Terrence “Punch” Henderson from Top Dawg Entertainment took to Instagram to reveal his surprising contribution to Kendrick Lamar’s iconic album, “To Pimp A Butterfly.”
Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 masterpiece, “To Pimp A Butterfly,” has left a lasting mark on hip-hop, but what many fans might not know is the unique role Punch played in its creation. Punch, the head of TDE, recently shared that a part of the album’s closing track, “Mortal Man,” includes words he wrote.
In an Instagram post on August 21, Punch reminisced about the crucial time when Kendrick was about 70% done with the album. Feeling lost in the myriad of new ideas flooding the project, Kendrick reached out to Punch for help. Punch recalled, “He hit me and asked if I could write something to sum up the album and where we were going.”
After some thought, Punch penned his thoughts and sent them over to Kendrick. Months passed, the album was completed, and during the final listening session, Punch heard something unexpected. There, at the end of “Mortal Man,” were the very words he had written. Punch was taken aback but delighted, not knowing Kendrick had planned to use his contribution in the album.
Punch expressed his joy over this moment, highlighting the deep connection and understanding he shares with Kendrick. He said, “This will always be a special moment for me, because of our connection and understanding and also being apart of that masterpiece in that way.” [prayer hands emoji]
This revelation sheds new light on the collaborative efforts behind one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the decade. Fans and followers of TDE and Kendrick now have an even deeper insight into the creation of “To Pimp A Butterfly,” thanks to this heartfelt story shared by Punch.
Back in April, Punch and TDE artist Reason had also made headlines when they reacted to a fan’s ranking of the label’s artists. Reason, jokingly upset about his placement at the bottom, humorously remarked that he should have been 13th, emphasizing that Doechii deserved a higher spot. Punch, however, simply commented, “11 is crazy smh. lol.”
The story of Punch’s contribution to “To Pimp A Butterfly” not only showcases the collaborative nature of TDE but also underscores the trust and synergy within the team. It’s these behind-the-scenes moments that enrich the narrative of such an influential album.
