They Not Like K-Dot: Kendrick Lamar Albums Ranked

Rapper Kendrick Lamar will headline the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday.

How can a person rank multiple flawless albums?

Impossible, right?

Although ranking rapper Kendrick Lamar’s studio albums is challenging, RegalMag.com will endeavor to do so in honor of the Compton, Calif. emcee’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance.

Following his battle with Drake last summer, K-Dot has become the undisputed champion of hip-hop music.

What is his most impressive championship album from his long dynasty?

After all, the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper has earned five consecutive chart-topping albums on the pop chart.

But even the Chicago Bulls have a historic season from their dynasty of six NBA championships in six years.

NBA fans will look at the 72-10 season from 1995-96 as the best season in league history by any team.

So, what is Kendrick’s “72-10” album?

Some hip-hop heads might disagree with RegalMag.com’s selection.

However, without further ado, take a brief trip down memory lane and celebrate one of the most successful album runs in music history.

6. “Section.80”—After years of bubbling in the underground rap scene with mixtapes and EPs, Kendrick began getting nationwide attention and admiration thanks to his studio album debut in 2011. Released independently via Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), “Section.80” gave a glimpse of the depth and greatness of a true hip-hop artist. After one week, the album had only sold 5,000 copies. But as Lamar’s buzz grew over the years, “Section.80” eventually reached Gold status, signifying 500,000 in album sales. With features from artists like BJ The Chicago Kid, Ab-Soul, GLC and Schoolboy Q, critics praised the album for Lamar’s originality. Standout tracks included “A.D.H.D” and “HiiiPoWeR.”

5. “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City”—The album that made Lamar a household name is his sophomore joint, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.” Many artists suffer a sophomore jinx. But Kendrick experienced a sophomore emergence instead. Now backed by Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records, Lamar’s second “jawn, like the brothers in Philadelphia (Go Birds!) would say, created some radio hits with “Poetic Justice” with future nemesis Drake, “B****, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and the iconic “Backseat Freestyle.” Despite the success, the album produced another turning point for Kendrick’s career. After his second album, his music became totally unique and authentic because he stopped looking for mainstream/radio-friendly records. As a result, Kendrick would soon reach the zenith of his career.

4. “To Pimp a Butterfly”—K-Dot’s third studio album became monumental before anyone heard a track because of its iconic title. While some critics did not like that he placed a live version “I” on this album, very few could criticize the rest of the track list. “To Pimp a Butterfly” could not miss with hits like “King Kunta,” “The Blacker the Berry,” “These Walls” and the ultimate classic, “Alright.” After this album dropped, Kendrick’s career was guaranteed to be alright in perpetuity because even the biggest hater had to give him props for his brilliant artistry and commentary.

3. “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers”—Revelation best describes the album “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Kendrick touched everyone emotionally with this album, from hardcore fans to fellow celebrities like Tyler Perry, who could relate to Kendrick’s tales of abuse and the acceptance of others. Once upon a time, people would rely on diary and journal entries to express their darkest stories as a means of coping. Well, K-Dot used a double album to reveal all the stresses of life that ultimately became his fuel for success. Standout tracks included “N95,” “Die Hard,” “Rich Spirit” and “The Heart Part 5.”

2. “GNX”—An artist has truly reached legendary status when they drop a new album with no promotion and no heads up. Superstars like Beyoncé and Drake have pulled off successful surprise albums. But no artist has had the industry in a chokehold like K-Dot in 2024. Following the hype of his iconic battle with Drake and the megahit “Not Like Us,” he shocked fans with the “GNX” album and the fact that “Not Like Us” did not make the cut. The Compton, Calif. rapper said he left “Not Like Us” off the album to protect the album’s integrity. A major hit like “Not Like Us” would have added tremendously to record sales. But Kendrick is dope enough to have an album sell without any gimmicks or tricks. The album has enough instant classics with songs like “squabble up,” “tv off” and “luther” to rank as one of his best albums of all time. Rumor has it that Kendrick will soon release a deluxe version of “GNX.”

1. “Damn”—Choosing Kendrick’s best album is like choosing Prince’s best album. Some will say Prince’s best album was “Purple Rain,” while others might say “Sign ‘O The Times” or “1999.” Honestly, none of those people would be incorrect. Like other geniuses, Kendrick has enjoyed a classic period like Stevie Wonder’s in the early to mid 1970s and Marvin Gaye’s around the same period. But what separates Kendrick from other geniuses is that his classic run seems infinite because the classic albums have not ceased. By the time “Damn” dropped in 2017, Kendrick had gotten so damn good that icons like Rihanna and U2 had no problems collaborating with the good brother. Each single became an anthem. Unsurprisingly, Kendrick did not hesitate to tackle the polarizing issues of the day, like police brutality. Fearlessness is definitely in his “DNA” and his fans “LOVE” him for his “LOYALTY” to the culture and the community. Despite his meteoric success, the brother remains “HUMBLE.”