MusicRx - DAMN.: Kendrick Lamar’s Ruthless Blade

Introduction

Released April 14, 2017, via Top Dawg and Aftermath/Interscope, Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN., a 14 track, 55 minute hip-hop crucible, hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 603,000 first week units. Driven by Sounwave and DJ Dahi, it’s 4x Platinum by 2025 with 3.5 billion streams.

Production

Sounwave, DJ Dahi, and Mike WiLL Made-It forge DAMN. in Henson Studios, blending trap bangers, boom-bap, and R&B silk. DNA. switches ferociously, LOVE. glides lushly, XXX. twists chaotically, shaping acts like Saba, though jagged transitions nick its polish.

Messaging and Theme

Kendrick’s stark brick wall stare, shot by Dave Free and Vlad Sepetov, frames DAMN. in raw duality. HUMBLE. commands “Sit down,” DNA. roars “I got loyalty,” FEAR. dreads “I’ll probably slip,” LOVE. pleads “trust me.” It’s Compton’s deep red pulse of pride, fear, faith.

Features

DAMN. shines with Rihanna, Zacari, and U2. Rihanna and Zacari add sultry depth to LOYALTY., U2 haunts XXX. Kendrick’s deep red bars dominate, more guests could’ve sparked extra fire, but his vision cuts solo.

Streaming Growth

Track Highlights

For Newcomers

HUMBLE. and DNA., thumping beats and fierce bars hook instantly, deep red gateways to Kendrick’s world.

For The Dive

XXX. and FEAR., chaotic shifts and raw dread plunge deep, Kendrick’s soul laid bare.

Hidden Gems

LOVE. and DUCKWORTH., lush silk and fateful tales glow deep red, subtle brilliance unfolds.

Latest Obsessions

HUMBLE. (Live 2025), Coachella 2025’s fiery cut reignites this deep red anthem, gripping fans in 2025.

Previous Works

Section.80 (2011) whispered Kendrick’s rise, good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012) roared with Swimming Pools, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) soared. DAMN. sharpened the blade, paving Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022).

Legacy & Reception

Pitchfork’s 9.2/10 praised DAMN.’s raw genius, Rolling Stone’s 4.5/5 lauded its depth. With 3.5 billion streams by March 2025, a HUMBLE. Coachella surge cements its deep red spark, shaping Saba and JID.

Awards Recognition

DAMN. claimed two 2018 Grammys and a Pulitzer, its 4x Platinum and 3.5 billion streams by 2025 cementing its deep red mark.

Category	Year	Result
Album of the Year	2018	Nominated
Best Rap Album	2018	Won
Best Rap Song (HUMBLE.)	2018	Won

9.0

Originality

DAMN. carves duality, HUMBLE. flips bravado, blending mainstream and Compton’s soul, a deep red edge.

9.0

Production

Beats slash, DNA. shifts predatorily, spanning trap to silk, though transitions jar slightly.

9.5

Lyrics

Bars cut deep, FEAR. unravels dread, faith and pain dissected, with hits simpler yet sharp.

8.5

Enjoyment

LOVE. soothes, XXX. ignites, rich for depth, but heavy for casual spins.

8.5

Consistency

Narrative binds, DUCKWORTH. seals it, yet GOD. strays, strong but not seamless.

8.9

Overall

DAMN. is Kendrick’s deep red blade, a 55 minute storm of duality and truth. Its 3.5 billion streams and 2025 Coachella buzz prove its edge, a hip-hop sermon in 2025.

Chart Performance

Album	Highest Charting Song	Peak Position	Streams (as of 2025)	Certification	Units Sold
good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012)	Swimming Pools	14	2.9B	3x Platinum	3.2M
DAMN. (2017)	HUMBLE.	1	3.5B	4x Platinum	4.1M

Album Certifications

Album	Certification	Units (Millions)
good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012)	3x Platinum	3.2
DAMN. (2017)	4x Platinum	4.1

Sources

Data sourced from Billboard, RIAA, Spotify, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone, verified as of March 2025.