This release just proves that he’s a true artist and I’m glad he released them. I don’t know if I’m ranting here, but man, I just love what Kendrick has been doing this past years after GKMC. Yet, at the same, it’s the least preachy that it could ever be. There’s a mantra that is included throughout various tracks on this album that isn’t included in the final cut of To Pimp a Butterfly that I just love: “PIMP PIMP! HOORAY!” It establishes a bliss and camaraderie that he’s bringing with his message: the unity of an entire community to be happy while fighting for liberty and liberation as well. I think it really finishes the picture for us that Kendrick merely compromised and made a conventionally great album with Good Kid, and with his notoriety from that album he had room to experiment and made sure that his experimentation was heard and better respected. City, and they show just how experimental with lyrical content, style sound Kendrick was. The songs were written between To Pimp A Butterfly and Good Kid, M.A.A.D.
All of the songs and the album are untitled, and in the context of Kendrick’s career, this is a significant release for him because it establishes a sort of behind-the-scenes of To Pimp A Butterfly, and it does so very uniquely. Here we have a collection of what looks like outtakes and song ideas as well as complete songs from the To Pimp A Butterfly sessions. Review Summary: Just proof that To Pimp A Butterfly was a masterpiece.