To Pimp a Butterfly

~ Release by Kendrick Lamar (see all versions of this release, 13 available)

Tracklist

▼ Digital Media 1
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Wesley’s Theory
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli) and James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer)
additional producer:
Sounwave and Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner (American musician)
producer:
Flying Lotus and Ronald “Flippa” Colson
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
alto saxophone and horn [horns]:
Terrace Martin
trumpet:
Josef Leimberg
background vocals:
Whitney Alford, Ash Riser, Dr. Dre (Andre Young, rap producer), Josef Leimberg and Anna Wise (member of Sonnymoon)
samples:
Every Nigger Is a Star by Boris Gardiner
recording of:
Wesley’s Theory
writer:
Stephen Bruner (Thundercat), George Clinton (US funk musician), Steven Ellison (Flying Lotus), Boris Gardiner, Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper) and Ronald Colson
Kendrick Lamar feat. George Clinton & Thundercat3.854:47
2For Free? (interlude)
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli) and James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer)
producer:
Terrace Martin
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
alto saxophone:
Terrace Martin
bass:
Brandon Owens
drums (drum set):
Robert Sput Searight (drummer)
guitar:
Marlon Williams (LA-based US songwriter & session guitarist, aka Mar Dawg)
organ:
Craig Brockman
piano:
Robert Glasper (piano)
background vocals:
Darlene Tibbs and Anna Wise (member of Sonnymoon)
recording of:
For Free? (interlude)
writer:
Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper), Terrace Martin and Rose McKinney
Kendrick Lamar2.92:11
3King Kunta
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli), James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer) and Matt Schaeffer
additional producer:
Terrace Martin
producer:
Sounwave
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
additional guitar:
Matt Schaeffer and Marlon Williams (LA-based US songwriter & session guitarist, aka Mar Dawg)
bass:
Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner (American musician)
background vocals:
Whitney Alford
samples:
Get Nekkid by Mausberg featuring DJ Quik (West Coast US rapper & producer), Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) (lead vocals [lyrics]) and The Payback by James Brown (The Godfather of Soul) (lead vocals [lyrics])
part of:
Stereogum: The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s (number: 55)
recording of:
King Kunta
writer:
Ahmad Lewis (US rapper Ahmad Ali Lewis), Stephen Bruner (Thundercat), Johnny Burns (rapper Mausberg), Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”), Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper) and Stefan Gordy
Kendrick Lamar3.83:55
4Institutionalized
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli) and James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer)
producer:
Tommy Black (Swedish music producer) and Rahki
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
cello:
Gabriel Noel (strings)
clarinet:
Pedro Castro
keyboard [keyboards]:
Sam Barsh
violin:
Paul Cartwright
background vocals:
Taz Arnold
samples:
Homeboyz by The Comrads (lead vocals [lyrics]) and Planet Rock (12” vocal version) by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force (lead vocals [lyrics])
recording of:
Institutionalized
writer:
Sam Barsh, Columbus Smith, Fredrik Halldin (Swedish music producer) and Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper)
Kendrick Lamar feat. Bilal, Anna Wise & Snoop Dogg44:32
5These Walls
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli) and James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer)
additional producer:
Sounwave
producer:
Larrance Dopson (producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist) and Fredrik “Tommy Black” Halldin
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
additional bass:
Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner (American musician)
alto saxophone:
Terrace Martin
guitar:
Gregory Moore (US guitarist & songwriter) and Marlon Williams (LA-based US songwriter & session guitarist, aka Mar Dawg)
keyboard [keyboards]:
Larrance Dopson (producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist), Robert Glasper (piano) and Terrace Martin
percussion:
Larrance Dopson (producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist)
trumpet:
Josef Leimberg
recording of:
These Walls
writer:
Larrance Dopson (producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist), James Fauntleroy, Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper), Terrace Martin and Rose McKinney
Kendrick Lamar feat. Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat3.85:01
6u
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli) and Matt Schaeffer
additional producer:
Sounwave
producer:
Taz Arnold and Whoarei
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
alto saxophone and keyboard [keyboards]:
Terrace Martin
baritone saxophone:
Adam Turchan
guitar:
Marlon Williams (LA-based US songwriter & session guitarist, aka Mar Dawg)
tenor saxophone:
Kamasi Washington (US jazz saxophonist)
background vocals:
Bilal (US jazz/neo-soul vocalist Bilal Oliver), SZA and Jessica Vielmas
samples:
Loving You Aint Complicated by Whoarei
recording of:
u
writer:
Taz Arnold, Michael Brown (American singer-songwriter) and Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper)
Kendrick Lamar3.14:28
7Alright
recording engineer:
James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer)
producer:
Sounwave and Pharrell Williams
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
alto saxophone:
Terrace Martin
background vocals:
Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner (American musician), Candace Wakefield and Pharrell Williams
edit of:
Alright by Kendrick Lamar (US rapper)
part of:
CBC Music: 10 Songs That Have Changed the World, Pitchfork: The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s (number: 1), Rolling Stone: The 100 Best Songs of the 2010s (number: 2), Stereogum: The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s (number: 3), Grammy Award: Best Rap Performance nominees (number: 2016 winner) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 45)
recording of:
Alright
writer:
Kawan Prather, Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper), Mark Spears and Pharrell Williams
publisher:
Beat Bully Productions, BMG Gold Songs, Hard Working Black Folks Inc., In Thee Face Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Allegro, Top Dawg Music and WC Music Corp.
Kendrick Lamar3.953:39
8For Sale? (interlude)
recording engineer and mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
additional producer:
Terrace Martin and Sounwave
producer:
Taz Arnold
alto saxophone and keyboard [keyboards]:
Terrace Martin
trumpet:
Josef Leimberg
background vocals:
Taz Arnold, Bilal (US jazz/neo-soul vocalist Bilal Oliver), Preston Harris and SZA
recording of:
For Sale? (interlude)
writer:
Taz Arnold and Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper)
Kendrick Lamar3.74:52
9Momma
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli) and James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer)
producer:
Taz Arnold and Knxwledge (US hip-hop producer from Philadelphia)
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
alto saxophone, keyboard [keyboards] and vocoder:
