good kid, m.A.A.d city

This album is a literal storybook, man. Shows the life Kendrick led in his youth, with gangs and violence. Top song is “M.a.a.d City”, vibe is poetic justice. 10/10.

This album is perfect, but it requires tuning into. I've listened to it 100 times, and the first 99 we're just because I liked the way it sounded. Once you tune in and begin to understand the storytelling present here it takes it from a good album to an all timer. It's poignant. It's cyclical. It's maad. If you don't like this on first listen, give it a Google and try it again. It's worth the effort

An anti gun-violence group based in Chicago, Illinois.

10/10

Enjoyable, thoughtful lyrics, addictive beats

Kendrick hits hard. I really enjoyed several of these songs. Way too much religion and booze. After listening to Real, I feel like I have to listen to this album again to understand the whole story.

The GOAT 😎

I've been following Kendrick since Ignorance is Bliss video on Overly Dedicated, and then the Section 80 underground album. I was thrilled to hear he signed with Dre back in the. When this album came out it was everything you hoped for and more. Crazy multisyllabic rhyme schemes, a whole bevy of different kinds of flows and intelligent lyrics to bat. He was like you put KRS-ONE, Tupac, Kool G Rap and Common into a blender. Anyway, this album instantly took his underground persona to a new level of epic. For me it's still his best album, and it's not like there isn't super stiff competition in his next three albums. Some of these tracks changed the culture on a widespread level, which is an achievement given that more intellectual rappers didn't usually ever reach that for the last 10-15 years before this CD. It was also almost the announcement of the rejuvination of rap after the dregs of the Puffy jiggy era of the late 90s through the oughts. Tracks like B*** Don't Kill My Vibe, Poetic Justice and the Art of Peer Pressure are next level tracks. Swimming Pools, the great hit. I have mixed feelings on maad city--I find the first half grating until the old 90s style g funk kicks in halfway through with MC Eiht. Classic throwback to the stuff that inspired Kendrick and pushed Compton into the rap stratosphere. I could go on about the rest of this album. The beats, though nearly all from different producers, all have a certain identity that stays remarkable consistent, probably thanks to Dre's oversight as executive producer. The ongoing story really ties this together as a true cinematic rap album, with a real beginning and end. Money Trees, Sing about Me Clean 5/5.

i absolutely LOVE this album. no skips!! i usually don't listen to hiphop or anything around that, so this was a very good eye-opening expierence for this new genre. i still have to listen to the lyrics a little more to fully know what he's talking about but hearing a voice from that culture explaining how it was/is living, is very intersting to me and i love to hear/know more about it. i will definitely be listening again to this album & kendrick lamar himself!! one of my greatest friends loves kendrick so i think she'll be thrilled aswell. :)

3/3. Unreal, such an incredible album and moving story throughout. The beats are hard as fuck, Kendrick’s rapping is as good as it gets, and the 1 hour runtime flies by. One of the best rap albums of all time.

The Kid was good and The city was m.A.A.d

Love it and wish Kendrick was running the world.

9/10

One of the best albums of all time in my opinion

This is kendrick Lamar at his best!! Top songs: Money Trees, Compton, Backseat Freestyle

I already knew and loved a lot of songs from this album but had never listened to the whole thing! I really enjoyed it

enhorabuena eres perfecto

Incredible lyricism and storytelling

Classic duh. Kendrick has always had a way with story telling in his music!

10/10 not a first listen but had a rlly meaningful listen. there’s some timeless clsssics on there like swimming pools and bitch don’t kill my vibe.

I’m not qualified to review hip-hop. But this really moved me. It was like watching a movie or reading a short story. I was tempted to deduct a point for some of the lyrics but it would still be a 5/5. I added “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” to my Generator playlist but I enjoyed every track.

I've already listened to this album but, it is probably one of my favorite rap albums of all times.

Ооо ааа кексик кальмар

Enfin du rap US où ils ne sont pas 32 à gueuler dans mes oreilles. Une bénédiction. 🙏🏻

Fiksua lyriikkaa, hyvää musiikkia, ei pahaa sanaa sanottavana.

Best ever

A "no skips" kind of album. I've heard so many of these songs before, but never actually listened through the whole album.

Bangers

Wasn’t expecting to enjoy as much as I did. Reminds me a lot of logic, but obviously predates him. Will return

This album changed me. Back when it came out, I had been slowly dipping my toes into rap and hip-hop but hadn’t fully dove in. I definitely still had some trepidation about the violent or thematically intense material I’d been told was all over hip-hop, but good kid m.A.A.d city put it to rest. Here is a story (and being a fan of prog rock I was immediately taken with the overarching concept aspect) of a young man growing up in a gang environment, and telling of the forces that essentially saved him from it. Kendrick doesn’t shy away from the gang violence and drug use, and in fact puts it front and center…but the whole thing is so well written that you have no doubt that those negative aspects are not being glorified. I’d never before experienced a song written from the point of view of the artist’s younger self. That very mechanism allows him to engage in all the traditional aspects of gangsta rap, the braggadocio, the casual participation in crimes, while also taking a more distant view, condemning the societal forces that put him in that position and separating himself from them. Absolutely brilliant. And it taught me a lot about marginalized communities, about America, about gang culture, but also faith and salvation. First and foremost: it taught me the importance of listening, really deeply listening, to the stories of those who live in different circumstances, and through listening, puncturing judgement and finding understanding. Beautiful experience and I’ll always admire Kendrick Lamar for the way he’s able to communicate deep and personal things with his writing. (As he said a couple years later, “I’m not a rapper, I’m a writer.” He proved it with his albums.) This album is a masterpiece and one of the most impactful albums to come out in my lifetime. Brilliant. Must-listen #270.

This is just the kick in the pants that I needed to FINALLY check out this artist. Here's the thing: the *most* contemporary hip hop I listen to is roundabout 20 years old by now. And so that's a lot of years of evolution of sound & production & style & what-have-yous. So I was a tad bit trepidatious about not being able to get past that surface level. Also, popular appeal is generally an indicator that I'm not gonna like it. But the reputation cannot be ignored. And the accolades, in numbers & prestige, demand attention. Review: This is fukkn brilliant. MAXIMUM STARS!! And this *ain't* the Pulitzer album?? My concern re: the new-fangled sound & style of the kids today was not completely unfounded. But that's my issue to overcome & it is quickly dissipating with every spin. Plus *everything else* is so fukkn incredible that it's easily overcome. I've had this muhffker on repeat thru the weekend & i plan to take a break only so I can rate the next album in my journey. But you can bet I'm coming straight back to this one & it's going straight into the regular rotation. Cannot WAIT to continue this man's discography. FIVE STARS PLUS!! And gonna add an asterisk to differentiate it from other "regular" 5-star albums because this is a level above

Always great

Again one of the greatest albums of all time. It’s whole movie in album format, detailing kendrick’s life and trials in compton, with some amazing lyrics, instrumentals, and production. Easy 5/5

What can I say about this album that hasn't already been said? I've made many notions that recent albums are difficult to review in terms of legacy and influence because we may be yet to see the waves they make, but not this album. It's easy to dismiss genres you don't actively listen to, reducing them into key "features". Like Country music talking about cowboys and small towns, lots of people will say "I don't listen to rap" and reduce it down to things like gang violence and killings. If they have that opinion, give them this album. It addresses these topics from a different perspective, talking about slights and revenge and how it affects the families and children. It talks about money for better or for worse of character. Lyrically and topically this album is fantastic, filled with haunting perspective of living in a rough neighbour and all the things you see that come with the territory. Mixed with random skits or interjections of people talking that both excellently break up the songs and the styles but add a layer of understanding of what people afflicted by the murder and struggles may say and feel. So, I love the things this album addresses. But how does it sound? Phenomenal. Kendrick in the modern say is held on a pedestal but with albums like this you really understand why. If you've never heard someone rap before you could listen to this and still understand purely on feel that the flow is fantastic, you'll bob your head and emote to things because Kendrick really brings it to life. The beats on this album are also fantastic, Money Trees and Poetic Justice instrumentally just sound fantastic and things like m.A.A.d City/Sing About Me are intense, with breaks and changes that turn the speed and style of a song on its side before introducing a fresh flow. This album doesn't have a single moment of weakness. Best songs: Poetic Justice/Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst Worst songs: N/A Rank compared to everything else so far: 2/27 (below Band on the Run, above Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite)

I'm glad Kendrick has seen so much success, the guy really deserves it. Great storytelling through his own experiences, this album is a masterclass and a perfect entry for the genre.

