Kendrick Lamar’s Jazz Funk Masterpiece | TPAB Analysis

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  • Опубликовано: 16 май 2024
  • From the music, to the lyrics, to the overall story, let's break down Kendrick's "To Pimp a Butterfly"
    Watch the full extended edit that's 5 mins longer by becoming a DTG member at / diggingthegreats
    __________________________________
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    __________________________________
    Topics Covered
    Kendrick Lamar
    To Pimp a Butterfly
    Analysis
    Breakdown
    Samples
    Lyrics
    Story
    Explained
    Wesley's Theory
    For Free
    King Kunta
    Institutionalized
    These Walls
    u
    Alright
    For Sale
    #kendricklamar #topimpabutterfly #hiphop

Комментарии • 472

  • @ColdDiva
    @ColdDiva 28 дней назад +451

    When my mom was ailing, a couple of years before she passed she would request “Alright”, in the hospital to get her through….Love you Ma.🕊️

  • @aggghgaabk
    @aggghgaabk 28 дней назад +615

    Hope this really shows the older generation how truly great Kendrick is

    • @pastense
      @pastense 28 дней назад +71

      The older generation WOULD get this if heard. It’s Kendrick’s own generation and younger that overlook this album. I pray they’ll realize it’s gravity later down the years.

    • @doctorfrankenmuppet7435
      @doctorfrankenmuppet7435 28 дней назад +41

      I'm an old 90s hip hop head that stepped away from rap the past couple decades, and realized I've slept on Kendrick for far too long

    • @Kanyewestbiggestfan123
      @Kanyewestbiggestfan123 28 дней назад +33

      @@pastensea lot of people write off any music released after a certain time period no matter how good it is. That is happening with the older generation

    • @Dilla4life
      @Dilla4life 28 дней назад +9

      Some of us get it…just how nice Kendrick is

    • @aggghgaabk
      @aggghgaabk 28 дней назад +2

      @@pastense exactly

  • @zicon4
    @zicon4 28 дней назад +447

    7 minutes in and we're still just in the first verse of the first song lmao, just shows how incredibly dense this album is

    • @diggingthegreats
      @diggingthegreats  28 дней назад +43

      It’s insane 🤯 just wait for the end, there’s more 😳

    • @billyalarie929
      @billyalarie929 28 дней назад +19

      There’s a reason dude won a fucking Pulitzer

    • @chinortega3
      @chinortega3 28 дней назад +5

      ​@@diggingthegreats damn bro I was watching the time run out and we still had so much more to go lmfao

    • @thelawsonman
      @thelawsonman 28 дней назад +4

      @@billyalarie929 and he won it with DAMN. lmao, not even his best album.

    • @phallanglesia3677
      @phallanglesia3677 27 дней назад

      Can't wait for mortal men❤😢

  • @leoaguilar8684
    @leoaguilar8684 28 дней назад +123

    David Bowie loved this album and it inspired him while making his last album

  • @killer3544
    @killer3544 28 дней назад +100

    this is an s tier music channel. your musicianship, dj skills , music and video editing makes your analyses unparalleled

  • @olamideakinola7297
    @olamideakinola7297 28 дней назад +66

    TPAB was the new landmark for jazz/funk hip-hop.

    • @TTMPLMKR
      @TTMPLMKR 23 дня назад

      I think civilia demo by Isaiah rashad really was it. You can tell that Kendrick borrowed a few things for tpab

    • @realstory5818
      @realstory5818 20 дней назад

      @@TTMPLMKR and the low end theory

  • @johndotcue
    @johndotcue 28 дней назад +105

    as a younger teen I always wondered if we were ever going to get a great Jazz Rap album, like what Tribe Called Quest did. then this album came out. I fucking loved it all.
    Can’t wait for part 2, dawg!

