![kendrick lamar untitled unmastered 2 kendrick lamar untitled unmastered 2](https://static.hiphopdx.com/2016/03/kendrick-lamar-827x620.jpg)
,” which offers existential commentary on materialism afflicting hip-hop culture.ĭespite its title, “untitled unmastered.” is a bona fide masterpiece. ” contrasts the varying priorities within Asian, Indian and black communities, respectively, with that of the white man’s malevolence - a motif which is beautifully resounded on the closing track, “untitled 08 |. ” portrays a heartbroken man’s vices gone awry as a result of societal institutionalism and “untitled 03 |. Sonically, “untitled unmastered.” boasts the roots of the jazz, soul, funk and hip-hop Kendrick seemingly mastered on “TPAB.” Yet beyond that, and more importantly, “untitled unmastered.” finds Kendrick floating in the space of social and black consciousness where he so comfortably has been for the past half decade. ,” where the former offers eerie piano sounds and Terrace Martin’s fluttering sax to accompany a dusty trap cadence and the latter being a pure bossa nova track accented by Thundercat’s sultry bass grooves. This is particularly true on the records “untitled 02 |.
Kendrick lamar untitled unmastered 2 full#
This is on full display throughout “TPAB” and it is what makes “untitled unmastered.” appear as a 35-minute affirmation of Kendrick’s multilayered mastery of the hip-hop genre.
![kendrick lamar untitled unmastered 2 kendrick lamar untitled unmastered 2](https://s3.amazonaws.com/hiphopdx-production/2016/03/kendrick-lamar-untitled-unmastered-cover-art.jpg)
Perhaps the most fascinating element of Kendrick’s musical prowess comes in his ability to transform an already seemingly impermeable soundscape. I was reminded of this dynamic when listening to Kendrick Lamar’s new, impromptu release, “untitled unmastered.” The set is eight tracks of previously unreleased “To Pimp a Butterfly” (“TPAB”)-era studio sessions and altogether Kendrick’s “my throwaways are better than your entire album” statement to the rest of the genre. Currently, though, I feel I am doing quite well for myself so I decided to look him up on Facebook. I would do extra credit, he did extra, extra credit. I would raise my hand, he’d raise his higher. Everything I did, he tried and successfully did better. When I was in the 10th grade I had a classmate I had self-declared as my enemy.