kendricks albums tell a story, so its best to listen to the whole album, it’s not needed, but it makes it better

The beef bringing new fans to Kendricks discography is amazing to watch

I love watching people that love music but haven’t listened to much rap react to Kendrick Lamar. It reminds me so much of my experience and I get to relive listening to him for the first time

I don't usually watch reactions that are just someone experiencing a song/album (usually just watch for breakdowns/funny moments) but your appreciation for the art, open mindedness, and friendly demeanor makes for a very enjoyable watch. It's cool to see someone outside of the space/culture have a genuine take on the art as well. Earned a sub, can't wait for the next one!

You need to check out most of Kendrick's discography at this point now. From Section.80 to Mr. Morale, each record are masterpieces in their own right.

Something I don't see talked about enough regarding DNA.: The first half of the song is written almost entirely in Pentameter. That is, it's built of pairs of alternating stressed and unstressed syllables, and the lines themselves are composed mostly of 14-15 syllables eg: | I got | LOyal | TY got | ROyal | TY in | SIDE my | D n | A 1 2 | 3 4 | 5 6 | 7 8 | 9 10 | 11 12 | 13 14 | 15 | COca*ne | QUARter | PIECE, got | WAR and | PEACE in | SIDE my | D n | A 1 2 | 3 4 | 5 6 | 7 8 | 9 10 | 11 12 | 13 14 | 15 There are short snippets where he deviates from this. The second half isn't written this way, but it's so good it doesn't need to be.

So I think the blind lady in Blood is supposed to be lady justice, you can read into it further from there but yea. She’s supposed to be blind and she’s lost “something” when Kendrick tries to help she shoots him. I think this is an interesting way to think about it.

I'd recommend doing the 2 songs per video thing and finishing out Damn. Afterward, I'd jump back to "Good Kid, Maad City", then "To Pimp A Butterfly", then his most recent album "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers". Many will probably say to do "Section.80" also (which came before Good Kid, but is kind of considered a mixtape according to Kendrick. Still worth a listen).

I think that this album is the best to start off with since the sound is more mainstream in my opinion. I definitely recommend Good kid maad city next

I am excited to see your journey into experiencing KDot, really fun you started with Damn. I'd recommend to not worry about being wrong about what you think the song is talking about, if you feel confused you can always read the about of the song after. Kendrick is not trying to trick you, he wants you to get his message or vibe. Very excited brother, you have earned a new subscriber 😁

From a white hip-hop fan, you can say homie or neighbor instead of the n-word if you want an easy substitute 🙂

reading the about first is a good idea for Kendrick's songs. Many of them take a few listens or an understanding of the entire album in order to make sense. Reading what the song is about can help with that

Kendrick fans remind me a lot of Tool fans. We can be annoying but we're right! Lol

i just figured out he says "prophet say" in a way that sounds like prophecy, because that's what the prophet says is

Excited to see you delve into his work. If you enjoy story telling, introspective and personal songs, you'll love his albums.

Doing two songs per video sounds like a good idea!

two full song reaction. massive W. liked and subbed

I love that youre doing the whole album in chronological order! I do however think that you should read the "about" section after listening to the song itself cause it may sometimes spoil the experience of hearing something for the first time. As long as you're paying attention to the songs you should get the general idea of a song, the about section is helpful for clearing up some confusion tho for sure, especially when it comes to Kendrick lmao

Youre missing out on one of the best features of genius, which is that if you click a line, it explains it to you! So you can go line by line and get an explanation which is great for artists like Kendrick whose lyrics can have multiple meanings

Hihop was the first genre of music i fell in love with. I toured in desth metal bands since I i was 16.

Really been enjoying these Kendrick reactions. It’s so clear that, while rap isn’t what you’re used to/familiar with, you’re approaching this with a genuine interest, open mindedness, and appreciation for quality of any genre. I may be in the minority here but I’ve always felt that To Pimp a Butterfly (TPAB) is Kendrick’s best album. He won the Pulitzer for DAMN but i personally think TPAB is even more well-written. But you really can’t go wrong with Kendrick’s music. Keep up the great work and looking forward to more!

