good kid, m.A.A.d city

I get the point: the character in this concept album evolves/changes over each track. But Kendrick Lamar didn't quite manage to pull that off. I didn't see/hear enough change in the central character. "Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst" is great track, though.

Interesting contrast between this album (which is early in Kendrick's career, and talks a lot more about growing up in a rough neighborhood, with aspirations to be rich) versus the last one we heard (which is much later in his career and almost shows guilt for having succeeded as much as he did). The music and rapping is fine but it's still just not my thing.

Decent rap album. I was starting to feel it on the second go around, but it feels like a mixed bag.

I think I liked this a bit more than To Pimp a Butterfly.

Its ok....do we really need all of the answering machine messages?

Some catchy sounds and decent tracks but not a lot of standouts or gamechangers for me. I wanted to like this more...

Man, I had always heard good things about Kendrick Lamar. And I was interested in hearing this. But honestly I didn't care for it too much. Don't care for his voice. Lots of repetitiveness. Long drawn out.

The opener and all the religious interludes were blasts from my past. I'm the son of a Southern Baptist minister, so The Sinner's Prayer and all its variants was played more often than the radio during my childhood. Musically the album started a little weak. The first few tracks felt very haphazard and the vocal was weirdly out of time. Constantly missing the beat in the most awkward ways. A LOT of hiphop is written in the studio behind the microphone and then edited into something coherent after the fact, and the first couple of tracks had that feeling, like it was being improvised in the worst way, without ANY eye for going back and revising it into something more sizzling and precise. I usually have the same thought about Stephen King and Anne Rice novels. And yet, my strongest note about the album is that it felt constantly injected with humanity. It wasn't polished to perfection. I can't imagine there wasn't pitch correction, but even the vocal left room for "mistakes", and in the end, that was the most charming aspect of the album. The songwriting and performances got stronger and stronger until by the closing track I was in full on bop mode. The vocal delivery was precise, the lyrics were clever and concise, and every song on the last half (to my memory) contained a memorable chorus. This album didn't quite do it for me the way a Jay-Z album would, but I get the hype now about Kendrick and will be excited to listen to more from him.

Some really good tracks on here, but not as good of a whole album as D.A.M.N. Three and one-half stars. Extra half-star for the Jay-Z verse on the remix of "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe."

This was better than I expected it to be and I gave it a fair listen without skipping. Even though, going in I knew it was not for me since I believed it to be way outside of my cultural experience. I am completely unfamiliar with this genre and themes but I can see how it was so apparently influential. There were some rhythms and samples that were pretty good and included much more styles from RnB than I expected. I'm glad to have heard it but I know I'm not revisiting this.

I was looking forward to this one but just disappointed at how rappers instantly go for the cliche racist/misogynistic lyrics. I want a rap album that's just quality and not padded when there's nothing else to rap about. Hard to give a rap album 5* for this reason.

Not a big KL fan, but this was alright.

Ouain, là on revient sur Terre avec le genre de rap que j’aime le moins. Par contre, j’aime bien aimer les petits bouts narratifs et les enregistrements de conversations, ça rajoutait beaucoup, donc ça le sauve de justesse d’un 2

Not for me. I didn't like all of the interludes between songs.

To Pimp a Butterfly was a way better album by my estimation. This one was good....just didn't hit me the same way.

Solid. First Lamar stuff I heard was during the Drake Beef. Not like Us is pretty great, came to this album looking for more like that. Album was pretty good

Better than I expected. A concept album with a consistent atmosphere, for better and for worse. A lot of long tracks that feel very similar. Definitely some good lyrics here and there.

Definitely some cool things but not my type of album felt really disjointed I think I'm the wrong demographic

Too many damn skits

It’s brilliant but also deeply offensive and misogynistic in lyrics. So I just can’t listen to it.

This is one I need to listen to many times to get the full effect. There is artistry here that I don't think you can uncover in one casual listen

Not a huge Kendrick guy. Some bangers

That's not my taste in musik. But ok. Nice songs

Lyricism is on point, but I don't really like Kendricks rapping voice.

Really enjoyed but feel I need to listen to further to really appreciate. Will revisit for sure.

Really don't get the hype, but three stars due to some of the ambition shown here. The skits in-between tracks made me impatient for more music.

Bitch, don't kill my vibe. Oops - too late. "I pray my dick gets big as the Eiffel Tower" - seriously? Do we need this shite? ⭐ ________________________________ 🎧 LPs reviewed: 56 🎧 LPs left to review: 945 🎧 LPs I found great/relevant enough to be mandatory listens (5): 12 🎧 LPs I *might* include in my own list (4): 17 🎧 LPs I will certainly *not* include in mine (1-2): 15

Nice beats. Not sure about everything else.

Pense que me iba a gustar más.

I have listened before, but not as the only point of focus. This time I listened on the way to work, and I have to say nothing really wowed me.

Interesting and varied, though I’m not a fan of Kendrick

Not as good as To Pimp a Butterfly. And honestly I just don’t vibe with most of this. Overall I’m not much of a hip hop fan. I can recognize that many of these lyrics are good and I really enjoy some of the melodies and beats he raps over. But there’s just as many misogynistic verses. And I just don’t enjoy hearing the N-word this often. But that’s me. This isn’t made for me. And that’s ok. 3/5

Highlights: Sherane, The Art of Peer Pressure, Sing About Me I'm Dying of Thirst. In a nutshell: hip-hop just got a shake-up. I'm a sucker for world building and storytelling in music. Kendrick does that well. It was great to listen to a rap/hip hop album without skits! Whatever that brassy drum noise (high hat? Snare?) was on Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe has earned my deep hate. It gave me a headache and was annoying. But that song does have a new favourite line: "even a small lighter can burn a bridge". Not my thing, but GKMC helped me appreciate the genre more. Overall: 5/10

This is Outkast. The love below vibes, but not as good

reading the lyrics helped me appreciate this album

The music bored me. The lyrics had meaning, but the delivery left me flat. I prefer more energy in my hip hop.

