Latest news with #Damn
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union Celebrate the Oscars in L.A., Plus Kim Kardashian, Serena Williams and More
Stars have been everywhere this week, from Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union celebrating the Oscars at an afterparty hosted by REVOLVE and FWRD to Kim Kardashian and Serena Williams posing together at Vanity Fair's annual bash. Across the pond, Simone Ashley and Hero Fiennes-Tiffin step out for the premiere of Picture This and in New York City, Ryan Reynolds takes a stroll. Here, are the best photos of celebs out and about this week. Come back tomorrow for more of the latest A-list outings! Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union pose together at an Oscar party hosted by REVOLVE and FWRD at Damn, I Miss Paris in L.A. on March 2. Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian show off their strapless gowns at Monday's Vanity Fair Oscar party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Simone Ashley and Hero Fiennes-Tiffin celebrate the world premiere of Picture This at Barbican Centre in London on March 3. Ryan Reynolds throws some headphones in while out on a stroll in New York City on March 3. Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon cozy up together inside Vanity Fair's Oscar party on March 2 at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Reneé Rapp, Megan Thee Stallion and Coco Jones have some fun together at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on March 2 at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Sarah Snook celebrates the upcoming production of The Picture of Dorian Gray at a photo call at The Algonquin Hotel in New York City on March 3. Uma Thurman is in character on the set of Dexter: Resurrection in New York City on March 3. Sofia Richie keeps it casual while out in L.A. on March 2. Katy Perry hits the stage in an on theme look for the Endymion Mardi Gras Extravaganza in New Orleans on March 2. Julia Fox shows off her signature style while out in L.A. on March 2. Bethenny Frankel hits the beach in a purple bikini while visiting Miami on March 2. Karolína Kurková celebrates her birthday with a disco ball cake at The Moore Miami on Feb. 28. Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin have some fun on the red carpet at Monday's Vanity Fair Oscar party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 2 in Beverly Hills. Power couple Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet pose together at Vanity Fair's Oscar party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on March 2. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are beaming in their opening number looks backstage at the 2025 Oscars on March 2 in Hollywood. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal have a When Harry Met Sally reunion at the 2025 Oscars as they team up to announced Best Picture on March 2. Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Zoe Saldaña and Kieran Culkin introduce their Oscars to eachother following their respective big wins on Monday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco take their seats inside the Dolby Theatre on March 2 for the 2025 Oscars. Presenter Miley Cyrus wave to the cameras backstage in the press room at the 2025 Oscars on March 2. Melanie Lynskey and Jason Ritter are all smiles at Vanity Fair's Oscar party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on March 2. Doja Cat and Margaret Qualley pose together at the Vanity Fair Oscars party following their James Bond tribute on March 2 in Beverly Hills. Elton John takes the stage with Chappell Roan during his annual Academy Award viewing party on March 2 in West Hollywood. Ashlyn Harris and Sophia Bush step out in coordinated suited looks for the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 33rd annual Academy Awards viewing party on March 2. Ciara, Teyana Taylor, Tracee Ellis Ross and Niecy Nash-Betts pose together at Vanity Fair's Oscar party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 2 in Beverly Hills. Emma Stone and Dave McCary cuddle up together at Searchlight Pictures' Oscars afterparty on March 2 in L.A. Hunter Schafer and Sydney Sweeney have a Euphoria reunion — as production kicks off on season 3 — at Monday's Vanity Fair Oscar party in Beverly Hills. Lindsay Lohan and Demi Moore are one glamorous duo at Vanity Fair's Oscar party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 2 in Beverly Hills. John Mulaney and Olivia Munn smile together at the Vanity Fair Oscar party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on March 2. Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel bring date night to the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 33rd annual Academy Awards viewing party in West Hollywood on March 2. Hailey Bieber and Zoë Kravitz are matching in black gowns at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on March 2 in Beverly Hills. Andrew Garfield, Guy Pearce and Joe Alwyn smile together at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on March 2. Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey present together at the 2025 Academy Awards on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre. Nicole Brydon Bloom and Justin Theroux take a seat inside the Vanity Fair Oscar party on March 2 at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler and Rita Ora show off their looks at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on March 2 in L.A. Mindy Kaling poses with a selfie as she arrives at the 2025 Academy Awards on March 2 in Hollywood. Miles Teller and Keleigh Sperry step out together for the 2025 Oscars on March 2 in Hollywood. Nicky Hilton celebrates the Oscars with her custom Peroni bag at Elton John's annual watch party on March 2 in Beverly Hills. Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are all dressed up for the Vanity Fair Oscar party on March 2 in Beverly Hills. Hailee Steinfeld and Halle Bailey are dressed to the nines at the Vanity Fair Oscar party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on March 2. Shaquille O'Neal is all dressed up for his role as the Krewe of Bacchus' 2025 Celebrity Monarch during Mardi Gras 2025 in New Orleans on March 2. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Travis Scott and John Cena are in the crowd for the WWE Elimination Chamber at Rogers Centre in Toronto on March 1. Ariana Grande bewitches the crowd on the red carpet at the 2025 Oscars held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 2. Julianne Hough radiates old Hollywood glam while attending the 2025 Oscars in L.A. on March 2. Lily-Rose Depp strikes a pose at the Chanel and Charles Finch 2025 Pre-Oscar Awards Dinner held at The Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on March 1. Lily James smiles for the cameras while heading to the Giorgio Armani fashion show in Milan on March 2. Michael Park, Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra and Idina Menzel meet up backstage at the musical Redwood at the Nederlander Theatre in N.Y.C. on March 1. Park and Menzel star in the Broadway show. Demi Moore and her daughters Rumer (left) and Tallulah Willis (right) attend MPTF's 23rd annual Night Before event together on March 1 in Los Angeles. Charli XCX beams onstage while accepting the Song Of the Year award at the 2025 BRIT Awards in London, England, on March 1. John Mulaney and Olivia Munn step out together at the Chanel and Charles Finch annual Pre-Oscar dinner held at The Beverly Hills Hotel on March 1. Joshua Jackson is dashing in a gray suit at MPTF's 2025 Night Before event at the Fox Studio Lot in Los Angeles on March 1. Adrien Brody and Kim Kardashian get acquainted with each other while attending the Chanel and Charles Finch Pre-Oscar dinner on March 1 in Beverly Hills, California. Kyle MacLachlan and Jeff Goldblum catch up at MPTF's 2025 Night Before event held at Los Angeles' Fox Studio Lot on March 1. Sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning and Riley Keough arrive in bold statement looks for the Chanel and Charles Finch Annual Pre-Oscar dinner in Beverly Hills on March 1. Sebastian Stan and Annabelle Wallis are in happy spirits at the Chanel and Charles Finch Annual Pre-Oscar dinner on March 1 in Beverly Hills. Jack Quaid poses with a model of his injured head while attending the Novocaine Fantastic Fest screening at Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas, on March 1. Aly Raisman arrives at the Stuart Weitzman presentation in a striking checked outfit during Milan Fashion Week on March 1. Mickey Guyton performs at the 36th annual Nashville Ballet Ball at the city's Schermerhorn Symphony Center on March 1. Sabrina Carpenter glows at the 2025 BRIT Awards at the Intercontinental Hotel in London on March 1. Zoë Kravitz radiates pure effervescence at the Saint Laurent x Vanity Fair Pre-Oscar Dinner in Los Angeles on Feb. 28. Kylie Minogue performs during her Tension Tour at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on March 1. Cynthia Erivo and Victoria Justice pose for the camera while attending the Women in Film's 18th Annual Oscar Nominees Celebration at Wheelhouse West Hollywood on Feb. 28. Kelly Rutherford strikes a pose during an intimate dinner celebrating Santoni's 50th anniversary in Milan on Feb. 27. Longtime friends and former costars Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez catch up at the CAA Pre-Oscar party on Feb. 28 in Los Angeles. Naomi Campbell arrives in an ultra-glam look for the Acqua Fiuggi & Vogue Italia Dinner held during the Milan Fashion Week in Italy on Feb. 28, Samuel L. Jackson attends the CAA Pre-Oscar party at Los Angeles' The Living Room on Feb. 28. Vin Diesel and The Brutalist costars Guy Pearce and Adrien Brody pose for a photo together at the CAA Pre-Oscar party on Feb. 28 in Los Angeles. Oscar-nominated Cynthia Erivo speaks onstage at the 2025 WIF Oscar Nominees party at Wheelhouse West Hollywood in Los Angeles on Feb. 28. Dove Cameron looks chic in all-white look as she attends the Women in Film's Oscar Nominees celebration at Wheelhouse West Hollywood on Feb. 28. Whoopi Goldberg attends her Oscars Season Prosecco celebration event at Loews Hollywood Hotel on Feb. 28 in Los Angeles. Irina Shayk sports a flowing floral dress on arrival at the Tod's fashion show held during Milan Fashion Week in Italy on Feb. 28. Colman Domingo admires a portrait of himself while attending the WME Oscar Nominees Toast at Los Angeles' Chateau Marmont on Feb. 28. Michelle Monaghan attends the Ferragamo Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025 fashion show during Milan Fashion week on March 1. Julia Roberts grins at the camera as she walks the carpet for the 50th César Awards in Paris on Feb. 28. In Poole, England on Feb. 28, Prince Williams visits local organizations aiming to create employment programs. For an ABC News special airing Feb. 28 ahead of the 2025 Oscars, Good Morning America's Robin Roberts interviews Best Actress nominee Cynthia Erivo. Shailene Woodley and Kiera Knightley flash subtle smiles while at the Tod's fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on Feb. 28. Pairing a brown top with a sleek updo, Rachel Brosnahan poses at the Tod's fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on Feb. 28. During Milan Fashion Week, Hyunjin, Ice Spice and Hou Minghao — also known as Neo Hou — sit in the front row of the Versace show in Milan on Feb. 28. Jessica Lange and Ed Harris pose at the premiere of their film adaptation of Long Day's Journey Into Night during the Glasgow Film Festival in Scotland on Feb. 28. Holding up a Bombay Sapphire cocktail, Rebecca Black gets behind the mixer for a DJ set in Miami, Florida on Feb. 27. Ben Affleck brings his son Samuel, 12, to the Lakers game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. New Girl costars Jake Johnson and Lamorne Morris reunite at the Running Point Lakers game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in L.A. on Feb. 27. Kate Hudson promotes her latest Netflix series Running Point on Lorraine in London on Feb. 28. Cynthia Erivo pops in a bright plaid outfit at the MACRO pre-Oscars party in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. Lucy Boynton glows in purple as she appears on This Morning in London on Feb. 28 to talk about her latest TV series A Cruel Love; The Ruth Ellis Story. Longtime friends Timothée Chalamet and Stéphane Bak watch the Lakers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in L.A. on Feb. 27. Nicholas Hoult and his wife Bryana Holly have a date night at the Lakers game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. Also at the Lakers game in Los Angeles, Adam Devine, Blake Anderson and Ike Barinholtz embrace for a silly group photo on Feb. 27. Mindy Kaling goes for an all-black outfit at the premiere of Deli Boys in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. Maya Hawke crosses her legs at her seat during the Prada show on Feb. 27 for Milan Fashion Week. Ice Spice accessorizes her distressed dress with shades and a handbag at the Maison Margiela show on Feb. 27 during Milan Fashion Week. Kelly Rowland rocks a sleek leather look at the MACRO pre-Oscars party in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. Denise Richards heads into NBC Studios in New York City dressed in all pink on Feb. 27. Emily Ratajkowski reps North Face as she attends a dinner in N.Y.C. on Feb. 27 celebrating 40 years of the brand's mountain jacket. Chris Pine holds up the symbol of the Children's Hospital Los Angeles at their Make March Matter kick-off in L.A. on Feb. 27. Janet Jackson arrives at a dinner hosted by Christian Louboutin and British GQ in London on Feb. 27. Lionel Richie gives the camera a thumbs up as he arrives at Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. Also at Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Los Angeles, Kelly Ripa wears a lacy top with a plunging neckline under her blazer on Feb. 27. Mark Ruffalo waves to the crowd as he walks onto The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in N.Y.C. on Feb. 27. Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen meet up with Diane Lane at the Neighborhood Playhouse 2025 Gala in N.Y.C. on Feb. 27. Katy Perry stops by The Morning Mash Up at SiriusXM Studios in Las Vegas on Feb. 27 to discuss her upcoming world tour. Bill Murray chats about his upcoming film Riff Raff at SiriusXM Studios in N.Y.C. on Feb. 27. Colton Underwood overlooks New York City at the 60th anniversary of Tommee Tippee at SAGA on Feb. 27. Leni Klum strikes a pose at the 67th Vienna Opera Ball in Austria on Feb. 27. Frequent costars John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell attend the Oscar Wilde Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. Niecy Nash-Betts and her wife Jessica Betts look stylish with Teyana Taylor at the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards in L.A. on Feb. 27. Tamron Hall joins the Kids Mental Health Foundation for a reading of her children's book, Harlem Honey, at Neighborhood Charter School in Harlem, New York. Tyra Banks and her mom, Carolyn London, arrive in style for the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards in L.A. on Feb. 27. Stunning solo, Cynthia Erivo hits the carpet at the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards in L.A. on Feb. 27. Denise Richards smiles with daughters Sami and Lola Sheen (left) at Planet Hollywood Times Square in N.Y.C. on Feb. 26, as they promote their new reality show Denise Richards and Her Wild Things. For the premiere of their new film The Electric State, Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt pose together in Madrid on Feb. 27. Appearing happy as ever, Jonathan Majors and fiancé Meagan Good share a kiss at the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards in L.A. on Feb. 27. Tia Mowry smolders for the camera in a pinstripe blazer on the carpet for the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards in L.A. on Feb. 27. Taye Diggs points his finger at the camera, while he keeps his stylish shades and hat on, for the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In L.A. on Feb. 27. Pairing a white top with black sunglasses, Zoë Kravitz poses on the carpet for the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In L.A. on Feb. 27. Dressed in a grey blazer and matching pencil skirt, Shanina Shaik snaps a candid photo outside the Max Mara show during Milan Fashion Week on Feb. 27. Following in mom Victoria Beckham's fashionable footsteps, Romeo Beckham attends Milan Fashion Week in stylish streetwear on Feb. 27. Victoria Monét wears white denim to the Emporio Armani show during Milan Fashion Week in Italy on Feb. 27. Following the release of their single "Snake" on Jan. 16, Nora Fatehi and Jason Derulo step out together at NBC Studios on Feb. 27 in New York City. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Drake's Latest Knocks Kendrick Lamar From Top of Album Charts 2 Weeks After ‘Not Like Us' Super Bowl Show
Drake finally got a win against Kendrick Lamar this weekend after his '$ome $exy $ongs 4 U' kicked Lamar's 'GNX' off the top of Billboard's 200 chart. The record is Drake's first collaboration with PartyNextDoor and his 14th album to top Billboard. Lamar's performance at the Super Bowl this month spurred 'GNX' to the No. 1 spot. Two other albums — 'Damn' (2017) and 'Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City' (2011) — also returned to the top 10. The rap battle between Drake and Lamar exploded into popular culture discourse last year. The pair lobbed allegations of sexual harassment, infidelity, and pedophilia at one another through a series of songs and records; Lamar performed his hit 'Not Like Us' at the Super Bowl this year. Lamar doubled down on allegations that Drake has sexual relationships with minors on 'Not Like Us.' He rapped, 'Say Drake, I hear you like 'em young/You better not ever go to cell block one/To any b—h that talk to him and layin' love/Just make sure you hide your little sister from 'em.' Elsewhere, he referenced Drake's 2021 album 'Certified Lover Boy' and added, 'Certified lover boy, certified pedophile.' Drake's relationships with underage girls have been a topic of contention before. He came under fire in 2019 after a video from a 2010 concert showed him dancing with a 17-year-old girl and smelling her hair before kissing the back of her neck. At the time, Drake was 24 years old. Also in 2019, a then-17-year-old Billie Eilish described Drake as 'the nicest dude' in an interview with Vanity Fair. She said, 'I mean, I've only, like, texted him, but he's so nice. Like, he does not need to be nice, you know what I mean?' Drake was 33 years old at the time. Drake also developed a close friendship with a young Millie Bobby Brown. In 'Family Matters,' Drake's response to Lamar's 'euphoria', Drake directly challenged Lamar with allegations of physical abuse and infidelity. The post Drake's Latest Knocks Kendrick Lamar From Top of Album Charts 2 Weeks After 'Not Like Us' Super Bowl Show appeared first on TheWrap.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Drake's Latest Knocks Kendrick Lamar From Top of Album Charts 2 Weeks After ‘Not Like Us' Super Bowl Show