Kendrick is a master story teller and this album paints a pretty big bummer of a picture of the life of a young man growing up in Compton. The shine of Thug Life has dulled and all your left with is peer pressure and dead brothers. It’s a bummer but damned if it isn’t a catchy bummer!

VERY good thanks mr lamar

really a scathing indictment of the list in this book that an album with such an impact was removed in a later edition. it's not my favourite album from kendrick but it's hard to say that this isn't one of the best and most cohesive hip hop albums from the 2010s. kendrick is such a good storyteller that even an album that is imo not his best is still an all-time GOAT contender. i love that it's billed as "a short film" because to me the emotion across the album feels like a perfectly paced narrative experience. it's reflective and introspective and dense. the kind of album you can always find new angles to appreciate because the songwriting is as sharp as it is layered. exceptional across all fronts.

Okay well it's one of my favorite albums ever and I've listened to it too many times all the way through so this wasn't hard to rate. There's a lot that makes this album so amazing and I don't want to turn this review into an essay so I'll TRY to go through everything quickly. Firstly, the ability for the album to mix awesome pop hits with such a dark and tragic and clear story can't be ignored. The use of Skits to connect the songs together is done so well, it feels like a movie encapsulated into an album as a result. The absolute consistency of the album cannot be understated either. I know TPAB is usually held in higher regard, and partially for good reason, but I don't think anything can beat the pure listening experience of Good Kid for me. The run of songs between "Good Kid" and "Sing About me I'm Dying of Thirst" is probably my favorite run of songs in any album ever, the flows on Good Kid are incredible and Pharell's production is actually at his peak. m.A.A.d city is just an immaculate song, Sounwave's production is on another level. The dark subject matter combined with Kendrick's incredible flows on this song blow me away. "Sing about me I'm dying of Thirst" fucks me up everytime. I could go through literally every song like this but for sake of time I will not. I literally cannot glaze this album enough. I loved this album when I first heard it in full around 16ish, and I love it more with every single listen.

There’s a lot more to this album than penises the size of European monuments. A richly rewarding listen that is worth persevering with even if you don’t like the genre. Also worth listening the whole way through.

Enjoyed this & favourite tracks include, good kid maad city.

Perfect album

It reminds me of ATLiens when OutKast first went a little alternative. Not said to discredit this album as it stands on its own. I’m a 38 year old white guy from a village in the south east of England. I feel like I couldn’t be more removed from the meaning of these songs. But I still love it

Sherane is good for leading the audience into this project but the annoying 808 beat always urks me and stops me from liking the opening track more then most do. Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe and Backseat Freestyle are both godly tracks and I don't need to explain just how good those ones are. The Art of Peer Pressure is a song I am now appreciating more for how lyrically dense the song is, I don't think I appreciated the beat switch and how rich with meaning this song was before and I am happy to say I do like this song now. Money Trees is Money Trees, nuff said. Poetic Justice is yet another song I was very split on before and I still think that it is a skip for me, there isn't much the song adds and it feels very out of place in the grand scheme of things. good kid is easily one of the most underrated songs on this album, why don't more people talk about this song? m.A.A.d city is a certified banger not much needs to be said there. Swimming Pools didn't come off as super repetitive or annoying to me anymore, I can understand repeating this song over and over will do that but it is a very enjoyable track for me now which was really nice to see. Oh SAMIDOT my beloved I am sorry for being so harsh to you before. While the twist may not have gotten me this time around the song's very emotional and impactful lyrics did, this is a beautiful song even if I don't think it is the best on GKMC. It's beat keeps running and yet it never tires out, somehow Kendrick single handedly managed to carry 12 minutes of music on his back and never stopped to take a break and it is awe-inspiring. After the deeply emotion SAMIDOT, Real is the perfect followup to pick up the pieces of the aftermath. It is retrospective on Kendrick's life and what makes him real as a person from the struggles to his personal feelings. Finally we wrap up this wonderful concept album with Compton, a true victory lap for the accomplishment and pure celebration of pulling off one of the most important rap albums I have ever heard.

kendrick is literally the best rap storyteller i know it’s insane. this album is such a good example of that

What a true treat to listen to this whole album again for the first time in 10 years. It remains a potent document. I teared up listening to “Sing About Me.” Generational talent.

Vivid storytelling, great production, smooth flow, no skips. That's a 5.

This is one of the most influential records of this decade. There's an attempt here to tackle these complex issues of peer pressure, gang violence, and cycles of abuse. To fix these issues, there's no choice but to dive into them and understand the root causes. Favourite Track(s): Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe, m.A.A.d city, Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst, Real Least Favourite Track(s): Swimming Pools (Drank)

Instant classic. Full of really powerful songs that also complement each other. Has done nothing but grow on me over time.

Great lyricism, great tracks, pretty hard to hate on it

Classic

Already familiar and love

Arguably better that TPAB. It's aged incredibly well. K dot remains undefeated

a modern all timer

ICONIC. Finally, an album worthy of this list.

this was so good i really enjoyed. my favorite was when he said my life i want money and power and sydney said that's in a lot of anime edits.

Masterclass in contemporary hip-hop. Flawless beats. Infectious, skilled rapping with perfect cadence. Lyrics make the album a journey through maturing. No weak tracks, banger after banger. Standout is the almost satirical "Backseat Freestyle".

One of the best albums of the century, maybe Kendrick’s 3rd best album (but maybe his best, the top 3 are very close). More like a movie than an album (they should really make the movie), Kendrick decides it’s not a high enough degree of difficulty to tell the story of one day in Compton throughout the album, he decides to jump around the timeline like it’s Pulp Fiction. It took me a few listens to understand the right timeline but once you do, the story is as effective and affecting as any told through any album on this list. He also found time to fit in multiple hit songs and a few virtuoso verses, enough that would’ve made this a 4 without the concept at all. 5 stars all day

One of the best Hip-Hop albums of all time. Own this on vinyl. So may awesome songs on this.

Favourites: Sherane a.k.A Master Splinter's Daughter Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe The Art of Peer Pressure ★ Money Trees (feat. Jay Rock) ★ m.A.A.d city (feat. MC Eiht) Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst Real (feat. Anna Wise)

Sing about me, I'm dying of thirst is a 10/10 song

I don't even have to listen to this one to rate it because I already listen to it so much 5/5

Kendrick is a genius

That bass is so thick

Good listening to this for the billionth time, first in a while. Safe to assume Poetic Justice will remain the only Kendrick + Drake collab. Beat change in m.A.A.d. city blows my fucking mind. Part of me thinks Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst should have ended the album, Real and Compton are by far the weakest songs here.

The writer of my generation. I was in middle school when this album was released, and the impact Kendrick has had on people my age since then is unparalleled. Visionary.

A CLASSIC. Just an amazing coming of age album. Vocals, beats, lyrics all superb. Evey song flows so nicely into the next. Skits are great and add to the story. Such an impactful album too, so much buzz when it came out and is still talked about now as one of the greatest rap albums ever. Everything about it is so good, I love it. One of the albums that really cemented my love for music, so it holds a special place in my heart. Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst might just be K.dots best song. Not sure what else to say other than thank you and I you love Kendrick Lamar.

I love this album so much. Kendrick’s been showing since the beginning that he is a real artist. He is a great lyricist and has range. This album has all the party songs we listened to in college (Swimming Pools, Bitch Don’t Kill my Vibe, Backseat Freestyle, and Money Trees) but also gets vulnerable with Poetic Justice and my underrated fav The Art of Peer Pressure. I love Kendrick Lamar. This is a great album

One of my absolute favorites. Love this record. Generational album, every single is a banger. Creative. Great writing. Easy 5/5.

Already love this album

Kendrick is a phenomenal storyteller. There are no forgettable tracks on this album. Every single one is catchy and haunting and essential to the story. Big fan- 91/100

It’s interesting he calls it a short film because I do think it’s paced like a movie. I like BDKMV and backseat freestyle a lot, but mostly the first half or so is just scene-setting and rising action. But everything from maad city on is a classic, like how a great movie will build to an exciting conclusion. If there was an award for “greatest 12 seconds of a song,” 5:24-5:35 of maad city would be a strong contender. Also, mild hot take: the vision of TPAB and Damn might be greater, but this and GNX are more fun. This is the Kendrick album I play the most.

holy shit

This is like when your younger brother comes back home for the holidays after his first year away at university. That naive, innocent little brother has now had his eyes opened to the world and speaks with a lot more maturity, but you can also tell that he’s been getting up to mischief.