Albums like this are weird for me. It's supposed to be great. Apples top 100 list just came out and this is sitting at 7. I don't hear it. Stevie Wonder is sitting at 6 and I hear that. I know these things are subjective, and his rap game is really good, but I don't get all the praise when so much of it is derogatory towards women. I won't invest the time it would take to find it's greatness because of that.

cool to have some context of why Kendrick is so celebrated. not something I will listen to a lot though

The best modern rap I have heard but still just not my cup of tea. The biggest difference I noticed was that of the instrumental production. Other modern rap artists simply do not have enjoyable background instrumentals and this album did. Take that away and I don’t think it would be much different from the other artists. He raps about pretty much the same stuff others do and his style does differ slightly but not enough to be that notable. The Kat Williams voice consistently made me chuckle, I was just waiting for a pimp named slick back reference. Overall decent listen and I can now see why people like him so much. 6/10

It wasn’t bad but it also did not convince me to become a huge fan of his music.

It first I thought this was just another gangsta rap album as they all follow a fairly similar recipe. After a couple of listens, this one grew on me. I do wonder what the Gangsta Rap scene would be without 'Bitches and Ho's'

"pray my dick get big as the eiffel tower so i can fuck the world for 72 hours" veeeeeery 2012, but 'art of peer pressure', 'money trees' and 'sing about me' are all super good. love the use of interludes.

I just don't get hip-hop.

Yeah, good, but I didn't personally enjoy it that much. Very dense, a lot going on lyrically and verbally, music not outstanding.

Good album. Wonder when we'll get the next Kendrick/Drake collab?

I already have so many songs from this album in my regularly played playlists, so I’m pretty familiar but have never listened to the album in its entirety. Kendrick always has deep and relevant lyrics, and I’m drawn into the beats and bass of most songs, but I’m dropping some stars because there’s just too much narration going on in between songs that I end up having to skip. Listen again: yes Purchase for my collection: maybe Favourite Song: backseat freestyle

Musically creative with lyrics that unflinchingly paint an entire universe. Gets to the heart of what it's like just trying to come of age in such a dangerous space, as well as the ambivalence that comes with every choice. Conceptually, one of the best executed hip hop albums I have heard. Fave Songs: Good Kid, The Art of Peer Pressure, Swimming Pools (Drank), Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst, Real

I listened to this with my Gen Z son who assured me that's it's high end stuff. Could be, but it's hard for me to get past the constant vulgarity.

People rave about this but I don't really get it. To pimp a butterfly is waaaaaay better

I have tried several times to get into Kendrick given how iconic he has become in recent years, but he's just not for me. This album is generally heralded, but for me it's just okay. Standouts include Sherane, Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe, Good Kid, Mad City, Real, and Compton.

Swimming pools good, otherwise pretty chill started bad got better

Beats and flow = 4* Lyrics = mostly 2*. To me, the power of a track like “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” is undercut by the total unseriousness of “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe,” and “Backseat Freestyle.”

A couple good songs a lot of language issues for me.

I will probably have to come back to this one. I think there is something more there but I don't know if I am in the mindset for it.

First album recommended that Tilly had heard of - she says it’s a 3* album.

The music was sick but lyrically it was pretty vulgar and misogynistic

He should try calling women ‘bitches’ less but the songs are good regardless

Great album , well produced, well done

Es gelingt dem Interpreten auf interessante Weise o-Töne von Anrufbeantwortern, Funksprüchen und anderen Aufnahmen in die Rap Stücke einzubringen. Darüberhinaus ist der Sänger verständlich und kombiniert Musik mit seinem Sprechgesang. Warum in Gottes Namer er ständig den Alltagsrassismus im kalifornischen Ghetto anprangert aber selber gefühlt über 100 x Bitch ruft wird wohl nur der Künstler selber wissen. Interessant ist das Stück „Bitch don‘t kill my vibes“.

Smooth, but the skits are irritating.

Not my favorite rapper

It would be impractical to have a dick the size of the Eiffel tower

Took the first half of the album to sink into but once I put on the headphones and made the transition the beats and lyrics were satisfying.

Kendrick Lamar is easily the best rapper of his generation, but enjoyment of music is so directly impacted by how you connect with it, and this white guy from the suburbs of the UK doesn't really relate to Kung-Fu Kenny, so I'm left a little cold by the objectively great album.

Kendrick Lamar is responsible for some of my favorite features, I’m a big fan of Dre and Aftermath, the production on this album is brilliant, the story telling is well done, but the vocals are atrocious.

This was better than I remembered but I cannot stand when he sounds like he’s crying/whining his verse

I don't get the hype.

good kid m.A.A.d city money tree poetic justice sing about me

Some amazing songs and some boring ones

Hip-hop. Ni fu ni fa.

Not for me…

It was good. Lots of good songs. Some not quite as good. Overall quite good. I enjoyed it. Goof sats the same

good listen. my son has him in his rotation regularly.

