Kendrick Lamar - Untitled Unmastered. [Black Vinyl LP]

untitled unmastered. arrived on March 4, 2016, as a compilation of previously unreleased demos that originated during the recording sessions for Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly. Released on May 27, 2016 through Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records, this black vinyl pressing captures eight untitled tracks that continue the exploration of politically charged themes and experimental sounds from its predecessor. The album features studio versions of songs Lamar performed on The Colbert Report, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and at the 58th annual Grammy Awards. The project debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200.

The album experiments with free jazz, soul, avant-garde, and funk styles across its eight tracks. "untitled 02 | 06.23.2014." blends faint saxophone squalls and cloying synths with contemplative verses about faith and materialism, while "untitled 05 | 09.21.2014." features dusty fast-paced drums and an intense bassline with a standout verse from Jay Rock. "untitled 07 | 2014-2016" spans over eight minutes as a three-part epic, gliding from trap-influenced beats to wordless choral melodies before closing with studio chatter. "untitled 06 | 06.30.2014." features a jazz-funk groove marked by xylophone and flute with uncredited vocals from CeeLo Green, while "untitled 08 | 09.06.2014." delivers hydraulic-pumping synthesized bass and optimistic energy.

This vinyl pressing delivers the album's dark, psychedelic atmosphere with clarity. The production showcases raw, unmastered recordings that reveal Lamar's creative process during the To Pimp a Butterfly era. Each track title includes its recording date, emphasizing the archival nature of these sessions. The pressing captures the album's jazz-infused instrumentation and Lamar's vocal experimentation, from aggressive flows to contemplative deliveries. This collection demonstrates the depth of material created during one of hip-hop's most acclaimed recording sessions.

• Format: Black Vinyl LP
• Standout tracks: "untitled 02 | 06.23.2014.," "untitled 05 | 09.21.2014.," "untitled 07 | 2014-2016"
• Pressing details: Standard weight vinyl, single jacket
• Genre/style: Jazz Rap, Conscious Hip Hop, Experimental Hip Hop, Funk
• UPC: 602547866813

These demos showcase Lamar's unfiltered artistry during a pivotal creative period, offering an intimate look at the experimental sounds and complex themes that defined his Grammy-winning era.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Untitled 01 08.19.2014.
2. Untitled 02 06.23.2014.
3. Untitled 03 05.28.2013.
4. Untitled 04 08.14.2014.

Side B:

1. Untitled 05 09.21.2014.
2. Untitled 06 06.30.2013.
3. Untitled 07 2014 - 2016
4. Untitled 08 09.06.2014.