“The Blacker the Berry” stands as Kendrick Lamar’s greatest artistic achievement, combining unflinching social commentary with masterful lyricism.
From his humble beginnings in Compton to becoming hip-hop’s Pulitzer Prize winner, Kendrick Lamar has consistently delivered tracks that transcend typical rap boundaries.
This ranking considers lyrical complexity, cultural impact, streaming performance, and critical acclaim to present the definitive list of his essential works.
Note: Our selection spans his entire discography, highlighting both chart-toppers and underground classics that showcase his evolution as an artist.
What Is Kendrick Lamar’s Best Song?
While “HUMBLE.” dominates streaming platforms with over 2.6 billion plays, “The Blacker the Berry” represents Kendrick’s artistic peak through its raw examination of racial identity and uncompromising social commentary.
Experience his classics live at Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 tour with SZA on the Grand National Tour.
Best Kendrick Lamar Songs: Chart Performance Overview
Understanding the Billboard performance of Kendrick Lamar’s top songs provides context for both their commercial appeal and artistic merit. His mainstream breakthrough came with good kid, m.A.A.d city, while To Pimp a Butterfly established his critical dominance.
| Rank | Song Name | Key Theme / Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Blacker the Berry | Racial identity & social commentary |
| 2 | m.A.A.d city | Cinematic storytelling of Compton life |
| 3 | HUMBLE. | Ego, fame, and cultural dominance |
| 4 | Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst | Redemption, mortality, and narrative depth |
| 5 | ADHD | Youth struggles in the digital age |
| 6 | Alright | Hope and resistance in the face of injustice |
| 7 | Swimming Pools (Drank) | Alcoholism and peer pressure |
| 8 | DNA. | Identity and inherited traits |
| 9 | King Kunta | Empowerment, legacy, and industry politics |
| 10 | Money Trees | Street dreams and survival in urban America |
His Billboard Hot 100 achievements include multiple top 10 hits, while streaming revenue streams on Spotify and Apple Music reflects both critical acclaim and mainstream appeal.
Cultural moments, such as “Alright” becoming a protest anthem, demonstrate how individual tracks transcend music charts. Awards recognition spans Grammy wins to the historic Pulitzer Prize, with commercial success often aligning with artistic merit across his catalog.
Top 10 Kendrick Lamar Songs Ranked: The Definitive List
These selections represent the finest examples of Kendrick’s artistry, chosen for their lasting impact on hip-hop culture and musical innovation.
1. The Blacker the Berry
Album: To Pimp a Butterfly
This track showcases Kendrick’s artistic courage through an unflinching examination of black identity and internalized racism.
The controversial statements and complex racial commentary demonstrate his willingness to confront uncomfortable truths while maintaining an uncompromising artistic vision.
2. m.A.A.d city
Album: good kid, m.A.A.d city
Cinematic storytelling reaches its peak through vivid Compton geography and deeply personal narrative.
MC Eiht’s features create generational bridges while showcasing Kendrick’s ability to craft immersive musical experiences that feel like short films.
3. HUMBLE.
Album: DAMN.
This track perfectly marries accessibility with substance, creating chart domination while maintaining lyrical depth.
The visual impact and meme culture influence section illustrates how modern classics emerge from multimedia cultural moments.
4. Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst
Album: good kid, m.A.A.d city
This 12-minute epic displays narrative mastery through intricate character development and emotional depth.
Critical consensus recognizes it as the album’s centerpiece, showcasing Kendrick’s ability to sustain complex storytelling across extended compositions.
5. ADHD
Album: Section.80
An early showcase of conceptual storytelling ability, this underground classic preceded mainstream success while offering Generation Z’s music preferences commentary on attention spans and digital age pressures.
The track established patterns that would define his later masterworks.
6. Alright
Album: To Pimp a Butterfly
Beyond music charts, this protest anthem achieved profound social impact during the Black Lives Matter movement.
The hopeful message amid systemic criticism and powerful live performance responses demonstrates music’s capacity for social change.
7. Swimming Pools (Drank)
Album: good kid, m.A.A.d city
A masterful critique of alcohol culture disguised as a party anthem, featuring complex narrative structure and multiple perspectives.
This mainstream breakthrough moment for Kendrick proved that intelligent rap could achieve commercial success.
8. DNA.
Album: DAMN.
Explosive energy showcases technical rap skills through themes of identity, genetics, and societal expectations.
The commercial success and mainstream crossover appeal demonstrate Kendrick’s ability to make complex concepts accessible to broad audiences.
9. King Kunta
Album: To Pimp a Butterfly
This funk-driven anthem addresses industry politics and black empowerment through historical references to Kunta Kinte and slave narratives.
