Kendrick Lamar "DAMN." Reaction + Initial Review

[@JakDab14]

Just in case you didn’t know, this album won a Pulitzer Prize! Not only was it the first hip hop piece to win the prize, but it was the first non-classical work to win it as well, for all genres! He really is on another level!

[@pulengndlovu3103]

It also made him the first solo and hip hop artist to have all songs on one album gold or platinum.

[@BluEx22329]

To pimp a butterfly should have been the 1st one

[@pulengndlovu3103]

@@BluEx22329 I see where you coming from because sonically To Pimp A Butterfly is definitely better but the Pulitzer board had to pick a recent release.

[@Ab-cj6gl]

@@darrel7589 lyrics

[@juliandesire9433]

non-classical or jazz**

[@pimpstick9988]

This album won 15 awards he said he’s happy he didn’t get 16 because Michael Jackson is a goat

[@felixorozco4055]

That was TPAB.

[@killapollo4853]

Steve Lacey made the beat for Pride on the Garage Band on his iPhone 6. I'm no producer but I know that to have made something on a phone that helped a body of work win a Pulitzer Prize must be a crazy feeling.

[@amarrandev1210]

DAMN doesn't get enough respect. It's a masterpiece in its own right. Kendrick has set his own bar on a level that it's hard to surpass. But all of his discography is a work of art by a true master. 👍 King Kendrick

[@MichellBollinger]

personally prefer DAMN. to Good Kid Maad City ngl

[@travisscottburber5719]

@@MichellBollinger respectable👍

[@royfablooo2810]

I mean It's his Best Selling Album, so I don't think it's being Underatted.b

[@amarrandev1210]

@Roy Fablooo it's not underrated at all, but it's underappreciated compared to rest of his discography

[@vamoacalmarno3868]

@@royfablooo2810 I don't think sales mean anything. Shit albums can sell really good

[@ShelbyShuffleMode]

Like I said, nothing but respect for Kendrick Lamar. What are your thoughts on this album? Let me know! You can check the description for my other videos on Kendrick Lamar. Also, let’s ignore that random piece of hair caught on my earrings the entire video…ugh lol

[@syox3667]

Always dope seeing you listen to Kendrick! Love the way you analyse the music and give your thoughts :) Definetly check out Section.80, his first album. Also would be awesome to see you do 4 Your Eyez Only by J. Cole👌

[@kwanwallacephotography5145]

J.COLE BORN SINNER ALBUM

[@Andrew-md3lu]

Listen to “4 Your Eyez Only” by j cole please it’s in my opinion his best project and I believe you would love it

[@JumbleBeeRescue]

listen to 4 Your Eyez Only by J Cole

[@elistewart3170]

Can you please listen to The Sun's Tirade by Isaiah Rashad or Blkswn by Smino?

[@mainegameboy5670]

Rumor says the reason the new album has not dropped yet was Kendrick is still waiting for a new Fox News sample

[@thedon0516]

Bro are you serious?? Do you know which one??

[@JumbleBeeRescue]

it’s a joke dude lol

[@oddadults]

@@thedon0516 joking

[@victoriasantana8441]

OH GOD, I JUST SPILLED MY WATER LOL

[@דוראלון-ו4נ]

This album is a masterpiece in my eyes. Yes, it's not as good as GKMC and TPAB, but it's amazing. TPAB is in the high tier of 10 (A++) and GKMC is also a 10 (A+). DAMN is an A for me (9/10), which is amazing. There are some artists who doesn't get over a 6. Kendrick's worst song is better than some other rappers' best song. He's that good.

[@dez-m]

Fr! DAMN! was my second introduction to Kendrick (GKMC being the first) and I soon then fell in love with his entire discography! All beautiful albums!

