Kendrick Lamar Albums In Order

Kendrick Lamar’s journey from Compton’s streets to hip-hop royalty is nothing short of legendary. His albums aren’t just collections of songs—they’re profound narratives tackling identity, society, and personal growth. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to K-Dot’s world, this chronological breakdown will guide you through his discography, highlighting key themes and evolution. We’ve included Spotify embeds for easy listening, insightful overviews for each release, and full track lists to immerse you in his genius. Let’s trace the path of one of music’s most influential voices.

List Of Kendrick Lamar Albums In Order

Kendrick Lamar Albums In Order: A Complete Guide With Track Lists

Section.80 (2011)

Kendrick Lamar’s debut studio album, Section.80, marks the arrival of a raw, introspective voice in hip-hop. Released independently under Top Dawg Entertainment, it captures the struggles of millennials born in the 80s—dealing with poverty, addiction, and systemic issues. Drawing from jazz and soul influences, Kendrick weaves storytelling with social commentary, addressing topics like self-medication in “A.D.H.D” and exploitation in “Keisha’s Song.” This project showcases his early lyrical prowess and sets the stage for his conceptual mastery. Though not as polished as later works, it’s a compelling snapshot of a young artist hungry for change, blending vulnerability with sharp critique.

Track List:

1. Fuck Your Ethnicity
2. Hol’ Up
3. A.D.H.D
4. No Make-Up (Her Vice) (feat. Colin Munroe)
5. Tammy’s Song (Her Evils)
6. Chapter Six
7. Ronald Reagan Era
8. Poe Mans Dreams (His Vice) (feat. GLC)
9. Chapter Ten
10. Keisha’s Song (Her Pain) (feat. Ashtrobot)
11. Rigamortus
12. Kush & Corinthians (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid)
13. Blow My High (Members Only)
14. Ab-Soul’s Outro (feat. Ab-Soul)
15. HiiiPower

good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012)

Kendrick Lamar’s major-label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city, is a cinematic coming-of-age tale set against Compton’s gritty backdrop. Subtitled “a short film by Kendrick Lamar,” it chronicles teenage temptations like peer pressure, gang life, and first loves through vivid storytelling. Tracks like “Swimming Pools (Drank)” explore alcohol’s dangers, while “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” grapples with mortality and legacy. Executive produced by Dr. Dre, the album fuses West Coast beats with introspective lyrics, earning acclaim for its authenticity. This breakthrough solidified Kendrick as a narrative genius, blending raw emotion with social insight in a way that resonates universally.

Track List:

1. Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter’s Daughter
2. Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe
3. Backseat Freestyle
4. The Art of Peer Pressure
5. Money Trees (feat. Jay Rock)
6. Poetic Justice (feat. Drake)
7. good kid
8. m.A.A.d city (feat. MC Eiht)
9. Swimming Pools (Drank) [Extended Version]
10. Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst
11. Real (feat. Anna Wise)
12. Compton (feat. Dr. Dre)
13. The Recipe (feat. Dr. Dre) [Bonus Track]
14. Black Boy Fly [Bonus Track]
15. Now or Never (feat. Mary J. Blige) [Bonus Track]

To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)

To Pimp a Butterfly stands as Kendrick Lamar’s magnum opus of cultural critique and self-reflection. Inspired by a trip to South Africa, it fuses jazz, funk, and soul to dissect Black identity, fame’s pitfalls, and systemic racism. Anthems like “Alright” became protest staples, while “The Blacker the Berry” confronts internalized hate. Kendrick grapples with survivor’s guilt and empowerment, evolving from caterpillar to butterfly amid societal pressures. Featuring legends like George Clinton and Snoop Dogg, the album’s experimental sound pushes boundaries, earning a Pulitzer Prize. It’s a bold, unapologetic call for unity and awareness that challenges listeners to confront uncomfortable truths.

Track List:

1. Wesley’s Theory (feat. George Clinton & Thundercat)
2. For Free? (Interlude)
3. King Kunta
4. Institutionalized (feat. Bilal, Anna Wise & Snoop Dogg)
5. These Walls (feat. Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat)
6. u
7. Alright
8. For Sale? (Interlude)
9. Momma
10. Hood Politics
11. How Much a Dollar Cost (feat. James Fauntleroy & Ronald Isley)
12. Complexion (A Zulu Love) (feat. Rapsody)
13. The Blacker the Berry
14. You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said)
15. i
16. Mortal Man

untitled unmastered. (2016)

untitled unmastered. Offers a raw glimpse into Kendrick Lamar’s creative vault, compiling demos from the To Pimp a Butterfly sessions. Released without fanfare, these date-stamped tracks explore existential themes through improvisational jazz, funk grooves, and stream-of-consciousness flows. Standouts like “untitled 02 | 06.23.2014” pulse with urgency, while “untitled 07 | 2014 – 2016” evolves into a multi-part epic on ambition and spirituality. Though unfinished, the project brims with innovation, featuring collaborators like Thundercat and Bilal. It’s a testament to Kendrick’s prolific output, bridging his artistic highs and reminding us that even his scraps are gold in hip-hop’s landscape.

