What Genre Is Kendrick Lamar? (2025)
Fans often ask: what genre is Kendrick Lamar? It's a fantastic question. Many artists take listeners on incredible musical journeys.
Kendrick Lamar's genre isn't always easy to define. His music style frequently blends different elements. It also shifts across his albums.
This creates a unique artistic story. It's a story of evolution, influence, and constant creativity. In this post, we'll dive into the signature sounds of Kendrick Lamar. We'll look at his genre evolution, album by album.
What Genre is Kendrick Lamar?
To understand the Kendrick Lamar music style, it helps to look at his core genres.
Hip hop
Kendrick Lamar is widely recognized for his conscious hip hop. His lyrics often explore deep personal and social themes. He tackles issues like racism, identity, and systemic challenges.
Albums like Section.80 and To Pimp A Butterfly are strong examples. They showcase his skill in weaving complex narratives with social commentary. This style invites listeners to think deeply.
West coast hip hop & g-funk
His Compton roots heavily influence his music. The sound of West Coast hip hop is a key part of his identity. This is especially clear in albums like good kid, m.A.A.d city.
Elements of G-funk, with its laid-back grooves and melodic synths, appear in his work. His later album, GNX, further embraces these classic West Coast sounds. It pays homage to the region's rich musical heritage.
Jazz rap & funk
Kendrick Lamar often incorporates jazz and funk into his hip hop. This fusion creates complex and layered soundscapes. To Pimp A Butterfly is a prime example of this approach.
The album features live instrumentation, intricate rhythms, and a strong improvisational feel. These elements draw heavily from jazz and funk traditions. This experimentation marks a significant part of his artistic evolution.
Experimental rap
Kendrick Lamar is not afraid to push musical boundaries. His work often ventures into experimental and alternative rap territories. He plays with song structures, vocal deliveries, and production styles.
Albums like untitled unmastered. and parts of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers show this side. They feature unconventional sounds and raw, unfiltered expressions. This willingness to experiment defines his progressive approach to hip hop.
Kendrick Lamar Genre Evolution Across Albums
The best way to see the Kendrick Lamar music style evolve is to explore his albums in order. Each record tells a part of his developing artistic story.
Overly Dedicated (2010)
Overly Dedicated marked Kendrick Lamar's first mixtape under his own name. This project laid groundwork for his thoughtful hip hop style. It was an early showcase of his lyrical skill.
The mixtape touched on themes of street life and ambition. Some songs explored gangsta rap ideas. However, Lamar often added a layer of self-awareness. He himself described the music as "human music."
This release showed early signs of the "gangsta realism" that would become more refined. It was a raw, honest start to his musical journey.
Section.80 (2011)
With Section.80, his official debut studio album, Kendrick Lamar solidified his conscious hip hop voice. The album had a distinct alternative rap feel. It featured stripped-down production with clear jazz influences.
The sound also wove in bits of pop, boom bap, and R&B. There were even funky moments reminiscent of southern hip hop. This showed his growing ability to blend diverse styles.
Lyrically, Section.80 was a concept album. It addressed serious topics like the 1980s crack epidemic and racism. It also explored the mindset of his generation.
good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012)
good kid, m.A.A.d city was a major breakthrough for Kendrick Lamar. This album leaned heavily into West Coast hip hop traditions. It presented a vivid, cinematic narrative of his upbringing in Compton.
The production often echoed classic G-funk sounds. Some described its feel as a blend of Dr. Dre's iconic albums. This created a rich, atmospheric backdrop for his storytelling.
The album’s detailed narrative and cohesive sound marked a new level of artistry. It showcased his ability to craft a compelling, album-length story within a distinct regional hip hop style.
To Pimp A Butterfly (2015)
To Pimp A Butterfly represented a bold artistic leap. While rooted in hip hop, it masterfully wove in jazz, funk, and soul. This created a sound that celebrated the history of African-American music.
The album was ambitious, often described as an avant-jazz-rap statement. It featured complex instrumentation and experimental structures. Lyrically, it offered sharp political commentary and deep personal reflections.
Themes of racial inequality, depression, and cultural identity were central. Inspiration from a trip to South Africa heavily shaped its direction. This album was a dense, challenging, and highly influential work.
untitled unmastered. (2016)
untitled unmastered. offered a glimpse into Kendrick Lamar's creative process. This compilation featured unreleased demos from the To Pimp A Butterfly sessions. It continued that album's exploration of innovative sounds.
The music delved further into free jazz, soul, and funk styles. It maintained the experimental and avant-garde feel of its predecessor. The tracks felt raw and spontaneous, showcasing a less polished side.
Thematically, it touched on political and philosophical ideas. It was described as jazz-soaked and funk-drunk. This collection felt like a natural extension of his previous artistic explorations.
DAMN. (2017)
On DAMN., Kendrick Lamar shifted his sound again. The album was still rooted in conscious hip hop. However, it also brought in elements of trap, contemporary R&B, and even pop.
This resulted in a more direct and sometimes more accessible sound than To Pimp A Butterfly. Yet, the lyrics remained intricate and thought-provoking. The album explored themes of fate, religion, and personal struggle.
An interesting feature was its structure. The album was designed to be played in reverse order, offering a different narrative flow. This showcased Lamar's continued focus on conceptual depth.
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022)
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers was a deeply personal double album. It found Kendrick Lamar diving into themes of trauma, therapy, and family. Musically, it was primarily a conscious hip hop record.
The production was often minimalist. It allowed Lamar's introspective lyrics to take center stage. The album also incorporated elements of jazz, R&B, trap, and soul, continuing his eclectic approach.
Many considered this his most confessional work. It explored complex, sometimes uncomfortable, personal truths. The album marked another significant evolution in his lyrical and thematic depth.
GNX (2024)
Kendrick Lamar's surprise album GNX marked a vibrant return to West Coast hip hop sounds. It drew from both classic and modern styles of the genre. The album served as a tribute to his Los Angeles roots.
G-funk influences were prominent throughout its tracks. This created a sound that felt both nostalgic and fresh. The production often featured smooth basslines and distinct West Coast synth melodies.
GNX showcased Lamar's ability to reimagine regional sounds. It celebrated the musical heritage of his home. This album reaffirmed his connection to the West Coast hip hop lineage.
FAQs about Kendrick Lamar's genre
Q: What is the main Kendrick Lamar genre?
A: Kendrick Lamar's music is rooted in hip hop. He often explores conscious hip hop, West Coast styles, and jazz and funk influences. His sound evolves with each project.
Q: Does Kendrick Lamar stick to one genre?
A: No, Kendrick Lamar is known for his genre fluidity. While hip hop is his foundation, he blends in jazz, funk, soul, R&B, and even pop and trap elements. This makes each album distinct.
Ultimately, the genre of Kendrick Lamar is a rich tapestry. It's woven from diverse influences. It reflects consistent artistic growth and bold experimentation.
His music style is a powerful testament to his creative journey. Exploring his albums chronologically offers the clearest view of this evolution. It's a compelling story told through shifting sounds and profound themes.