it’s like listening and enjoying music with a friend

Hi, I stumbled upon this video randomly and I loved it and instantly subscribed. This album is a true work of art because it encapsulates the personal experience of Kendrick Lamar living in the U.S. but in a way that makes it relatable to African Americans all across America. He also manages in a way to make the album relatable to people of different various ethnic backgrounds. The album is a very dense and heavy listen with the " I remember you was conflicted poem" repeating and progressing through out the album to tie all the songs together and also kind of explaining what the next song is going to be about. The last song on the album is Kendrick just questioning everything whether it's his fan's loyalty, the government, the state of the music industry, etc etc. He finishes off the album with a conversation with Tupac who is probably the most influential and impactful hip hop artist to ever exist and then ends it all with a written piece that makes the concept of the album a bit clearer. I'm glad you enjoyed this album because it truly is a mastery of the art.

“When shit hits the fan, is u still a fan?” Probably my favorite bar from that album 🙏🏾

Kendrick lamar is literally genius

you should react to MF DOOM, the greatest lyricist ever born... may god rest his soul

the layers on this album thematically, lyrically, sonically . this album will be talked about forever

When I first discovered this album, I listened to it regularly (at least once every few days) for about a year straight during commutes and quietly at home. It was like owning a gigantic intricate painting that I had to come back to every so often because I’d be delighted to find something new I enjoyed every listen. I’m sure I’d find new details about the composition, rhyme scheme or lyrics that I never noticed if I fired up the album today, it’s that good.

Anderson Paak.’s “Ventura” is 😩👌

This answers the age-old question: What if Big Quint was a cute white girl? I can dig this.

When she said “I try to focus on the lyrics a lot” .. okay this is gonna be interesting ☠️☠️☠️☠️

35:31 Btw there is a sub genre of rap called jazz rap where the instrumentals are very jazz influenced and some of my favourite rap songs are jazz rap

How much a dollar cost is one of the most compelling ballads I’ve ever heard, the transition into it adds so much emotion and the reveal at the end gives me chills every time

11:45 I read this online so I may be getting some details wrong but Kendrick was actually crying during that line and delivered it with the lights off in the studio. Apparently as soon as he was done there was silence and everyone in the studio felt awkward for a couple of minutes ‘cause of how emotionally raw it was.

Review Section 80. and Good Kid Mad City. You’ll be mind blown to what you hear and it’s an experience you won’t forget.

I’ve listened to this album well over 50 times and I’m still learning new things I’d recommend listening to the album again while reading the lyrics or at least read them at some time to fully understand what’s goin on because it keeps blowing my mind away every listen

This is one of my all time favorite albums, ever, and your reaction just made me want to listen to it again, the funk, the jazz and soulful sounds are just 😭 whew

Always love seeing somebody experiencing TPAB for the first time, It was and still is one of the greatest listening experiences of my life. What a trip from start to finish, cannot skip a song or skit, it all adds up. A timeless....killer album that I always come back to.

I feel like she'd like Pride from his DAMN album

Took me a million listens to understand this album. For me this is definitely his most complex album. You should listen to Good Kid Madd City, he’s a great story teller & paints pictures all over that album.

Love watching album/song reactions. Especially people who havent listened to a lot of their music. And TPAB?? Thats awesome! Keep it up 💪🏽

(Imo) the goat album + one of my favorite reaction channels on RU-vid???? This gone be a good one

“Kendrick Lamar by far real Negus alive” literally made me freak out from hype. I think that’s the spiritual end of the journey of self-discovery and self-love this half Kendrick half character goes on in this album

Your reactions are so cute🤣💕 I’m glad you enjoyed the album, it’s a fuckin masterpiece !

Love the album and ABSOLUTELY loving the videos. Keep pushing you're going to be HUGE so so soon.

i love that i got to experience listening to tpab for the first time again through you! there’s truly so much to take in, and it took me at least 4 times to get even half of what he was saying, so don’t feel weird that you didn’t understand all of it on the first time. i’d listen to it again a couple times over the course of a year, maybe like once every 5-6 months. with a gap in between each listen let’s the message sit and every time you’ll understand more. this was my first time watching you and i subbed!!

I envy your feeling of "first time" listening. I remember how excited I was when this album first came out and how pleased I was with all the funk he threw onto the album. So much work he put into this project. I'd encourage you to listen to "Untitled Unmastered". It's the unedited cuts of songs that did not make to the album.

i highly recommend the dissect podcast if you want to fully learn and immerse yourself in the album. it dives into each song as an episode and it goes super in depth by the end you feel like you know kendrick

it's great to find someone else who is listening to this masterpiece on RU-vid...