Not a big rap fan so didn't get crazy into it. Fun to recognize songs that I knew but didn't realize where they came from

3/5

Quite a bit of what the golly gosh is going on here filler on this album.

I've heard lots of good stuff about Kendrick, in fact a colleague of mine teaches his lyrics as a poetry unit. I, however, remain largely unenthused.

not really my thing, but the guy is crazy talented.

It’s fine. Not my thing and I’m not listening to 1 1/2 hours of it, though.

Not my thing. But not terrible.

I expected to like this more than I did. Kendrick's style is unique and there are some good lyrics here but I wanted more hooks. His monotone rhythm still creates a compelling atmosphere, but it's not necessarily one I want to immediately revisit. Standouts: the title track.

Wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I did. good album, not much to say idk.

Good beats, rhythms. (no comments about Drake and Dr. Dre)

good album, m.A.A.d. lyrics. I prefer this album to "To Pimp a Butterfly," which I am not sure is a minority opinion or not. As usual with some rap albums, the skits are a bit long and stuck at the start/end of a song instead of as a separate track, which is a bit annoying for skipping capabilities. I have always liked "Compton" on this album and was surprised it has so few plays. "The Recipe" is a bonus track and not really "on" the album which I find to be interesting and I enjoyed the Beach House sample on "Money Trees."

3 of 5

interesting...will take more listens

not bad

bitch don't kill my vibe good kid compton

Buen álbum, rap con flow. Balancea bien melodías con rap para que no se sienta demasiado denso.

Long. Too many skits. Answering machines conversations etc… that was done in the 90s, move on. Hes good, I see why he is considered one of the best. Definitely better by miles than Kanye. Just shorten them up. Dont need the same lines repeated that much, and the 12 minute song? No. Best track was with Dre.

Half the tracks were really cool, and the other half I kind of hated. Maybe I'm missing context, not being a hip.hop fan, but I didn't see the concept really come through. This wasn't for me, but I can appreciate that it exists for people who its for

Not really my thing

kendrick lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d city is arguably a concept album. lamar tells a story with purpose. he still manages to make the songs hella catchy ("bitch don't kill my vibe"). lamar's lyrics are a crucial part of why this album is so powerful, especially with a song like "sing about me, i'm dying of thirst". the closing track of "compton" was co-written and co-sung with dr. dre, who also grew up in compton, and this choice was so smart as lamar concludes his album and that period of his life. i couldn't help but compare this album to lamar's following album, to pimp a butterfly. butterfly felt like a more mature and realized album. more creativity, too. i did like it quite a lot, and i was disappointed to not like this one similarly.

Kendrick Lamar has left his signature on hip hop music by bringing a unique take and flavor all his own to the genre, and this album is what really kicked that off for him and got him the recognition he deserved. There is still an immaturity here where you see Kendrick following in the steps of others who came before him more than leading (the typical misogynistic bullshit, for instance). But on other tracks, you can see and hear what Kendrick is capable of in terms of changing and progressing the genre, especially in the beats. In my opinion, this album is an imperfect but very strong and notable step in Kendrick's path of greatness.

Solid 3/5

I want to like this album, and there are a couple songs I do like. I genuinely think "Swimming Pools" is an excellent song, and "Real" is very good, as well. However, most of the album didn't appeal to me, and "Backseat Freestyle" sounds like a joke song to me. I can recognize the flow Lamar has and some of his lyrics on the album are good, but I'm guessing this album doesn't truly reveal the content that won him the Pulitzer. I'd probably give this 2 stars based on my own enjoyment, but I can see the potential in his flow and music and also recognize how much he has meant to so many other people.

When this album came out, it totally went under the radar for me, I don’t think I really appreciated this as much as I should have. I think I found it to be just another rap album, and it even had skits; I had thought the hip-hop industry had done away with skits by 2012, ugh. But while there’s still parts of this album I don’t particularly like, I think the highs on this album are as high or higher than anything on any of Lamar’s other albums. “Money Trees” and “Swimming Pools (Drank)” are among his best. That said, overall this album is less consistent than To Pimp a Butterfly, DAMN., or even Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. I wouldn’t say Mr. Morale is as good as Good Kid, but Mr. Morale is more consistently good, whereas Good Kid has lower moments. In any case, I’m glad this monumental album ended up on the 1001 albums list.

Not sure

Lamarr is great at what he does, but listening to this in one sitting was too hard.

I was fully prepared to hate this, given the number of 1 star reviews in this list, but I thought it was actually quite enjoyable and thoughtful. It went on a bit too long though.

Didn’t mind this, but the album is too long

Not my style of music, but had some catchy songs still and came to appreciate it more after learning it’s a concept album.

After reading some of the reviews here, I was expecting something awful. But I don’t hate this. I get that there’s a lot of strong language, and usually too much misery will turn me off, too. But this is actual music, with actual singing. There’s actually something interesting going on here. It’s good. Lots I can live without, but overall this is good.

definitely need to listen to this one more, hard to take it all in the first time through. wish i didn't have to star this

It was a great album; however, the new albums from Kendric also overcame it. Even being really good, it's not possible to give it more credit than "To pimp..."

Nice and unexpected.

I can hear why Kendrick Lamar is a highly critically acclaimed artist, and this is a fairly chilled and easy listen (at a surface level). Rating: 2.5/5 Playlist track: Money Trees Date listened: 16/12/23

Nog steeds geen fan van die intermezzo's. Af en toe wel lekker maar een remix en het nummer op 1 album?

Cleaver beats.

I went into listening thinking I wouldn't enjoy this and I wouldn't choose it on my own but it wasn't horrible.