[@Flamerunner451]

ehhh No Makeup is pretty rough lol but other than that yeah

[@yaboimatteo7706]

Bitch Im in the Cluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuub

[@myr5045]

Fully agree with me being objective, but my personal favorite of the 3 will always be DAMN

[@slopez6258]

@@Flamerunner451 that’s technically on a mixtape but I can see where you’re coming from

[@SweetDreamsTV1]

The first verse in GOD is Kendrick’s perspective on and of life and the second is Gods perspective of everything he’s capable of and how he handles things

[@jman090]

Its actually insane because this album can be played backwards and tell a completely different story. Hence the reverse at the "last" song (first song)

[@tegx5997]

i’ve never heard or read an explanation as to how or why it’s a different story

[@jman090]

@@tegx5997 I dont remember but I first heard about it on a post somewhere then again on a youtube. I tried looking up the video for you but I couldnt find it but basically when you listen to the album regularly, it tells a story of Kendrick still trying to find his place in the world but then eventually remembering everything that makes him who he is by the end. Then when you listen to the album in reverse, it tells a story of a young kendrick starting out and slowly realizing the world isnt as simple as he first thought it was. It's really cool when you put the pieces together. Even Kendrick i think comfirmed the theory, hence why the (Collectors Edition) was released in the Backwards order.

[@matt-de9ie]

@@jman090 as he says on blood "You decide, are we gonna live or die" if you play the album in reverse it ends with him getting shot in BLOOD

[@ElChoclok]

Yeah, the deluxe edition is the same album but in reverse hahahaha

[@postdboy]

@@tegx5997the song in the regular order is basically Kendrick’s journey to salvation, ending with duckworth as Kendrick’s dad is still alive and teaches him to be a good person when he’s young, in the reverse order it’s basically what would happen if Kendrick’s dad wasn’t alive, and is Kendrick’s path to damnation, by playing the album in reverse order it can completely change the meaning of certain lyrics, and instead of Kendrick achieving salvation like in the regular order ending with duckworth, he completes his journey to damnation in the reverse order and gets shot at the end of BLOOD.

[@youngescanor]

FEAR he said in a interview is probably the best and the realist song he's ever written.

[@LoftusBlake]

Sing about me says hi

[@sassytabasco]

He honestly right

[@sassytabasco]

@@LoftusBlake that one too

[@babypipess7227]

that’s one of my favorites, if not my favorite

[@boxingguru4750]

@@LoftusBlake Did you read, “he said”, goofy. Mother I sober says hi

[@saintseer9578]

Fun fact Mike-Will made the second half of the beat to DNA a cappella rapping. Mans just went in there and cheffed up around Kendrick spitting that vicious verse.

[@ron8162]

Pride is weird to me, it's such a different yet beautiful sound and might be my favorite on the album

[@jordankasana110]

Me too the vibes are immaculate.

[@Yungmaize]

Definitely my favorite . Gave me goosebumps.

[@travahnb.896]

To give some further context to this album, it sought to capsulate the mental state of America during the Trump era (counting the 2016 election since it was recorded mostly during that year). The cover, title etc. is how many people still felt in March-April 2017 (the albums rollout and release months"), even Kendrick felt lost and confused. Not too long prior He had songs like "Alright" and "I" that were made to uplift people in the wake of police brutality and government mishandlings towards the end of the Obama era. Theres still themes of pride and empowerment on this LP in tracks like "DNA" and "Yah" but also themes of "how did we get to this point, and where do we go from here?" I recall alot of both backlash and praise for his "Photoshop" line in "Humble". That whole track acts as a callout to people who are figuratively and literally "doing the most". Other tracks go this route too ("Lust" and the U2 section of "XXX"). All in all, this a 10/10 album for sure. It almost makes me proud to be an American in a weird, twisted sense, Hard to explain. He absolutely deserved the Pulitzer Prize he won for this record. Really enjoyed this reaction.

[@Vector-ok2hy]

The best thing about FEAR. And DUCKWORTH. Is that besides being very good songs each of them got a meaning and story to tell that you cant even see it just by reading the lyrics.

[@mekhihoskins2715]

I’m super thankful to find this channel, this channel has a person who takes all the music in without outside bias which makes it amazing to watch her reactions for the first time because it’s a real and non-outside opinionated thank you for doing what you’re doing Road to 100 K this year ♥️♥️♥️🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ShelbyShuffleMode]

Thank you so much for this comment. If I made 100K this year I’d freak out. 😂 seriously, thank you for the nice words!