These videos are just getting better and better

Albums I think you really would enjoy: Flower boy - Tyler the Creator Swimming - Mac Miller Circles - Mac Miller A Daniel Caesar album Channel Orange - Frank Ocean

Just keep listening to it and watch some people talk about it it’s one of the greatest pieces of art of all time

It’s actually really refreshing to see someone reading the lyrics as they listen for the first time but not pausing to try and dissect every line. Subbed!

man tpab is my favorite album. i was depressed but watching your reaction completely flipped my mood thank you

Cut to years after listening I never knew thundercat and kamasi Washington were on these projects. I love both those guys on there own

Great reaction! The meaning of the songs/album will become clearer with each listen... React to " Good Kid Maad city" next. Story telling at its finest

Momma = my favourite song of all time + the transitions giv me goosebumps

I love your channel so much, you’re one of my favorite channels, your reactions are the best, and you have a great vibe, thanks for bringing such great bangers, wish the best for you.

you gotta hear the slowed and reverb versions of these walls and you ain’t gotta lie they sound so good

It’s a lot but this is what I got from the album It’s a continuous album and every event is in chronological order Wesleys theory- Kendrick talks about once he famous and all the things he’s going to buy/ Lucifer (Lucy) is starting temp him For Free- Lucy is setting his trap (taxes) and basically everything comes with a cost King Kunta- Kendrick is on top the world he’s famous and think he’s all that Institutionalized- Kendrick is deep in the rap life and starts to realize it’s not all that (snoop is the narrator in this song) These Walls- walls closing in and Kendrick is starting to get depressed U- Kendrick (drunk) blames himself for selling out and not being true to himself (deep depression) Alright- Kendrick realizes he going to be ok and starts to pick himself up For Sale- Kendrick realizes he been tricked by Lucy Momma-Kendrick goes home “momma” for answers (humbling himself) Hood Politics-Kendricks friends realize he’s back home think he’s been fake but Kendrick is trying to prove he wasn’t, realize his friends priority are messed up. How Much does a dollar cost- Homeless man make Kendrick realize money isn’t everything and he’s blessed/ he need to start helping others Complexion- Kendrick is trying to pick up his community telling them no matter what skin tone they are they need to stick together The blacker the berry- Kendrick talks about systematic racism and he see it clearly now You Ain’t gotta Lie- realize he doesn’t have to be someone he not just to be cool I- Kendrick holds a concert and talks about the new love for himself and try to unify his community Mortal man- talks about the governments systematic racism against the black community/ poem is read to 2pac and he interviews him

Thank you for reacting to my favorite album of all time! I get that it can be an intimidating listen, so I appreciate your willingness to give it a try.

you are about to get a shit ton of subs. priceless reaction, amazing!

She did it. The madlass actually did it.

Everythings for Sale by Westside Boogie - he’s like a more r&b influenced kendrick

Always love to see people react to this album. I'm only on the intro and you have a new sub. i wish I had my reaction on video to this but then again 5 years later I was still breaking it down and finding new meanings

Thank you for being open minded and understanding our culture, understanding is really like a love language, thank you for reviewing this album

You should listen to the original "i" track that was released as a single right before the album. It was alot more mainstream and I really love how he changed it up for the album with that live type version

there's a podcast called dissect that has a 30 min episode for each song in this album explaining the meanings behind the concept of the album. I in no way expect you to understand more than 30% of the album on the first listen. so it is okay to feel lost

I give you props for trying to digest this one. Kendrick is like the “Christopher Nolan” of hip hop. A lot of these take multiple listens but proud of you diving in!

yes I was waiting for this

You HAVE to reach to Kendrick Lamar's album entitled DAMN, it's a masterpiece!

Pre-watch opinion- She might not like this because of how DENSE the album is, such a hard album to try as the first Kendrick/rap album, but mad respect for it being the first try Post-watch reaction- You definitely listen to rap albums like I do! Haha always get what you can the first try. I think with rap albums, or at least reacting to them on camera, it might be more fun to see what exactly you can catch on the first try with just the ear. So glad you liked the funk also and the poem got you in the end! Also, DISSECT SEASON ONE, omg you would love to listen to that podcast I know it. It's all about this album and every song and I just feel like it'd be something right up your alley! Please do give it a listen I promise it's worth it! It's on Spotify and iTunes!

it's interesting hearing her compliment the beauty of 'for sale?' because that's how Lucy tempt's you. what an amazing piece of art

new fan !! Loving the music journey.

I loved watching you hear “i”. I have a tattoo on my shoulder of i so I can keep that positive message w me throughout my life

He was talking about himself in “U” if you didn’t notice. Nice reaction

TPAB is my favourite album of all time. this was such an entertaining reaction!!

A Tribe Called Quest will be proud you discovered jazz rap :) This album and DAMN are salve to my soul in these dark days.

I would definitely say listen to “Good Kid Maad City” if you haven’t. That album and To Pimp A Butterfly are my favs by him.

Please react to SING ABOUT ME DYING OF THIRST!! one of his best pieces of work in my opinion

Hello ! Your channel is the most chill vibes, most original and just positive music channel here! Stay brilliant Shelby. Yeah, super Jazzy rap tones.

Wish I could go back to the first time I listened to this album. It BLEW my mind. Incredible stuff.