article_snippet: Ever since the superstar songstress released the superstar songstress surprise self-titled album in December 2013, it seems like dropping music with little to no fanfare has become a thing.
article_snippet: The latest artist to do so is rapper Kendrick Lamar, whose eagerly awaited sophomore album was set for release March 23.
article_snippet: Instead, "To Pimp a Butterfly" was made available on iTunes and Spotify early Monday.
article_snippet: Among the other artists who've surprised fans: .
article_snippet: The 17-track project was billed as a mixtape.
article_snippet: In 2013, the legendary rocker unexpectedly released "The Next Day.
article_snippet: It was his first new project in a decade, and fans were thrilled, as David Bowie David Bowie had been off the grid for a while.
article_snippet: The Australian trio received much less attention than some others when The Australian trio dropped "New Crown" in March 2014 with no promotion or marketing.
article_snippet: The Journey to Mother Moon" arrived online in March 2014 and led Billboard to ask, "Is the Beyonce approach working for other 'surprise' albums?"
highlights_snippet: Lamar's new album was expected out March 23 but was released Monday instead .
  
highlights_snippet: Artists like Drake, David Bowie have released surprise albums .