He's talking about DNA beyond blackness and race. This topic becomes a bit more pronounced after his clash with Drake. Sorry bout to yap a little bit: I think Kendrick believes that art should express and deliver subjectivity, beyond just a commodity for entertainment. Kendrick is extremely political and "conscious", he speaks about structural injustice, racism, etc a lot. But even when he's preaching he does that by reflecting his personal experiences. This song is directed towards people like Drake, who cosplays the "black plight experience" to profit from it without even relating to it. Drake is black, but he grew up Jewish and affluent, he was even a child star. But he presents himself as the new Godfather of hip hop. He's telling them that they don't have the "DNA", the real experience to speak about these topics, so they should stop turning black culture into an empty commodity. J Cole is mixed. Hell, even Eminem is white. But they don't pretend to be something they're not. And they did not commodify the "black plight" to sell their albums, so Kendrick respect them. So this is beyond raciality. It's about artistic sincerety vs greed.

Yes! Love the artist and your vibe. It's wonderful you're stepping out of your comfort zone, you get so many amazing experiences that way. Keep it up! 💜💜💜

Dot is the truth. Makes me proud to be from California.

Loved the reaction. Can't wait for more.

When you listen to the album in order it’s about Kendrick accepting god and weakness and breaking a cycle of hatred if you listen to it backwards he goes from a good man to one lost in the cycle

We love our Kung Fu Kenny! Glad you’re digging in. It’s deep! I’m sure everyone’s throwing a zillion requests 😂

If you do plan on reacting to TPAB I’m begging you PLEASE set aside maybe two hours and just do a full no interruption album reaction with lyrics the context in this album and how it flows from song to song it is key to experiencing it in the best way possible

fear and xxx are some of his best as well as duckworth

What’s so good about Kendrick is all of his studio albums are concept so they all tell a story. I think you’ll like the album Good Kid, m.A.A.d city, the concept is a movie. To pimp a butterfly is really good as well i love them all. But I love watching your reaction to Kendrick. I definitely subscribed.

I love your reactions! Kendrick has been my fave since early 2000s so i appreciate what your doing. You've definitely earned a sub! If you want another song Cartoons and Cereal is another good listen. Thats more early Kendrick and of course sing about me is another great one

If you’re a new Kendrick fan you go into the about first. You really should start with his albums. His true fans already knows how deep Kendrick is and everything is done with purpose. ❤️❤️❤️. He’s definitely one of the greatest lyrics ever. 💯

If you listen to Damn (deluxe version) beginning to end it’s one type of story and if you listen to it from end to beginning it turns into a different story. In reverse is essentially a narrative describing what happens to Kendrick had Top Dog shot down Ducky (his dad) at the end of Duckworth. Duckworth sets the stage and tells the story of Anthony (Top Dawg) and Ducky and you get a tease forshadowing what happens to Kendrick because of it with the gunshot sound and the teaser for BLOOD. Also Good Kid M.a.a.d City is one of his best albums

I’m really loving watching these videos man, they’re really good stuff. Watching someone with an honest perspective going through Kendrick Lamar’s art is really something special. I really want this all to succeed for you, brother, have you considered titling these as something like “Country Fan reacts to Kendrick Lamar’s Damn”? Or “Metalhead reacts to Kendrick Lamar’s Damn”? Like in your breakout video? It may help these videos reach more people, again I love it bro I’m really not trying to be a butthead here. ❤️

I just stumbled upon your channel because of the euphoria reaction. And I’m so happy to see you start your hip hop journey Bit of advice from seeing a lot of other channels. Is it’s fine to look at what genius has to say about the song for now, once it becomes easier for you to understand the lyrics and pick up on the play on words I suggest you stop as to not let your thought be clouded by any preconceived notions. I’m so excited for this journey definitely subscribed I can’t wait for more. It’s an amazing journey, I can’t wait till you react to the rest of the beef, anything from GKMC and especially anything from TPAB. I’m calling it rn, you’re going to have 10 times the subscribers by the end of the year, def hit a god mine with this one. And also you’re openness to new music is great. I don’t get a snobby vibe as if rap is below you as I’ve seen other channels do, you seem nice, eager, and passionate and that’s the recipe for success in this game

Giving a second reply because what you said at the end really resonated with me! I love sharing music to the point that its like an urge. And it doesnt help that my tastes range all around the board except not really country. Rest assured, whatever you choose, ill be recommending something in these comments!

