Mortal Man album art

Mortal Man

Kendrick Lamar
To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)
Moderate 85 BPM
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Song DNA

Dynamic Range6/10
Sudden Changesmild
Texturelayered
Predictabilitymedium
Vocal Stylespoken word
Notes: Features evolving free jazz instrumentation with building intensity and a simulated interview format, creating a contemplative atmosphere without harsh peaks. Lo-fi hip-hop elements and gradual fades contribute to a smooth yet immersive listening experience.

Misophonia Triggers

Mouth Soundsnone
Percussive Clicksnone
Breathing Soundsnone
Repetitive Micro-soundsnone

A 12-minute closing track blending jazz rap, spoken word, and a faux interview with Tupac Shakur, exploring themes of fame, mortality, and black experience through poetic motifs like the caterpillar and butterfly.

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Hear it the way it was made

The right gear changes everything.

Moods: emotional, introspective, reflective

Traditions: free jazz, jazz rap, lo-fi hip-hop

How this song sits on each sensory axis

A dynamic range of 6/10 means this song moves. Expect a real volume climb between quiet sections and the loudest part of the arrangement — enough that you may want to set the initial volume below where you'd normally land.

Sudden changes: mild. There are one or two transitions worth knowing about, though they're musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.

Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.

Predictability is medium — conventional structure overall, with one or two moments that deviate from what you'd expect.

Vocal style: spoken word.

Where this sits in Kendrick Lamar's catalog

We have 64 songs from Kendrick Lamar in the library. Of those, 5 are rated Safe, 31 Moderate, and 28 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 6/10 sits below the artist average of 6.9, making it the #46 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.

Other tracks from To Pimp a Butterfly

We have 10 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans moderate in sensory profile.

2015 context

Released in 2015. We have 372 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.3/10. This track is about average than the year average. Explore more from the 2010s.

Explore by mood and tradition

Moods
emotional · 2189introspective · 5721reflective · 5792
Traditions
free jazz · 32jazz rap · 24lo-fi hip-hop · 2

Why this rating

We rate this song Moderate because it falls between our Safe and Intense thresholds on at least one dimension. Moderate is the default for most well-produced music that has real arc but no surprise elements. Full rubric: methodology.

Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-13. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.

Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.

Songs with the same DNA

layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.

On and On
Gladys Knight and the Pips
moderate
DR 6
Please Me (Till I'm Satisfied)
The Black Keys
moderate
DR 7
Floetic
Floetry
moderate
DR 6
Lay Me Down
Sam Smith
moderate
DR 6
Lannoy Point
Ride
moderate
DR 6
Fourth of July
Galaxie 500
moderate
DR 6

Safer alternatives with a similar feel

These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.

If I Were a Boy
Beyoncé safe
Die Hard
Kendrick Lamar safe
Gloria
Kendrick Lamar (feat. SZA) safe
Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
John Prine safe
The Tree of Forgiveness
John Prine safe

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