Drake finally got a win against Kendrick Lamar this weekend after his '$ome $exy $ongs 4 U' kicked Lamar's 'GNX' off the top of Billboard's 200 chart. The record is Drake's first collaboration with PartyNextDoor and his 14th album to top Billboard. Lamar's performance at the Super Bowl this month spurred 'GNX' to the No. 1 spot. Two other albums — 'Damn' (2017) and 'Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City' (2011) — also returned to the top 10. The rap battle between Drake and Lamar exploded into popular culture discourse last year. The pair lobbed allegations of sexual harassment, infidelity, and pedophilia at one another through a series of songs and records; Lamar performed his hit 'Not Like Us' at the Super Bowl this year. Lamar doubled down on allegations that Drake has sexual relationships with minors on 'Not Like Us.' He rapped, 'Say Drake, I hear you like 'em young/You better not ever go to cell block one/To any b—h that talk to him and layin' love/Just make sure you hide your little sister from 'em.' Elsewhere, he referenced Drake's 2021 album 'Certified Lover Boy' and added, 'Certified lover boy, certified pedophile.' Drake's relationships with underage girls have been a topic of contention before. He came under fire in 2019 after a video from a 2010 concert showed him dancing with a 17-year-old girl and smelling her hair before kissing the back of her neck. At the time, Drake was 24 years old. Also in 2019, a then-17-year-old Billie Eilish described Drake as 'the nicest dude' in an interview with Vanity Fair. She said, 'I mean, I've only, like, texted him, but he's so nice. Like, he does not need to be nice, you know what I mean?' Drake was 33 years old at the time. Drake also developed a close friendship with a young Millie Bobby Brown. In 'Family Matters,' Drake's response to Lamar's 'euphoria', Drake directly challenged Lamar with allegations of physical abuse and infidelity. The post Drake's Latest Knocks Kendrick Lamar From Top of Album Charts 2 Weeks After 'Not Like Us' Super Bowl Show appeared first on TheWrap.
The Independent
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Kendrick Lamar albums ranked in order of greatness as he headlines Super Bowl 2025
It's been fourteen years since Compton -born Kendrick Lamar first grabbed the music world's attention, and he's held it firmly in his grasp ever since. Now widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time, he has collected a staggering array of accolades that range from 17 Grammys to becoming the first artist outside of classical or jazz to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music, for 2017's Damn. On February 9, Lamar will take to one of America's biggest stages as he headlines the Super Bowl for the first time. In anticipation, we're taking the opportunity to look back at how each of his six studio albums to date have shaped his staggering artistic legacy. 6. Section.80 (2011) Lamar's debut studio album captured the sound of a young man with potential to burn finding his voice. The rapper, just 24 when the record was released, was already a flawless vocalist whose percussive flow delivered his deceptively simple and expressive rhymes straight to the listener's ear. 'I know some rappers using big words / To make their similes curve,' Lamar explained on 'Poe Mans Dreams (His Vice)'. 'My simplest s*** be more pivotal.' As well as proving Lamar's talent as a performer and lyricist, Section.80 showed off his burgeoning talent for telling stories that work simultaneously on multiple levels. The album weaves together the tales of characters Tammy and Keisha, two young women mistreated by men who eventually find solace and comfort in each other, while also finding space for pointed political commentary. 'You know why we crack babies? / Because we born in the Eighties / That ADHD crazy,' Lamar raps on standout track 'A.D.H.D', one of several songs – including 'Ronald Reagan Era' – which he uses to paint a picture of the impact President Reagan's policy of allowing crack cocaine to flood into Los Angeles' Compton neighbourhood had on the children, like Lamar, who were growing up there. Potent and visceral, Section.80 marked out Kendrick Lamar as an artist impossible to ignore. 