Untitled, Unmastered, Unappreciated
In Kendrick Lamar’s discography, Untitled Unmastered is often overlooked. Why? Considered to be the B-sides of To Pimp a Butterfly, the project is one of my favorites. It’s time we recognize this project as one of Kendrick’s best works both sonically and lyrically.
Leading up to its unexpected release, Lamar had a string of live performances that still give me chills to this day. During those performances, Lamar would combine the verses of two different songs which resulted in some insane switch-ups.
Most songs that get cut from an album never see the light of day. However, Lamar decided to release these eight tracks almost as a low-key flex. In a sense, these eight B-sides are better than some rappers’ career work.
What struck me the most about this project was the incredible instrumentation and edgy nihilist lyrics. The way Kendrick uses different inflections is intoxicating (almost as if he’s inebriated).
Untitled 01 sets the tone for the apocalyptic nature of these tracks. Continuing on the theme of fearing God from his previous album, Kendrick vividly describes the horrors of judgment day.
Untitled 02 describes Kendrick’s torn between two lives. Split between his successful career and his life back home in Compton. While becoming famous has separated him from his family, his wealth provides for those back home. Yet because of his absence, friends and family still keep dying. After a brief conversation with God, it is revealed that “It won’t be long” (referring to Untitled 01). So In a last-ditch effort, he calls the TDE squad home before the rapture.
Untitled 03 has several minorities (Asians, Indians, and Blacks) giving Kendrick “a piece” of themselves — advising him on how to live his life better. However, the majority (the white man) takes “a piece” of Kendrick (genius.com).
Untitled 04 juxtaposes a dichotomy between body and mind — “head” refers to both oral sex and education (genius.com).
Untitled 05 is far and away my favorite track. The vivid imagery from Anna Wise on the hook, along with the harrowing sax sample from Eric Dolphy, makes it an absolute emotional rollercoaster of a song.
Untitled 07 Afterwards, the listener is treated to a recording session from Untitled 04. I would prefer it to be its own track rather than tacked onto the end, but it definitely provides a rare look into Kendrick’s creative process; which is a treat for any K-dot fan.
Sure, it's messy and you don't quite have the cohesiveness of an album, but the ideas shine through on every song. As a dedicated Kendrick Lamar fan, I'm glad these tracks saw the light of day.