GLOBALRPH MUSICATLASKendrick Lamar: Artist Essentials
Move between tightly controlled rap performances, uneasy interior scenes and open melodic collaborations, with enough room to hear how Kendrick changes his voice inside a song.
Showing 10 of 10 selected recordings.This depth selects the first 10 recordings in the recommended sequence. Changing the order rearranges those same selections.
When only a year is established, chronological order within that year is approximate.
01list
orderKendrick Lamar
First released: 2017 (year verified)
Original single: HUMBLE.
Original 2017 studio single recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The spare piano figure makes the abrupt changes in vocal force especially easy to hear.
Annual appearances: 2017
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 2017 (year verified)
The original recording was released in 2017 before DAMN. The album and later collector's editions do not reset its single year.
Recording: Original 2017 studio single recording
Credit: Kendrick Lamar
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original single: HUMBLE.
Apple Music: HUMBLE.
The original DAMN. recording carries a March 2017 single date before the album. Supports 2017 release and the original solo recording. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
02list
orderKendrick Lamar
First released: 2015 (year verified)
Original album: To Pimp a Butterfly
Original 2015 To Pimp a Butterfly album recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: Hear how the buoyant refrain and the more unsettled verses hold different emotional weights at once.
Beyond the yearly listsRelease evidence and recording details
First released: 2015 (year verified)
The selected album recording was released in 2015. The separately presented music-video introduction is not part of this selection.
Recording: Original 2015 To Pimp a Butterfly album recording
Credit: Kendrick Lamar
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original album: To Pimp a Butterfly
Apple Music: Alright
The To Pimp a Butterfly album recording is dated March 2015. This is the album track, not the separate introduction attached to a music video. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
03list
orderKendrick Lamar featuring Jay Rock
First released: 2012 (year verified)
Original album: good kid, m.A.A.d city
Original 2012 good kid, m.A.A.d city album recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The floating backdrop gives both rappers room to make ordinary details feel charged with consequence.
Beyond the yearly listsRelease evidence and recording details
First released: 2012 (year verified)
The original album recording with Jay Rock was released in 2012. The featured credit is retained rather than folding the collaboration into a solo performance.
Recording: Original 2012 good kid, m.A.A.d city album recording
Credit: Kendrick Lamar featuring Jay Rock
Role in this collection: Primary artist; Jay Rock is the featured rapper
Original album: good kid, m.A.A.d city
Apple Music: Money Trees featuring Jay Rock
Original good kid, m.A.A.d city album track is dated October 2012 and explicitly identifies Jay Rock as featured artist. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
04list
orderKendrick Lamar
First released: 2012 (year verified)
Original single: Swimming Pools (Drank)
Original 2012 single recording; shorter version
MusicAtlas editorial note: The contrast between the inviting hook and the anxious shifts in the voice rewards a second listen.
Annual version match under reviewThe selected recording has release evidence, but its version has not been matched to the retained annual entry. It is omitted from Beyond the yearly lists until this match is resolved.
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 2012 (year verified)
The label documented the single in 2012 before the album. This selection is the shorter single recording, not the separately cataloged Extended Version. Only the supported year is asserted.
Recording: Original 2012 single recording; shorter version
Credit: Kendrick Lamar
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original single: Swimming Pools (Drank)
Interscope Records: 2012 good kid, m.A.A.d city release announcement
The August 2012 label announcement states that Swimming Pools was already released as a single in July, ahead of the October album. It also identifies Section.80 as a 2011 digital release. Year precision avoids asserting a first broadcast day. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
Apple Music: Swimming Pools (Drank), shorter bonus track
The distributor lists the shorter Swimming Pools recording separately as a bonus track, with July 2012 single metadata. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
Apple Music: Swimming Pools (Drank), Extended Version
The album catalog separately labels an Extended Version. Its inherited single-date metadata is not used to date the extended recording or to identify the unspecified annual entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
05list
orderKendrick Lamar
First released: 2015 (year verified)
Original album: To Pimp a Butterfly
Original 2015 To Pimp a Butterfly studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The springy bass line gives the restless vocal a firm place to push from.
Annual appearances: 2015
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 2015 (year verified)
The original album recording was released in 2015. The selected track is the studio release rather than a subsequent live performance.
