Kendrick Lamar shook the rap world last week when he decided to unexpectedly drop his latest album, To Pimp a Butterfly. In many ways, the album stood out, not just because the music was stellar and furthered how Kendrick is perceived as an artist, but because it took inspiration from a slew of different places. Throughout Kendrick Lamar’s work influences can be pinpointed from jazz and funk to elements of ’90s West Coast hip-hop. At first blush, it’s easy to point out all the jazz and funk influences. Bilal, who is featured on two songs, went so far as to say Kendrick’s latest album is “high-level jazz.” For many, To Pimp a Butterfly sounds unlike any rap music.
