Kendrick Lamar isn’t just one of the greatest rappers alive—he’s the kind of artist people study, debate, and quote like scripture. His music blends raw storytelling, social commentary, and poetic skill in a way that makes you hit rewind just to catch what you missed. But out of his entire catalog, there are certain tracks that truly shaped his rise—from hungry newcomer to cultural icon. These are the 10 Kendrick Lamar songs that built the legacy, sparked conversations, and proved he was built for more than just bars.
1. “Swimming Pools (Drank)” (good kid, m.A.A.d city, 2012)
“Pour up, drank. Head shot, drank…” You’ve heard the hook. Everyone has. When “Swimming Pools” dropped, it felt like a party anthem—until you realized Kendrick wasn’t celebrating drinking, he was exposing it.
The track dives into the cycle of addiction, especially within Black communities, but it’s wrapped in a beat so smooth it slid onto mainstream radio without a second thought. Out of all these 10 Kendrick Lamar songs, this one was his first real moment in the pop spotlight, and instead of dumbing it down, he doubled down on substance. That balance—of art and accessibility—is exactly what made him different. It was the beginning of something way bigger.
2. “B*tch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” (good kid, m.A.A.d city, 2012)
This one hits like a deep exhale after a long day. “B*tch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” isn’t aggressive or flashy—it’s meditative, floaty, and drenched in mood. Kendrick uses it to carve out space for himself, away from the chaos of fame, industry pressure, and fake friends.
And what makes it special is how relatable it is. We’ve all had moments where we just need peace, and Kendrick put that feeling into a groove you can ride to. It’s not just a song—it’s a vibe check. A gentle but firm reminder to protect your energy, even if you’re rising to the top.
3. “Backseat Freestyle” (good kid, m.A.A.d city, 2012)
Now this is Kendrick at his most unfiltered. “Backseat Freestyle” is pure, uncut bravado. It’s him in full-on teenage mode—dreaming big, talking reckless, and rapping like he’s got something to prove (because he did).
And that’s what makes the track so fun. It’s not “conscious Kendrick,” it’s hungry Kendrick. You can picture him in the backseat, scribbling lines in a notebook, imagining himself as rap royalty before anyone else believed it. It’s cocky, chaotic, and incredibly quotable. But underneath the bars, there’s a glimpse of the storytelling genius we’d see more of later.
4. “Poetic Justice” ft. Drake (good kid, m.A.A.d city, 2012)
When Kendrick teamed up with Drake on “Poetic Justice,” it felt like a major moment—two of the biggest voices in rap at the time, on one laid-back, love-drenched track. The Janet Jackson sample gave it a nostalgic, almost romantic pull, but Kendrick’s verses cut a little deeper.
It’s not just a soft track thrown in for radio play—it’s thoughtful, observational, and rooted in real emotion. He talks about the kind of love that sees your flaws and sticks around anyway. And it’s moments like these—where he blends vulnerability with precision—that show just how wide his range is. He doesn’t just rap about life—he dissects it.
5. “Alright” (To Pimp a Butterfly, 2015)
If Kendrick has a signature anthem, this is it. “Alright” became the heartbeat of a movement. Released during a time of rising tension over police brutality and racial injustice, it quickly transformed into a chant for protests and rallies across the country. But Kendrick didn’t set out to write a protest song—he wrote from pain, survival, and cautious optimism.
What hits hardest is the balance between despair and defiance. The verses are heavy, full of weight and weariness, but then the hook kicks in—“We gon’ be alright”—and suddenly there’s hope. This isn’t just one of the 10 Kendrick Lamar songs that define his legacy—it is his legacy. Hope in the middle of the storm. Truth dressed in rhythm. And a reminder that music can be more than sound—it can be salvation.
6. “King Kunta” (To Pimp a Butterfly, 2015)
“King Kunta” kicks the door open with funk, fire, and a whole lot of attitude. Kendrick steps into his power here—loud, unfiltered, and full of swagger—as he draws parallels between himself and Kunta Kinte, the enslaved warrior who refused to be broken.
The production’s wild in the best way—layered, groovy, and built for blasting with the windows down. But underneath the bounce is a pointed message about exploitation, ownership, and the cost of success when you’re Black and brilliant in America. It’s a flex, but it’s also a warning: Kendrick sees the game for what it is, and he’s not playing by its rules.
7. “HUMBLE.” (DAMN., 2017)
There’s a reason “HUMBLE.” went straight to No. 1 and didn’t let go. It’s a masterclass in minimalism—tight beat, tighter bars, and a chorus that basically took over Instagram captions for a year.
But don’t let the banger status fool you—this is Kendrick doing what he does best: flipping expectations. He’s calling out egos, industry fakes, and even himself. “Sit down, be humble” isn’t just a diss—it’s a mantra. The video alone was a cultural reset. At this point, Kendrick wasn’t just part of the rap conversation—he was the conversation.
8. “DNA.” (DAMN., 2017)
This one’s a firestorm. From the second it drops, “DNA.” hits with relentless force—Kendrick unpacking identity, pride, trauma, and heritage all in one breathless performance. It’s the sound of someone tearing through every label placed on them and coming out stronger.
He raps like he’s on trial ,and the beat is the judge. The second verse, especially, is explosive—part freestyle, part exorcism. “DNA.” doesn’t hold your hand. It slams you against the wall and demands you listen. It’s raw, unfiltered Kendrick—furious and focused.
9. “The Heart Part 5” (2022)
When “The Heart Part 5” dropped, it felt like time stopped. No rollout, no album yet—just Kendrick, back after five years, with a Marvin Gaye sample and a message that hit like a gut punch. And the deepfake video? Wild. He morphs into Kanye, Nipsey, Will Smith, Kobe—channeling their voices, their grief, their lessons.
But it’s not a gimmick. It’s a meditation on fame, empathy, and legacy. Kendrick’s not preaching—he’s reflecting, and letting us in on the process. That vulnerability is what makes this one so powerful. It’s not about showing off anymore—it’s about showing up.
10. “Not Like Us” (2024)
You knew this one had to be here. “Not Like Us” wasn’t just a song—it was a full-blown moment. The Drake diss heard around the world, this track exploded during the biggest rap beef of the decade and became Kendrick’s ultimate power move.
It’s catchy, venomous, and impossible to ignore. The fact that it took home five Grammys and headlined his Super Bowl performance? Just more proof that Kendrick can dominate the game on his own terms. Love it or hate it, “Not Like Us” stamped him into the rap history books again—this time with a smirk and a mic drop.
Legacy Locked In
Kendrick Lamar’s catalog is stacked with brilliance, but these 10 songs? They’re the pillars. Each one marked a turning point—whether it was his big mainstream breakthrough, a cultural rally cry, or a lyrical flex that left the internet stunned.
They show the full spectrum of who Kendrick is: the poet, the prophet, the firestarter, the kid from Compton who made it to Pulitzer-level greatness. His legacy isn’t just built on bars—it’s built on meaning. And no matter what era you catch him in, he always has something to say—and a thousand ways to say it better than anyone else.
