Kendrick Lamar

To Pimp a Butterfly

First released2015

To Pimp a Butterfly, released in March 2015, was recorded across multiple sessions in Los Angeles studios including the legendary Record Plant and other facilities, marking a significant shift in Kendrick Lamar's production approach following the success of good kid, m.A.A.d city. The album featured diverse producers including Thundercat, Flying Lotus, J. Cole, and others, reflecting Kendrick's collaborative vision and incorporation of live instrumentation, funk, and jazz influences rather than relying solely on hip-hop production. Engineer Sounwave, who had worked extensively with Kendrick, played a crucial role in the recording and mixing process. Notable technical choices included the use of live musicians and organic instrumentation throughout the album, departing from the previous album's more sample-based approach, and the incorporation of conceptual spoken-word interludes that advanced the album's narrative arc. The production represented a creative evolution influenced by West Coast jazz and funk traditions while maintaining Kendrick's lyrical complexity and social commentary.