I'm really torn here. I like the narrative aspect of this album. I can appreciate the narrative persona within the context, but I don't *like* this guy -- not in an "unlikable narrative" way. It's an expression within a clear social context, but it's so damn juvenile. It feels like every time it tries to rise above and express a larger social message, it swaggers so hard the album ends up tripping on its shoelaces.

I listened to about half. It was too long and Im not super into rap so IDK. What I heard was good though

Ok-but I recognize the acclaim.

Pas écouté en entier mais ça va, ça s'écoute bien mais si j'ai l'impression que ce sont toujours les mêmes thèmes qui sont abordés dans les chansons...

4/12, 33%

57/100 Based on this scale 1 star - 0 to 19 2 stars - 20 to 39 3 stars - 40 to 59 4 stars - 60 to 79 5 stars - 80 to 100 Full disclosure, I'm not a big fan of rap. I have nothing specifically against it, but when I listen to a song, the most important aspect of it to me is instrumentation and the least important aspect of it is its lyrics. Rap is mostly about lyrics, with little regard for instrumentation. That's tough for someone like me. However, this album explores enough sounds to grab my interest, for moments, here and there. I'm not into what he does, but he's pretty good at doing it.

Actually my least favorite album of K. But it gave him the mainstream acceptance, Section 80 is a much better album tho. His last ist great too

Sweet!

3,5

Its ok, but a bit Goddy

Didn't think I'd like it after the first couple of songs, but from 'The Art of Peer Pressure' it really kicks it. High 3, not quite a 4.

Rap

Han lägger bajs i maten. Hade kunnat vara 4

Stark öppning. Men fan, måste hip hop sabba musiken med strunt (telefonsvararen i slutet). Det sabba flower i albumet. Bitch counter: svinhög Älskar Kendricks röst #2 lite svagare. #3 ok, lite tjatigt #4 efter inledningen är det riktigt bra, svinnajs flow. Bäst hittills. Men då är det massa snack i slutet (genomgående i hela albumet, i princip på alla låtar). SLUTA MED DET! Bra efter nån minut, VARFÖR? #5 Money tree, mycket bra! #6 (poetic justice) inte så bra #7 good kid svinskön. Bra flow, skön hook. Rätt bra texter överlag, särskilt denna. #8 andra halvan bra, en del låtar som ändras efter halva - lite irri #9 inte bra, rätt dålig. #10 bättre än förra. Men håller ok nivå. Inte dåligt, men inte jättebra, mycket bra från 7 min. #13 Compton, skön Generellt är det igen låt som sticker ut och är svinbra. Men jämnbra.

Kendrick’s age shows on this one. There’s some bangers for sure but it’s mostly just your typical gangster rap themes - robberies, drive bys, getting drinks etc.

The skits killed my vibe. Too bad. Quality production overall. Best tracks: Backseat Freestyle, Don't Kill My Vibe, and Swimming Pools

Good for what it is, I can appreciate the vibe. Not my style at all but I didn't mind the storytelling aspects.

look, I’ve never been the biggest fan here, at least compared to everyone else my age. the impact of this record on millenials is undeniable, but at this point it all feels very played out. I think if I could listen with fresh ears I would score it higher, but sadly I cannot

Of course Ive heard how impactful and influential this album was, and definitely heard the singles before; but it was nice to really dig in. I love the mix of producers, jazz elements, cinematic style, and attention to detail. Standouts: All the vocal interludes, Sherane, Backseat Freestyle, Drakes verse on Poetic Justice,

Maad city fav track

I'm sure this is great, but I got it on a bad day.

Not my jam. He's a poet, though.

I really enjoyed a few songs on the album. It’s a great album to play while driving. I think I need to listen to this album a few more times to get it.

I guess OK, but too "new" for me or something

I might be shortchanging this a bit… Highlights: - Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe - m.A.A.d city - Sing For Me, I’m Dying of Thirst

einer seiner besten

Chill vibe, nothing musically exciting

fine but not really something I'm all that into from a genre standpoint

Some good stuff, mostly kinda boring though.

Meh

Music is super interesting, solid 5 stars for all the noises mixed into the music, but can't deal with ANY misogynistic lyrics which in almost any other case lead to NO STARS from me, so guess what: You get a three.

Fantastic singles and production, but a little long. And not as jazzy as TPAB

A talent. A blunt and hard-hitting narrative concept with some tight production (not one to listen to on the school run…)

His rapping is very good, fast rhymes while also enunciating the words so you can actually understand what he's saying takes skill. The beats are good, great production that you would expect from Dr. Dre. Guest appearances from JayZ and Pharrell also added to the albums. Lyrically, I'm not a fan of his objectifaction of women and descriptions of violence against them, but this album was a retrospective of his early life, talking about what he saw, and was taught. In that aspect it's an interesting piece of work, overall a decent album

Pretty good. Kendrick is a capable rapper, and the overall mood is decent. A few standouts, like Swimming Pools, cross the threshold into being unique. The main issue is that the production is largely pretty boilerplate. Whatever is borrowed from g-funk and dirty south is borrowed wholesale, unchanged. It's standard fare, with above average lyrical delivery. But Kendrick's flow can't elevate it enough to make it noteworthy. I know this album was hyped up and acclaimed to the moon. I assume that's for the storytelling, which I don't care about. I didn't grow up in Compton. I can't identify with that. I don't care about how he was materialistic and then grew into being a more thoughtful and spiritual person. I want an album of music, not a biography.