    • @edwardsanders4853
      @edwardsanders4853 28 дней назад +7

      Another amazing jazz rap album I'd really recommend is Care For Me by Saba, the production and the story it tells is so good!
      PROM / KING in particular is the penultimate track on the album and it's definitely one of the best rap songs I've ever heard

    • @RideTheSkies
      @RideTheSkies 26 дней назад +4

      Nujabes as well. He was a mostly jazz producer and his albums put on underground MC's with a message. Sad he died in that car accident 😪

    • @anobodytrynatelleverybody7535
      @anobodytrynatelleverybody7535 25 дней назад +2

      ​@edwardsanders4853 thank you for mentioning this. I definitely found his album and this beautiful song years ago and was obsessed but had almost forgotten about it! Im glad someone recognizes!! Saba is so slept on .... he kinda is the Chicago kendrick 😍😍😍.

    • @mrm9570
      @mrm9570 24 дня назад

      ​@@anobodytrynatelleverybody7535 I can see that!

    • @johndotcue
      @johndotcue 23 дня назад

      @@RideTheSkiesoh I love Nujabes, legendary producer imo. Dude literally created a subgenre haha. also his music helps me get through anxiety.

  • @peggytheveteran4968
    @peggytheveteran4968 28 дней назад +48

    The story of How Much A Dollar Cost is truly genius. I hope someone makes that into a movie

  • @SilverSurfer752
    @SilverSurfer752 28 дней назад +112

    please never stop making videos they make me love music again and again.

    • @teoigi3247
      @teoigi3247 28 дней назад +1

      Couldn't have said it better. Still waiting on that Interstellar 5555 album by Daft Punk

    • @everettttt
      @everettttt 21 день назад

      @@teoigi3247 he already made a video about Discovery, which is the soundtrack for Interstella 5555!

  • @teoigi3247
    @teoigi3247 28 дней назад +18

    And that's why K-dot takes years to work on an album. A true musical artist.

    • @user-tw5si4tr3q
      @user-tw5si4tr3q 7 дней назад

      all of TDE go against the current grain "Quality> Quantity" that the music industry does is Quantity over Quality

  • @pierobattelli
    @pierobattelli 28 дней назад +58

    Easily a top 5 hip hop album of all time. Might not be Kendrick’s best even, I personally prefer GKMC, but this album has so many layers, the production is immaculate and every single word has a meaning to it. Amazing record front to back and one that will live on for decades to come.

    • @diggingthegreats
      @diggingthegreats  28 дней назад +7

      It's truly astounding

    • @johndotcue
      @johndotcue 28 дней назад +10

      I think this album is his greatest. but you can argue for both good kid and damn as his best easily. Kendrick just has a really strong discography.

    • @pangolinh
      @pangolinh 28 дней назад +8

      my favorite kendrick album is literally a three-way tie between GKMC TPAB and MMTBS 😭

    • @zionnewkirk4838
      @zionnewkirk4838 26 дней назад

      How'd you feel about DAMN? His fourth album?​@@pangolinh

    • @pangolinh
      @pangolinh 26 дней назад +1

      @@zionnewkirk4838 i liked it but i thought it was his weakest project

  • @daveSoupy
    @daveSoupy 28 дней назад +34

    It's amazing how often I hear the Pharrell tag and forget that's him because it just fits the song every time.

  • @lairdhercules4553
    @lairdhercules4553 27 дней назад +13

    This album always felt like a spike lee movie in an album form. Similar soundtrack style and political themes and expression of a relatable black experience. Masterpiece.

  • @jan_kulawa
    @jan_kulawa 28 дней назад +75

    TPAB is truly great and definitely deserves a two-parter Digging The Greats. thank you so much and stay real

  • @c0mplex_Ale
    @c0mplex_Ale 27 дней назад +21

    Kendrick is actually unbelievable, I've never seen anyone do what he does with music

    • @MajorG13
      @MajorG13 26 дней назад +1

      Andre 3000, a tribe called quest, bone thugs, 2pac, Dr. Dre, Nas… lots of elements.

    • @c0mplex_Ale
      @c0mplex_Ale 26 дней назад

      @@MajorG13no, they might be just as good, but the way Kendrick does hip hop is very different than these guys
      and Dre is not a rapper

    • @thefirsttrillionaire2925
      @thefirsttrillionaire2925 24 дня назад

      @@c0mplex_AleAndre was pretty abstract too

    • @christopherpederson1021
      @christopherpederson1021 21 день назад

      Nobody has a world class studio at their disposal

  • @Raucey
    @Raucey 28 дней назад +16

    You really need to do a whole video dedicated to diving into Thundercat. Would be cool to get your perspective as a base player yourself.