[@kwanwallacephotography5145]

@@ShelbyShuffleMode J.COLE BORN SINNER ALBUM PLEASE

[@FABIOFANACCOUNT]

this came out my senior year of hs. everytime i listen to it it brings so many good memories. what a masterpiece

[@knowone819]

Even if people don’t like this as much as TPAB, I still think it’s amazing. Maybe slightly underrated among his fans.

[@rickykozak58]

My favourite song on this one is probably Pride. Any song of Kendrick’s with Anna Wise on it is a masterpiece. Or idk maybe it’s Fear. That song is also a masterpiece. Hard to choose.

[@HiddenKeyElement]

Whoever suggested TPAB to you that early on your reaction journey was cruel. Also this was the first non Jazz or Classical music album to win the Pulitzer prize.

[@ShelbyShuffleMode]

Hahaha “was cruel” 🤣

[@BluEx22329]

@@ShelbyShuffleMode you were fine lol

[@444bless]

@@ShelbyShuffleMode how is tpab cruel

[@gotnuts11]

@@444bless very complex to digest especially with no context of Kendrick And it’s just unfortunate to start with his best and most impactful album and then work backwards

[@nickelisblind]

Pride is my favorite out of all of em. I appreciate lyricism, especially nowdays, but if the vibe is just so good then I would appreciate it just for making me feel a way.

[@Michael.Sandoval33]

Yah will forever be my favorite song on this album. It is a whole vibe.

[@ashleyfernandez1971]

The gunshot made me flinch so hard on my first listen too 😭

[@summertime_magic]

Wish i could experience that for the first time 😢

[@pulengndlovu3103]

It also made him the first solo and hip hop artist to have all songs on one album gold or platinum.

[@joaovitorvieira1360]

The amazing part about this album is that you can listen to it backwards, the collectors edition has the ordem flipped and the story of the album is flipped, just brilliant

[@illestvillain1970]

its not that you can do it,the album concept is will you play the album from 1 to 14he will die from weakness at last (the weakness that he showed every 2 songs like feel pride lust yah fear)or play it from 14 to 1 so he dies from weakedness at first when he gets shot (he showed weakedness in songs like element dna loyalty)

[@Dyto69]

Yesss finally we get to see this, so awesome

[@jxxi]

I go on Kendrick album marathons every few weeks. They're all soo good. DAMN is probably my favorite one since it was the first kendrick album I listened to on release day

[@Youremyboyblue_]

This is art not just an album! We are so lucky to be able to experience Kendrick

[@pez_the_person]

God, to listen to this album for the first time again. Awesome video :)

[@gvge7341]

Kendrick and The Weeknd are up there with if not my favorite artists of this generation. Would LOVE if they made a joint album together!!

[@authenticguru3677]

Matter of fact The weeknd and kendrick are all I listen to this year

[@kvosoul]

you'll love sidewalks by the weeknd

[@iameer1728]

Kendrick is the artist that made me see rap game in different view of perspective that I haven't seen my entire life

[@MonSune9551]

SECTION 80! SECTION 80! SECTION 80!, glad you enjoyed it!

[@rqtigers92]

Love your reactions! It would be cool watching you react to 4:44 by Jay Z

[@royfablooo2810]

DAMN was truly a mixture of GKMC and TPAB with splice of Section 80(His First first Album) with also modern trap Hip Hop beat. And this is album is almost 5 Years old sheesh.

[@Hokagejayson]

There’s still Section 8.0 (his first) & Untitled Unmastered (loose end tracks from TPAB sessions that didn’t make the final track list). But for the most part you’ve heard Kendrick’s 3 essential albums. Which one is your favorite?

[@itzsobrrrgames2852]

DUCKWORTH was probably my best first listen to any song across any genre and to this day remains one of my all tim favorite songs.