4.79

A perfect mix of alternative and mainstream elements. Legitimately over half of the songs were inescapable hits and the others are just as interesting. I’ve always thought his follow up was my favorite but listening back I think this one edges it. It’s a more efficient package. It’s the closest thing to Dylan. 27th perfect album, 858 albums in. Rating: 5.0

Love the story throughout the album. Wish there were more albums like this. This is probably one of my favourite albums of all time.

This album is a lyrical masterpiece and one I'm sure I will remember for many years as the catalyst for my genuine appreciation of rap. With basically zero prior exposure to the genre, I now see it as a powerful vessel for communicating the weight and emotion behind experiences which are not intrinsically linked with my own. I'm realizing music doesn't only have the power to inspire through how it resonates with ME but also where it stands as a means to present a story about SOMEONE ELSE (that I can find meaning through without relating personally). What makes it even better is that this is *real*, this is authentic, this is entirely representative of the things that Kendrick actually experienced in his day to day life, and the subsequent decisions he made, the lessons he learned, the heartbreak and tragedy he faced, as well as ultimately accepting Christ as his perfect savior through his imperfect struggle- a beautiful throughline for the entire album. This was incredible, I will definitely be coming back to it, I would give this six out of five stars if I could

I've already listened to this a long time ago but Kendrick is an incredible artist. I am not good at writing but this is great.

Not as experimental as TPAB but still sonically rich and warmer with irresistibly catchy hooks.

Loved it.

I hadn't heard a lot of Kendrick Lamar before this, but whatever I had heard I loved. And this album did not disappoint. Kendrick brings his killer rap style and word play to every song. Sherane, Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe, Good Kid, I'm Dying Of Thirst, and Real had really good flow. The Art Of Peer Pressure and Sing About Me hit on some heavier topics, he does some good work shedding light on that. And the latter has a nonstop flow style that's a pleasure to hear. Several songs have great cameos as well, like Money Trees, Poetic Justice, and Compton. m.A.A.d City had a nice beat, with seperate music sections for each verst. And then my favorites. Backseat Freestyle was just nonstop fun, he just keeps the words coming. Swimming Pools has it all, the beat, the flow, the lyrics, everything works together. It creates an odd balance, where the song is pretty fun to hear, but the words speak about alcohol addiction. Great album, really enjoyed my time with it. Need to listen to more of his stuff. Best song: Swimming Pools

It shocked me to see so many bad reviews, especially when the majority of them claimed the lyrics to be offensive in some capacity. The album is a clear portray of Kendrick's life and the environment he grew up in, the lyrics make very evident that is not about endorsing or demonizing that but understanding and sharing how going thru it can impact someone's choices. The album paints a complete story that we sometimes can't even see in styles that have storytelling as their baseline. To me this record just proves why Kendrick deserves the hype.

already very familiar, top album

i've heard Kendrick's discography from TPAB - GNX in full so far, but somehow i haven't heard this in full yet Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter's Daughter - 4/5 Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe - 5/5 Backseat Freestyle - 5/5 The Art of Peer Pressure - 4/5 Money Trees - 5/5 Poetic Justice - 4/5 (Drake kinda ruins this) good kid - 5/5 m.A.A.d city - 5/5 Swimming Pools (Drank) - 5/5 Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst - 4/5 Real - 4/5 Compton - 4/5 Average score: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ as someone who doesn't listen to hip-hop as much as other genres, i can confidently say he's one of the best in the game right now. i can hear some sounds in here that likely went on to influence many other rapper's sounds (Tyler, The Creator's work since Flower Boy comes to mind immediately) i think TPAB is still his best work he's ever done, but this comes pretty damn close. definitely top-3 contender

I liked this so much. Never been exposed to Kendrick much besides singles, but I really enjoyed this album as a start to finish experience. Powerful storytelling.

I love this record, it was just what I needed today.

A masterpiece and up there with The Wall and Ziggy Stardust for best ever concept albums. Kendrick of course is now one of the most respected and well-known rappers around but 13 years after its release I still think it's his best work. He's an incredible storyteller and the beats and lyrics all work. Favorite tracks: Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe, Money Trees, Art of Peer Pressure, Swimming Pools (Drank)

Probably a top 3 rap album

Heartbreaking tale of Kendrick’s dad not getting his Dominoes 💔

Favorite Track: Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe Remix

This is sonically pretty tight. Nice mixing. It's oddly the album that made me interested in digging into the west coast sound more, unlocked it for me. His vocals lock in, cadence change ups keep my attention. So many great beats.

Lmao I think what makes this album stand out is its a concept album whose concept does not stymie each tracks ability to shine on its own. The radio was playing these singles for like 2 years after its release, so much so that they were still on the airwaves when TPAB was released. Great album, just reminds me of late middle school/early highschool.

Incredible album. Let’s listeners peek into Kendrick’s youth in Compton with voicemails and dialogue through the album which later evolves in his next albums. Modern hip hop classic.

Amazing album. One of my favorites when it was released. Crazy to see how far he’s come but this album is a classic and hits home for me. Relate-able in so many ways and such good story telling. 5 stars!

Extrémny rapový album, niektoré pesničky nie úplne môj štýl ale celkovo 5/5

10/10 No notes, one of my favourite albums ever

top top top stylowa nie do podjebania, duzo swiezosci, przemocne bity

### **In-Depth Review: Kendrick Lamar’s _good kid, m.A.A.d city_** Kendrick Lamar’s 2012 major-label debut **_good kid, m.A.A.d city_** is a landmark in modern hip-hop. It’s a cinematic, autobiographical concept album that chronicles a day in the life of a teenage Kendrick navigating the perils of Compton. The album is widely praised for its storytelling, lyrical depth, production, and cultural impact. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of its **lyrics, music, production, themes, influence**, along with its **pros and cons**. --- ## 🎤 **Lyrical Brilliance** Kendrick’s lyricism on this album is **dense, layered, and emotionally resonant**. He adopts multiple personas and perspectives, painting a vivid picture of adolescence under pressure. Tracks like **“The Art of Peer Pressure”** and **“good kid”** showcase his internal conflict, while **“m.A.A.d city”** is a raw, chaotic depiction of violence and survival. - **Storytelling**: The album is structured like a film, with skits and voicemail interludes that advance the narrative. The story arc follows Kendrick through a day that spirals into violence, guilt, and eventually, reflection. - **Wordplay & Flow**: Kendrick’s technical skills are on full display. His ability to switch flows, use internal rhyme schemes, and deliver emotionally charged verses is unmatched. - **Duality**: He juxtaposes youthful bravado with vulnerability, especially in tracks like **“Backseat Freestyle”** (a parody of teenage machismo) and **“Swimming Pools (Drank)”** (a critique of alcoholism disguised as a party anthem) . --- ## 🎧 **Music & Production** The production on _GKMC_ is **atmospheric, cohesive, and genre-blending**. It avoids mainstream tropes of its time, opting for a **moody, introspective soundscape**. - **Producers**: Contributions from **Dr. Dre**, **Pharrell**, **T-Minus**, **Sounwave**, and **DJ Dahi** create a rich, layered sonic palette. - **Musical Style**: The album blends **West Coast G-funk**, **soul**, **jazz**, and **boom bap**, often with **minor-key melodies**, **subtle hooks**, and **reverb-heavy atmospherics** . - **Cinematic Quality**: Songs like **“Money Trees”** and **“Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst”** evolve dynamically, mirroring the emotional arc of the narrative. --- ## 🧠 **Themes** The album explores **identity, morality, peer pressure, systemic oppression, and redemption**. - **Coming-of-Age**: It’s a **bildungsroman** set in a violent environment, where innocence is constantly under threat. - **Structural Violence**: Kendrick critiques **gang culture**, **police brutality**, and **economic despair**, not as outside observers, but as someone shaped by them. - **Spirituality & Redemption**: The closing track **“Real”** emphasizes **self-love and accountability**, suggesting that escape from the cycle of violence begins within . --- ## 🌍 **Influence & Legacy** _GKMC_ is often cited as one of the **greatest hip-hop albums of the 21st century**. It redefined what a rap album could be—**narrative-driven, thematically rich, and musically adventurous**. - **Cultural Impact**: It introduced Kendrick as a **voice of a generation**, influencing countless artists to embrace **conceptual storytelling** and **social commentary**. - **Commercial Success**: Despite its heavy themes, the album went **platinum**, with hits like **“Swimming Pools”** and **“Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”** crossing into mainstream success. - **Critical Acclaim**: It cemented Kendrick’s reputation as a **lyrical prodigy** and set the stage for his later masterpieces like _To Pimp a Butterfly_ and _DAMN._ . --- ## ✅ **Pros** - **Masterful storytelling** with a cohesive narrative arc. - **Lyrical complexity** and emotional depth. - **Innovative production** that balances accessibility with artistry. - **Cultural significance** and long-lasting influence. - **Replay value**—each listen reveals new layers. --- ## ❌ **Cons** - **Skits and voicemails**, while narrative-enhancing, can disrupt the listening experience for some. - **Pacing issues**: The album’s **mid-section** can feel heavy and emotionally draining. - **Misinterpretation risk**: Songs like **“Backseat Freestyle”** and **“Swimming Pools”** are often **taken at face value**, missing their **satirical or critical intent** . - **Not as musically experimental** as later Kendrick albums, which may disappoint listeners seeking avant-garde sounds. --- ## 🏁 **Final Verdict** **_good kid, m.A.A.d city_** is a **modern classic**—a **cinematic, emotionally charged, and lyrically virtuosic** album that redefined hip-hop’s potential. It’s not just an album; it’s an **experience**, a **character study**, and a **cultural document**. While it may not be as politically radical or musically abstract as Kendrick’s later work, its **narrative cohesion**, **emotional honesty**, and **artistic execution** make it a **cornerstone of 21st-century music**. > **Essential for**: Fans of storytelling, concept albums, and socially conscious hip-hop. > **Less suited for**: Those seeking light-hearted or purely club-oriented rap. **Standout Tracks**: *The Art of Peer Pressure*, *Money Trees*, *good kid*, *m.A.A.d city*, *Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst*