  • @prod_by_je
    @prod_by_je 28 дней назад +68

    i knew you'd finally break down TPAB, i've been waiting since your GKMC breakdown

  • @--REGULAR--REGULAR
    @--REGULAR--REGULAR 28 дней назад +14

    To pimp a butterfly got me into music not just hip hop. My all time favorite artist and album ever.

  • @gameboy3d943
    @gameboy3d943 23 дня назад +3

    Crazy to think next year is the album's 10th anniversary.

  • @nicolesherman8974
    @nicolesherman8974 28 дней назад +85

    It’s Digging the Greats, he loves Kendrick and he’s doing a deep dive on TPAB on this Friday morning 🔥🔥🔥.
    This albums turns 10 next year 🤯

  • @Becauseimme
    @Becauseimme 28 дней назад +11

    The bass line on Wesley’s Theory brings tears to my eyes.

  • @tricky2k
    @tricky2k 22 дня назад +3

    Wesley's Theory is, imho, one of the strongest intro songs of any album I can remember. Only another song this strong comes to mind, Lost at Birth by Public Enemy

  • @aaroncrilly2005
    @aaroncrilly2005 28 дней назад +19

    For me the fight between the greatest hip hop album of the 2010s is between this and Tribes Thank You for Your Service

  • @JackPressesButtons8221
    @JackPressesButtons8221 28 дней назад +11

    The beat switch in Institutionalized brings me life.

  • @rickster4627
    @rickster4627 24 дня назад +5

    I saw the timestamp and immediately thought “there’s no way he’s gonna go thru the entire album in depth in half an hour” lmao I’m rlly glad ur taking ur time with this

  • @macbeatDugg
    @macbeatDugg 28 дней назад +6

    Enjoyed this Album, but never fully appreciated it until seeing this video! Great Work.

  • @MatjekaChaole
    @MatjekaChaole 25 дней назад +3

    No better channel than this in music schooling. The feel and narration is just amzing.

  • @SadeWatkins
    @SadeWatkins 28 дней назад +8

    Im 29
    and I JUST LISTENED
    T.P.A.B
    for the first time EVER about a week ago.
    So your Analysis
    is RESOUNDINGLY
    Right on Time !!!
    The Edits and Accreditations
    you did were also AMAZING !!!
    I Love Deep Dives into Music History like this.
    Thank You,
    and I'm Looking Forward to The Next Installment of this Video.

  • @gabrieldukicchuks2058
    @gabrieldukicchuks2058 28 дней назад +15

    Kendrick's best album. Good kid maad city is a close second

  • @jahbrae
    @jahbrae 23 дня назад +2

    Listening to “U” was such an incredible song

  • @HugoAnton076
    @HugoAnton076 28 дней назад +4

    Have this album on vinyl and it never not gives me the same feeling I had when I first listened to it. Great video, loved it!

  • @KalebPeters99
    @KalebPeters99 28 дней назад +3

    Yess, I'm so glad you made this a two parter. About halfway through I was worried you were gonna have to speed through the rest of the album, but it really deserves to be given the time
    Still the best content on youtube, man, keep it up!! 🔥🔥🔥

  • @BreadAccountant
    @BreadAccountant 28 дней назад +8

    This is my favourite channel to see a new upload from

  • @NoyziNeighborz
    @NoyziNeighborz 28 дней назад +1

    Kendricks name is everywhere. This is the official flushing of the old regime.

  • @els1f
    @els1f 28 дней назад +8

    One of the greatest works of art period 🙌🔥

  • @gnarwhal7562
    @gnarwhal7562 28 дней назад +9

    To this day, this is my favourite album of all time. The themes, lyrics, production, everything just hits with this record. I found the building of the poem throughout each track especially mind-blowing as well upon first listen. Just an all around masterpiece

  • @trendingtrash1170
    @trendingtrash1170 27 дней назад +4

    Thank you for doing this album, i watched every video online regarding tpab, but you still added more information! Awesome breakdown!