I assume the beginning of the DNA music video is the interrogator being taken over after saying acronym out loud. Once again good video 🫡

Like No. 888! I have a metal background, too. Ushered in by the beef. I'm glad the algorithm brought me here.

read the about section after pls ! i would give anything for a blind listen to this album again

I can’t wait to see how he reacts to TPAB songs

His Mr Morale album is a masterpiece and would give you a lot of background story that will definitely make you love the disses even more🙌

Kung fu Kenny got his nick name from dons character in rush hour 2

Damn, I was not prepared to be reminded of protest the hero. I haven't heard their stuff in many years. Blindfolds aside was my song

Gotta a leave a comment for the algorithm because I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to more. Keep going! I'll watch them all! 😂 P.S. - much respect for expanding your music knowledge, with Kdot no less. Nice!

I would honestly recommended good kid m.a.a.d city first. But this is a more mainstream album so that one should be the next one and that one is a literal movie. I love that one.

Im recently getting into metal more so i will have to check out that album you recommend. I have found i really like concept albums with stories. Twenty one pilots latest 3 or four albums all follow a storyline and it is way cool too.

Dude this is awesome! I havent even watched the reaction yet and im so amped😂 Nas, Kendrick and Lauryn Hill are my fav rappers. Also Demon Slayer movies cant come soon enough💯🙌

Welcome to what Kendrick fans already knew.

yes, starting with DAMN. is the way. Good Kid Maad City next fs!!!

Video is a The Day the Earth stood still reference movie. Nice

In the context of the album's ethos, it's best to glean the meaning and intent of the song from the music itself (like through Spotify or Apple Music or whatever other streaming platform you fancy) and not the music videos, which often serve as separate art pieces that can muddy the waters and differ from the song's vantage within its place in the album, not to mention how they play with the audio quality and pacing of the music (this makes a BIG difference). Honestly, I think it's very rare that the music videos for Kendrick's songs enhance the listening experience for me. They also inadvertently distract us from the intensity of the music itself, which I believe you experienced, but that others can notice too if you listen to the music video and then pull up the song on Spotify, but that's just my personal opinion lol. When you listen to only the album on Spotify, some of his songs lead directly into one another, which is an effect you can't get when you watch the music videos. Regardless, have fun! Love that you're making this a series! Kendrick's "good kid, m.A.A.d city" album is almost exactly what you're describing in terms of an album that tells a story, even more explicity than DAMN does. It even says so on the cover of the album "good kid mAAd city: A Short Film by Kendrick Lamar". DAMN is more ephemeral in my opinion.

Please react to full albums!!! 🤩

Glad to hear you're doing this. Also a big PTH fan if you like artist like them with strong concepts like PTH the Kendrick would def up your alley

love ur reactions , am new to hip-hop too

Like everyone else, I’m really glad that your video came up in my feed. Because I’m so obsessed with the battle I’ve been consuming everything lol and I love your style and content. I’ve really enjoyed watching all of your videos starting with your Euphoria reaction. Even without knowing very much about the references, it’s the appreciation of good music and the art is so wonderful to watch. Now I’ve made it here, and want to just watch all of your content! #NewSub

Man!!! I'm willing to go this journey with you all the way. For me Kendrick Lamar is the TOOL of Hip-hop for me. I have never experienced artistry like Kendrick and TOOL 🖤🖤🖤

If you like albums that tell stories, Damn tells 2, forward and backward

You should listen to to pimp a butterfly too

Kendrick is the kind of Artist that transcends his medium. I would recommend going back and starting from good kid m.a.a.d city. There is a narrative and there are reoccurring themes that carry through all of his albums. It’s also my personal favorite.

I suggest reviewing/reacting to the entire album

I havent watched the full video yet but I watched your euphoria vid and loved your genuine reaction 💜 This album won a pulitzer for how crazy intricate it is and the story of it. You should watch a breakdown after the full listen of the album I guarantee you will have a complete shock moment

excited to watch u go on this k dot journey

love that you came back to kendrick!

So happy to see this! Can’t wait for more

One thing I’d say is to first listen completely blind and then listen a second time but with lyrics and meanings. It adds another layer to the song imo

Good start to the first 2 song in the album!

Albums that tell stories I'd check out the 1st 3 Coheed and Cambria albums and The Mars Volta's Deloused in a Comatorium

In reference to concept albums, Coheed and Cambria's entire discography except for the 2015 album 'The Color Before the Sun' is a concept album/story called The Amory Wars. They have created graphic novels and everything based off the concept of the albums. Its wild, but they are still following the same concept story for 20+ years now.