Goood kid, this K Dot. Everyone who one starred this appears to be a one star man.

Amazing lyricism and musicality, expertly conveys the intended message

GOATed

One of my all time favorites.

Das ist meine Art von Hip-Hop. K-Dot hat so einen geilen Flow und geile Songs. Kenne ihn leider erst wirklich seit diesem Jahr von Not like us und seinem neuen Album. Hab mich gefreut, dieses Album zu bekommen. Ich finds genial, wird in meine Rotation aufgenommen.

day 6: whoooo!! a classic. this album is an excellent culmination and revival of hip hop at the turn of the 2010s. an incredibly captivating concept of a teenage kendrick’s life in compton explores themes of post-reagan effects on low income american communities and the black experience in the 80s and 90s. poetic, angry, cathartic, this album finds kendrick in issues of gang culture, police brutality, family and peer violence, alcohol and drug abuse, and the struggle of finding one’s identity and staying afloat in an environment so destructive and toxic, which are unfortunately very relatable for many millions of americans and encompassing of a failed sociopolitical system. i recall listening to maad city when i was 7 with my friend and playing the intro over and over, laughing at the ‘yak yak yak yak,’ into it being my most played song when i was 15/16/17, into hearing it live when i was 19, one of the best performances ive ever seen. this song is so so so angry, and outraged at a system which creates these impulses of murdering your community, robbing from your own job and being peer pressured into mixing hard drugs. one of my favourite lines however comes from poetic justice, ‘if i told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room would you trust it?’ to live and breathe experiences like these and then commit so much life to sharing and expressing and supporting these communities takes immense courage and growth from kendrick, themes which are expressed even greater on his following albums. can’t go without mentioning jay rock’s feature being one of the best written verses ever. the music itself is a love letter to LA’s founding sounds of NWA, tupac, snoop, and more. chronic-esque keys and horns, sample flips and big snare hits showcase the best of this era, while still capitalising on the blossoming sounds of early 2010s rap. will always love this one.

Top hip hop album. No skips.

loooooved, i already loved kendrick but his storytelling is amazing and the rhyme schemes are crazy

Super Dope

the people who rate this 1 star are so funny to me. this is such a fantastic concept album about the trials and tribulations of growing up poor and black in america. legit an amazing album.

Good reminder of how great he can be after all this tedious Drake bashing. Few things more boring in music than a hip hop beef.

It's Kendrick, come on! I started listening to Kendrick Lamar when he released DNA, an absolutely amazing album too. Then this album was on offer and bought it blind. It was a revelation. I've been a fan since.

Great album!

Um dos melhores discos do Kendrick, contendo faixas que são sucesso até hoje. À altura de To Pimp a Butterfly. Favoritas: Bitch don't kill my vibe, The Art of Peer Pressure, Money Trees, Poetic Justice, good kid, M.a.a.d City, Swimming Pools, Sing About Me, Real, The Recipe

Great album which I heard before. I hate real tho.

One of the best Concept albums of all time. SAMIDOT is a top 10 song of all time

GKMC is a classic album by Kendrick. The years i've been listening to this record are just whispering 10/10 on my ear, i even own this record on vinyl! A truly influential record that gave a whole new perspective to what rap can really be like. Id say it gets a 5/5 or a strong 9 out of 10. I love GKMC but there are even better things out there, even if thks album is one of the best!

Classic. College zbt. Party anthem. Revived my love for hip hop after a electronic phase

Smooth music rough scenario Bitch don't kill my vibe Swimming pools

This is Kendrick’s best, easily. Perfect mix of personal reflection, social commentary, and a bit of comedy, all brought together by excellent beats from Dr. Dre. Not a single skippable song on here. It’s on my short list of all-time best hip hop albums. This could be affected by the album being released during my senior year at IU and listening to it a lot, but I’m standing by my rating: this will be my seventh 5/5 in 74 albums.

Nothing to see here, just a genius in the early stages of genius-ing.

C’est un super album, j’ai même écouté la version deluxe pour encore plus en profiter

First Listen: Jan 02 2023 fav kendrick album. love how cinematic it is, excellent excellent excellent album

Kendrick and Tyler are pretty much the only mainstream rappers making good shit nowadays. Even a Drake feature can't ruin this.

This is one of the greatest albums of all time and the record that officially started Kendrick’s reign as one of the greatest rappers to ever do it. It’s awesome, plain and simple. Going back to good kid, m.A.A.d city always feels fresh. It never ages badly, it never loses its magic. The whole album plays out like a movie, a true concept record with a story that runs through every track. You’ve got everything here: party songs, sad songs, rage-fueled songs. Pick your mood, and Kendrick has a track for it. The tracklist is stacked. “Money Trees,” “m.A.A.d city,” “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” these are all generational hip-hop songs, timeless pieces that shaped the culture. Kendrick’s storytelling is out of this world. The way he paints Compton, his youth, his struggles, and the cycle of violence and temptation is unmatched. “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” alone deserves a whole essay. It’s one of the most emotional and thought-provoking songs in hip-hop history, a masterpiece in every sense. With this album, Kendrick didn’t just prove his talent, he set a new standard. He made one of hip-hop’s greatest modern classics, and it still stands as a cornerstone of rap music today.

Uma obra prima.

Good vibes, good album !

No notes. 10/10

Mass hallucination babay Ill education baby Want to reconnect with your elations? Do do do doo Man this is like my favorite album ever, regardless of genre

I think this is the best Kendrick album. I’m happy to argue that

I cannot believe I'm giving a rap album this rating but here we are

This is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the greatest albums ever created. Genuinely a beautifully written narrative throughout with outstanding production and rapping. Kendrick Lamar will go down in history as the second greatest to ever do it.

One of the best rap albums I've ever heard. I knew about this one before it showed up in my 1001 but I will never pass up an opportunity to listen to this masterpiece again.

Where we began to see the greatness in Kendrick Lamar. Such an amazing album.

One of the great modern rap albums. Ironically Poetic Justice (featuring now enemy Drake) is the weakest track.

I don't even like rap but I like this

Best album yet. Listened before this journey but no need to comment because I genuinely love every song. First of few 5 stars I’ll give.

What a moment when this came out. Wow. Still his best overall album.

One of my "GOAT" albums. This is the one that really got me into Kendrick Lamar. Vote based on sentimentality as he has made better stuff since, but good mix of accessibility and concept. Some of the songs too long though.

album of bangers, especially on 1st listen!

