Copyright Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly, released in 2015, stands as one of the most groundbreaking (and controversial) albums in modern hip-hop. Blending jazz, funk, and soul with sharp political commentary, Lamar delivered an unflinching exploration of Black identity and systemic racism. The album’s raw honesty and confrontational lyrics sparked intense debate, particularly for its use of racially-charged language and references to police brutality. In October 2025, Terrence “Punch” Henderson, the co-president of Top Dawg Entertainment, discussed how Jay-Z enjoyed the idea of Lamar’s fanbase growing upset about the album. Here’s why. Jay-Z liked the idea of Kendrick Lamar’s fans getting ‘pissed off’ about ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ Terrence “Punch” Henderson played an essential role in bringing Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly to life. Beyond his executive duties, Punch had involvement in shaping the album’s vision. He engaged in creative discussions with Lamar about the themes of race and fame that run throughout the record. He also contributed to the songwriting process, helping refine lyrics and ensure the album’s messages were cohesive. In October 2025, Punch spoke on Elsie Not Elise about working on the album and Jay-Z’s reaction. “While we were working on To Pimp a Butterfly, me and SZA would go to Beyoncé’s sessions, and she was writing for her,” he said. “Jay-Z was there every night. So, I had a chance to talk to him, and I told him, ‘Yo, we getting ready to drop this album that’s going to piss off the whole fanbase.’” Jay-Z had a funny response, as he told Punch, “Good. Do it now, so that they can’t never put you in a box.” “That stuck with me for sure,” Punch continued. “It gave me more confidence, like, yeah, we’re on the right track, for sure. That’s always the thing, is rules are set. The geniuses know when to break those rules.” Kendrick Lamar previously explained his inspiration for the controversial album According to Essence, Kendrick Lamar opened up to Grammys.com about the inspiration behind his album, To Pimp a Butterfly. “The title grasped the entire concept of the record,” he explained at the time. “[I wanted to] break down the idea of being pimped in the industry, in the community, and out of all the knowledge that you thought you had known, then discovering new life and wanting to share it.” Lamar noted that he had a spiritual experience after visiting Africa that inspired him to pursue this record. “I saw all the things that weren’t taught,” he continued. “Probably one of the hardest things to do is put [together] a concept on how beautiful a place can be and tell a person this while they’re still in the ghettos of Compton. I wanted to put that experience in the music.” Jay-Z called the rapper a ‘once in a generation artist’ Ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl, Jay-Z publicly praised Kendrick Lamar, emphasizing his exceptional artistry and cultural influence. In a statement, Jay-Z described Lamar as a “once-in-a-generation artist and performer,” according to WHUR 96.3 FM. This endorsement came as Roc Nation and the NFL selected Lamar to headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in New Orleans, a decision that sparked debate within the hip-hop community. Some fans and artists questioned the choice, suggesting that New Orleans native Lil Wayne might have been a more fitting representative for the city. Despite the controversy, Jay-Z’s support underscored his confidence in Lamar’s ability to deliver a performance that transcends music. The performance ultimately set a new viewership record, surpassing Michael Jackson’s 1993 halftime show with 133.5 million viewers.