Well produced, surprisingly soathing sometimes, but not very disrupting, lacks overall punch. Includes some outstanding tracks tho, later albums are even better.

Some bangers but otherwise quite mid

There are moments here and there on this that I like, I just really can’t get into it. I’d probably give this 3.5 if I could.

It's OK. Doesn't have as much going on as To Pimp A Butterfly, which I really liked about that album. I don't see myself coming back to this album much if at all, where Butterfly has entered my regular rotation.

Thus was an interesting listen. It wasn't something I would listen to again as it's not my type of music, but I appreciated the story the album was telling.

Ihan kelpo kuunneltava, mutta ei sillein ekalla kuuntelulla iskenyt

Hay un par medio al principio que son excelentes.

If To Pimp a Butterfly is Kendrick’s Dark Side of the Moon then this is his Obscured by Clouds. Lots of themes and styles here that would be improved upon resulting in TPaB. Was initially disappointed by all the talking/skits early on but thankful they are few and far between.

It was very good!!! Hip Hop just isn’t my Jam!

Seeds of greatness in this one. Too many skits swells the runtime somewhat.

Obviously, some spectacular storytelling is going on here. I respect him and I understand why this album in particular was studied in a scholarly aspect as to what life is like for all of those who grew up in Kendrick's situation. Honestly, it's giving a bit of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Unfortunately, unlike most people my age, I was not immersed in this album growing up (save for the few sound bytes and songs that were put in the sports video games) and it holds no specific place in my heart. Therefore, from a purely listener standpoint, I'm pretty neutral about the album and don't want to overinflate the rating due to cultural impact. Sorry, but these ratings show what I like to listen to, not what everyone else likes.

mouais

Обычно. Скучновато. Некоторые мотивы интересны, но не более того.

Ok, quite good music, varied rap vocal styles. Very few aggressive, abrasive raps. I see the attraction and intelligence. Just not my style.

Not a fan of the entire album, but definitely a fan of a few specific songs!

Weird album. Enjoyable, but not memorable

Not into this music but it's not unpleasant to listen to.

3/5 some bangers but some songs I really wanted to skip

Banger. I was actually late on KDot. Only started seriously listening once DAMN dropped. Not a whole lot of filler on here. A lot of the production doesn’t stand the test of time for me, but there’s def a handful of classics on here.

I really like Kendrick Lamar, although I couldn't tell you why. It feels new and exciting (although this was released a while ago now), even though the lyrics don't speak directly to me. It feels like he has something to say and knows how to say it. I played this but wasn't giving it my full attention, and it doesn't really work as background. One to revisit.

Much respect to Kendrick. This album only cements how I feel about him. Great artist, some things I dig, but ultimately not for me.

Not bad per se, but it's not my thing. Seems like there could be a lot to explore here if, y'know, the music were better.

Regular "I am not a fan" regarding the genre. Meh. No reason to listen again

this might be my favorite rap album. i don't like the politics but it's easy to ignore. almost classy message on some songs. swimming pools, bitch don't kill my vibe for the lyrics, backseat freestyle, good kid instrumental

Some good tunes in here but half of it is bland and similar to others in the genre

he really relies on mock misogyny on this album. the things that are being criticized tend to sound like hes actually revering them. its not a good look. all of the found tape recordings get tiring. there are some strong tracks that really convey the “what its like to be black in LA, in america” but it strays and fails just as much. its a worthy attempt bit falls flat.

The first big Kendrick album and the last for me on the list. Walking back in order of maturity has been an interesting review of Lamar’s work - while I prefer the hyper-focused lyrics and interlocking beats of the DAMN era, this LP has a sense of sprawling chaos that feels much more raw and alive than anything that comes after it. Lacks some polish and gets way too loose/experimental at times, but has some killer consciousness /and/ instrumental combos that may be some of my fav Kendrick tracks I’ve heard.

Feel like it could go down or up with more listens but low 3 stars based on first listen

some tracks better than others

San Andreas vibes

Hmmm, this didn't grab me nearly as hard as "To Pimp a Butterfly". Appreciated the storytelling in some of the tracks, but others left me cold. Fave track - "The Art of Peer Pressure", probably, and maybe "Sing About Me / I'm Dying of Thirst"

Interesting. Not bad. Can see where Blackstar got inspo from.

Not really my jam but I still enjoyed it for the most part.

Ok. I enjoyed how story driven the songs were, but the music didn’t do much for me. Probably won’t listen to this again.

Kendrick Lamar está sobrevalorado ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

3.75/5

good album, b.A.A.d mixing

food kid h.A.A.d ziti

Rap in general is not my cup of tea but I can hear the talent in something like this. To me, ok at best.

This was my first album in this project. Definitely something I would never have thought of for myself. Was nice to read the glowing, detailed and poignant reasons that others are so taken with the work and the artist. Was too raw for me.

Started off strong but fell off in my opinion

Hip hop. Soul. No está mal.