Recording: Original 2015 To Pimp a Butterfly studio recording
Credit: Kendrick Lamar
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original album: To Pimp a Butterfly
Apple Music: King Kunta
The original To Pimp a Butterfly recording carries a March 2015 release date. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
06list
orderKendrick Lamar
First released: 2011 (year verified)
Original album: Section.80
Original 2011 Section.80 studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The hazy repeated figure makes a useful setting for the conversational turns in the delivery.
Beyond the yearly listsRelease evidence and recording details
First released: 2011 (year verified)
The original recording was publicly available in 2011. The album source and label chronology establish the year without asserting that the album day was the earliest single availability.
Recording: Original 2011 Section.80 studio recording
Credit: Kendrick Lamar
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original album: Section.80
Apple Music: A.D.H.D
Section.80 recording with July 2011 album metadata. Supports original release year 2011, not a claim that the album date was the first single day. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
Interscope Records: 2012 good kid, m.A.A.d city release announcement
The August 2012 label announcement states that Swimming Pools was already released as a single in July, ahead of the October album. It also identifies Section.80 as a 2011 digital release. Year precision avoids asserting a first broadcast day. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
07list
orderKendrick Lamar and SZA
First released: 2018 (year verified)
Original single: All the Stars
Original January 2018 single edition
MusicAtlas editorial note: The wide melodic refrain opens the collection outward while keeping the rap and sung voices distinct.
Annual version match under reviewThe selected recording has release evidence, but its version has not been matched to the retained annual entry. It is omitted from Beyond the yearly lists until this match is resolved.
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 2018 (year verified)
The January 2018 single edition predates the Black Panther album. Year precision is used; the separately listed album edition is not silently substituted for the selected single.
Recording: Original January 2018 single edition
Credit: Kendrick Lamar and SZA
Role in this collection: Co-lead artist with SZA
Original single: All the Stars
Qobuz: All the Stars, original single edition
The Black Panther/TDE distributor listing documents the January 2018 single edition, credited to Kendrick Lamar and SZA and running 3:55. Duration identifies this catalog edition; it alone does not prove a different performance. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
08list
orderKendrick Lamar
First released: 2022 (year verified)
Original album: Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
Original 2022 Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The sharp vocal switches make the track feel like several arguments competing for the same space.
Beyond the yearly listsRelease evidence and recording details
First released: 2022 (year verified)
The original album recording was released in 2022. The source establishes the album-track year, not a later video or performance date.
Recording: Original 2022 Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers studio recording
Credit: Kendrick Lamar
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original album: Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
Apple Music: N95
Original Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers track is dated May 2022. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
09list
orderKendrick Lamar
First released: 2024 (year verified)
Original single: Not Like Us
Original 2024 studio single recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: Focus on the clipped phrasing and the way repeated rhythmic figures build collective momentum.
Annual appearances: 2024 | 2025
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 2024 (year verified)
The original single was released in 2024. Its retained 2025 appearance is an annual carryover, not a new recording release.
Recording: Original 2024 studio single recording
Credit: Kendrick Lamar
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original single: Not Like Us
Apple Music: Not Like Us, original single
One-track original single dated May 2024, issued by Kendrick Lamar under exclusive license to Interscope. Supports the recording year before the 2025 annual carryover. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
10list
orderKendrick Lamar and SZA
First released: 2024 (year verified)
Original album: GNX
Original 2024 GNX studio collaboration
MusicAtlas editorial note: The softer exchange between Kendrick and SZA offers a spacious closing change of pace.
Annual appearances: 2025
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 2024 (year verified)
The original GNX recording was released in 2024. The retained 2025 annual appearance does not replace the album year; the SZA collaboration credit is supported by the label.
Recording: Original 2024 GNX studio collaboration
Credit: Kendrick Lamar and SZA
Role in this collection: Co-lead artist with SZA
Original album: GNX
Apple Music: luther
The original GNX track is dated November 2024 and the associated official music-video credit names Kendrick Lamar and SZA. Only year precision is claimed. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
Interscope Records: Kendrick Lamar and SZA release credit
The artist's label explicitly identifies luther with SZA under GNX. Used for the collaboration credit only, not as release-date evidence or as a claim about this collection's ranking. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
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