Greatest Rap Albums of All Time
Illmatic or To Pimp a Butterfly

Pick Your Favorite

ILLMATIC

VS

TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY
0%

Your GOAT List

Why This Battle Matters

Can the raw, unfiltered streets of Queensbridge meet the polished, introspective roads of Compton without causing a seismic shift in hip-hop’s narrative? This is what the 'Illmatic vs. To Pimp a Butterfly' face-off on GoatWars boils down to. Nas's 'Illmatic' drops us into the gritty corners of '94 New York with a raw poetic grace, while Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp a Butterfly' spins a complex, jazzy tale of modern racial and personal struggles. This isn't just a battle of albums; it's a collision of epochal narratives. Will fans lean towards the foundational purity of 'Illmatic,' or the revolutionary vibrance of 'To Pimp a Butterfly?' Your preference will not just reflect your taste but will question what narrative of cultural revolution resonates more deeply with you today.

🔥 Fan Takes

Idk, both are fire but there's just something raw about Illmatic fr
TPAB is literally a cultural reset, bro. How is this even a debate??
lol remember when music was music? Illmatic is a masterpiece, no cap.

How Fans Are Voting

In this battle:

The contenders are currently tied in head-to-head matchups. Your vote will break the tie.

Fan FAQs

Who's the #1 contender in the Greatest Rap Albums of All Time league on GoatWars?

Illmatic holds the crown as the #1 contender in our Greatest Rap Albums of All Time league. You can check out the full GOAT List to see how it stacks up against other iconic albums.

Why is this matchup between Illmatic and To Pimp a Butterfly so fiercely debated?

It's the classic face-off between old school and new school rap. Illmatic brings that raw, authentic '90s New York rap vibe, while To Pimp a Butterfly mixes poetic genius with modern social commentary, creating a split amongst different generations of hip-hop enthusiasts.

Who's leading in the head-to-head battle between Illmatic and To Pimp a Butterfly?

Right now, To Pimp a Butterfly is slightly ahead in the polls. Fans seem to resonate with its contemporary themes and Kendrick Lamar's innovative sound, which might be swaying more votes its way.