Ranking the Best Kendrick Lamar Albums

I guess it’s fair to say that Kendrick Lamar has owned 2024, right?

But if you ask me, he’s owned hip-hop for the past decade.

It’s funny, though: I think the insane success of “Not Like Us” – the first rap song in eons that feels like a honest-to-God generational hit, and not just a “viral sensation” – has muddled the minds of some fans. I never in my life thought that I’d see fanbases demanding that Kendrick Lamar give us something of “more substance.”

That’s like asking Black Thought to be more lyrical, or claiming that Lil Wayne needs a few more poop jokes in his bars.

Throw that recency bias aside and let’s have a more serious debate: Does Kendrick Lamar have the best discography in rap history? If you ask me, which is why you’re here after all, I think he’s very, very high on the all-time list.

For those who want more substance and less style, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s break down Kendrick Lamar’s history-making run in hip-hop to date. These albums resulted in critical acclaim, Grammy awards, even Pulitzer Prizes.

Kendrick Lamar is the greatest rapper of his generation, by miles. And if he keeps this up, maybe the greatest ever.

6. Kendrick Lamar, Untitled Unmastered (2016)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Only Kendrick Lamar could gather up scraps of unreleased recordings, package them up and wind up with one of the best albums of 2016. This collection of outtakes shows that even K. Dot’s leftovers are stronger than most of his peers’ entire catalog. Kendrick’s patented social commentary is intact here, giving the set substance. This isn’t just a quick cash-in, it’s yet more proof that Kendrick is still at the top of his game.

Forgotten favorites: “untitled 08,” “untitled 03,” “untitled 06”

5. Kendrick Lamar, Section .80 (2011)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Sometimes, when you hear an album for the first time, you just KNOW you’re listening to a legend in the making. The first time I heard Reasonable Doubt, I knew. The first time I heard Doggystyle, I knew. The first time I heard It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and Illmatic I knew. Now, Section .80 wasn’t the first time I heard Kendrick Lamar – he was already generating buzz on the mixtape scene years earlier. But this was the project that made me take notice – this guy was going to change the game. I knew. His off-kilter delivery, paired with wisdom FAR beyond his 24 years at the time, painted a fresh picture of West Coast life. It was a generation removed from gangsta G-Funk, but still deeply rooted in its legacy. Kendrick examines a life post-crack epidemic, and the damage left in its wake. Admittedly, as Kendrick’s legacy soared, so did the reception for this album (causing it to be slightly overrated in some circles today) but you couldn’t ask for a more prophetic debut. Hip-hop’s new king had arrived.

Forgotten favorites: “Hol’ Up,” “Keisha’s Song,” “The Spiteful Chant”

4. Kendrick Lamar, DAMN (2017)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Kendrick’s fourth LP is yet another bold statement that he, legitimately, should be mentioned among the greatest rappers of all time. DAMN is elite-level storytelling, with every vocal inflection and shifting soundscape adding new layers to his thesis. On DAMN, Kendrick almost seems at war with himself, trying to convince himself to be a voice of change in a world that happily covers its ears. His turmoil manifests into yet another near-classic on his resume. I’ve seen it considered as one of Kendrick’s “lesser” albums these days, but it’s still leagues ahead of the competition.

Forgotten favorites: “Duckworth,” “Love,” “Fear”

3. Kendrick Lamar, Good Kid, M.a.a.d City (2012)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Of all the projects we’ve covered, Good Kid, M.a.a.d City, might be the most defining. Andhis most beloved. Kendrick made waves with his Overly Dedicated mixtape and turned hip-hop heads with Section.80.  But Good Kid, M.a.a.d City was the true breakout, taking everything that made Section.80 notable and raising the stakes with an added layer of storytelling. Though the themes are heavy, Kendrick is able to make the concepts light and relatable (an issue he’s struggle with on later projects) with hyperactive delivery and radio-friendly cuts. Where else could a song that seemingly celebrates drunkenness is actually a cautionary tale AGAINST alcoholism? Good Kid, M.a.a.d City is a coming of age tale that doesn’t just cement Kendrick as rap’s biggest thing, but it’s become a classic album in its own right.

Forgotten favorites: “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst,” “M.A.A.D. City,” “Real”

2. Kendrick Lamar, Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers

Soul in Stereo rating: 5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers is the most divisive album in Kendrick’s catalog but after a five-year hiatus, it’s arguably his most important LP to date. His relative absence during the social unrest of 2020 had even his most ardent fans and colleagues questioning his commitment to the cause. His response? “I am not your savior.” Playing out like an open therapy session, Kendrick bares his soul as only he can – blatantly admitting his faults and fears while empowering listeners to not look to celebrities for leadership, but to look within. Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers is a mature, thoughtful tome of an artist staring in the mirror, confronting his own demons. It’s by no means an easy listen, hence the mixed reaction during its release. His fans wanted a collection of hits, but he didn’t do this album for them. He did it for himself. What those fans received was somber introspection that doesn’t immediate resonate but, once you’ve lived a little bit more life, can be extremely impactful. It’s one of the most powerful albums I’ve heard since Soul In Stereo emerged more than a decade ago, and I expect its legacy to continue to rise.

Forgotten favorites: “Mother I Sober,” “Purple Hearts,” “We Cry Together”

1. Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)

Soul in Stereo rating: 5 stars out of 5

Edd said: When I Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers a 5-star review, a lot of y’all pushed back, with the prevailing criticism being that the album was too heavy, too depressing and too dense to give it top praise. Funny enough, that was my original criticism of To Pimp A Butterfly – an undoubtedly great album that gets a little lost in itself at times. But whether it’s the power of hindsight – or the fact that a lot of the album’s themes would become even clearer in the years that followed – my appreciation for this album has only grown. To Pimp a Butterfly is a dense, multi-layered opus that delved deep into the psyche of America’s forgotten youth. The album may have been short on radio singles but that didn’t prohibit many of the songs from penetrating our culture — “Alright” became the theme song of the Black Lives Matter movement. I hesitated to call it a classic at the time; that’s not a title you can bestow in the moment. But nearly a decade later, it’s unquestionable. Kendrick has a spectacular catalog but TPAB reigns above them all.  

Forgotten favorites: “Institutionalized,” “Hood Politics,” “Mortal Man” 

What’s your No. 1 Kendrick release? Mr. Morale haters and Drake fans can yell in the comments.