Another one straight outta Compton.. Autobiographical about his teenage years in the dangerous streets of Compton,this second album first time in a major label has so many famous guest appearances and so many famous producers that the result is real gem. Personal picks: Bitch don't kill my vibe, Backseat freestyle which reminded me of those freestyle mixtapes back in the dayz,raw and unfiltered you know.., The art of peer pressure has a more sophisticated sampling and a nice dramatic turn reminding me of oldschool rap probably my fave out of the album, Money trees which stands out has a nice vibe and a Halle Berry reference, Poetic justice has an 80's flava and beautiful female backing vocals, Good kid has a dramatic and nostalgic 60's sampling sound with a distictive killer bass sound while m.A.A.d city depicts the anxiety,madness,the danger of the gun and drugs paranoia in the streets, Swimming pools(drank) is an amazing moody track with an awesome production making you almost a witness in the situation with a shooting in the end, Singing about me,i'm dying of thirst gave me good old Fugees vibes(12:03 minutes mind you). If you were really into oldschool rap like me you so gonna enjoy this!

Some of the best hip-hop has to offer. Kendrick manages to deliver in all fronts: excellent production, powerful lyricism and catchy songs, while also executing an interesting concept. The lyrics are top-tier here, as he manages to paint vivid pictures, show us around his neighborhood and his culture and deliver sharp criticisms of gang culture and other aspects of the culture. "Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst" is the absolute standout here, a 12-minute song composed of deeply personal, intimate verses telling different stories of people around him and their influence in him. It's also noteworthy that the catchiest songs like "Swimming Pools" and "Money Trees" are driven by rich social commentary. The production here is amazing too, he enlists some of the best producers in hip-hop who definitely deliver. "Money Trees" and "Backseat Freestyle" are outstanding beats. The execution of the concept and how well the album flows is one of its strongest points too, as it's very easy to listen to, the skits and the mix of styles means its never dull. Maybe "Real" and "Compton" aren't as strong as the other tracks, but it doesn't take away at all from the album. As an overall project it's very focused and deliberate, and the execution is perfect too. This record showcases the power of hip hop as storytelling and as a tool for social criticism, and Kendrick delivers with style and a clear vision.

Top 5 rap album ever

Ja dit is geweldig Een van mijn favoriete albums ooit Ken hem natuurlijk al heel lang, zo goed Instant 5 sterren Leuk om hem weer in zn geheel te luisteren

One of the best albums ever, somehow Kendrick Lamar still eclipsed it with TPAB.

Great

good album, mad verses

First time I’d encountered a concept album outside the confines of prog rock. Amazing story, amazing execution. Kendrick’s Magnum Opus of story telling. Swimming Pools is a masterpiece masquerading as a turn-up song.

🎧 Rating: 5/5 (If you give it less, you get sent back to 2012 to try again.) ⸻ 🚗 One-Line Review: A teenage Kendrick navigates gang culture, peer pressure, and his own conscience like he’s driving a Honda Civic straight through Dante’s Inferno with Dr. Dre in the passenger seat. ⸻ 💥 Key Tracks: • “Money Trees” – Chills every time. Perfect beat. Perfect storytelling. Perfect Jay Rock verse. • “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” – A masterpiece in two movements. He stops rapping mid-line… yeah. That part. • “Backseat Freestyle” – You’ll want to shout the lyrics in a car, even if you’re alone, especially if you’re alone. • “The Art of Peer Pressure” – Basically a short film. Should be taught in schools. ⸻ This album isn’t just replayable—it’s re-readable, like a novel. And the more you know, the heavier it gets. Kendrick doesn’t hand you wisdom, he makes you chase it around the block, ducking sirens.

Goat

Just a banger

amazing

One of the best hip-hop debut albums ever recorded (up there with Nas and Kanye). This album depicts just a regular day in the life of Kendrick Lamar before his fame. Lyrics are solid with a lot to really dissect if you want to dig deep into the story. The production is fantastic too. Kendrick is regarded as one of the best artists in hip-hop for a reason.

Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe (Remix), m.A.A.d city, Swimming Pools (Drank) This was way better than I expected it to be. My consumption of "mainstream" rap, hip-hop and R&B music drastically falls off around the turn of the century. I enjoy that alt-hip hop life: MF Doom, Aesop Rock, Deltron and Automator, Blockhead (guest artists), RTJ, Czarface, etc. And so it was refreshing to hear that this album being true to the traditional form of rap albums in the 90s: Great beats, amusing skits, down-to-earth lyrics: a good mix of gangsta life, music about relevant topics in the world, and a bit of critique about politics, money, etc.

Absolutely perfect album

My favourite hip hop album. Amazing storytelling. Sing about me, I'm dying of thirst is a huge track.

fokin 10/10 te amo papi lamar

Love Kendrick Perfect album

It’s kendrick.

ffs

My personal favourite kendrick album, there are no skips and the lyrics and storytelling is unmatched.

Bitch don’t kill my vibe Backseat freestyle Money trees Poetic justice Swimming pools

Bish, don't kill my vibe. Really great album, loved it!

This is one of my favorite albums. It’s one of the best hip hop albums of all time, and one of the best concept albums of all time. Kendrick Lamar is destined to go down as one of the greatest to ever do it.

И вот снова: буквально позавчера я был на концерте Кальмара, а вчера попался его альбом. Послушав GNX несколько раз, в том числе вживую, я проникся наверное еще большей любовью к gkmc. Драматичный и очень разный. Бэнгеры через один. Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst - это просто пиздец для мэйнстрип рэп-альбома. К О Н Ц Е П Т, эмайрайт? И это работает. Кальмар до сих пор, наверное, играет хорошего парня в кругах зажравшихся хипхоперов, и потому эта каминг-оф-ейдж история выглядит прямо началом эпика, который выльется в биф с Дрейком и всей ебнутой индустрией. Лучшая песня - Backseat Freestyle.

I love this album, my first album from Kendrick and it just has a wonderful flow that hooks you. This is what an album is supposed to be, just wonderful production and always mixing it up to keep your attention. Every song on this is great and I need to listen to more of his stuff.

Class

LITERALLY MY FAVOURITE ALBUM OF ALL TIME IT'S JUST SO PERFECT IN EVERY WAY N THE CONCEPT N EVERYTHING R JS SO WELL THOUGHT OUT

Top tier

5 Summer of my sophomore year of high school. Just got my drivers license. ‘92 ford tempo. All red interior, electric seatbelts, no airbags. This album had dropped a year prior and it was the first thing I put on when I pulled out of the driveway for the first time. From then on, I would just drive around town blaring this album. I probably listened to it regularly for 3 years straight. It will always be one of my favorites of all time and brings me back to that moment every time I hear it or think about it. It was the first rap album that enthralled me, which is strange because I can’t really relate to the content of the album on a personal level, but there is something about the rawness of the storytelling that is undeniably powerful. It will be an album that sticks with me until I die.

It doesn’t get much better.

Still awesome 13 years later, amazing.

Give me all of that you got. Also the way I rushed to the reviews... Loved all the boomer refusals to even try and listen. "ITs jUsT tHAt RaP CraP AbOUt ShOoTinG GuNs aNd dIsReSpECtiNg WomEn" This whole list is just a self congratulatory jerk off by boomers to pretend their music was the best thing that ever happened. And so much of it is pure ass. There is absolutely no reason for Neil Young to be on this list 9 times.

My only exposure to this album (and pretty much Kendrick Lamar's music) until now were Vines in 2013 that took the most memetic 7 seconds of songs like Swimming Pools (Drank) and spun them into some eye catching joke. Very sad considering the fact that pretty much none of it is jokey... I love albums that depict very real pains and imperfections that are inescapable by many.

goated

My favorite rap album of all time, and a top ten album overall for me. Combination of great production and storytelling and a good overall message. It’s also cool the way each track stands on its own, but the sequencing shows the album musically heats up over the course of the tracks. I also find I’m able to justify the more “gangsta” songs, like Backseat Freestyle, because of the way they fit into the overall album. As someone who’s not usually a big rap fan, I’m glad I’ve been able to get multiple 5 star albums out of the genre through this challenge. It also makes me sad seeing so many reviews saying something along the lines of “why is this socially conscious of when the lyrics are so offensive?”. It’s fine if you aren’t interested in literary analysis, but you can’t refuse to look deeper then the surface and then act like there isn’t anything deep at all. Favorite Track: Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst

No skip album

4.5 awesome classic hip hop album I love it

Modern classic

Fantastic storytelling album.