  • @haveialigned
    @haveialigned 28 дней назад +3

    So much has been said about this record over the years, but this breakdown is definitely worth the watch no matter how well you already know the story. Thanks for taking it on and explaining it so succinctly

  • @pastense
    @pastense 28 дней назад +5

    Still remember the day I heard this album. The day it was released. I was driving and had to pull over after about the 3rd track because I really couldn’t believe what I was hearing!
    I was a classically trained pianist since age 7. Became a deep hip hop head throughout high school and got into the turntablism/battle DJ circuit. Then got back on the keys and now a full working musician. So when it comes to hip hop and music, my ears are keen af. Hearing TPAB for the first time was as if the a new messiah presented itself to me in music form! lol
    And what happens at the very end of the last track, Mortal Man gave me the biggest of chills! I wish there were a way to listen to this album with fresh ears all over again.

    • @diggingthegreats
      @diggingthegreats  28 дней назад +1

      Man the conclusion of this album is insane

    • @pastense
      @pastense 28 дней назад +1

      @@diggingthegreats I was sitting in my car that day saying “BUT HOW?!??” lol

  • @carsont4625
    @carsont4625 28 дней назад +8

    Another banger from Digging the Greats

  • @clutchfilms7267
    @clutchfilms7267 28 дней назад +3

    so appreciative of how much effort you put into these videos! what a legend!

  • @seanseresinhe921
    @seanseresinhe921 28 дней назад +5

    Ive listened to this album probably 100 times, but this video has genuinely changed my perspective on this album, thank you so much for showing me this albim just gets better and better!

  • @olimar3426
    @olimar3426 28 дней назад +5

    Just watched your GKMC analysis and now you suddenly upload this! 😂 Love the content!

  • @HillelGuy
    @HillelGuy 28 дней назад +5

    Bro I want to tell you I have this project for school and I have to do a biography about a person I admire and admire his work and I chose Kendrick Lamar and your videos really really help me explain the complexity of the albums thank you so much you saved me fr❤

    • @HillelGuy
      @HillelGuy 28 дней назад +1

      I have watched the good kid maad city video about 100 times to analyze every song you really helped me a lot and now that this dropped I'm so thankful

  • @VarianNash
    @VarianNash 28 дней назад +6

    Man, you're making us wait til next week? 😂 This was a great analysis, though. I've listened to this album over and over again, and while I see a lot of what you say, there were some things I didn't before. And this is why I love watching your videos.

  • @kclayhumble2146
    @kclayhumble2146 25 дней назад +2

    I remember many listeners of this album not being able to properly process how dope this album was. In my opinion it was like a West Coast OutKast album. Like if Andre 3000 and Big Boi were from the West Coast this is what it would’ve sounded like. Sonically a masterpiece. Lyrically you see why Kendrick is applauded as one of the 🐐 lyricist and artists of all-time!

  • @goldenazn2705
    @goldenazn2705 28 дней назад +6

    Your video production, analysis, and just overall vibes are great! I love watching these videos! Been waiting for this video before watching any other analysis on TPAB, especially after watching your GKMC video

  • @christianmopas4052
    @christianmopas4052 28 дней назад +3

    for anyone wanting to go even deeper with this album, you gotta check out the Dissect podcast which spends like 12 hours over the course of 20-something episodes really picking it apart

    • @diggingthegreats
      @diggingthegreats  28 дней назад +2

      Yes! Cole breaks this down on an insane level 🔥 love Dissect

  • @nic295i
    @nic295i 17 дней назад +1

    Your passion for music bleeds through these videos and are some of my favourite analytical pieces on this site! Keep up the great work 👊❤️

  • @giftcardoso2712
    @giftcardoso2712 28 дней назад +3

    Man I love these series I can't wait for part 2. Keep up the good work man

  • @fts1981
    @fts1981 24 дня назад +2

    Greatness tends to be born of simplicity. People feel like they have to explain everything Kendrick does. Take that as you will. Great breakdown as usual.

  • @MetalSonic420
    @MetalSonic420 28 дней назад +7

    I knew a TPAB video would happen on this channel eventually. A perfect album, Kendrick Lamar's best, and the best album of the 2010s.

  • @waynesmiley2207
    @waynesmiley2207 28 дней назад +3

    Looking forward to the next installment!

  • @AzureTheSky
    @AzureTheSky 15 дней назад

    God damn it, the butterfly wings with the song titles is some beautiful imagery. Just found the channel today and I have been binging all your content.
    Trully amazing.

  • @youngfrantz5109
    @youngfrantz5109 27 дней назад +1

    This is my favorite Kendrick album and highly underrated. When it came out, a lot of people were turned off by it because GKMC had a different vibe and then he came with this.
    People really slept on this album HARD!

  • @mjolden
    @mjolden 28 дней назад +1

    It’s worth mentioning that “For Sale?” specifically represents selling one’s soul to the devil. The character “Lucy” promises all these material things, and Kendrick (or the character of “Kendrick”) can acquire them if he simply gives in to temptation and wickedness. The scripture referenced in this video comes from Matthew 4:1-11, but another scripture we can draw some parallels from is found in Mark 8:36; “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

  • @VarianNash
    @VarianNash 28 дней назад +5

    Man, this is my favorite album of his. All good, but a masterpiece is the only way to describe this.

  • @ULATAN.
    @ULATAN. 28 дней назад +3

    Always start my Fridays with Diggin in the Greats 🙌🏽

  • @danwg3368
    @danwg3368 26 дней назад +2

    Another excellent video as always; I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for part 2.
    Side note, I'd never noticed until now that Kendrick mispronounces "gigantic" on "For Sale?". He switches up the G sounds, like "gijantic" lol

  • @oddwareect
    @oddwareect 28 дней назад +4

    I commend you for the bravery of breaking down this masterpiece. It's something everybody wants to do but is too scared to do since the subject matter is so meaningful in different ways to each and every listener. Good job my friend, I'm sure your script must have gone through dozens of rewrites to get it as clear and concise as you got it.

  • @chrisfrancis7991
    @chrisfrancis7991 28 дней назад +3

    Amazing video and I really appreciate you acknowledging g you don't have the necessary life experience to fully comment on the album... but from a musical standpoint, you are more than qualified to give your opinion and interpretation. Keep up the amazing work!

  • @summertime_magic
    @summertime_magic 27 дней назад +2

    i love the video. tpab saved my life

  • @mayanikapepula6434
    @mayanikapepula6434 24 дня назад +1

    All kendricks albums are well crafted. Truly one of the best artists to ever do it

  • @oddwareect
    @oddwareect 28 дней назад +2

    Part 2 Next week? you should have hit us Back to Back, I like that record

  • @user-kl2em2cx9w
    @user-kl2em2cx9w 22 дня назад +1

    The entire video i was thinking no way you can do justice in 30 mins 😂
    Great video btw !!

  • @DFRNT_Motorsports
    @DFRNT_Motorsports 28 дней назад +1

    So many layers in the album. When the metaphors and themes have triple and quadruple entendres, you know it’ll be a classic worth replaying for many decades to come.

  • @williamgeorge2580
    @williamgeorge2580 28 дней назад +6

    It's definitely has one of the best pieces of album cover art of all time as well.

  • @inalesgwuuus5972
    @inalesgwuuus5972 25 дней назад +2

    “U” has to be my favorite song in the album.

  • @lukeyesudian6694
    @lukeyesudian6694 28 дней назад +2

    love your videos and TPAB and Kendrick in general uses some fantastic sampling

  • @sheilernaranjoreyes2788
    @sheilernaranjoreyes2788 27 дней назад +3

    I liked it so I pressed liked and commented because youre awesome, hopefully i will be able to join patreon soon.

  • @rodneymontague9324
    @rodneymontague9324 3 дня назад

    I love this breakdown! One of my favorite albums all time too, and I'm an old head of 43 😂.
    One thing I think Good kid did was set this album up after "real" when his mom said
    "If I don't hear from you by tomorrow, I hope you come back and learn from your mistakes. Come back a man, tell your story to these black and brown kids in Compton. Let 'em know you was just like them, but you still rose from that dark place of violence, becoming a positive person. But when you do make it, give back with your words of encouragement, and that's the best way to give back. To your city... "
    I always felt like To Pimp A Butterfly is him fulfilling that promise.

  • @jordyg6
    @jordyg6 21 день назад

    I've been waiting for this breakdown analysis. Thank you, brotha. Thank you

  • @JohnM51982
    @JohnM51982 25 дней назад +2

    You give such deep thought to your videos and make listening to music a spiritual journey.

  • @Somedroxy
    @Somedroxy 19 дней назад

    mortal man is one of my favorite closing tracks to an album ever, that interview bit with 2pac gave me a sense of motivation i haven’t had since freshman year, kendrick is an artist that transcends generational divides

  • @ShawnWhiteMusic
    @ShawnWhiteMusic 25 дней назад +1

    One of my Favs

  • @michaelmahama
    @michaelmahama 10 дней назад

    As someone who tries to find more reason, ideas and explanation from this album after all these years i must admit, you are brought a lot more to the light especially Kendrick referencing the greats and Uncle Sam.
    Great stuff

  • @yuppppooooiiiuyyy
    @yuppppooooiiiuyyy 28 дней назад +2

    Thanks for the amazing content Dig!!!

  • @aaronencinas925
    @aaronencinas925 28 дней назад +2

    Best channel ever. Will join your Patreon rn!!!!

  • @Garrida
    @Garrida 28 дней назад

    These videos always make my day. You’re the man

  • @akiret3113
    @akiret3113 21 день назад +1

    I always love to watch a master at his/her work. It's why I'm always down for KDot. You sir are also a master at your work. Kudos.

  • @distantcomets
    @distantcomets 25 дней назад +1

    This is an ambitious piece! Congrats! Looking forward to next week...

  • @manuelconde6065
    @manuelconde6065 28 дней назад +2

    Robert Glasper & Terrace Martin, LEGENDS

  • @ideac.
    @ideac. 28 дней назад +1

    i know pretty much every word of this album yet i still find something new every time
    fantastic video

  • @kudzaiishegonese7667
    @kudzaiishegonese7667 28 дней назад +1

    Man I like this album more than DAMN !!!
    🔥

  • @MegaVern1
    @MegaVern1 24 дня назад +1

    This is a masterpiece in my opinion.

  • @juanbravo779
    @juanbravo779 14 дней назад

    Such a beautiful educational video! Thank you for the content

  • @skurgelockproductions
    @skurgelockproductions 25 дней назад +1

    Great channel!!! Keep up the great work

  • @markdeejay86
    @markdeejay86 28 дней назад +1

    GKMC is a Classic, TPAB is his masterpiece

  • @malcolmbridges7304
    @malcolmbridges7304 8 дней назад

    This is great you deserve more views!

  • @headhunter-minecraftedits8721
    @headhunter-minecraftedits8721 28 дней назад +1

    Love this channel.

  • @blessedbetit665
    @blessedbetit665 20 дней назад +1

    All I need now is a breakdown of Songs In the Key of Life. Please and Thank You.

  • @despicableglowee5207
    @despicableglowee5207 28 дней назад

    Really cool video. Looking forward for part 2

  • @theherbiebrown
    @theherbiebrown 28 дней назад +1

    I love this channel. I love this record. I have played this record A LOT since 2015. And I’m not done yet.

  • @VernardNuncioFields
    @VernardNuncioFields 28 дней назад +1

    Standing ovation, my man! Whew!

  • @johaneshjohanes2152
    @johaneshjohanes2152 28 дней назад +1

    Kendrick's da G.O.A.T

  • @amsf1
    @amsf1 28 дней назад +1

    My Favorite Kendrick album

  • @pastadrums
    @pastadrums 22 дня назад +2

    Best album to come out since Thriller

    • @nathanakpe4897
      @nathanakpe4897 19 дней назад

      You are not serious this just shows you don't listen to much music

  • @robert_ravel
    @robert_ravel 28 дней назад

    amazing video man! congrats and thank you!!!

  • @phallanglesia3677
    @phallanglesia3677 27 дней назад +1

    All I Have To Say Is..."thank you!"❤🔥

  • @leon_pp
    @leon_pp 28 дней назад

    I've been waiting for this vid for years ♥