In a recent episode of the Club Ambition podcast, SOUND, Noel, and Marloon tackled the challenge of ranking Kendrick Lamar’s discography. The discussion ignited a spirited debate, revealing contrasting opinions on the rapper’s most acclaimed—and least impressive—albums. The conversation dissected Kendrick’s six studio projects, exploring personal preferences, critiques on sequencing, and each album’s cultural impact.
A key point of contention was the classification of “Section.80”. SOUND argued that it originally launched as a mixtape on platforms like DatPiff, while Noel and Marloon countered that its production quality and conceptual depth solidify it as an album. Ultimately, the group agreed to include Section.80 in their rankings.
“Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” emerged as a dominant favorite, with SOUND calling it “one of the best albums of all time.” However, Noel championed “To Pimp a Butterfly”, describing it as “the greatest introspective album” they’ve heard. Meanwhile, “DAMN.” frequently ranked second or third, earning praise for its mainstream appeal and storytelling, though opinions were mixed on whether it fully earned classic status.
Despite its mixtape origins, Section.80 received high praise for tracks like “Ronald Reagan Era” and “Blow My High,” earning respect for its influential role in Kendrick’s evolution. However, Kendrick’s latest album, “Mr. Morale” & “the Big Steppers”, proved controversial. SOUND criticized its structure, stating, “It jumps from sound to sound… I like albums to have a plot.” Conversely, Noel highlighted its raw vulnerability, particularly appreciating tracks like “Mother I Sober” and “Father Time.”
Despite differing rankings, the consensus was clear: “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” and To “Pimp a Butterfly” are undisputed classics, with Section.80 also earning its place among Kendrick’s best works. Expectations appeared to heavily influence perceptions of “Mr. Morale”, as SOUND noted, “We thought he’d just go off on pure rap.”
In the end, the debate underscored Kendrick Lamar’s lasting impact on hip-hop. His discography remains a powerful, diverse body of work that continues to provoke thought and stir emotions, reflecting the complex realities of modern life.
