Greatest Rap Albums of All Time
To Pimp a Butterfly or Illmatic
Pick Your Favorite
VS
Your GOAT List
Why This Battle Matters
What happens when a flawless '90s blueprint collides with a 21st-century symphonic odyssey? In this quintessential GoatWars matchup, Illmatic meets To Pimp a Butterfly—Nas's gritty, raw distillation of urban poetry versus Kendrick Lamar's rich, layered exploration of modern Black existence. The stakes? More than just bragging rights; it's about which album reshapes our understanding of lyrical prowess and cultural narrative in hip hop. As you decide, consider what beckons you more: the purity of hardcore rap or the complexity of progressive storytelling?
🔥 Fan Takes
How Fans Are Voting
In this battle:
Fans currently prefer To Pimp a Butterfly over Illmatic when it comes to the greatest Rap Albums of all time. In head-to-head matchups, fans pick To Pimp a Butterfly 58.6% of the time over Illmatic.
Across all battles:
To Pimp a Butterfly win rate: 64.8%
Illmatic win rate: 62.5%
Fan FAQs
Who's the top contender in the Greatest Rap Albums of All Time league?
Right now, the Marshall Mathers LP is sitting at the top of the GOAT List, but the fierce competition in this league keeps everyone guessing who'll ultimately take the crown.
What makes To Pimp a Butterfly lead against Illmatic in fan votes?
To Pimp a Butterfly is slightly ahead, likely because it resonates with a newer generation of hip-hop fans who lean into its bold exploration of societal issues. Plus, Kendrick's experimental sound mixes jazz, funk, and soul in ways that really push the envelope.
Why is the matchup between Illmatic and To Pimp a Butterfly so heated?
It's a clash of titans from different eras! Fans are torn because both albums redefined rap in their respective times. Illmatic is the quintessential 90s masterpiece, while To Pimp a Butterfly brought complex themes and innovative sound to the 2010s. It's not just about the music; it's a debate over which era of hip-hop reigns supreme.