Sampling “So [rt]” by Knxwledge, the ninth song on To Pimp a Butterfly is a list of Kendrick Lamar’s virtues, and an image of his trip to Africa. Kendrick knows everything: Compton, street shit, consciousness, highs, lows, and not caring about receiving recognition for his goodness. With this deep cut, he also deepened his critical acclaim. —J.B.

As Kendrick Lamar gets ready to headline the Super Bowl, revisit his best songs, from huge hits to intricate verses.

From Section.80 to No. 1, Kendrick Lamar has stormed to levels of commercial success and critical admiration in the last two decades that place him as one of the preeminent rappers of his generation - and many observers suggest,