It speaks of Kendrick Lamar’s rapid rise that Section.80 was an outstanding debut album by any mark and yet it would become overshadowed by every subsequent release. Yet even if Lamar leveled up on his later LPs, there’s no question that the basic DNA of his genius was there from the beginning. Songs like “Hol’ Up” and “A.D.H.D.” predicted both the sound and style of good kid/m.A.A.d city, “Keisha’s Song” set up Lamar as the spiritual and storytelling heir to 2Pac and “Rigamortis” was a cannon shot sent across the bow of every MC out there vying for the title of “greatest rapper alive.” Perhaps he wasn’t quite King Kendrick yet but on Section.80, Lamar was mere steps from the throne.

– Oliver Wang