Confusing experience here. On my first listen, it took a few songs to warm up to. The second half of the album was fantastic. The beats, production, delivery, artistry, musical composition were really fresh (to me...I'm a decade behind on this one). I took a second listen and was really looking forward to it growing on me more. First few songs...same. Then as I got into the later songs I really liked previously, they didn't hit the same the second time through. I'm not sure why. A quick novelty that wore off just as quickly? We'll see. After this project ends (only a quick 880 to go), I really want to dive deeply into hip hop. I'll come back to this one, I'm sure. 1 - bad 2 - average 3 - good 4 - great 5 - outstanding

Кендрика надо будет ещё изучать, пока не поняла хайп и нашла только гудбай Америку

Schöne, trockene Beats, die man aber schon öfters gehört hat. Von daher auch nichts besonderes. Thematisch gehts nur um typischen dicke Hosen Kram, was auch irgendwann nervt. Für Hiphop-Fans ist das aber bestimmt was. Für mich 2-3

Standard version is ridiculously vulgar, clean version is mid

Fine album just not my thing

Highlights: "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" Even though it would be easy to lampoon him, what makes Kendrick is his range. He has an impulse for changing voice and perspective; this album even carries a musical motif for the principle in the ramping of his voice through peaks and valleys ("mAAd City," "Backseat Freestyle"). Calling this album a "film" is key; unlike any other rapper at the time, Kendrick tries to be a cast of characters, and the director looming over them, and his own harshest critic. Although this is definitely a retro album, it deftly bridges the wild playfulness of E-40 with Tupac's arch seriousness from moment to moment. The opener "Sherane" flips the tired trope of the rap skit inside out by having it yank the listener out of an eerie, foreboding story at the height of its suspense. Kendrick gets principles like 'meanwhile, back at the ranch...' He has theater kid chops, but this is also his story to tell. His introspection gives the album's morality tale weight and complexity. Kendrick has never made a perfect album, with some ponderous, annoying jamming and corny self-indulgence, but the peaks are among any of his heroes. His characters divide his sympathies. His inner conflicts always pull him back in, and the listener along with him.

Second half of the album hit my sweet spot

I would say I knew about half of the songs, and those were the ones I enjoyed. I think overall the album was unpredictable but not necessarily in a good way. I don’t think there was good rhythm so if I didn’t know some songs I wouldn’t have liked- but since I did that caused me to sing along and enjoy.

Hip-hop. Ni fu ni fa.

Heard it before?: Yes Enjoy it?: Yes, it’s very solid throughout and uses interludes to perfection which to my mind no one does well apart from Kendrick and Kanye. Only thing I don’t like about Kendrick and this is me alone but sometimes his vocals sound god awful and it makes the song almost sound cringeworthy, I know I’m on my own there but that’s just something I can’t unhear Favourite song: Track 8 - m.A.A.d city

Bitch don’t kill my vibe

Given Kendrick Lamar a good few chances and still don't understand the status he's given. Clearly a talented rapper, lots of impressive lines here and there, but the constant posturing gets tiring and those parts tend to be the weakest lyrics. Good kid and mAAd city were the standouts in terms of production and flow.

3.75

The voicemails at the end of each track ruined this album. At least have them as separate tracks. The beats were good, flow was good.

- Considered a modern classic for a reason

I kind of missed the Kendrick Lamar glory days, wasn't really a golden era of hip hop for me. But yeh I can hear the polished graft but it's not for me.

Well produced but not my vibe

Best ok

Fighting talk, Swimming Pool (Drank) is Kendrick's second best song, ever.

This is the first time I have heard this album. It is a good album. The beats are good. The lyrics are pretty good. I wouldn't say that the songs are memorable to the degree that I want to listen to it again.

Enjoyed it, but it's not for me

AN ALBUM I'VE HEARD BEFORE GOTTA BE THE FIRST ONE TO GENERATE YET

I didn't dislike this.

Not amazing but ok

I was expecting better for how much this album is hyped up

I understand the cultural impact, but I personally just can’t get into it, probably because I can’t relate at all. I didn’t know if it was ironic, didn’t get the references.

Another solid outing from Kendrick

Even reading the lyrics I didn't get what was going on. Smoking spliff, hos, the usual. Don't get the hype but enjoy the beat.

Interesting and kind of unique, sound design is really cool on some songs and boring on others, really liked the style of Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst

Mezcla de hip-hop suave y mezclas con rap. Suave y tranquilo de escuchar. Para los muy amantes del género

I understand that this is a "concept" record, but i honestly had a hard time following the story he's telling. I guess I have to read the lyrics thoroughly a couple of times. What is clear is that he grew up in a violent environment with no easy way out. Although the song "Black Boy Fly" is a bonus track (and I guess not on the original release), I think he's showing his admiration to an NBA player, not because of his basketball prowess, but because he was able to escape to a better life. I did like the telephone call skits; especially the first one with his parents leaving a long voicemail about bringing the car home.

It has a few great cuts

Not really the kind of song that I resonate with. The album itself is far from it. Though I don't hate it for what it is.

Not my thing, but listenable for what it is.

man, I tried to like this but it just doesn’t work for me I’m sure all the fuckin kendrick stans are gonna come after me this is like a 5/10 imo I did like TPAB quite a bit more tho, that’s probably like a 7/10 I’m not really a fan of Kendrick Lamar, sorry

Love me some Kendrick. m.A.A.d city would be an awesome album… if there weren't a bunch of more awesome albums behind it. Amazing freshman effort that change the face of Hip Hop only for the better. 3.5/5.

Un dels artistes cabdals del nou mil.leni. El disc, però, està sobrevalorat. El millor de Lamar hauria de venir just després d'ell. Aquí es congreguen petits diamants ('Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe', 'Swimming Pools', 'Compton'), i es dona la forma final del que ha de ser el 'so Lamar', però és massa llarg i irregular

Autobiographical storytelling that was certainly more literate than the average. Okay (6/10) FT: Money Trees, m.A.A.d. City

Ya know I thought it was pretty interesting, for a hip hop album anyway. Of course the lyrics are lame most the time, but it was cool enough. If I ever see gonna relisten to a hip hop album it might as well be this one

Prefer 90's hip-hop

I like the melodies and his flow, but again why oh why do rap albums have to be soooooooo long.

me gustó la narrativa y las referencias me gustó la portada

Not as pressing as pimping the butterfly

LCD Kendrick Lamar. This album gains inspiration from being stereotypical and ordinary. Go listen to Pimp instead.