Terrace Martin
background vocals:
Bilal (US jazz/neo-soul vocalist Bilal Oliver) and Lalah Hathaway
samples:
Control by Big Sean feat. Kendrick Lamar (US rapper) & Jay Electronica, so[rt] by Knxwledge (US hip-hop producer from Philadelphia) and Wishful Thinkin’ by Sly & the Family Stone
recording of:
Momma
writer:
Taz Arnold, Glen Boothe (US hip-hop producer from Philadelphia), Lalah Hathaway, Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper), Rahsaan Patterson, Rex Rideout and Sylvester Stewart
Kendrick Lamar34:43
10Hood Politics
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli) and James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer)
producer:
Sounwave, Tae Beast and Thundercat (American musician)
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
keyboard [keyboards]:
Terrace Martin and Robert Sput Searight (drummer)
background vocals:
Bilal (US jazz/neo-soul vocalist Bilal Oliver), Dion Friley, Preston Harris and Anna Wise (member of Sonnymoon)
samples:
All for Myself by Sufjan Stevens, Imaginary Player by Jay‐Z (US rapper) (lead vocals [lyrics]) and Notorious Thugs by The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Bone Thugs‐n‐Harmony (lead vocals [lyrics])
recording of:
Hood Politics
writer:
Stephen Bruner (Thundercat), Donte Perkins, David Friley, Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper), Mark Spears and Sufjan Stevens
Kendrick Lamar3.34:53
11How Much a Dollar Cost
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli), James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer) and Matt Schaeffer
producer:
LoveDragon
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
alto saxophone and keyboard [keyboards]:
Terrace Martin
guitar:
Marlon Williams (LA-based US songwriter & session guitarist, aka Mar Dawg)
percussion:
Larrance Dopson (producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist)
trumpet:
Josef Leimberg
recording of:
How Much a Dollar Cost
writer:
James Fauntleroy, Ronald Isley (a.k.a. Mr. Biggs), Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper), Josef Leimberg, Terrace Martin and Rose McKinney
Kendrick Lamar feat. James Fauntleroy & Ronald Isley3.854:22
12Complexion (A Zulu Love)
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli) and Matt Schaeffer
additional producer:
The Antydote and Terrace Martin
producer:
Sounwave and Thundercat (American musician)
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
alto saxophone:
Terrace Martin
keyboard [keyboards]:
Robert Glasper (piano) and Terrace Martin
percussion:
Larrance Dopson (producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist)
trumpet:
Josef Leimberg
background vocals:
Lalah Hathaway, JaVonté, Pete Rock (US hip hop producer), Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner (American musician) and Talkbox Monte
other vocals [scratches]:
Pete Rock (US hip hop producer)
recording of:
Complexion (A Zulu Love)
writer:
Stephen Bruner (Thundercat), Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper), Mark Spears and Marlanna Evans (US rapper)
Kendrick Lamar feat. Rapsody3.34:23
13The Blacker the Berry
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli), James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer) and Matt Schaeffer
additional drums (drum set) programming and additional engineer:
Katalyst (Australian DJ)
additional producer:
Terrace Martin
producer:
Boi‐1da (producer) and Koz (a/k/a Koz)
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
alto saxophone:
Terrace Martin
bass:
Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner (American musician)
drums (drum set):
Ronald Bruner, Jr.
keyboard [keyboards]:
Robert Glasper (piano)
percussion:
Larrance Dopson (producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist)
background vocals:
Lalah Hathaway
samples:
Curly Martin by Terrace Martin feat. Robert Glasper (piano), Thundercat (American musician) & Ronald Bruner, Jr. and It's Your Thing by Cold Grits
part of:
TheNeedleDrop: Top 100 Songs of the 2010s (number: 3)
recording of:
The Blacker the Berry
writer:
Alexander Izquierdo, Jefferey Campbell (Jeffrey Campbell , dancehall reggae deejay), Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper), Brent Kolatalo, Stephen Kozmeniuk (a/k/a Koz), Ken Lewis (recording engineer and mixer), Matthew Samuels (producer) and Zale Epstein (hip‐hop producer)
Kendrick Lamar4.55:29
14You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said)
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli), James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer) and Matt Schaeffer
producer:
LoveDragon
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
alto saxophone and vocoder:
Terrace Martin
guitar:
Marlon Williams (LA-based US songwriter & session guitarist, aka Mar Dawg)
keyboard [keyboards]:
Terrace Martin and Sounwave
percussion:
Larrance Dopson (producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist)
trumpet:
Josef Leimberg
background vocals:
JaVonté, Preston Harris, Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner (American musician) and Wyann Vaugn
samples:
You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Ta Kick It) by Ice Cube feat. Chris Rock (actor / comedian) (lead vocals [lyrics]) and You're Getting a Little Too Smart by Detroit Emeralds
recording of:
You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said)
writer:
Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper), Josef Leimberg, Mark Spears, Terrace Martin and Rose McKinney
Kendrick Lamar3.154:02
15i
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli), James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer) and Matt Schaeffer
producer:
Rahki
assistant mixer:
James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer) and Matt Schaeffer
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
bass:
Chris Smith (guitarist) and Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner (American musician)
drums (drum set):
Kendall Lewis
guitar:
Keith Askey
keyboard [keyboards]:
Sam Barsh
percussion:
Rahki
additional vocals:
Ronald Isley (a.k.a. Mr. Biggs)
background vocals:
Taz Arnold, Devon Downing, Dave Free, Dion Friley, Edwin Orellana, William Sweat and Candace Wakefield
part of:
Grammy Award: Best Rap Performance nominees (number: 2015 winner)
recording of:
i
writer:
Christopher Jasper, Columbus Smith, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, O’Kelly Isley, Ronald Isley (a.k.a. Mr. Biggs), Rudolph Isley and Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper)
Kendrick Lamar4.25:36
16Mortal Man
recording engineer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli), James “The White Black Man” Hunt (engineer) and Matt Schaeffer
producer:
Sounwave
mixer:
Derek “MixedByAli” Ali (MixedByAli, MixedByAli)
alto saxophone:
Terrace Martin
bass:
Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner (American musician)
guitar:
Marlon Williams (LA-based US songwriter & session guitarist, aka Mar Dawg)
keyboard [keyboards]:
Junius Bervine and Robert Glasper (piano)
trumpet:
Ambrose Akinmusire (US post bop trumpeter) and Josef Leimberg
violin:
Paul Cartwright
background vocals:
James Fauntleroy and JaVonté
samples:
I No Get Eye for Back by Houston Person and Mommy, What’s a Gravedigga? by Gravediggaz
recording of:
Mortal Man
writer:
Stephen Bruner (Thundercat), Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Kendrick Duckworth (US rapper) and Tupac Shakur (2Pac, US rapper)
Kendrick Lamar3.912:07

