Review Summary: Overly Dedicated is an interesting listen to hear how much Kendrick Lamar has changed over the years.
One of hip hop's most prominent current figures, Kendrick Lamar released this very good project. At the time, Kendrick really hadn't fully discovered his style, so he doesn't sound as energetic as he would later.
Regardless of that, Kendrick Lamar made himself known as an interesting character. One with dope lyrics, and a unique delivery that distinguishes him from anyone else in hip hop. There are a few fantastic songs, such as "The Heart Pt. 2", which was evident that Kendrick had took a lot of time in writing this song. His emotion here makes this the best song easily. The beats on this album are pretty abstract, and they have a unique sound to them.
However, there are a few forgettable songs, one of them being "Michael Jordan". This song has Kendrick Lamar trying way too hard to sound like Lil' Wayne, which is what it sounded like in Kendrick's early mixtapes (which were very weak, and pale in comparison to his newer work). The lyrics aren't good at all, and they're very generic, as well as the beat. There's also "Alien (Today With Her)", which is boring. The chorus on this song is pretty annoying, as Kendrick tries his hand at sing-talking, and it frankly doesn't sound good.
This album has Kendrick using a pretty odd delivery, and he would eventually grow upon it. He uses some weird voices, and some autotune (not T-Pain type) to add to his abstract style. The lyrics are pretty dope, and he rhymes about what it's like to live in Compton. The storytelling here is pretty good, and there's a bit of it on most of the songs. Kendrick would later grow on the skills that he's aware of himself having, but he's still pretty damn good here.
Overly Dedicated is a pretty good album, although Kendrick Lamar definitely matured as an artist. It's interesting to listen to how Kemdrick Lamar changed from this album to his next 2 projects. This is a pretty dope album, check it out.
Ratings:
1. The Heart Pt. 2 (feat. Dash Snow): 4.5/5
2. Growing Apart (To Get Closer) (feat. Jhené Aiko): 4/5
3. Night of the Living Junkies: 3.5/5
4. Ignorance is Bliss: 4/5
5. P&P 1.5 (feat. Ab-Soul): 4/5
6. Alien Girl (Today With Her): 4/5
7. Opposites Attract (Tomorrow Without Her) (feat. JaVonte): 4/5
8. Michael Jordan: 3/5
9. R.O.T.C. (Interlude) (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid): 4/5
10. Barbed Wire (feat. Ash Riser): 4/5
11. Average Joe: 4/5
12. H.O.C.: 4/5
13. Cut You Off (To Grow Closer): 4/5
14. Heaven & Hell (feat. Alori Joh): 4.5/5
Bonus tracks:
15. She Needs Me (Remix) (feat. Dom Kennedy & Murs): 4/5
16. I Do This (Remix) (feat. Skeme & U.N.I.): 3.5/5
Best songs:
Heaven & Hell
The Heart Pt. 2
P&P 1.5
Average Joe
Growing Apart (To Get Closer)
Weakest song: Michael Jordan
Production: 8.2/10
Lyrics: 8.4/10
Overall rating: 83/100
Grade: B