[@rs-dq3li]

Fun fact: If you listen to the album in reverse, the album becomes a story about Kendrick had Anhony killed Ducky (his father). Every song takes on a new meaning. Truly Pullitzer award worthy!

[@carlosandrescastromedina3100]

I LOVED you reaction to the last seconds of the album haha, I was going crazy on my first listen too! Another great video Shelby 🙏🏼

[@kiddsparxxx1]

I got so hyped and I got chills I was like, PLEASE catch how crazy the last song is. I knew she was tho cuz she got really concentrated on the lyrics. Lol

[@AMH4brothers]

React to the Kendrick Lamar’s “Untitled Unmastered” album. Came after TPAB, contains a lot of jazz influences too

[@roms9553]

I second this... It's an incredible album as well

[@edxeljohnapongan5070]

Up this guys

[@Cardioligist]

Broooooo ive been waiting for this. My favorite album to this date

[@user-ic6nm4ol4r]

One of my favorite albums ever

[@thedon0516]

DAMN. a classic, an essential listen, I don't give a fuck what nobody says

[@edxeljohnapongan5070]

Yes.

[@edxeljohnapongan5070]

I give it a 9/10 because TPAB is 10/10++ and GKMC is 10/10+.

[@aze4964]

You have heavy cool English teacher vibes

[@robertoarsenal9044]

I saw Kendrick live in concert . Top 5 concert I’ve ever been to.

[@ginovious]

FEEL stays in rotation ☝🏾

[@christhebonnetmann6]

Me too every day

[@dilrajdhaliwal45]

Still listening

[@brianattyberry]

There's not a time I hear the beat switch/bass drop of DNA and I don't get chills.

[@justcallhimmax1262]

Seeing you react to these albums feels like listening to them for the first time again

[@emircimen9060]

one of the rarest youtubers that I just subscribed after 1 video.

[@big_bullets5798]

Funny thing is, I used Kendrick's to pimp a butterfly and good kid maad city to write a paper on current america my junior year.

[@sadiqhussain9202]

FEAR was produced by Alchemist one of my favourite producer and one of the best too.

[@beenwastinmytime3643]

u dropped this 👑 queen

[@TheNewThrone]

This is his best album easily imo. I got a lot of memories from this album

[@Ajcard07]

Agree to disagree

[@oddadults]

his musically best is tpab but damn is my personal favorite too

[@Saneliso-zj3ki]

No its not

[@mementomori8856]

PRIDE is definitely my no. 1 from this album...sooo good

[@emanuel_811]

I'm not sure if anyone has said this here or if you said it in the video and I just missed it, so forgive me if so, but this album can actually be played with the tracks backwards. What I mean is that you can start with the last track and go up. As a matter of fact, the collector's edition of this album does just that, and it changes the feel of the album. Just wanted to let you know in case you didn't. Anyways, Great Video and I subscribed and am looking forward to future videos!

[@srog3771]

DAMN is nothing short of top-tier hip-hop

[@detago7814]

shes slowly become one of my fav reactors

[@phaze3247]

Try Jay Z’s 4:44 album ! It came same year as this and it addresses r some of the the things beyonce said on lemonade which u listened so u will love it !

[@mouradsaleh2477]

Great suggestion not too many Jay z album reactions ou there for some reason

[@grady1370]

Even though it sounds dumb to say, I think in a way DAMN. is his most underrated album. I say that because a lot of Kendrick fans think that just because it’s his most mainstream album it makes it less meaningful and not as good as an album. But I know that the reason it’s the most commercially successful is because it’s his best album and every song is perfect

[@pervenchemusic]

to pimp a butterfly is better but damn is more listenable, it’s his most successful album cause production wise songs like element and humble are clearly more pop orientated

[@SmartDufus]

this is one of the albums that I've listened to say many times when one songs ends. im already singing the lyrics to the next song.. as soon as DNA. ends, im already singing "Ive got so many theories and suspicions.." I love this album

[@s.5234]

Finally, masterpiece

[@MrSaiyan1]

