Sampling “So [rt]” by Knxwledge, the ninth song on To Pimp a Butterfly is a list of Kendrick Lamar’s virtues, and an image of his trip to Africa. Kendrick knows everything: Compton, street shit, consciousness, highs, lows, and not caring about receiving recognition for his goodness. With this deep cut, he also deepened his critical acclaim. —J.B.

From Section.80 to No. 1, Kendrick Lamar has stormed to levels of commercial success and critical admiration in the last two decades that place him as one of the preeminent rappers of his generation - and many observers suggest,

When Kendrick Lamar accepted the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for his chart-topping hit “Not Like Us,” he said, “This is what it’s about, man. Because at the end of the day, nothing is more powerful than rap music.