American rapper Kendrick Lamar’s 3rd studio album, To Pimp a Butterfly was released on March, 15th, 2015 through Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. To Pimp a Butterfly (TPAB) is a primarily conscious hip-hop album with elements from jazz, the blues, and even African-Folk music. TPAB sold more than 324,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, and was Lamar’s first album to peak at number 1 in the UK. TPAB was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and sold 1 million copies in the United States by 2017. TPAB has been critically acclaimed for its message and politically-charged roots. The album deals with racism, as well as social bias in the United states, while celebrating unification and coming together to create a better environment for all people. The album was released after Lamar traveled to South Africa, where he learnt much about the culture and visited historical landmarks, such as Nelson Mandela’s island cell. Overall, To Pimp a Butterfly is a politically-charged, conscious hip-hop, soul, blues, and jazz boiling pot of an album, but delivers perfectly and leaves the listener satisfied and hopeful.