Such a great listen with so many good songs.

5.0/some full blown racists in these reviews, wow! kendrick is truly generational. the run he has been on for over a DECADE is incredible. this album is a masterpiece. energetic, thoughtful, story driven, empathic, real, it's got it all. if you can't see the glory of this album i'm just sorry. vinyl in collection.

I don’t know what it is about Kendrick Lamar, but he’s the one hip hop artist where I could say with some degree of certainty that I’d love any album I hadn’t yet heard. The first I listened to was To Pimp A Butterfly and I loved it, and each subsequent album has only increased my love for him music. This album is no different. His lyrics are meaningful and draw you in, and the music itself is always interesting. Sure, there are some questionable lyrics (something about his tallywacker being as big as the Eiffel Tower), but the rest of the music is good enough for me to look past this.

I always consider Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst the last song on this album. Its the perfect concluding song to a perfect album.

Yooooo banger Already know almost every song already

Elite album

Absolutely essential

Everytime im in the streets...

Come on now...how are global ratings on this below a 4?!

damn this is so good. backseat freestyle, money trees, swimming pools. i can just listen to this whole thing over and over

Huge fan of this album. There are some great songs, and the storytelling in each song is amazing.

Such a great album. I think I understood the story as a kid who grew up in Compton getting sucked into all of the crime before making it out and getting his life together? That was my interpretation. Either way, this is Kendrick at his peak. So many good songs. One of the best albums of the 21st century.

Fantastic stuff. I liked this just as much as TPAB. The man's a poet.

Very few modern hiphop albums can bridge the cinematic vibes of earlier concept albums and the focus on producing fire singles of today, this one nails it

One of the best albums ever.

You’ve heard of wall of sound. This is wall of words.

“Good kid, Mad city”. The title of this album says it all, perfectly summing up the concept that holds this entire record together, making it the classic that it has already become. You can grow up a good kid, from good parents, but if you are unfortunate to lose the lottery on inherited wealth, growing up in an inner city suburb can drastically affect your life outcomes. This album tells that story from the perspective of Kendrick himself, who lived this life growing up in Compton. I think the best analogy I can use to bridge the generational gap to British Mums and Dads, is that this album is surprisingly aligned to the line from Pulp’s “Common People”: “And we’ll drink, and dance, and screw, because there’s nothing else to do.” When good people are left without options, they can make bad decisions that can drastically impact their futures. Rap is the best format for expressing the detrimental consequences this had on the lives of him and his childhood friends, as it allows some vivid and clever nuanced to be painted. “Swimming Pools (Drank)” always stands out to me in this regard. Hidden under the thin, deceptive veil of a hiphop-pop club banger about drinking a lot of alcohol (commonplace in the early 2010s), Kendrick tells a powerful story about the dangers of conformity and peer pressure. This narrative is further continued on “The Art Of Peer Pressure”, where he explains how he is normally a mild-mannered, respectful person, except when influenced by his peers. The album comes to a beautiful conclusion with “Sing About Me”, that is a truly sobering realisation of the consequences of letting a “mad city” control you. Absolute classic that will always be remembered.

5/5. I am glad we have the updated list because a list like this without Kendrick is incomplete. It's also clear from others on this website that they lack media literacy. This is a concept album, Kendrick is telling us a story about growing up in Compton and the album starts off with an exaggerated version of his younger self and he evolves throughout, recognizing who he is and the changes he goes through. How are you going to listen to Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst and tell me this is "gangsta" rap? This is one of the best albums of this century, period. I've heard this at least 50 times now and it's still fresh and great. A classic forever. Best Song: Compton, M.A.A.D. City, B**** Don't Kill My Vibe, Sing About Me I'm Dying Of Thirst

Listened to this twice, the second playing clicked. Damn is still my favourite, but this is strong throughout and a real grower. Would recommend listening with the lyrics. The backing is just first class as well. 9/10 (round to 5/5)

What to say? The record that got me into hip hop about 15 years ago (thanks Ben).

A hip-hop masterpiece that is bold and ambitious but also a ton of fun to jam to. That's what makes Kendrick Lamar so special. When he's at his best, the artistic and commercial pursuits merge into one, and he makes an album that features hit singles in addition to a meticulous attention to detail and powerful storytelling. Take "Swimming Pools (Drank)" for example. The chorus is a singalong anthem about doing shots and diving into a swimming pool full of liquor, but the song is actually about alcoholism. On one hand, I think this is Kendrick mixing the medicine in with the sugar. You can't usually get a song about alcoholism on the radio, but you can if it has an amazing beat and an unbeatable hook. Also, a song about developing a drinking problem probably should have this tone. The song is about peer pressure, so it makes sense that the music is as seductive as the friends pressuring the main character to drink more. There's a handful of cinematic songs -- "The Art of Peer Pressure," "good kid," "m.A.A.d City" -- that I find exhilarating. The lyrics are dense, but the beats are amazing, and they have the momentum of the second act of a movie that's grabbed you and won't let go. "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" and "Backseat Freestyle" are two of my absolute favorite Kendrick Lamar songs. Those are the two that I play even when I'm not listening to the album. They're songs that I just crave and need to hear sometimes. Nitpicking a little? I think the album loses some momentum in the final stretch. The first nine tracks are unstoppable, and then the album kind of peters out with two long, slow songs back-to-back. It feels like a small gripe though when the rest of the album is so fantastic.

Having listened almost exclusively to rap from 1995-2010, I feel like I can grasp and analyze hip hop albums more than other genres. And this album is fantastic. Unfortunately for me, this album was released in 2012, outside of the aforementioned hip hop listening window. So this was my first time hearing this album. Clearly, it’s a coming of age story which is nothing new, but the way he weaves the overall narrative in a linear way through the voicemail messages, while weaving in songs that cover both past and present events/mind-state is fantastic. The album tells a story as vivid, and evoking as much emotion, as any movie could. It’s probably 4.5 for me right now, but I know at another point in my life it’s a 5, and probably with a few more listens it’s a 5. So I’ll give it a bump.

Very personal narrative, Kendrick is a poet. stripped back production, some excellent collabs on this album. In 2025 Drake being on a Kendrick album is hilarious.

Unreal album enjoyed pretty much every song backstreet freestyle, m.A.A.d city, bitch don't kill my vibe. Most of the album makes my playlist Kendrick one of the all time greats

one of the greats

9.25 / 10 - Incredibly well-written and produced album. Kendrick is undoubtedly an incredible lyricist, and his talent is on full show in GKMS. With great pacing and flow, this emotional album transports you on a journey through his adolescence, ending with the crescendo on Sing About Me. The themes can often be tricky topics to write about, especially in a reflective manner; however, as always, Kendrick delivers. Overall, one of the best rap albums ever produced and a well-deserved 5

Peak Modern Rap Favs - Sing About Me, Vibe, plus the Drake feature is prime Drake Compton kinda mid

Conceptually strong album with a clear journey. Each individual song is strong and emblematic of the best of the genre, but the connecting themes make this a top-tier album experience beyond a collection of songs.

THIS IS THE BEST HIPHOP ALBUM EVER

Great concept album, great storytelling, great songs. Love the hidden track. Maybe my fav hip hop album

I love him so much. Great beats. Great lyrics

Already a classic

Very nice. Love “the art of peer pressure”, “Bitch, don’t kill my vibe”, and “good kid”. And most tracks are really well written and produced. Also appreciate that he is a calmly emotional story teller. The arrangements complement his tones so well, the string at the end of bitch don’t kill my vibe is a piece of pure gem. This album is full of thoughtful details. Very tasteful.