Track List:

1. untitled 01 | 08.19.2014.
2. untitled 02 | 06.23.2014.
3. untitled 03 | 05.28.2013.
4. untitled 04 | 08.14.2014.
5. untitled 05 | 09.21.2014.
6. untitled 06 | 06.30.2013.
7. untitled 07 | 2014 – 2016
8. untitled 08 | 09.06.2014.

DAMN. (2017)

DAMN. is Kendrick Lamar’s introspective powerhouse, balancing humility and bravado in a duality of wickedness and weakness. Released amid high expectations, it delivers bangers like “HUMBLE.” alongside vulnerable reflections in “FEAR.” and “PRIDE.” Collaborations with Rihanna on “LOYALTY” and U2 on “XXX” add eclectic flair, while themes of faith, fame, and fate weave through trap-infused beats. Winning a Pulitzer, it’s Kendrick’s most accessible yet profound work, flipping perspectives when played backward. This album cements his status as a cultural force, urging listeners to confront inner demons while celebrating resilience in a flawed world.

Track List:

1. BLOOD.
2. DNA.
3. YAH.
4. ELEMENT.
5. FEEL.
6. LOYALTY. (feat. Rihanna)
7. PRIDE.
8. HUMBLE.
9. LUST.
10. LOVE. (feat. Zacari)
11. XXX. (feat. U2)
12. FEAR.
13. GOD.
14. DUCKWORTH.

Black Panther: The Album (2018)

Curated by Kendrick Lamar, Black Panther: The Album is a sonic triumph blending Afrofuturism with hip-hop excellence. Inspired by the Marvel film’s Wakandan vibes, it features global talents like SZA, The Weeknd, and Travis Scott, infusing trap, R&B, and African rhythms. Hits like “All the Stars” and “Pray for Me” capture empowerment and unity, while “King’s Dead” pulses with energy. Kendrick’s executive touch ensures thematic depth, mirroring the movie’s exploration of heritage and heroism. This soundtrack transcends tie-ins, becoming a cultural milestone that amplifies Black voices and innovation in music.

Track List:

1. Black Panther – Kendrick Lamar
2. All the Stars – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
3. X – ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz & Saudi
4. The Ways – Khalid & Swae Lee
5. Opps – Vince Staples & Yugen Blakrok
6. I Am – Jorja Smith
7. Paramedic! – SOB x RBE
8. Bloody Waters – Ab-Soul, Anderson.Paak & James Blake
9. King’s Dead – Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake
10. Redemption Interlude
11. Redemption – Zacari & Babes Wodumo
12. Seasons – Mozzy, Sjava & Reason
13. Big Shot – Kendrick Lamar & Travis Scott
14. Pray for Me – The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar

Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022)

Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers is Kendrick Lamar’s therapeutic double album, unpacking trauma, accountability, and healing after a five-year hiatus. Split into two discs, it confronts personal flaws like ego in “N95” and infidelity in “We Cry Together,” while addressing societal ills in “Auntie Diaries.” Features from Beth Gibbons to Kodak Black add layers, with production blending soulful introspection and aggressive beats. Kendrick’s vulnerability shines, urging self-reflection amid fame’s toll. This bold return reinforces his storytelling mastery, proving growth comes from facing shadows— a must-listen for anyone navigating life’s complexities.

Track List:

1. United in Grief
2. N95
3. Worldwide Steppers
4. Die Hard (feat. Blxst & Amanda Reifer)
5. Father Time (feat. Sampha)
6. Rich (Interlude)
7. Rich Spirit
8. We Cry Together (feat. Taylour Paige)
9. Purple Hearts (feat. Summer Walker & Ghostface Killah)
10. Count Me Out
11. Crown
12. Silent Hill (feat. Kodak Black)
13. Savior (Interlude)
14. Savior (feat. Baby Keem & Sam Dew)
15. Auntie Diaries
16. Mr. Morale (feat. Tanna Leone)
17. Mother I Sober (feat. Beth Gibbons)
18. Mirror
19. The Heart Part 5 (Bonus Track)

GNX (2024)

GNX, Kendrick Lamar’s surprise drop, revs up West Coast vibes in a victory lap post-Drake feud. Named after his cherished Buick, it celebrates roots with gritty storytelling and features from emerging L.A. talents like AzChike and Roddy Ricch. Tracks like “squabble up” ignite energy, while “luther” samples Vandross for soulful introspection. Kendrick reflects on fame, loyalty, and resilience, blending trap beats with personal anecdotes. Released amid Grammy nods, it’s a testament to his dominance, proving he’s still evolving while honoring Compton’s spirit. A high-octane ride that’s as reflective as it is triumphant.

Track List:

1. wacced out murals
2. squabble up
3. luther (feat. SZA)
4. man at the garden
5. hey now (feat. Dody6)
6. reincarnated
7. tv off (feat. Lefty Gunplay)
8. dodger blue (feat. Wallie the Sensei, Roddy Ricch & Siete7x)
9. peekaboo (feat. AZChike)
10. heart pt. 6
11. gnx (feat. Hitta J3, YoungThreat & Peysoh)
12. gloria (feat. SZA)