Credits

Release group

associated singles/EPs:Alright
i
The Blacker the Berry
These Walls by Kendrick Lamar (US rapper) feat. Bilal (US jazz/neo-soul vocalist Bilal Oliver), Anna Wise (member of Sonnymoon) & Thundercat (American musician)
part of:Stereogum: The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s (number: 1) (order: 1)
TheNeedleDrop: Top 50 Albums of 2015 (number: 1) (order: 1)
TheNeedleDrop: Top 200 Albums of the 2010s (number: 1) (order: 1)
Consequence of Sound: Top 100 Albums of the 2010s (number: 2) (order: 2)
Rolling Stone: The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s (number: 3) (order: 3)
The A.V. Club: The 50 best albums of the 2010s (number: 3) (order: 3)
Pitchfork: The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s (number: 4) (order: 4)
Billboard: The 100 Greatest Albums of the 2010s (number: 5) (order: 5)
Vice: The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s (number: 8) (order: 8)
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Albums of All Time: 2020 edition (number: 19) (order: 19)
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Albums of All Time: 2023 edition (number: 19) (order: 19)
NME’s Greatest Albums of The Decade: The 2010s (number: 21) (order: 21)
Rolling Stone: The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far (January 10, 2025) (number: 33) (order: 22)
Grammy Award: Best Rap Album nominees (number: 2016 winner) (order: 107)
33⅓ (number: 166) (order: 115)
Discothèque Idéale Qobuz / Qobuz Ideal Discography (order: 195)
Grammy Award: Album of the Year nominees (number: 2016) (order: 265)
Discogs:https://www.discogs.com/master/810214 [info]
lyrics page:https://genius.com/albums/Kendrick-lamar/To-pimp-a-butterfly [info]
other databases:https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/kendrick_lamar/to_pimp_a_butterfly_f1/ [info]
Allmusic:https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0002835159 [info]
Wikidata:Q19602856 [info]