5. Damn (2017) For his fourth album, Damn, Lamar brought in a couple of high-profile guests: Rihanna, who raps her way through the radio-friendly single 'Loyalty', and perhaps more surprisingly, venerable Irish rockers U2, who turn up in unconventional fashion on 'XXX'. Nevertheless, the spotlight never really leaves Lamar, who delivers an expansive record that combines a timeless old school rap sound with frequent nods to the future. By this point in his career, Lamar could confidently say he was the greatest rapper alive, a fact he alludes to on the outstanding autobiographical closing track 'Duckworth': 'It was always me versus the world / Until I found it's me versus me.' The album produced his single biggest hit, the enormous 'Humble', as well as making history by winning the Pulitzer Prize for Music. The Pulitzer committee used plenty of their own big words to describe the album, calling it 'a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life.' 4. GNX (2024) When Lamar dropped his sixth studio album out of the blue last November, it made headlines around the world. Not only was the release itself a surprise, but so was the rapper's willingness to take shots not just at his old sparring partner Drake but also the likes of Snoop Dogg (for posting a link to one of Drake's tracks) and Lil Wayne (who was apparently upset not to land the Super Bowl set himself). There was also time for romance, helped along by a pair of duets with SZA. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members) Following the success of 'Not Like Us', his chart-topping diss track aimed at Drake, GNX captured Lamar in feisty form as he took aim at all comers over a sound indebted to classic West Coast rap. Arguably not as complex or ambitious as his previous albums, GNX nevertheless lands every single punch. 3. Mr Morale & the Big Steppers (2022) A deeply introspective album good enough to top most artists' discographies, Mr Morale & the Big Steppers cemented Lamar's status as the defining poet of his generation. In a five-star review for The Independent, Ben Bryant praised the record as 'a surprising meditation on fatherhood, family and friendship.' 'Mr Morale & The Big Steppers is a sheaf of songs delving into conflict and reconciliation,' Bryant added. 'It is anchored in Lamar's own life, right down to a cover that features the first confirmation of the birth of his second child, Enoch. He has earned this moment of reflection.' 2. Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012) The record that made the whole world sit up and take notice. 2012's Good Kid, M.A.A.D City marked Lamar's major label debut and had the features to match, with guest appearances from the likes of Jay-Z, Drake and Dr Dre as well as Dre, Pharrell and Hit-Boy on production duties. It spawned hit singles 'Swimming Pools (Drank)' and the irresistible 'B****, Don't Kill My Vibe' and earned four Grammy nominations, including for Album of the Year. But really all of that was incidental to the power of the record's central story. Billed as a 'Short film by Kendrick Lamar' on the album cover, the deeply autobiographical record told the tale of Lamar's teenage years on the gang-controlled streets of Compton with profound clarity. Lamar's storytelling is so finely wrought that it came as no surprise when a university in Georgia added the work to its curriculum alongside other coming-of-age tales such as Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. 'I think Kendrick Lamar is the James Joyce of hip-hop,' said Professor Adam Diehl. 'In the complexity of his storytelling, in his knowledge of the canon, and in his continuing focus on the city of his upbringing – Compton." 1. To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) Lamar's politically charged masterpiece. While it's still primarily a staggeringly great rap album, musically Lamar expanded his sonic palette to encompass a broad spectrum of African-American music from jazz and funk to soul – including an introductory appearance from Parliament and Funkadelic visionary George Clinton. Lyrically, the record was partly inspired by Lamar's tour of South Africa, during which he visited Nelson Mandela's jail cell on Robben Island, as well as by the United States' own re-energised Black rights movement. The album addresses itself to the African-American experience with nuance and deep, existential analysis, but it's as personal as it is political. In an essay published in medical journal The Lancet Psychiatry, Cambridge professors Akeem Sule and Becky Inkster described Lamar as the 'street poet of mental health', noting that the record deeply explores topics of addiction, anxiety, depression, and resilience. In December 2019, The Independent named To Pimp a Butterfly as the best album of the preceding decade. 'Centrepiece 'Alright' is now a civil rights anthem, but To Pimp a Butterfly plays less like a statement than a bad dream,' wrote critic Jazz Monroe. 'Conflicted introspection, vexed empathy and political irreverence meet pitch-black humour that jolts you awake, with the sense that without this music, we'd be lost.'