Easy 5 stars. Straight poetry and art the whole way through. It just feels very measured and deliberate and he captures so many angles of his life and experience and the culture he grew up with in really a small amount of time. “If I told you I killed someone at 16 would you believe me” is a great line that I think highlights that a lot of gang life and hip-hop and black culture is all about optics. Because if you believe him, what’s that say about you? Are we assuming any kid from Compton is automatically capable of doing drive-bys? And if we don’t believe him, why not? Would someone really make up all this wild shit that they said they lived through? “If I told you a flower bloomed in a dark room would you trust it?” Flips it and makes you want to believe that someone who grows up embedded in violence can still rise above it all and see the beauty that others can’t. And any album that can make you think and feel that deeply and still drop bangers and bars is on another level.

easy five stars, this album fucking slaps. its so cool to go back to Kendrick's first album, especially watching his career over the last ten years. this whole album rocks, and i'm so glad it came up on this list

I haven’t listened too much to Kendrick and have even called him overrated before. I now feel ignorant and get the hype. Every single song is good, and a few are absolute bangers (backseat freestyle, money trees, swimming pools), and there aren’t really any “cringe” moments that pop up in a lot of older rap.

Because I’ve listened to it so many times it’s hard to really review this album. To try and pin point why I liked it so much in the first place and why its popularity has lasted so long. I think one of the biggest things about when it came out was that rap had become pretty poppy (the blueprint 3, watch the throne, recovery,…) where the generic formula was to get a pop artist for the hook/chorus and it would be a radio hit. This album took such a different turn than all that which made it so unique. The story throughout the album is done so intriguing and really rewards listening to the album as a whole. Love his flow. Love most all the songs. Love this album. A core musical moment for me is when I went to bonnaroo in 2013, Kendrick was playing super early in the day (which is typically reserved for the bands that aren’t as popular) but the crowd was absolutely massive. He comes out and starts off with m.A.A.d city and the crowd screaming “yack, yack, yack, yack” at the beginning was probably one of the most hype things I’ve ever seen. Also, quite ironic to think back on this show now cuz Macklemore came out and played right after Kendrick (the infamous Grammys moment hadn’t happened yet).

There’s not much that I can add when analyzing this album that hasn’t been said already. Kendrick’s storytelling is unmatched and draws me in every time. It’s incredible how the singles from this album flow seamlessly into the story and not only are the skits not corny but they’re massively important parts of the story. An easy five stars and a masterpiece through and through. But more important to me are the memories associated with GKMC. It’s an album that I remember exactly where I was, who I was with, and what I was doing the very first time I heard it. From hanging with Pete in his mom’s driveway, to blasting Swimming Pools at parties, and road trips where we listened to the entire album with no skips, this album was the soundtrack to my life for almost two years. I can’t count how many times I’ve listened to this album, but over a decade later I added two more to that tally and enjoyed every second. Shoutout to The Recipe with Dre and the Black Hippy remix on the extended edition.

I was excited to go into this album blind, but I unknowingly knew way more songs than I thought I did. Mostly from osmosis of my friends playing them all the time. The big songs are great, but what I really blows me is Kendricks story telling abilities. The songs that aren't necessarily big hits are usually telling a story that's easy to understand and follow with. He brings you into his life. Most of the other rap albums on this list have a couple of radio hits with the rest being skits or songs about how cool they are. The off songs on this record hook you further into his life. Really good album and understand why all my friends like it so much. I really want to know what happened to those dominos!

Oh, I'm not a huge hip-hop fans but I'm somewhat familiar with Kendrick's work. To be fair before I started listening to this one, I wasn't necessarily in the mood for a hip hop album. Once I actually dug in, the record kept pulling me in with each song with its narrative, the depiction of a certain life and challenges, the voice of both protest and desperation but also filled with indomitable spirit. The last few tracks fully opened the floodgates, especially the 12 minute Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst which perfectly captures the essence of the whole album. Astonishing!

Amazing album

So many influential songs for modern rap

Might be one of the best rap albums of all time.

One of the best. The storytelling. This album flows from one song to the next perfectly. The Album covers (both of them) the written title by SchoolBoy Q. The only song I skip on this album is Poetic Justice, and that was before the Drake beef started. The use of his parents on voicemails, the non linear flow of the story, the admission of crimes done to survive in his environment, hearing him lose his friend in a careless shooting. This album pulls you in and makes you think about what you're hearing.

Whether you like the lyrical content of this album or not, there’s no denying that it’s sonically delightful. And while I hate all the white boys who make idolizing Kendrick their whole personality, I really like this.

Beats: 10/10 Flow: 10/10 Rhymes: 10/10

Modern classic - easily a top 5 rap/hip-hop album on my list. You hear "hip-hop concept album" and your eyes might roll immediately...mine would too. But this tells such a great story with solid lyrics and beats, that you can experience the environment and feelings of a young adult's life in areas like this. Everything (less the Drake feature 🙃) still holds up. When it was over I was ready to rewind it like the VHS tape and play it again. Will never forgive the RIAA for giving the grammy to Macklemore over this!

Mr. Morale

Such a good fucking album. First listened during my high school hoodrat phase, soo nostalgiac. 5

sick

Top 10 rap album of all time

No es mi jam al 100%, sigo acostumbrándome al género pero a nivel producción musical/ diseño sonoro es un 10/10.

really nice

I'm not sure I can put into words how much of an influence this album had on me in my coming of age years. This was the first complete hip-hop album that I fell in love with. Personally, no other Kendrick Lamar album comes close to this one. Every song on here contributes to the overall masterpiece and even the skits contribute (I usually hate skits). It does such a good job of portraying Lamar's story (fact or fiction, not sure) as a young man growing up in Compton. "Money Trees" will forever be my favorite hip-hop song. "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" is a close second. Just a thoroughly great album and hip-hop doesn't get much better than this.

Chock full of year-defining hits

Those dismissing this album due to its language and perceived violence aren't paying enough attention to its coming-of-age theme. This is a concept album based on his life growing up in Compton surrounded by drugs, violence, etc. Hence the vocal snippets throughout of his elders guiding him on the right path. The final track is Kendrick reflecting on his life and being thankful that he avoided a potential life of crime or addiction while simultaneously celebrating Compton and its contributions to the world. This is why Dre is included along with a vocoded voice that mimics the G-Funk and Parliament-Funkadelic sound.

A personal favourite.

Dear author, please reconsider your actions of removing this from the 2018 version of the book. You only kept TPAB in because of the critical acclaim it sees from every RYM user, and DAMN is nowhere to be seen. The level of disrespect on one of the most popular and influential rappers of this generation, just crazy.

A Rap essential

One of the best of all time. Thank you, Kendrick.

Not much can be said about this album that hasn't been said before. The concept is done to perfection, it touches on so many brilliant themes with incredible beats, lyrics, flows and features. They're not exaggerating when they say that this is probably the greatest rap album of all time. I usually have no opinion on little conversation pieces in songs, but for this album they feel so integral to the concept that I just can't skip them. Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst is easily a greatest song of all time contender. An absolute master class of lyrics and storytelling, with a great beat to back it up. I especially love when the medium of song is taken advantage of, such as "And if I die before your album drop" or "I'll never fade away". Top 4: SAMIDOT, Money Trees, m.A.A.d city, Real 9.5/10