If you pay attention, the album’s telling a whole story

[@four4twenty]

thanks for going through this. i needed a reminder of how absolutely great this album is. need some new kenny asap

[@Clockles87]

DAMN was the first Hip Hop album that won a Pulitzer Prize (I believe)

[@carravaggiomikelson870]

YAH YAH YAH YAH YAH YAH YAH YAH

[@WadælTheDisciple]

Personally like TPAB, GKMC, then DAMN. n Untitled r even for me. Then there a couple songs i like from other stuff like ignorance Is Bliss. prob my fav song ngl

[@bigjohnboatright3811]

I remember the first time i heard DUCKWORTH i legitimately got goosebumps. 😲 🤯

[@Spence_II]

30:55 CHILLS EVERY TIME

[@merriammerkabah408]

Shelby ❤... I was just thinking about this album yesterday. PS: Obligatory Solange request🙏

[@HiddenKeyElement]

Yes! Solange A Seat At The Table please

[@beeasyian1950]

LOVED… your Duckworth reaction!!

[@carravaggiomikelson870]

TPAB. GKMC.DAMN.SECTION 80 .UNTITLED UNMASTERED. OVERLY DEDICATED. KENDRICK LP. BLACK PANTHER ALBUM. FEATURES. INTERVIEWS. CONCERTS. only thing left is buying merch yep im a true fan all right

[@BluEx22329]

Concerts?

[@paballomatlhabegoane3697]

@@BluEx22329 some of us are on the other side of the world sadly

[@Tomiqwi]

I think you should definitely check out his first album Section.80 because it's very overlooked

[@noahnelson8524]

If you haven't listened to Man On The Moon: The End Of Day you really should. It's one of the best albums of all time and Kid Cudi is so great at telling a story.

[@sahildorugade375]

legendary

[@marcobazan4187]

One of the best albums ever is a big stretch, wouldn’t even call it cudi’s best. Still a great album, hope she reacts one day

[@djprincegrandmasteryrjdalo2905]

@@marcobazan4187 Bro I was just about to say that I heard the whole album and look man I’m probably one of Kid Cudi‘s biggest fans, and if anything that album was my most anticipated album ever I’ve never anticipated an album as much as that one, and I’m going to be honest with you the album was good but it wasn’t the greatest, and I think my big reason for that is because I was hoping that it would be a continuation of the man on the moon series but in terms of its tone and the relationship he had with the other two albums come and I’m gonna be straight up honest with you while they were some fire songs with the exception of two of them this album felt for some reason to me like a kid cuddy ask Travis Scott album or a Kid Cudi with Travis Scott beats, that’s what this album felt like to me. And so because of it that’s the reason why I don’t think the album is the greatest, it’s good but it’s not great for Kid Cudi standards…

[@marcobazan4187]

@@djprincegrandmasteryrjdalo2905 we were talking about the 1st man on the moon. IMO the 2nd one is his best album

[@djprincegrandmasteryrjdalo2905]

@@marcobazan4187 What was so bad about the first album, I thought you were commenting on his man of the moon: end of the day album?

[@marcusjustsaid]

I love all of your Kendrick reactions and I'm looking forward to watching this one now! I'd like to also suggest that you do the Black Panther album. (Kendrick created the official soundtrack for Marvel's Black Panther film, in the form of an album. It is a collaborative project that features a variety of artists, but he appears throughout..and it is actually his last project since 2018 (DAMN. was released a year prior). The Black Panther Album/soundtrack might very well be my favorite Hip Hop soundtrack of all time. Also, Kendrick has two projects right before Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (mixtape, Overly Dedicated, and album, Section.80). You'd thoroughly enjoy them, I feel. Those projects made many of us fans before the first mainstream album dropped. All projects are now available on streaming services.

