DAMN.

A sonic mirror reflecting the chaotic duality of faith, sin, and self-discovery.

Released in 2017, this work serves as a complex mirror reflecting the duality of human nature, exploring themes of faith, doubt, pride, and redemption through a kaleidoscope of musical styles. It is not merely a collection of songs but a narrative journey that challenges the listener to confront their own moral ambiguities.

Last updated 2026-09-28 from the source article.

Quick Facts

Artist

Kendrick Lamar

Released

14 April 2017

Studio

Henson (Hollywood)
Jungle City (New York City)
No Excuses (Santa Monica)
Windmark (Santa Monica)

Genre

Conscious hip-hop

Length

54:54

Label

TDE
Aftermath
Interscope

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

The work delves deep into the internal struggle between the 'good' and 'bad' versions of the self, personified through various alter egos and spiritual archetypes. It captures a specific moment in time where the protagonist grapples with the weight of his own legacy, the expectations of his community, and the terrifying freedom of absolute choice. The atmosphere oscillates between the serene comfort of church choirs and the chaotic energy of street corners.

Reader's Guide

This artifact functions by forcing the listener to engage with their own contradictions. It does not offer easy answers but instead presents a series of moral dilemmas wrapped in intricate rhythms and poetic prose. To wield this power, one must be willing to listen twice: once forward to see the ascent, and once backward to witness the descent. This dual perspective reveals that the 'good' and 'bad' are often two sides of the same coin, dependent entirely on the observer's starting point. The artifact is best used for introspection during moments of crisis or celebration. It serves as a tool for self-examination, stripping away pretenses to reveal the raw truth of human behavior. Only those brave enough to face their own shadows can fully unlock its meaning.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1	Blood	Kendrick Duckworth, Daniel Tannenbaum, Anthony Tiffith	1:58
2	DNA	Duckworth, Michael Williams II	3:05
3	Yah	Duckworth, Mark Spears, Dacoury Natche, Tiffith	2:40
4	Element	Duckworth, Spears, James Blake, Ricci Riera	3:28
5	Feel	Duckworth, Spears	3:34
6	Loyalty (featuring Rihanna)	Duckworth, Natche, Spears, Robyn Fenty, Terrace Martin, Tiffith, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Christopher Brody Brown, Russell Jones, Robert Diggs, Shawn Carter, Malik Cox, Calvin Broadus, Ricardo Thomas	3:47
7	Pride	Duckworth, Steve Lacy, Anna Wise, Tiffith	4:35
8	Humble	Duckworth, Williams II, Asheton Hogan	2:57
9	Lust	Duckworth, Natche, Spears, Chester Hansen, Alexander Sowinski, Matthew Tavares, Leland Whitty	5:07
10	Love (featuring Zacari)	Duckworth, Zacari Pacaldo, Travis Walton, Spears, Greg Kurstin, Tiffith	3:33
11	XXX (featuring U2)	Duckworth, Williams II, Natche, Spears, Tiffith, Paul Hewson, David Evans, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr.	4:14
12	Fear	Duckworth, Daniel Maman, Dale Warren	7:40
13	God	Duckworth, Riera, Spears, Natche, Tannenbaum, Ronald LaTour, Tiffith, Daveon Jackson, Mike Hector, Walton, Brock Korsan	4:08
14	Duckworth	Duckworth, Patrick Douthit, Nai Palm, Don Robey, Joe Scott, Bill Curtis	4:08
Total length			54:54

Track listing from the source article.

Did You Know?

The project's title is intentionally stylized with a period at the end, signaling a definitive statement or conclusion.
Listening to the tracklist in reverse order reveals an alternate narrative arc that changes the context of the songs.
It marked a significant departure from previous sonic landscapes by incorporating more traditional jazz and funk instrumentation.
The work received widespread critical acclaim for its lyrical depth and production quality, solidifying the artist's status as a cultural icon.