This album feels very ordinary, particularly when compared to To Pimp a Butterfly.

There's some very good tracks that are SCCs here.

Hip hop is not my favourite genre but dang, this is a great album. I also like his To Pimp a Butterfly but I think this album is almost its equal. This record is nuanced, layered and complex and that's just what I've picked up while listening to it in the background while I work so I haven't even begun to really dig into his lyrics and masterful storytelling.

Very good rapping I wish the music was more interesting...more unique. 3 🌟

Good

Nothing wrong with this record, it's listenable, though it doesn't do much for me specifically. There are some good songs on it and I didn't feel the need to turn it off, but there's only so much you can take hearing voice mail messages from someone else's mother.

Ce début sur une major est à écouter pour constater l'évolution de Kendrick Lamar. On y entend déjà des éléments qu'on retrouve sur To Pimp A Butterfly et même Damn qui sont ses meilleurs albums.

A solid album, lots of stuff to get caught on in there.

I liked a few songs. I can see the cultural influence this album has on the music of today, but most of it really just wasn't for me.

vissa är riktigt bra. men vissa är rätt dåliga. Swimming Pools är dålig som fan men t.ex The Art of Peer Pressure är en banger. svårt det här.

His 2nd album but 1st major label. Rap. Interesting. Not really my thing.

I’ve struggled with this album in the past, but I’m glad I gave it another try. It paints a consistent picture of Compton and has strong lyrics. Musically I don’t enjoy it as much as some other hip hop.

Alweer een album die ik nooit uit mezelf zou opzetten (en dat waarschijnlijk niet nog eens ga doen). maar wel een oké album

Not really my cup of tea. There were one or two tracks I enjoyed so I'm giving it an extra star.

I would not say this album is necessarily bad, but it sure is monotonous at some point. However, some productions are really nice, making it flow somehow well, if we ignore that some songs become very repetitive. At least, there are little moments that save it from being painfully unpleasant. Because Kendrick may be a great rapper, but he is very bad at singing, sometimes his voice even becomes irritating. Also, another part that takes me off this record is that it sounds very stripped of layers, and sometimes a same chorus is repeated so many times it ends up being very bland and uninteresting. It feels like some songs are just enlarged just for the sake of. Or the album overall, I think it would have benefited from being shorter. And not in the tape-like recordings, which really enrich it, but in songs that are just... well, nothing remarkable. And just because I find it interesting content-wise is not an excuse for ignoring that I have found it terribly insipid. There are no interesting or exciting production tricks, nor songs I would highlight. It is just an album in which Kendrick does his thing over repetitive and predictable instrumentals, which are not even thrilling in the first place, making it tedious to listen to this album in full. I may not get the importance of Kendrick (or I may, but just because of what he transmits and how influential he has been, not because of his music, and I guess I am here judging music, and even trying to expand my musical taste, but Kendrick just does not do it for me, but I can say I have tried it), nor the likeness of hip-hop, which I find purely insipid most of the times. I get the importance, although, and even enjoy certain songs, just it is a genre I find purely influential (even when I listen to it), but at the same time very insipid. And it may be because of the reiterating structures of the songs. It feels like there is no evolution in this album, that it is just a continuous piece of songs correlated in context and content but that do not work quite that well as an overall. Nor alone. But, rather, they all feel plain at some extent. I would like to be more insightful, but it is hard when this album has completely thrown me off. Some songs just sound bad. And it is not a statement. That is a stylistic choice. And it sounds awful. (Sure, I am not speaking about every song, this is a huge collection of them, and some are nice too, but just this album does not work quite well as a whole.)

Kendrick Lamar - good kid m.A.A.d city Infinitely better than I had expected. The beats/backing/whatever you call it was so much more restrained and considerate than so much of the rap on this list. It an identity beyond the vocal. Liked it. Best Track - Sing. About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst. Worst Track - Compton But.....imagine having your daughter read these lyrics on your album 😬 5.5/10

Rap is not for me but of course Kendrick is good

me intriga a glorificação a ele, mas me limito a, agora com mais propriedade, aceitar que não é uma música pra mim

definitivamente é um disco de rap

kendrick lamar has great flow, the production on the album is amazing too... but the same old tropes, the stereotypes, the misogyny, all that stuff's a bit of a turn off for me.

Bitch killed my vibe.

Still nope. 2 Kendrick Lamar albums out of the first 44 recommends. Come on, man.

too long

OK. Don't like rap. He made wroom wroom sounds, when he rapped about cars. Cringe

This album was ok. Just a lot of crudeness and nothing really jumped out at me.

Du rap

Don't understand why it got soo many streams, cool production and tight muscianship yes but otherwise it feels boring

Not a fan.

Not my type of music didn't add any but some of them could be in the background and I wouldn't mind

I don't get the hype, and the lyrics and themes are certainly a choice.

Not quite Kanye or Jay Z. Pretty dull.