[@JoelEmbiid_]

Such an incredible album, your reaction was amazing. 😃

[@hollymolly7640]

Thank you for doing this album

[@jbtreee4047]

Subbed! I really mess with your good energy

[@supermex5097]

If you definitely want to check more Kendrick Lamar, listen to the black panther soundtrack

[@ant805]

Bro ur vids are actually so good u have the perfect like reacting its like im listening with u and not people pausing all the time and ruining the vibes

[@flpprestess]

React King Krule - The Ooz this album is a masterpiece, it's a mix of Jazz, Hip Hop and Indie… Frank Ocean and Drake are fans of this work

[@HiddenKeyElement]

Seconded

[@rickyrichreacts9667]

Well, DAMN.

[@Bee_Aves]

Love your reactions, really interesting perspective and makes me think of stuff I haven't before. I'd love for you to check out some Lil Wayne and more Mac Miller, as always keep up the good work!

[@MYNAMEISKLAY]

Listen to Common's Be when you get a chance. Maybe some Nas and Jay-Z's 4:44, as well.

[@nxmxn661]

this to me. has been the best album ever written

[@DannyFromYT]

Alwways LOVE your reactions

[@Dont-At-Me]

after the first listen of it all i could say was damn. genius album

[@alokorton5125]

Kendrick is goat

[@Obbss]

I pray he drops his album next month or June 😵‍💫

[@rhfrostyy1602]

may 13th🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@black.clackk]

Remember ​@@rhfrostyy1602

[@SweetDreamsTV1]

The song FEAR at the beginning it’s in reverse to show that he is speaking “back” to his mom a thing black children are raised to not do like all of the other things he says he’d get beat for. The “FEAR” a black mother instills in her children, to make them be better people than she was growing up. Also the “FEAR” black people go through in society

[@youngjedi8963]

Facts

[@brianattyberry]

What's dope about it is it opens up with words played in reverse, and the first line he says is "I'll beat yo ass, keep talking back." (Talking backwards)

[@SweetDreamsTV1]

@@brianattyberry can’t wait for his next album Kendrick is an artist like no other 🤌🏾

[@brianattyberry]

@@SweetDreamsTV1 one of the goats

[@thedon0516]

In FEAR. I remember Kendrick saying he has a fear of losing creativity. I often wonder if that played a part of him taking so long with this album. I feel like an rapper like Kendrick can suffer from writers block a lot

[@Andre-hm6qf]

You’re the only reviewer I’ve seen who caught the cryptic rhetoric and able to identify the artistic parts of this album that most people didn’t even realize

[@ddawgy]

this is peak of hip hop for me

[@the_proletariat]

Hey, great reaction! Btw, it wud be great to see you react to some Armand Hammer. Their last album 'HARAM: was 🔥🔥🔥

[@OracleEND]

You are the prettiest lady on YT and thank you for the dope reaction 🔥🔥🔥💙

[@friendlyboy880]

Amazing album. Kendrick is incredible, duckworth is the best song off of this.

[@bruh-nk6hi]

i think feel is better

[@brrtp]

@@bruh-nk6hi no

[@bruh-nk6hi]

@@brrtp nah its his best song on damn

[@peterpiperrrrrr]

@@bruh-nk6hi duckworth is better

[@bruh-nk6hi]

@@peterpiperrrrrr nah

[@csscott9803]

It should have won album of the year at the Grammy

[@LoftusBlake]

That award has been garbage. When Taylor won over TPAB and the weeknd album in 2015 it was clear

[@Abubakar-sd9ge]

@@LoftusBlakenigga didn’t even bring up invasion of provably and the heist 😅

[@dildeep96]

Another great reaction!

[@rickflose]

Feel 💚

[@slothman707-]

I love how speechless you are throughout the entire album

[@tre7080]

Hope we get a full album reaction of this on Patreon!!

[@ShelbyShuffleMode]

You will 😊

[@carson005]

I just realized how deep that duckworth song is

[@Brz3000]

I wish I could hear DNA for the first time again. I remember listening to it at midnight when it dropped and I went insane

[@Yungmaize]

Same for me and my brother! Haha

[@xtracurlyfries]

You should react to Isaiah Rashad's new album The House is Burning, it's really good especially with the more lowkey atmosphere. He's a very talented member of TDE!!!