Production innovation with live instrumentation creates a unique sound that bridges past and present.
10. Money Trees (feat.. Jay Rock)
Album: good kid, m.A.A.d city
A perfect blend of storytelling and melody features Jay Rock’s stellar contribution while exploring street dreams and urban survival.
The cultural impact on West Coast hip-hop continues to influence contemporary artists seeking similar narrative depth.
Kendrick Lamar’s Most Streamed Songs on Spotify 2024
| Rank | Song Title | Album | Spotify Streams | Release Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HUMBLE. | DAMN. | 2.6B+ | 2017 |
| 2 | DNA. | DAMN. | 1.4B+ | 2017 |
| 3 | LOYALTY. (feat. Rihanna) | DAMN. | 1.2B+ | 2017 |
| 4 | Swimming Pools (Drank) | Good Kid, m.A.A.d city | 800M+ | 2012 |
| 5 | Poetic Justice (feat. Drake) | Good Kid, m.A.A.d city | 750M+ | 2012 |
These numbers provide valuable context for understanding mainstream appeal versus critical favorites within our comprehensive ranking system, positioning Kendrick among the most streamed artists on Spotify globally.
Kendrick Lamar Top Songs Billboard Chart History
Examining Kendrick Lamar’s streamed song performance reveals fascinating patterns across different eras of his career.
“HUMBLE.” reaching number one on Billboard Hot 100 marked a commercial peak, while chart performance analysis shows consistent growth from Section.80 through DAMN.
Pop crossover success often contrasted with hip-hop chart dominance, creating dual audiences for his work.
International chart performance in the UK, Canada, and Australia demonstrates global appeal, with awards recognition frequently correlating with commercial success.
| Song Title | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| HUMBLE. | #1 | 25 | 8x Platinum |
| DNA. | #4 | 20 | 5x Platinum |
| LOYALTY. | #14 | 18 | 4x Platinum |
| Swimming Pools | #17 | 22 | 6x Platinum |
| Love. | #11 | 16 | 3x Platinum |
Commercial success frequently aligns with artistic merit, though some deep cuts deserve equal recognition alongside chart performers.
Top 10 Kendrick Lamar Songs Reddit
Reddit users consistently highlight these tracks in discussions, reflecting genuine fan appreciation beyond commercial metrics:
- Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst
- Money Trees
- m.A.A.d city
- DNA.
- Alright
- King Kunta
- Swimming Pools (Drank)
- How Much A Dollar Cost
- u
- The Blacker the Berry
These selections demonstrate how fan communities recognize both accessibility and artistic depth when curating their personal favorites, positioning Kendrick among the top Rappers in the world.
Kendrick Lamar’s Most Streamed & Downloaded Songs In 2025
Current streaming trends indicate that playlist additions drive discovery, while the viral impact of TikTok songs creates unexpected song revivals.
The new generation’s discovery of older tracks continues to expand his audience, with anniversary bump effects benefiting classic songs. Recent album releases have led to increased catalog streaming across his entire discography.
| Song Title | 2025 Growth % | Platform Dominance | New Listener % |
|---|---|---|---|
| HUMBLE. | +12% | YouTube/Spotify | 35% |
| Alright | +25% | Spotify/Apple | 28% |
| DNA. | +8% | All Platforms | 31% |
| Swimming Pools | +15% | Spotify | 42% |
Legacy tracks continue to find new audiences while maintaining engagement with existing fan bases, proving their timeless quality.
Conclusion: The Blacker the Berry, Kendrick Lamar’s Greatest Track
“The Blacker the Berry” remains Kendrick Lamar’s definitive artistic statement, combining fearless social commentary with unmatched lyrical sophistication.
This ranking methodology considered multiple factors while acknowledging the inherent subjectivity in music evaluation. Exploring beyond these top 10 tracks reveals additional gems throughout his discography, each offering unique insights into his artistic evolution.
Kendrick’s continued growth as an artist ensures future classics will emerge, but these selections represent the foundation of his legendary status in hip-hop history.
FAQs
“How Much a Dollar Cost” receives widespread critical praise for its spiritual themes and storytelling despite minimal commercial chart performance.
“Rigamortis” showcases Kendrick’s most intricate wordplay through rapid-fire delivery and multi-layered internal rhyme schemes throughout the track.
His features like “Control” often generate massive impact through competitive verses that elevate both the original track and his profile.
“Alright” offers accessible melody and uplifting message while showcasing his lyrical abilities without intimidating complexity for newcomers.
“The Blacker the Berry” demonstrates his evolution from promising newcomer to mature artist tackling society’s most challenging topics fearlessly.