Pretty poor

This one was tricky. First, a thought on why this is so divisive: Not all of the albums on this list are "music" to be casually enjoyed. Some albums (especially the concept ones) are "auditory artforms" that require one's full (and often repeated) attention and engagement to fully appreciate or even understand. Ultimately, how successfully this formula lands depends on not only the effort and openness of the listener, but also the medium/genre used by the artist. Rap, honkytonk, prog, and whatever the hell it is Bjork does (I like Bjork, by the way) are all valid but very, very different mediums/genres. Each can be very effective for reaching its target audience, but not all of these are going to resonate with the same audiences. Zoom in on this album. It uses ugly and vulgar as brushstrokes to paint its story. It has to. That's the backdrop of the story. If it weren't ugly and vulgar, it wouldn't be authentic. Kendrick's not glorifying this ugly and vulgar. He's putting a spotlight on it. Examining it. And inviting the listener to consider choosing an alternative reality. For some listeners, however, there's a very real, visceral reaction to such ugly and vulgar. For these listeners, this is not an effective medium/genre for conveying the story. Perhaps they would respond to the story using a different approach. Perhaps not. The point is this can feel very right for some people and very wrong for others. Hence, the divisiveness. As for my personal preference and rating: I gave it two playthroughs, and I do appreciate the flow, the production, the story telling, the message, and the intent. However, this story isn't my story (nor even close to adjacent), so it's hard to relate. In addition, I feel it's a bit too long for the weight of its material, but that might be because, again, it wasn't the easiest album for me to digest. I was also somewhat disappointed with the lack of catchy hooks (for me, personally, that's an important ingredient for replayability). To its credit, however, this is probably the only album I've heard that properly uses skits as a narrative technique and not just as a disruptive, intermittent gimmick. All-in-all, this is only a 2 for me, but I can understand why others would grade up and/or down.

I get why people rate him - but it just doesn't float my boat.

Not quite my sort of thing, though the music is quite good now and then. Two stars...

Couple good tracks.

Eh… killed my vibe…

Listened to first three songs. Not very into rap, though I can see how this is pushing artistry within the genre.

The first few songs were really good then, the just dragged on after that.

This was so boring, and the lyrics oscillated between genuine commentary, and pure drivel.

Gave up after 1 song...not my thing

I didn’t mind it, but not my style of music.

Just not in the mood for a whole rap album

Knew a few of the songs, wouldn’t turn them off if they came on but I won’t be actively going to listen to this album

It is not my cup of tea!

Yeah, i don't think good kid, m.A.A.d city was that great of an album. In my eyes, there are two major things that drag this album down a lot. First, the lyrics, for the most part they are very immature and rely on the same old rap stereotypes that you commonly see among rappers like this. Another issue is the identity crises these songs have. There are so many times where the songs, at odd points no less, will randomly change to a completely different song yet still be part of the same track which makes me ask "Why don't you just make them different songs at this point?". The only reason that this album does not get a 1 is the fact that if you ignore the odd song changes, there are points where the production is very good. That is about the only good thing i can say about this album though as i still find it rather hard to recommend. Best Song: Real Worst Song: Backseat Freestyle Side note: It is pretty funny seeing Kendrick Lamar collab with Drake on this album considering the relationship those two have now

Was alright yet extremely repetitive and every song sounded exactly the same just a different phrase repeated.

2/5

Didn't click with me

Nope. Not for me. Two stars for not being a complete musical train wreck, though.

I’m not into hip hop. I guess this I good?

Not for me

I think there’s some lyrical genius in here but I can’t get into it with all the various noises and interruptions and the lack of melody

Now dropped from the list. Fine. By me. Better than some of this ilk but I dont see the genius.

Money trees was good, did not like the other ones, to me they were not my type of music and the lyrics were not relateable. i dont think they are to many people.

Ok

Not as bad as most but not great

I didn’t like it not because it’s not good but because it’s not the style of music I am used to listen.

Just another hip hop album that rolls out the same old tropes. Really, more skits? Haven't we played out the skits in hip hop over the past few decades? No matter where you come from, or what you have experienced, you don't have rely to on constant misogyny and stereotypes. I'm weary of guys who are over the top about how much they enjoy this stuff. I know so many black folk who are not like these stereotypes at all. The engineering and production staff did their jobs well, so I don't feel it is fair to go below a 2. Without the lyrics this would be a fairly easy 3.

This wasn't for me.

Today I decided that Kendrick Lamar is the Radiohead of the rap world. Both artists have some really, really devoted fans that treat them as absolute geniuses who have ascended to the pinnacle of music. I just don't get the hype for either of them. This is another album that's going to get unfairly dinged by me because the lyrics are a big part of the draw, but even if I were doing nothing but listening to this in a dark room I'd still miss most of them. I'm sure they're occasionally brilliant, and I'm glad some people love this...but sonically this album is kinda boring to me. Like Radiohead, I feel like I'm *supposed* to like Kendrick Lamar as an enlightened fan of music, but honestly I just don't. Intrinsically, subjectively, this does not work for me beyond a couple songs. I couldn't wait for it to be over. 1.8

Fine, rap doesn't interest me and this didn't really change that opinion.

Per nummer een cijfer op de schaal 0-10 (afronden op heel getal) 1) 6/10 2) 7/10 3) 2/10 4) 4/10 5) 5/10 6) 5/10 7) 6/10 8) Niet af kunnen luisteren door gebrek aan motivatie

2+ Stars (6/15)

Fine I guess

Too much misogyny and too many words that make me uncomfortable. I don't find it enjoyable to listen to.

mucho rap pesado, algunas canciones estaban muy buenas y otras no muy pesado el ritmo,muy repetitivo

not my thing

I donde like. I coudn't listen totally