Kendrick Lamar this year

[dentalplan]

His albums go over really well with the critics and when Eminem's idle he's probably the biggest rapper in America. Perhaps the biggest with most black Americans, a market where Kanye and maybe even Kendrick seem to fall down. He's not tasted the same success over here but if you're looking at the American sites (I know you are, Matt, from the Taylor Swift enormity stuff) then yeah it's no surprise.

[EighteenSixty7]

I've never listened to a Drake album, I don't get him at all.

[Mouseboy11]

I've never listened to a Drake album, I don't get him at all.

Same here, tried to listen to 'Take Care' and found it way too boring.

[Matt42]

Drake's career is based on the hype around him, it's pretty clear

some of his songs are good - but they aren't great. He's marketed in a very clever way and it works

[Gucci Piggy]

Drake's career is based on the hype around him, it's pretty clear

some of his songs are good - but they aren't great. He's marketed in a very clever way and it works

I don't think that's true because, as dental says, his albums tend to be very popular with critics. Maybe you don't think they're great but plenty of people clearly do.

[Winslow Leach]

I like Drake, but he's never had a genuinely brilliant album. In fact I think If You're Reading This is his best one yet.

[dentalplan]

Drake's career is based on the hype around him, it's pretty clear

some of his songs are good - but they aren't great. He's marketed in a very clever way and it works

Do you fall over a lot?

[FloorFiller]

i love Drake. can totally see why people wouldn't, and he gets an awful lot of flack, but i think he';s brilliant

I like Drake, but he's never had a genuinely brilliant album. In fact I think If You're Reading This is his best one yet.

sort of agree with this though. although i love his music i often struggle to reach the end of one of his albums. when he's good though he's on fire

[AdamWillingham]

never really listened to Drake until his latest mixtape and I'm really enjoying it!

[kalifire]

when he's good though he's on fire

Agreed. That would be good.

[kalifire]

Holy Crap, the new album's dropped a week early!! Available now...

[Matt42]

Holy Crap, the new album's dropped a week early!! Available now...

Oh my god you're not joking!

Why the move? Was there a surprise release happening that week maybe?

[FloorFiller]

Oh my god you're not joking!

Why the move? Was there a surprise release happening that week maybe?

probably anticipated a leak (or maybe it did leak so he decided to combat it)

[Fivefingerjohn]

Initial listen, doesn't pack the punch I had hoped or expected, maybe a bit boring.

I have faith in Kendrick tho, sure it will be a grower

[FloorFiller]

i honestly didn't really think much of good kid when i first heard it and thought it was shite compared to Section 8.0 so i know to give his stuff time

[Matt42]

Didn't like i, blacker the berry or king kunta on first listen but now I think they are fantastic

I'd expect the album is the same

[Fivefingerjohn]

i honestly didn't really think much of good kid when i first heard it and thought it was shite compared to Section 8.0 so i know to give his stuff time

I agree

[klipper]

FUNK FUNKK, #WEWANTTHEFUNK

[kalifire]

Initial listen, doesn't pack the punch I had hoped or expected, maybe a bit boring.

I have faith in Kendrick tho, sure it will be a grower

That's exactly my reaction, and the theory has legs because I like all the stuff he's already released now even though a couple of them took their sweet time to grow on me. I actually think the opener is a bit poor and although I see what he's trying to do with the story expanded on throughout the album, I'm not convinced it doesn't sacrifice flow for the sake of concept. I'll keep listening.

Also a bit disappointed to find that killer track he performed on Colbert isn't included.

[rikkirascal]

I really like this new album, and that was on first listen.

[Winslow Leach]

Just woke up. This morning is a good morning.

[judaslad]

anyone got any info on when we can pick it up on vinyl?

[Rose-Colored Boy]

I love the reworked version of i. Sounds so...gospel.

[Alcatraz]

Dissapointed the tune from Colbert isn't on there. I hope that gets a release at some point

[Rose-Colored Boy]

Seriously how did Glasto not manage to book this guy this year. Tragic.