After a week the numbers are in and they tell a story about how well Kendrick Lamar is doing compared to his contemporaries. According to Billboard “While Lamar’s total doesn’t match Drake‘s mighty opening week for If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late from earlier in 2015, he comes in far ahead of a number of his hip-hop competitors”
I heard that when I am old and I will want to think, I will want to listen to Kendrick and not his competitors but I disagree. When I am old and I want to think I will read a book or talk to my spouse or go for a walk/run; I will do those things instead of listen to Kendrick because I want my music to move me in different way than anything else moves me in my life. Sense when has a music ability to make you think determined the quality of the art; art makes you feel. I am not saying that Kendrick Lamar’s music does not move me, what I am saying is that a lot of other music moves me more than Lamar does. If I have to think to listen to your music it may not be as good as the music that makes me feel without putting any effort in. I want my music to move me like the weather does; when you feel sunshine on your face you don’t have to think about it; the Sun makes you feel good effortlessly.
If what I said makes any sense to you you are a genius. I am struggling to put into words my feelings on Mr. Lamar.
According to Billboard:
Eminem, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013) 792,000
Jay Z, Magna Carta… Holy Grail (2013) 527,000
Drake, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late (2015) 495,000
J. Cole, 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014) 354,000
Kanye West, Yeezus (2013) 327,000
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp A Butterfly (2015) 324,000
Nicki Minaj, The Pinkprint (2014) 244,000
Kendrick Lamar, good kid, m.A.A.d city (2013) 241,000
Wale, The Gifted (2013) 158,000
ScHoolboy Q, Oxymoron (2014) 139,000
A$AP Rocky, Long.Live.A$AP (2013) 139,000
Big Sean, Dark Sky Paradise (2015) 139,000
Jeezy, Seen It All: The Autobiography (2014) 121,000
Wiz Khalifa, Blacc Hollywood (2014) 90,000
Lecrae, Anomaly (2014) 88,000
T.I., Paperwork (2014) 80,000
Rick Ross, Hood Billionaire (2014)* 74,000
Future, Honest (2014) 53,000
*Rick Ross’ first 2014 album, Mastermind, enjoyed a higher debut at 179,000 albums.