Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.' Leaked And The Internet Is Up In Arms Over It

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSvcjL3BZDY/?taken-by=kendricklamar&hl=en

The anticipation for Kendrick Lamar’s new album DAMN. has reached a fever pitch today — and then it broke because the album leaked. Hey, if LeBron James has it, we should all have it, right? I guess the leak is just par for the course if an artist does physical releases in 2017, people aren’t willing to respect the artistry. So it goes!

After all the conversation surrounding the “Humble” video, and the searing gauntlet that kicked off his album release drop, “The Heart Part 4,” and the brooding album artwork (for more on that check out what the creator had to say about it), I don’t think it will surprise anyone that DAMN. is aggressive and bold, threaded with defiance and #bars.

It’s not akin to To Pimp A Butterfly at all, but it doesn’t feel apiece with good kid, maad city either, though some fans are relieved to hear him returning to more traditional rapping and beats. Even so, this album is a step forward for Kendrick in every sense. Of course, as the record gradually made its way around the internet this afternoon, reactions on Twitter were abundant and passionate. But then Sounwave dropped this tweet and everyone stopped for a second:

But what if I told you… that's not the official version..

— Sounwave (@sounwave) April 14, 2017

Damn, indeed. As far as initial fan thoughts go, the album’s second track, “DNA.” is already racking up praise, and overall the reaction seems to be very positive. Check out some of the most insightful and funny commentary below.

https://twitter.com/InMyZoneTho/status/852652307045109760

Give @MikeWiLLMadeIt A FUCKING GRAMMY. He killed Those 3 (DNA, HUMBLE & XXX ft. U2) Beats for Kendrick. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

— Rin Brady (@Rxndai) April 13, 2017

https://twitter.com/andrewbrasi/status/852657204389965824
https://twitter.com/1umanta/status/851809811402547200

https://twitter.com/SheaSerrano/status/852660036388225026

When you're waiting till midnight to hear Kendrick Lamar's new album but everyone else already downloaded the leaked version. #DAMN pic.twitter.com/Xf6pgiwv2Y

— NUFF (@nuffsaidny) April 14, 2017

https://twitter.com/RobMarkman/status/852657030217293829

The Kiiiiddd Capri.

— Elliott Wilson (@ElliottWilson) April 13, 2017

When that new Kendrick is playing at the #EndOfTheWorldParty but you're also trying to keep an eye out for missile strikes. pic.twitter.com/Dm5fDZsrqw

— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) April 13, 2017

Drake stans vs. Kendrick stans going at it tonight like https://t.co/NcBQxr6JgU

— .Ryan (@r3pliku) April 13, 2017

This Kendrick/U2 collab… isn't a trainwreck! pic.twitter.com/HY091BS4dr

— Renato Pagnani (@rennavate) April 13, 2017

https://twitter.com/russbengtson/status/852668514259402754

Kendrick Lamar – Damn (2017) pic.twitter.com/IGdTSbq81H

— TYPE3 (@TYPE3LV) April 14, 2017

My bruh @zacarip got the voice of an unicorn and an angel

— MADMAN 37.563936, -116.85123 (@CardoGotWings) April 13, 2017

Of course, plenty of fans don’t want to listen to a leak anyway, or had mixed feelings:

https://twitter.com/theerictables/status/852682429303185408
https://twitter.com/Young_Guru/status/852670502925721600

When everyone is tweeting about the Kendrick album leaking, but you're trying to be a loyal fan and wait til the actual release pic.twitter.com/YtWkeq7Bm8

— All Def (@AllDef) April 14, 2017