The album's impact extended beyond the music world, with "To Pimp A Butterfly" being name-checked in publications like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone. The album's influence can also be seen in the work of other artists, such as Kanye West, J. Cole, and Chance the Rapper, who have all cited Kendrick as an inspiration.
Some listeners initially found the album less "accessible" than good kid, m.A.A.d city due to its dense jazz structures and lack of traditional radio hooks. A few critics noted that the poem-as-narrative device can feel overly literary on first listen. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly -2015- -MP...