This album is the story that Kendrick was born to tell. It is a memoir that captures, probably better than any other piece of art that I've seen the intersectional experience of poverty, youth, and life in a city with gang culture (in lieu of a better word). The story of this album is not chronological which I think obfuscates the actual plot to a first time listener, but does result in a satisfying listening experience as the listener starts to understand how different pieces connect. The voicemail and the various voice clips for use as connective tissue is essential to piece this story together because it's easy to lose track of key events of the story. As a whole I think that this album is a masterpiece. It's a story of Kendrick at a crossroads where he deals with love, opportunity, power, trust, risk, death, and faith. The way in which the story jumps around juxtaposes those concepts with callbacks and contradictions. Kendrick wants to be cool and rich and powerful, but if he wants to get those things he needs to be risky, break the law, engage in gang behavior, potentially giving up his potential path to wealth and power. He has this golden opportunity to success through his rapping which allows him to gain respect and power outside of fear and gang politics. It is from this privilege that he is able to report on those without that privilege who had to rise up via guerilla tactics, gang crime, and murder. This is the story of all of the "Good Kids" who are corrupted by the "Maad City" and the story it tells is relatable while distant to much of the world. He brings us into life in Compton through the mindset of a young man living it. This album does a great job in never breaking the fourth wall. He never tells you who was right and who was wrong. He has so many voices talking to him and he doesn't know who to believe. We all have our biases but the album never tells us who was right. When I hear about Kendrick going in and robbing that house, I think it's a bad idea, and an immoral action. Someone who's been in that situation could have a different experience, robbing a house is a rite of passage, a path towards power and acceptance, an evil in the same way that slaughtering a cow or going off to war is. When we see that Kendrick is having these conflicted feelings and chooses one of the many paths that lay in front of him, we have to respect his choice, not because it is the objectively right choice, but because it's true to him. There is no judgement of Kendrick's friends here, they are also good kids and if the mad city turns them to murderers, that is a sad reality. When Dave dies, the juxtaposition between what we just saw "[pop pop] HA, I got them n******s". We see what it looks like to get caught up in the game of war. We see what revenge costs and all this over a turf war we don't even know how it started. It's a game of ping pong and retributive violence that takes innocent lives from both sides, and in the middle of it is Kendrick who feels that his horniness has caused it. Kendrick just wants to rap, and he is wrapped up in the middle of it, suffocating him, and the only thing he has to get out of it is his rapping, his escape rope. For the others involved, what it takes for them is to put their faith in God to take them out of it. They don't have the escape rope that Kendrick does, but they can see the bigger picture after Dave's death and have something that they can put their faith into to escape also. After that the story is coded in triumph, the track real is the escape out of it. They may still be in Compton, but they have a new focus, that of faith and honor. Being true to themselves when they can put down their armor of gang colors that they used to protect themselves from the abrasive environment of Compton. And the song Compton shows us who's on the other side of the escape rope. Fuckin Dr Dre! The gold standard for a man who grinded his way out of the projects to become not just a success, but a businessman and a global brand, respected across the world. And the Bitch don't kill my vibe remix is a reminder that he is the same guy and now he gets to be true to himself in a way he was trying to but wasn't able to in Compton. Talking about the music specifically, the album is sick. There are high points where Kendrick is aggressive and bombastic, representing the highs of that time, projecting the confidence that only a young man really has. The softer songs like poetic justice, bitch dont kill my vibe, and money trees are all great. Kendrick's use of features is always spot on. Bringing Drake to be a guy who he's competing with for Sherane is awesome. Swimming pools is great, even if it's not super relevent to the story. The way Kendrick layers tracks to create the feeling of having so many people and thoughts coming at you all at once is such a great way to use that tool. There are so many things that feel intentional about this album. Releasing swimming pools as a single and then putting the swimming pools extended version on the album to add context and call out the listeners for not realizing that they are participating in the peer pressure that the song is criticizing. Genius move. So creative. Adds so much to the listening experience. Dying of thirst gives me chills every time and it succeeds as the emotional centerpiece of the album. The only track I really don't care for is Real where I think the hook is just weak. I also never really loved bitch don't kill my vibe, so having it on the album twice isn't my favorite decision. Overall this album is amazing. I consider it essential listening. The way it tells a story is on another level and in concept and execution alone I think it succeeds. It also includes some great tracks, great samples, and world class story telling and symbolism. In many ways this album is cumulation of Kendrick's, with the emotions captured photographically and released with the hindsight of a matured man. I'm pretty sure TPAB is also on the list so we will get to that, which is amazing in a completely different way and goes into his life in a completely new way. I feel that we are lucky to have these two albums and I think there are untold impacts from this guy's meteoric rise in the 2010s. It would be pretty funny if I were to give this album a 4.

One of the great things about Kendrick, that so many other modern rappers lack, is that he's actually very good at rapping and telling a story. He can still express a vibe as well as anyone else, maybe more, but his real strengths are in the technical rapping and story telling. I love that he can change styles seemingly on a dime. He's got his own of course, but he can sing, speed up, imitate other rappers (the Eminem style verse in Backseat Freestyle is so exact, it's so well done), and of course weave a good story like the real kings of rap. The beats on this album are clean, mostly compiled from samples, or at the least sounding that way. There are no artificial synth sounds or digital sounding beats, even if they were made that way. It lends a seriousness to the work and works as a great homage (or great imitation, aspiration, etc), again, to the masters of the genre. The only negative I have about this is that nearly every track ends with some over the phone bullshit with people arguing or just talking at each other. It only adds something in the first track where it's tied in to the story being told, the rest just seems unnecessarily forced for no good reason. Oh and lol at "Poetic Justice", what a hilarious feature in hindsight.

Just stunning, what an incredible album

It's not my favorite K-dot album but it's one of his most important, culturally speaking. Lyrically incredible and the production on this .... wow. I am biased because it came out when I was starting to really listen to US rap. A true icon, a true rapping legend. Can't wait to have TBAP later. and fuck Drake 9/10 fav songs : Good Kid & Now or Never

One of the best rap albums I've ever heard 9.7/10

Best Kendrick album, could listen to this on repeat.

OPE left a review with the other account, still my favorite Kendrick album (Excuse to boost the review?)

When this popped up I was like "Ooo how exciting I haven't heard this top to bottom in a few years" only to then realize 80% of these are still in rotation and likely will be forever. I chose to do the deluxe version for this listen. This album still feels ahead of its time with the attention to detail, themes and overarching narrative. Probably my second favorite Kendrick project behind Mr. Morale (yeah yeah yeah, you'll get it one day)

This is fun, I got Lamar's Pimp a Butterfly just last week and referenced this album as being better and belonging more on this list. Just going to copy paste my opening caveat from that album review: "This album was a central musical point in my life, played on repeat for almost an entire year alongside [Pimp a butterfly] in my friend group during the third year of our undergrad. It was the backdrop to a lot of formative memories and it's hard to listen to it now 8 years later trying to separate those memories from the "listen before you die" experience of this list." Alright, so let's see how this aged. Opening on Sherane gives you an immediate plunge into the depths of Kendrick's talent and childhood. He comes out of the gate showcasing storytelling, smooth flow, tension... and the skits arent corny. From that peak of a song we flow right into the Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe, simultaneously an anthem and a sociopolitical commentary, then right into the Backseat Freestyle filled with equally catchy motifs, energetic maschismo, and satire. Then the Art of Peer Pressure, yet another satirical social commentary with killer lines and transitions. I could continue this throughout literally the entire track list. Yes, I listened to this album on repeat every day for close to a year. And now ten years later, every bar still holds up. And his backing tracks are anything but boring. Kendrick is not only a lyricist and flow master but he fully composes, with jazz, synth, gospel, blues elements carrying the flow of his storytelling on a rolling wave. Money trees is the perfect place for shade. All killer, zero filler. An absolute must listen before you die.

Great tunes

Peak

Perfect.

Exceptional album which turned hip hop on its head on release and understandably so

Gets better with time

Smooth. Narrative. Perfection.

Just an amazing piece of art

Love this album

I don’t have a lot to say here other than this album is pretty perfect, no skips. Great storytelling, fun sampling, and dare I say the skits actually work. I’ve heard this album a bunch and there’s something new every time through. I saw Kendrick live at a festival back in 2015, and he played with a full live backing band. Really changed my perspective on rap, and especially live rap.

It’s perfect. Loaded with great tracks, lyrically so tight and interesting no matter how many playthrougsh.

Molto bello, ho preferito To Pimp a Butterfly come tematiche ma anche questo non scherza

Good Kid m.A.A.d City is an undeniable masterpiece featuring Kendrick's typical genius songwriting and lyricism. Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst is one of the best (and most heartbreaking) rap songs ever made.

Ein besta plata sem ég hef hlustað á, þvílíkur demantur.

The album that launched Kendrick Lamar's career. Top to bottom its a great album, a modern hip hop classic.

WOW! Pink Floyds "Wish You Were Here" yesterday and then this masterpiece today! Without a doubt a classic!

I would’ve listened to this on any given day anyway. It’s a peak album and only gets better with time. Sing About Me I’m Dying of Thirst is an all timer song for me on top of the fact that you have classics like Swimming Pools, Money Trees, Backseat Freestyle, m.A.A.d. city, and Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe. It’s a no skips album.

Kendrick can’t make it bad album- this one is the best, in my opinion!!

Wow! I’ve heard this before but never really gave full attention to the story, after sitting through this another time it was amazing. For sure one of the best rap albums

Yeh that's a hard 5, right into the temple please

Not much to say, Kendrick is goated

A modern classic. This album proved that Kendrick is a master of his craft, a reputation he has continued to solidify with each following album. Hip hop, simply put, rarely gets better than this

Amazing Album

good good

Kendrick on his way up, already better than most.

An amazing narrative achievement that also delivers a number of undeniable hit singles.

2012

Fantastique. Listened to a few of the songs before but enjoyed the one I hadn’t. Like the story of it. When you can get away with an 11 min song you know it’s good. