if you've been here since the original MMBS reaction in May, I SEE KENDRICK THIS WEEKEND!!!! THIS IS MY BRAIN RN: CC available for this one, loves. sorry no cool intro tho, i couldnt find any good promo material that spoke to me lol
This is definitely the lightest album in his discography, which is something I appreciate because I do not wanna have to listen to aunty diaries when I'm just tryna chill
I believe this is Kendrick’s darkest and most cynical album. He’s searching for some meaning; each album is essentially him trying to become a better person. But on DAMN., it’s like the snake eating it’s own tail, and he doesn’t find any closure. He’s right back where he’s started. I’m glad that he shed most of his demons on Mr. Morale. Despite the heavy content on that album, I feel it’s the only one that has an uplifting ending. He finally finds peace within himself.
10:58 There's actually a reason for this and it's kinda insane to think about: playing the album in reverse (as mentioned in the beginning of DUCKWORTH.) results in a completely new album that tells a whole new story. DAMN. shows the chaoticness of these emotions/concepts easing into resolution. He resolves himself in tracks like LOYALTY. after being conflicted about his raw feelings in FEEL. the same can be said in other tracks like PRIDE./HUMBLE., LUST./LOVE. etc., showing the importance of the duality concept in the album. At the beginning of the album he's surrounded by wickedness, but discovers his way into a less sinful version of himself, surviving the story he tells in DUCKWORTH. .NMAD Shows how different it could have all been. He may have started feeling fine living through his own weakness, but slowly the weakness evolves into wickedness without his father guiding him. The gunshot at the end of BLOOD. represents the consequences he would have faced (maybe even literally) had this happened. There was also some belief that he would drop another album on Easter Sunday (This dropped Good Friday) called NATION. (DAMN. + NATION. = DAMNATION.), but the fact that he didn't shows that he really is just a mortal man. Jesus died and rose again, Kendrick didn't. However, personally I feel like .NMAD is the second album that continues to show his mortality through the fact that he devolves as the album progresses. Lot to think about!
@@pathreacts i think Kendrick confirmed it one time and also, the deluxe version of the album has only one difference to the original: the track order is reversed. one of the coolest concept albums i’ve ever experienced
was looking for a comment talking about this! i think the reversed storyline is something that i overlooked for a long time until i actually read into it some more and it added so much more depth to this album for me
Alot of people dismiss "DAMN." because they felt that Kendrick was going "pop" at the time, but that's just because the more poppy tracks are the most streamed, but I find that the best tracks on the album are also some of his most experimental and interesting, tracks like "FEEL" "PRIDE" and "LUST"
Nah. We dismiss DAMN precisely because everything but the poppy tracks don't work, every attempt at being "experimental" ends up being just boring. Mr Morale is a lot better at this.
Aye this girls editing is crazy. Everything just works so well together. the community favs, perfect cuts, revised commentary, and transitions of the next song. it’s just amazing.
Funfact: The second half of DNA was recorded vocally with no beat. Kendrick told his Producer he wanted the beat to be "pure Chaos". I think it really makes a unique feel, I love when Lyrics are laid and the music is made around it, however in this case I think it feels intentionally disjointed. Yet somehow, it works. Many times on this album I hear things and it sounds, yknow catchy, but its executed so strangely. Sometimes not even catchy but still strange, yet it works anyway. I think it really exccentuates the damaged and confused headspace he was in at the time. Songs like XXX starting so slow and drawn out, then flipping to aggrivation and absolute energy. Like he's appearing worn out but at any moment could just snap. A great reaction btw, all the love as usual!
@@clementinelives Here's the quotes from an interview between Mike Will and NPR: "With 'DNA.,' he went the whole way [through] and then he just started rapping a cappella. He said, 'I just want to see if you can put some drums around this.' I said, 'Man, hell yeah.' But he was going so hard; that man was rapping so crazy. Just imagine him a cappella rapping the second half of 'DNA.' and I had to build a beat around that. I didn't want the beat to just sound like a regular boom-clap, boom-clap. I wanted that s*** to sound just as crazy. I wanted it to sound like he's battling the beat." "He said he wanted the s*** to just sound like chaos. So then, I ended up making a beat around it right in front of him, but it was still open. I think in his head he knows what he's looking for, but he doesn't really tell me anything to put me in any kind of box. He just wants to hear all the different ideas. He gets a lot of beats and I think he just hops on whatever he catches that vibe to."
@@loverboyclement6767 In his 2016 GQ interview Rick Rubin asked Kendrick if he'd ever recorded a song without a beat, and he responded yes he has. The real question is was this recorded before or after that interview
The album cover of DAMN is one of my favorites ever. He looks at us and through us at the same time. His eyes look defeated but there's a hint of rage and hate, like he is about to snap at any moment.
@@dtwsantvientoThere is actually more to the album covers than just it being a simple picture. Relating to the themes of weakness and wickedness that the album talks about. Its artistic impression though and it’s for you to interpret however you wish.
@@nightcr_wler compared to Mr. Morale this felt like easy listening in comparison. The beats bang way harder but if I have it at a moderate volume while at work this album does not fuck my mood up like Mr. Morale.
I cannot confirm this, but to me kung fu kenny indicates him battling with duality, the righteousness, spirituality, love, lust, loyalty, what being real is and of course his own thoughts Also: the reason why he had Rihanna on LOYALTY, because Rihannas accountants disloyalty caused Ri to lose the money One more actually last thing (I SWEAR): i saw him yesterday in Stockholm, his presence and energy is impeccable, he builds up the songs so well and finishes so grandly, you will be blown away
16:41 Kendrick has had one of these pseudonyms for every one of his albums. K. dot on Section 80 and GKMC, Good Kid on GKMC, King Kunta on TPAB, Cornrow Kenny on Untitled Unmastered, Kung Fu Kenny on Damn, and Oklama and Mr.Morale on MMTBS. It’s rlly cool imo, and I like how he has a different one for each album.
It’s weird because even though this is his most accessible and mainstream album (nothing bad about that in general) I actually find myself listening to this album less then gkmc and Mr morale but slightly more then tpab but tpab is an album I have to listen to in a very specific mood. Weird innit
This album was Kendrick flexing to his peers that he can be the biggest rap star in the world, dominate the charts and still make a conscious and critically acclaimed album. This album outsold Drake’s that year. Had 5-6 huge chart topping songs. Every song at minimum went gold. He won multiple Grammy’s including rap album of the year. He won a VMA for best music video for Humble. And for the real artsy folk he because the first non-jazz or classical artist to win a Pulitzer Prize. He achieved what his mainstream peers had but went way beyond them.
This feels like such a spiritual prelude to "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers". He breaks down every emotion he feels in a very abstract way, and then makes them 100% literal in MM&TBS. Not my favorite of his, but a great project for sure.
I remember this album came out a few days after my 17th birthday, and hearing him say “I’ll probably die cause that’s what you do when you’re seventeen” was one of the most eye opening things I’ve ever experienced
I love how the meaning of the album changes with the collectors edition. The reversal of the track order works so well to frame the narrative in a different light.
Another important thing about this album is that it was intended to be possible to listen to it from DUCKWORTH to BLOOD as well as BLOOD to DUCKWORTH. This explains the placement of LOVE and LUST.
I've sat with each Kendrick album for several years, it's pretty surreal watching you digest them all in the same timeframe. Great reaction channel, very honest and personal, but also nuanced with regards to appreciating the musicality and digesting the subject matter. Tetsuo & Youth by Lupe Fiasco is a great album that is in this vein, though it is hard to react to because it is so lyrically dense.
There's a reason this album won a Pulitzer Prize. From top to bottom, and from bottom to top, the way it dissects Kendrick's (and in some ways, the average person's) material conditions in America is, in my book, on par with TPAB, all while maintaining mainstream appeal. Truly awe-inspiring.
the editing has gotten so much better since the last time I watched ur channel. the great things about ur reactions stayed and the improvements made make these long videos so watchable
Tbh, this album is my favorite of his, right behind good kid. It's very cohesive musically in a similar but different way to good kid. I loved listening to it when it came out, and I still love listening to it today
My friends and I were ranking his 4 major albums the other day and it’s SO HARD, they’re all so good. DAMN has aged excellently, and it’s one of my favorite projects from him, but we almost all had it in last. Of course it’s no disrespect when your discography is made of all
@@x0x0skiller2 they're all 10s. I rank them all equally in terms of quality because I just can't choose which one is the best and frankly I don't want to. But I have my favorites, especially since good kid and damn came out during pivotal times in my life. They're just very nostalgic for me.
its been 5 days im fiening for another reaction. Your reactions are so realtable to me. Makes me feel like Im listening to the album all over again for the first time. Emotion, analyzing, and everything.
loved the video! maybe you could make some the community favorite sections a bit longer in the next one? was kind of hard to read without pausing, also I’m so proud of how much you’ve grown, definitely deserved!
Love's gonna get you killed, but pride's gonna be the death of you and you and me and you and you and you...this is the line you will forever think about when you hear the word pride. It haunts me like a pleasant spirit.
Saving the best album for last 😎 I like it. Don’t worry he only plays two TPAB songs at the concert so you won’t be spoiled if you don’t listen before the concert
i love how from FEEL to LOVE, every other song is how to fix the previous song, to fix FEELings you need LOYALTY, to fix PRIDE you need to be HUMBLE, to fix LUST you have to have LOVE, genius storytelling, even in the tracklist
in an interview around the album's release, kendrick was asked if he thinks he's written his best verse yet and he said no, but the 2nd verse on FEEL. is the closest he's gotten to it. imagine hearing that verse acapella. my god... great video as always, you've become one of my favorite reactors in a short period of time!!!
"Pride" s intro gets me everytime. very emotional. I love this album but those few seconds of intro ... MAN! I can listen to it on repeat for days and still feel the same! great video aswell!
Another note, the album distinguishes Kendrick’s confliction with good vs evil. For example right after the song PRIDE is HUMBLE and right after LUST is LOVE. Also Kendrick talks about growing up from evil to good but when you reverse the album play he turns from good to evil.
THIS BROUGHT ME BACK INTO THIS ERA OF KENDRICK AND I LOVE IT!!! This was the album that REALLY made me appreciate the depth lyrics can go in Hip-Hop / Rap SO GLAD you experienced this and I got to re-live it through this video, GREAT VIDEO AS ALWAYS!
17:40 That U2 album (Songs of Innocence) was apart of this weird deal with Apple where the album would automatically download itself onto your iTunes account without the users consent. Many people where less than thrilled with that of course, I mean, I wouldn’t be happy about that. It probably felt to a lot of people that they were trying to manufacture sales by doing that.
Crazy to me that you see Kendrick this weekend. Enjoy it. I commented on one of your other videos explaining how amazing it was when I got to see him. He is an AMAZING performer and you can tell he puts effort into making the shows great. Have fun path!!
You have my favorite reacts about albums. It’s like reexperiencing an album I love through another’s eyes. Your commentary is insightful and interesting.
IMO the best album of all time. Personal tracks, tracks that make you bop your head, tracks that’ll make you cry, mainstream tracks. I know most people don’t care for songs like Element or Loyalty but under the right setting they’re great songs. Thanks for the review! Keep it up!
14:30 this is a bit of a shot in the dark, but you might be thinking of _Sherane_ (opening track from GKMC). It personally reminds me of the production in the part where he says: “I pulled up a smile on my face, and then I see Two n***as, two black hoodies, I froze as my phone rang” Lmk if I was right.
I never see a reaction chanel so unique i really love every video you make not because it has kendricks music in it but because i love how you analyse :)
At the time (2017) DAMN. came out this is also where new age rap/mumble/melodic rap took over the hip hop scene so I definitely feel like Kendrick wanted to try to experiment with that style in his own way in the project (don’t think he ever did adlibs before damn which is very 2017) which is why it came off so mainstream. During this time he also made tracks with new age rappers and artists like Rich the Kid, Sway Lee, Future, The Weeknd etc., which I think is cool cause at the time, established lyricists and critics gave the new age a lot of hate.
Even though a lot of the songs have more mainstream appeal, I think this is one of Kendrick's most intricate pieces of work. I like how this album leaves a lot of thinking to the listener. I think my favorite idea is that you're listening to two stories play out and they're almost completely split by the dual themes. One where Kendrick is saved from the fate he encounters in the first track by choosing weakness and one where he's "damned" by choosing the "wicked" path (the one that's backwards). It makes it feel kind of like a branching story mode on a video game influenced by your choices. I think in the grand scheme of things it has a prominent place in Kendrick's discography because we see him kind of losing hope in the things that he took solace in on other projects. FEAR is probably one of my favorite and most relatable tracks from Kendrick in general. Poverty's Paradise which it samples is also a great and heartwrenching listen for me. Also, I was shook for you on BLOOD after I saw how the Sing About Me gunshots jumpscared you. 🤣I guess I was right to feel that way.
“But he is not your savior” FEAR and FEEL are the ones I stay going back to but the whole album is one of my favorites by him. Seriously even though you swayed away from the Kendrick content for a few videos I’m truly loving your analysis on Kendrick.
Lmaooo no way he doesn't play "Humble" at his concert 🤣by far his most popular song! Also, you need to tell us how "DNA" goes live. That song is absurdly hype and I wish I could get that experience of hearing it at a concert. The last minute is such an adrenaline rush!
just wanna say i really like the "community favorite" comment touches. they add a lot i think, and are integrated in a really nice way aesthetically. definitely feel your effort here, excited to see more from you!
I love this album too much. I don’t listen to it enough. But with your reaction I can both get great commentary and remind myself how good this album is. Cant wait for your Section 80 and TPAB reactions because they are also great listens!
Love this album especially LUST just such an amazing project with the subject matter Kdot talks about and how casual you can play most of these songs. I also liked the addition of the little notes on the bottom left of the video such a small but great touch to the reviews.
DAMN. was never intended to be overtly political, but more of a continuation of Lamar’s growth and response to the world around him. He brings his sharp-edged narrative skills to the album, employing a different method of storytelling in which the listener is encouraged to engage with the tracks repeatedly in order to uncover the balance and execution behind each verse. What a Beautiful Album, thanks for the reaction.
This is definitely one of my favorite albums right now! The first Kendrick album I've listened to and the final lines of DUCKWORTH just blew me away. Shivers. Your reaction to it was fantastic as well!
that transition of you saying "you close you eyes to look around" and being cut off directly into FEAR. made me scream in my house at nine in the morning omg it was so good
Just finished all your Kendrick reactions. The jump scare u had was my same reaction when first coming across this album (wasn’t looking at lyrics). Subbed and joined patreon! Good shit path
17:43 it was a promotion for that album, where it was pushed onto everybody. pissed a ton of people off because it was in the ipod days where that wasn't exactly optimal
I’ve been starting to like damn a lot more recently since everytime I listened to Kendrick I would religiously listen to TBAP and GKMC. But those two will always be my fav no matter what so can’t wait for the TPAB reaction and have fun seeing him in Paris while I am stuck watching him in my room on Amazon 🥲
This video has been in my algorithm since it dropped so I had to just finally watch it😂 it’s great watching people discover Kendrick’s albums at completely different times and it still hits the same
I really appreciate this channel. There is an obvious attention to quality here and I appreciate how your thoughts are given during and after the initial listen. The new community comments addition is also very cool. Great work.
Idk if anyone has mentioned it in the comments yet, but the beat for FEAR was teased before the album dropped in a song called The Heart Part 4. The beat was made by a legendary producer called The Alchemist. If you have a chance to get around to them you should check out The Heart series. Not only can you see the evolution of Kendrick but also just him speaking on different topics. PS: Also, there is a track called Cartoons and Cereal from Kendrick that was originally supposed to be on GKMC that was removed because it was leaked. It is probably one of Kendricks most underrated and not that well known tracks. So, if you get a chance that is another song to check out.
Great Reaction!!!! Actually if you listen to the album backwards, it gains an entirely new meaning. I recommend starting at Duckworth and working towards Blood if you haven't already. Completely new experience!
this album is impossibly easy flowing while simultaneously being extremely dense and layered. it took me several listens in 2017 to form a theory of of what the story is along w using what other ppl came up with. This album more than any feels like an elaborate puzzle hidden under the most widely appealing production and sound Kendrick has had ima single album. Along with all the others, you can teach an entire college course on this album. There is so much hidden in there. And as to the reaction, you killed it like always:) the fan comment blips are also incredible!
if you've been here since the original MMBS reaction in May, I SEE KENDRICK THIS WEEKEND!!!! THIS IS MY BRAIN RN:
CC available for this one, loves. sorry no cool intro tho, i couldnt find any good promo material that spoke to me lol
first
also who's proud of me for getting thru one kendrick album without crying
Not first but early ❤❤❤
@@pathreacts I been waiting for this
@@pathreacts yo momma
This is definitely the lightest album in his discography, which is something I appreciate because I do not wanna have to listen to aunty diaries when I'm just tryna chill
section 80 lighter imo
@@conzo426 eh shit like the last song
i think its pretty far from his lightest, OD still exists and the topics covered in that mixtape isnt fleshed out like his other albums
@@owkrikki yeah but it isnt an album
That’s so interesting because I think this album is actually his most depressing album. That’s not a criticism. It’s a great album.
I believe this is Kendrick’s darkest and most cynical album. He’s searching for some meaning; each album is essentially him trying to become a better person. But on DAMN., it’s like the snake eating it’s own tail, and he doesn’t find any closure. He’s right back where he’s started.
I’m glad that he shed most of his demons on Mr. Morale. Despite the heavy content on that album, I feel it’s the only one that has an uplifting ending. He finally finds peace within himself.
you’re so right for this tbh
Perfect comment. I feel the same way.
Um TPAB had a VERY uplifting ending. Kendrick still had questions, but it was very uplifting.
@@C116-b1z Okay, I agree.
tl;dr kendrick did an ouroboros
I can't wait for the TPAB reaction. Easily my favorite album by Kendrick to date.
My favorite album of all time
Right? ‘’U’’ is deff gona make her cry lol
@@donawesome2120 MONEY CANT STOP A SUICIDAL WEAKNESS
@@donawesome2120 that song STILL gives me Goosebumps. Shes defo gonna be bawling her eyes out
@@canonogic every listen I swear
10:58 There's actually a reason for this and it's kinda insane to think about: playing the album in reverse (as mentioned in the beginning of DUCKWORTH.) results in a completely new album that tells a whole new story.
DAMN. shows the chaoticness of these emotions/concepts easing into resolution. He resolves himself in tracks like LOYALTY. after being conflicted about his raw feelings in FEEL. the same can be said in other tracks like PRIDE./HUMBLE., LUST./LOVE. etc., showing the importance of the duality concept in the album. At the beginning of the album he's surrounded by wickedness, but discovers his way into a less sinful version of himself, surviving the story he tells in DUCKWORTH.
.NMAD Shows how different it could have all been. He may have started feeling fine living through his own weakness, but slowly the weakness evolves into wickedness without his father guiding him. The gunshot at the end of BLOOD. represents the consequences he would have faced (maybe even literally) had this happened.
There was also some belief that he would drop another album on Easter Sunday (This dropped Good Friday) called NATION. (DAMN. + NATION. = DAMNATION.), but the fact that he didn't shows that he really is just a mortal man. Jesus died and rose again, Kendrick didn't. However, personally I feel like .NMAD is the second album that continues to show his mortality through the fact that he devolves as the album progresses.
Lot to think about!
woah thank u for sharing. havent seen the reverse theory referred to as .NMAD yet but i love that
@@pathreacts i think Kendrick confirmed it one time and also, the deluxe version of the album has only one difference to the original: the track order is reversed.
one of the coolest concept albums i’ve ever experienced
was looking for a comment talking about this! i think the reversed storyline is something that i overlooked for a long time until i actually read into it some more and it added so much more depth to this album for me
Kendrick said that this was premeditated when making the album. Just goes to show how a creative genius and master storyteller he is. Truly the GOATS👌
@@pathreacts It's why the Deluxe edition of DAMN. has all the same tracks but in reverse.
Alot of people dismiss "DAMN." because they felt that Kendrick was going "pop" at the time, but that's just because the more poppy tracks are the most streamed, but I find that the best tracks on the album are also some of his most experimental and interesting, tracks like "FEEL" "PRIDE" and "LUST"
Nah. We dismiss DAMN precisely because everything but the poppy tracks don't work, every attempt at being "experimental" ends up being just boring.
Mr Morale is a lot better at this.
for me: fear and duckworth are probably the best tracks on the album
@@andremartinez4411 that’s just you lol. coming from someone who prefers mr morale
@@andremartinez4411 I disagree but that's okay, Mr. Morale's style is something entirely different to me
GKMC was seen as pop compared to Section 80 but it's a classic
7 years later and you just made my jaw drop with the idea of pride and humble having their instrumentals switched. such a crazy good catch path!!
Yooo it’s horrible take guy!
yoo it’s the guy who has one of the worst opinions on the blue, green planet we call earth!!!
yooooooooo it's the guy who thinks new magic wand is bad!!! crazy seeing you out of the padded room
Yo man ur reviews are good in everything BUT what the worse song is, like how is mortal man probably the worse in tpab 😭😭😭
Aye this girls editing is crazy. Everything just works so well together. the community favs, perfect cuts, revised commentary, and transitions of the next song. it’s just amazing.
i really appreciate it
Can't skip over her crazy transition at 15:55
For real. Makes me want to make unrelated videos, edited just like she does it.
Funfact: The second half of DNA was recorded vocally with no beat. Kendrick told his Producer he wanted the beat to be "pure Chaos". I think it really makes a unique feel, I love when Lyrics are laid and the music is made around it, however in this case I think it feels intentionally disjointed. Yet somehow, it works.
Many times on this album I hear things and it sounds, yknow catchy, but its executed so strangely. Sometimes not even catchy but still strange, yet it works anyway. I think it really exccentuates the damaged and confused headspace he was in at the time. Songs like XXX starting so slow and drawn out, then flipping to aggrivation and absolute energy. Like he's appearing worn out but at any moment could just snap.
A great reaction btw, all the love as usual!
Was this said in an interview somewhere?
@@clementinelives Here's the quotes from an interview between Mike Will and NPR:
"With 'DNA.,' he went the whole way [through] and then he just started rapping a cappella. He said, 'I just want to see if you can put some drums around this.' I said, 'Man, hell yeah.' But he was going so hard; that man was rapping so crazy. Just imagine him a cappella rapping the second half of 'DNA.' and I had to build a beat around that. I didn't want the beat to just sound like a regular boom-clap, boom-clap. I wanted that s*** to sound just as crazy. I wanted it to sound like he's battling the beat."
"He said he wanted the s*** to just sound like chaos. So then, I ended up making a beat around it right in front of him, but it was still open. I think in his head he knows what he's looking for, but he doesn't really tell me anything to put me in any kind of box. He just wants to hear all the different ideas. He gets a lot of beats and I think he just hops on whatever he catches that vibe to."
thank you for the sauce!!!
Apparently he just recorded the verse to a metronome lmao
@@loverboyclement6767 In his 2016 GQ interview Rick Rubin asked Kendrick if he'd ever recorded a song without a beat, and he responded yes he has. The real question is was this recorded before or after that interview
The album cover of DAMN is one of my favorites ever. He looks at us and through us at the same time. His eyes look defeated but there's a hint of rage and hate, like he is about to snap at any moment.
wow you really turned a simple album cover into something way more than it was supposed to be, elite person fr
@@dtwsantvientoThere is actually more to the album covers than just it being a simple picture. Relating to the themes of weakness and wickedness that the album talks about. Its artistic impression though and it’s for you to interpret however you wish.
Can't forget the iconic red title & font
@@dtwsantvientothat was arts about being able to make different interpretations don’t gotta be giving backhanded compliments lol
I remember listening to the whole album without even realising it it was so relaxing
I agree. Way more vibey than I remember. After bumping Mr. Morale this really feels like a vibe in the car album.
“relaxing”?? how tf?!
@@nightcr_wler compared to Mr. Morale this felt like easy listening in comparison. The beats bang way harder but if I have it at a moderate volume while at work this album does not fuck my mood up like Mr. Morale.
relaxing is definitely a vibe you can get, you could finish it and not even realize
@@nightcr_wler this is more relaxing when you’re a kendrick fan
The inclusion of your Skrillex remix find and the transition to match the end of XXX at 18:15 is the cherry on top
I cannot confirm this, but to me kung fu kenny indicates him battling with duality, the righteousness, spirituality, love, lust, loyalty, what being real is and of course his own thoughts
Also: the reason why he had Rihanna on LOYALTY, because Rihannas accountants disloyalty caused Ri to lose the money
One more actually last thing (I SWEAR): i saw him yesterday in Stockholm, his presence and energy is impeccable, he builds up the songs so well and finishes so grandly, you will be blown away
Actually, kung fu kenny is a reference to a character don cheadealle played in rush hour 2
@@martinwilches6583 thats also true, yup
@@martinwilches6583 Kenny is also his father's name
16:41 Kendrick has had one of these pseudonyms for every one of his albums. K. dot on Section 80 and GKMC, Good Kid on GKMC, King Kunta on TPAB, Cornrow Kenny on Untitled Unmastered, Kung Fu Kenny on Damn, and Oklama and Mr.Morale on MMTBS. It’s rlly cool imo, and I like how he has a different one for each album.
yes! it really makes you feel that kendrick is constantly improving and evolving as time progresses
can’t wait to see what the pseudonym is for his next album
I find myself relistening to DAMN more often than any other kdot album
lots of replay value for sure!!!
Interesting, I personally have listened to it the least out of any of his albums. To each their own, I suppose
i find myself on TPAB a lot.
It’s great but I deffo replay section 80, gkmc, tpab more
It’s weird because even though this is his most accessible and mainstream album (nothing bad about that in general) I actually find myself listening to this album less then gkmc and Mr morale but slightly more then tpab but tpab is an album I have to listen to in a very specific mood. Weird innit
This album was Kendrick flexing to his peers that he can be the biggest rap star in the world, dominate the charts and still make a conscious and critically acclaimed album. This album outsold Drake’s that year. Had 5-6 huge chart topping songs. Every song at minimum went gold. He won multiple Grammy’s including rap album of the year. He won a VMA for best music video for Humble. And for the real artsy folk he because the first non-jazz or classical artist to win a Pulitzer Prize. He achieved what his mainstream peers had but went way beyond them.
This feels like such a spiritual prelude to "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers". He breaks down every emotion he feels in a very abstract way, and then makes them 100% literal in MM&TBS. Not my favorite of his, but a great project for sure.
Agree
absolutely. makes so much sense for MMBS to be the follow up to this
I remember this album came out a few days after my 17th birthday, and hearing him say “I’ll probably die cause that’s what you do when you’re seventeen” was one of the most eye opening things I’ve ever experienced
Literally same. I was 17 when it came out and had multiple friends die within the previous few months and thought it was a premonition
A Path video feels like hearing from a friend you haven’t heard from in a while fr😂
Facts. It´s so soothing.
your editing is so underrated, can’t wait for TPAB!!!
I saw him live last week that show is so fire. Great reaction as always
one of my fav albums by him for sure and the music video for ELEMENT is a piece of art in itself, so beautiful
HUGE upload, just saw Kendrick live in Copenhagen the other day and oh my god he's so good. Damn is def different but i love it.
DAMN is literally a masterpiece. A concept all artists should strive for.
did he flourish on those stages?
She's going to absolutely love TPAB, so much to unpack with that album
I love how the meaning of the album changes with the collectors edition. The reversal of the track order works so well to frame the narrative in a different light.
GOD. DAMN. this video was good. I'm not even joking. I literally LOVE. these videos. I FEEL. like they have a unique ELEMENT. to them
XXX.
DAMN IS A MASTERPIECE!!
Another important thing about this album is that it was intended to be possible to listen to it from DUCKWORTH to BLOOD as well as BLOOD to DUCKWORTH. This explains the placement of LOVE and LUST.
I've sat with each Kendrick album for several years, it's pretty surreal watching you digest them all in the same timeframe. Great reaction channel, very honest and personal, but also nuanced with regards to appreciating the musicality and digesting the subject matter. Tetsuo & Youth by Lupe Fiasco is a great album that is in this vein, though it is hard to react to because it is so lyrically dense.
Coming back after Kendrick bodied Drake and took his fake crown
Coming back after The Pop Out: Ken & Friends, when he made it look sexy
@@sandenson Here after Not Like Us where he was smoking on Top 5s
@@KSATSpotting Here after Kung Fu Kenny got chosen as the Compton Warrior
@@hunter133official Here after he dropped Watch The Party Die
@@MoreAchievements here after he dropped GNX and announced the tour
There's a reason this album won a Pulitzer Prize. From top to bottom, and from bottom to top, the way it dissects Kendrick's (and in some ways, the average person's) material conditions in America is, in my book, on par with TPAB, all while maintaining mainstream appeal. Truly awe-inspiring.
the editing has gotten so much better since the last time I watched ur channel. the great things about ur reactions stayed and the improvements made make these long videos so watchable
Welcome back! :)
Tbh, this album is my favorite of his, right behind good kid. It's very cohesive musically in a similar but different way to good kid. I loved listening to it when it came out, and I still love listening to it today
My friends and I were ranking his 4 major albums the other day and it’s SO HARD, they’re all so good. DAMN has aged excellently, and it’s one of my favorite projects from him, but we almost all had it in last. Of course it’s no disrespect when your discography is made of all
@@x0x0skiller2 they're all 10s. I rank them all equally in terms of quality because I just can't choose which one is the best and frankly I don't want to. But I have my favorites, especially since good kid and damn came out during pivotal times in my life. They're just very nostalgic for me.
i absolutely loved the editing on this one, the community favoraites aaaaaaaa they were soo good. thank you path 💌
going to see kendrick in a week, hype hypee
its been 5 days im fiening for another reaction. Your reactions are so realtable to me. Makes me feel like Im listening to the album all over again for the first time. Emotion, analyzing, and everything.
loved the video! maybe you could make some the community favorite sections a bit longer in the next one? was kind of hard to read without pausing, also I’m so proud of how much you’ve grown, definitely deserved!
im so bad at estimating how long it takes to read things 😭 sorry!!
@path reacts imagine (or play) a text to speech reading it, should be enough for everyone, maybe even add wiggle room over that
Love's gonna get you killed, but pride's gonna be the death of you and you and me and you and you and you...this is the line you will forever think about when you hear the word pride. It haunts me like a pleasant spirit.
Saving the best album for last 😎 I like it. Don’t worry he only plays two TPAB songs at the concert so you won’t be spoiled if you don’t listen before the concert
the plan is to listen tmrw morning but i probably wont get to editing until after concert :)
Can’t wait!
@@pathreacts you’re in for a treat, the instruments used for tpab are one of the best i’ve heard
@@pathreacts TPAB is the highest rated album of all time on albumoftheyear and the 2nd highest on rateyourmusic. Prepare yourself Ms. Wei...
i love how from FEEL to LOVE, every other song is how to fix the previous song, to fix FEELings you need LOYALTY, to fix PRIDE you need to be HUMBLE, to fix LUST you have to have LOVE, genius storytelling, even in the tracklist
in an interview around the album's release, kendrick was asked if he thinks he's written his best verse yet and he said no, but the 2nd verse on FEEL. is the closest he's gotten to it. imagine hearing that verse acapella. my god... great video as always, you've become one of my favorite reactors in a short period of time!!!
"Pride" s intro gets me everytime. very emotional. I love this album but those few seconds of intro ... MAN! I can listen to it on repeat for days and still feel the same!
great video aswell!
FEEL. is my favorite song of all time by kendrick. Every lyric hits the heart 🥲
It's crazy how Kendrick managed to create two narratives and an alter-ego with their own backstory all in one album.
FInally!!! I been waiting for this reaction, your reaction style is unique and amazing!
Yes yes yes yes, this is my personal fav Kdot album. Love, Pride, and Loyalty are still heavy in my rotation
Another note, the album distinguishes Kendrick’s confliction with good vs evil. For example right after the song PRIDE is HUMBLE and right after LUST is LOVE. Also Kendrick talks about growing up from evil to good but when you reverse the album play he turns from good to evil.
DAMN is one of my favorite albums and watching the explanation of the tracks make me love it even more
cant wait to watch!! and just know we all support you no matter your conclusion on the kanye reactions situation
Ahhhhh I've beeeen waiiiting. For thissss letss goooooo🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿. UR AMAZING ❤❤❤❤
THIS BROUGHT ME BACK INTO THIS ERA OF KENDRICK AND I LOVE IT!!!
This was the album that REALLY made me appreciate the depth lyrics can go in Hip-Hop / Rap
SO GLAD you experienced this and I got to re-live it through this video, GREAT VIDEO AS ALWAYS!
17:40 That U2 album (Songs of Innocence) was apart of this weird deal with Apple where the album would automatically download itself onto your iTunes account without the users consent. Many people where less than thrilled with that of course, I mean, I wouldn’t be happy about that. It probably felt to a lot of people that they were trying to manufacture sales by doing that.
Crazy to me that you see Kendrick this weekend. Enjoy it. I commented on one of your other videos explaining how amazing it was when I got to see him. He is an AMAZING performer and you can tell he puts effort into making the shows great. Have fun path!!
You have my favorite reacts about albums. It’s like reexperiencing an album I love through another’s eyes. Your commentary is insightful and interesting.
You are at the quintessence of editing and formatting on any reaction video. Keep it up.
IMO the best album of all time. Personal tracks, tracks that make you bop your head, tracks that’ll make you cry, mainstream tracks. I know most people don’t care for songs like Element or Loyalty but under the right setting they’re great songs. Thanks for the review! Keep it up!
14:30 this is a bit of a shot in the dark, but you might be thinking of _Sherane_ (opening track from GKMC).
It personally reminds me of the production in the part where he says:
“I pulled up a smile on my face, and then I see
Two n***as, two black hoodies, I froze as my phone rang”
Lmk if I was right.
I never see a reaction chanel so unique i really love every video you make not because it has kendricks music in it but because i love how you analyse :)
FEEL is such an impressive song
ikr i love that one 2
My only skip
@@non-expertguy9805 crazy.
@@Nymess bros avoiding his emotions
DAMN is my favorite Kendrick Album. Not because it's revolutionary but the amount of replayability in this album is for me top notch.
it has so much "replayability" because kendrick watered down damn compared to his other albums for more commercial success
"Community favorite," what a great add to the video. Well done!
I love your content 💫🖤 you put so much work into these
At the time (2017) DAMN. came out this is also where new age rap/mumble/melodic rap took over the hip hop scene so I definitely feel like Kendrick wanted to try to experiment with that style in his own way in the project (don’t think he ever did adlibs before damn which is very 2017) which is why it came off so mainstream. During this time he also made tracks with new age rappers and artists like Rich the Kid, Sway Lee, Future, The Weeknd etc., which I think is cool cause at the time, established lyricists and critics gave the new age a lot of hate.
I never realize how much I'm waiting for a Path video until it graces us with it's presence haha
Even though a lot of the songs have more mainstream appeal, I think this is one of Kendrick's most intricate pieces of work. I like how this album leaves a lot of thinking to the listener. I think my favorite idea is that you're listening to two stories play out and they're almost completely split by the dual themes. One where Kendrick is saved from the fate he encounters in the first track by choosing weakness and one where he's "damned" by choosing the "wicked" path (the one that's backwards). It makes it feel kind of like a branching story mode on a video game influenced by your choices. I think in the grand scheme of things it has a prominent place in Kendrick's discography because we see him kind of losing hope in the things that he took solace in on other projects. FEAR is probably one of my favorite and most relatable tracks from Kendrick in general. Poverty's Paradise which it samples is also a great and heartwrenching listen for me.
Also, I was shook for you on BLOOD after I saw how the Sing About Me gunshots jumpscared you. 🤣I guess I was right to feel that way.
“But he is not your savior” FEAR and FEEL are the ones I stay going back to but the whole album is one of my favorites by him. Seriously even though you swayed away from the Kendrick content for a few videos I’m truly loving your analysis on Kendrick.
Pre-W, alr know it’ll be a great reaction! Thanks for the consistent quality content Path!
They are back!!!!!! Going to watch this when i get back from Uni, thanks for content!!! Love your videos!
Lmaooo no way he doesn't play "Humble" at his concert 🤣by far his most popular song!
Also, you need to tell us how "DNA" goes live. That song is absurdly hype and I wish I could get that experience of hearing it at a concert. The last minute is such an adrenaline rush!
I saw him perform DNA live at rolling loud this summer and it was exactly like you said. Pure insanity and hype
I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU FOR SO LONG OH MY GOD THANKS
that beat drop on DNA still hits like a fucking train holy shit-
just wanna say i really like the "community favorite" comment touches. they add a lot i think, and are integrated in a really nice way aesthetically. definitely feel your effort here, excited to see more from you!
Really good editing on every single reaction. Unreal. You have a lot of talent
I love this album too much. I don’t listen to it enough. But with your reaction I can both get great commentary and remind myself how good this album is. Cant wait for your Section 80 and TPAB reactions because they are also great listens!
What I love about DAMN is that it really has some fire bangers🤠
Love this album especially LUST just such an amazing project with the subject matter Kdot talks about and how casual you can play most of these songs. I also liked the addition of the little notes on the bottom left of the video such a small but great touch to the reviews.
DAMN. was never intended to be overtly political, but more of a continuation of Lamar’s growth and response to the world around him. He brings his sharp-edged narrative skills to the album, employing a different method of storytelling in which the listener is encouraged to engage with the tracks repeatedly in order to uncover the balance and execution behind each verse. What a Beautiful Album, thanks for the reaction.
The community favourite section is such a cool idea! You keep on developing the style of your videos and it's amazing!
Ahhh I’m so excited for this one! One of my favorite albums of his, sound wise anyways. I’m really excited to see your takes on it!
This is one of my all time favorite albums. Thank you for reacting to it!
24:19 that’s a funny way to say “fantano and his fans” 😂😂
This is definitely one of my favorite albums right now! The first Kendrick album I've listened to and the final lines of DUCKWORTH just blew me away. Shivers. Your reaction to it was fantastic as well!
that transition of you saying "you close you eyes to look around" and being cut off directly into FEAR. made me scream in my house at nine in the morning omg it was so good
So glad you did this one, I really love it. Thanks as always for an insightful, lovely reaction.
Just sitting here waiting for the gunshot part on the intro. It gets everybody the first time they hear this album . 😂😂 0:34
Just finished all your Kendrick reactions. The jump scare u had was my same reaction when first coming across this album (wasn’t looking at lyrics). Subbed and joined patreon! Good shit path
thank u franco 🥺 💕
17:43 it was a promotion for that album, where it was pushed onto everybody. pissed a ton of people off because it was in the ipod days where that wasn't exactly optimal
I was anticipating that reaction on BLOOD because it definitely jump scared me too!
I’ve been starting to like damn a lot more recently since everytime I listened to Kendrick I would religiously listen to TBAP and GKMC. But those two will always be my fav no matter what so can’t wait for the TPAB reaction and have fun seeing him in Paris while I am stuck watching him in my room on Amazon 🥲
Rip in the chat for US audiences who can't see this at the moment 🙏
Lol i’m already on a vpn
Been waiting for this reaction ! Amazing video
DAMN. is probably the most new listener friendly out of his albums
This video has been in my algorithm since it dropped so I had to just finally watch it😂 it’s great watching people discover Kendrick’s albums at completely different times and it still hits the same
what better month to listen to DAMN then during spooky month!!! 👻
I really appreciate this channel. There is an obvious attention to quality here and I appreciate how your thoughts are given during and after the initial listen. The new community comments addition is also very cool. Great work.
Idk if anyone has mentioned it in the comments yet, but the beat for FEAR was teased before the album dropped in a song called The Heart Part 4. The beat was made by a legendary producer called The Alchemist. If you have a chance to get around to them you should check out The Heart series. Not only can you see the evolution of Kendrick but also just him speaking on different topics. PS: Also, there is a track called Cartoons and Cereal from Kendrick that was originally supposed to be on GKMC that was removed because it was leaked. It is probably one of Kendricks most underrated and not that well known tracks. So, if you get a chance that is another song to check out.
Great to see another Kendrick reaction! Love the videos Path. Keep working hard we love ya!
Great Reaction!!!!
Actually if you listen to the album backwards, it gains an entirely new meaning. I recommend starting at Duckworth and working towards Blood if you haven't already. Completely new experience!
this album is impossibly easy flowing while simultaneously being extremely dense and layered. it took me several listens in 2017 to form a theory of of what the story is along w using what other ppl came up with. This album more than any feels like an elaborate puzzle hidden under the most widely appealing production and sound Kendrick has had ima single album. Along with all the others, you can teach an entire college course on this album. There is so much hidden in there. And as to the reaction, you killed it like always:) the fan comment blips are also incredible!
“Kendrick says he feels like God, but he is not your Savior” you might be my favorite reactor after that 😂👏🏾