Good kid mad city by kenddrick lamar is a cd that tells a story from beginning to end. Same as To pimp a butterfly, but that album is deep, it's better to start w good kid to prepare yourself for to pimp a butterfly

Read the about after listening to the track

Hell yeah bro this is dope to watch you discover. I’m subbed to watch this going forward!

I know I'm a filthy casual when it comes to Kendrick, but holy shit I just LOVE "DNA" - chills every time

How much longer we gotta wait 😫🙏 also I like that you read the about beforehand. I’ve never done that which is why everything goes over my head first listen

I can’t wait for more!

Subbed. Enjoyed your reaction. I love when people start doing a deep dive in K Dot's catolog.

If you like albums that tell a story you’ll love Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, it’s damn near cinematic. Imo it’s his second best album: To Pimp a Butterfly being number 1, DAMN number 3. Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers isn’t in that conversation for me, not because it doesn’t deserve to be, but because it’s so astonishingly personal that it doesn’t make sense to rank it

Doubles please. Thank you

Bars

DNA is a Drake diss too. there are quite a lot 👌🏼

Any kendrick would be a godsend. I think Saba is another rapper on a similar pedigree to Kendrick but doesnt get quite as much attention. I''d say a good first song for him is Ziplock / Rich Don't Stop Also totally unrelated but I am curious what those books are on your shelf! Hard to make them out but the spines seem like Fantasy books!

i think these albums tell a story too but they are rap/r&b Beyonce - lemonade Jcole - for your eyez only

Haha the Call of Duty jab got me 😂

Imma keep this short. I respect you. Im giving you a Sub because at 16:00, you figured out the rhyme schymes, which shows me you actually are hearing him and not only listening, Saulte to you, my friend. Idk if you still want song recommendations for kdot, but if you are, please listen to "Keisha Song."

If you like albums with a theme…. Listen to To Pimp a Butterfly. All the way through. In order. It’s probably my favorite album from any artist of all time. And rap isn’t my favorite genre. It’s extremely good. I’ve even seen reactions to the album where people end up in tears at the end

Rumor is this song at least a certain few lines was about Drake.

as a "N person" i gotta say that was funny 💀

11:30 This is based off of the movie, "The Day the Earth Stood Still"; alien flick. An alien comes to save the Earth, and of course, we have to try to manhandle and control him, right? During the alien's interrogation, he takes control of his interrogator and escapes. You should watch it. The 2008 remake has Keanu Reeves and Don Cheadle.

Boys night out album train wreck is a story album about a man killing his wife and being a mental patient… and Alesans the emptiness is a great story album

If u do all of DAMN then do Good Kid Maad City next it’s probably his biggest and best to a lot of people

I suggest you listen to the Good Kid Maad City album by Kendrick Lamar to listen to an album with amazing storytelling in between songs as well.

Damn is probably the best kendrick album in the sense that its very easy to listen to without sacrificing the substance. Its the gateway album for people new to kendrick or even modern rap. Also re him being smart, there is a LOT of good rappers who are street smart. Kendrick was always a straight A student. He is book smart and it shows

If you're into theatrical albums then hip hop is the genre for you overall...not just Kendrick

If you really want your heD to explode.. check out kendricks verse of the song “That part remix”on genius check the rhymes

Damn, Good kid m.a.a.d City, To pimp a butterfly, and then Mr morale and the big steppers is a good reaction order if you are looking to get into his discography. And I'm not just saying that because that's how I found them😂 and if you still have that kendrick itch he still has 3 other mixtape type albums as well as plenty of features. Not to mention the dis tracks and he even did the Black Panther soundtrack

Why did I just say Damn!!!

After you finish this album, I recommend listening to Good Kid, Maad City or To Pimp a Butterfly next. Those two are unarguably his greatest albums and they tell a great story when listening to them in order. If you watched either one of those, you’d get a ton of views.

You can keep the Drake reaction, we celebrating Kendrick rite now

Love the videos. Keep them up

kendrick lamar is such a lyrical genuis also if you haven't heard of sleep token you should try a song!! new sub!

I watched your euphoria reaction and have never seen you before. Your voice and mannerisms are making me stay!