In this world we strive for happiness, despite knowing the futility of it. A range of emotions can overcome us at any time. Humans are not one-dimensional. Humans aren’t just happy and sad. There is a mysterious beauty to the human condition. There is always unspoken detail to emotion and opinion. The way we carry our thoughts throughout life is tainted with a mix of memory and melancholy. There is never one answer. There isn’t always right and wrong, and the way in which humans continue to make the same mistakes throughout history and up to the present is an incredibly consistent theme in the narrative that WE are living through. The Narrative of human existence. The narrative of creation. The narrative of Salvation. What is it in humans that cause this? Is it wickedness? Is it weakness? You Decide. Are We gonna live or die?

Kendrick lamar brings his 4th Canonical Project to us in a time of national unrest. In a time of confusion. In a time where our nation is divided. Kendrick struggles with his image. Kendrick wants to be a role model; Kendrick wants to be a profit; but the weight of responsibility on his shoulders can seem unbearable. He’s imperfect. He’s human. He knows that. He has his thoughts and dreams, but finds conflict at every turn. 14 tracks give us glimpses into that mind. That Psyche. We find a man with incredible gifts, bringing all he has to offer to us. Kendrick lays it all on the table.

From a production standpoint, this album refines, perfect, and ENDS the era of trap-rap. This feels like end of an era. It truly feels like the natural end to the current trends of rap. It feels as if this album brought everything that could have been said in this format to us in the perfect little 14 track format.

This album finds kendrick introspective, mad, sad, unsure, and at his all time lyrical best. There has never been an album that communicates the modern human condition as well as this album does. Through 14 tracks, we get a truly broken and human Kendrick Lamar, and it feels like the sun is setting. It feels like a challenge and a conclusion all at once. DAMN does what many albums wish they could. This album provides depth that will continue to be unearthed for decades. It seems like nobody who’s being honest could deny it at this point. This album can be summed up in five points. Kendrick is a prophet. Kendrick is a Sinner. Kendrick is a Saint. Kendrick is Kendrick is a human, and yes…

Kendrick is the greatest rapper alive.

-Travis Paul