Unpacking the Hype: is Kendrick Lamar really overrated?

By Ja'Naya Lofton

Staff reporter

I honestly don’t care much for post ‘not like us’ Kendrick Lamar. I know, I know— unpopular opinion. Recently, popular Twitch streamer CaseOh said, “I look at Kendrick Lamar the same way I look at Chick-fil-A— not the worst, but disgustingly overrated.” And of course, everyone online lost their minds. People were saying things like, “It takes a certain IQ to understand his music” and “L take.” It felt like people just couldn’t handle someone expressing their own opinion.

So, I decided to look deeper. Every time someone says they don’t like Kendrick Lamar, or doesn’t think a song is the best thing ever, people go crazy. It’s like his fans think he’s perfect, and if you don’t agree with them, you’re wrong. I get it— he’s talented. But honestly, I think it’s time to stop acting like Kendrick’s untouchable and above criticism.

Let’s rewind to 2012, when Kendrick dropped good kid, m.A.A.d city. That album was massive. It got nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2014 Grammys but lost to Macklemore’s The Heist—which is considered one of the worst Grammy decisions ever. But Kendrick didn’t let it get to him. He said, “[The Grammy defeats] would have been upsetting to me if I'd known that was my best work, if I had nothing new to offer.” And he showed that in 2015 with To Pimp a Butterfly, which, for me and many others, is his best album ever.

To Pimp a Butterfly wasn’t just an album—it was a whole movement. It was deep, talking about race, identity, and personal growth. It wasn’t just music, it made people think. It’s no surprise that it won Best Rap Album at the Grammys that year.

An album later, Kendrick started to step away from that “hip-hop savior” role that people kept putting him in. He even said it himself—he wasn’t trying to be the hero of hip-hop, even though fans kept making him out to be.

Then in 2022, Kendrick dropped Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. It was a good album. Kendrick was being real and talking about his life and struggles. The track to focus on was “Savior” because it had a message on celebrity worship. People treat entertainers like they’re the answer to everything and can do nothing wrong. In that track, he repeats, “I choose me, I’m sorry” in the chorus. That’s a line that is way too relevant.

Kendrick Lamar wasn’t trying to be anyone’s savior anymore—he was just telling his story. It felt like a personal album, and honestly, it was one of his best in a while.

But then, there’s GNX. It just felt like it was made for commercial success. It didn’t have the deep, thought-provoking music we’ve come to expect from Kendrick which, of course, is okay—I like artists who don't really say anything like Sexyy Red or Polo G. But we can't pretend this album is all that great. The songs were fine, but nothing really stood out. It seemed like Kendrick was just trying to make catchy hits for the radio rather than making music from the heart. It wasn’t a bad album, but it wasn’t the kind of music that made people call him a genius.

In the end, people really need to stop treating Kendrick like he’s untouchable. He’s still a talented artist, but GNX showed that he’s not pushing boundaries the way he used to. He’s just making music that works, and that’s okay, but it’s not the same as the old Kendrick we used to know and love.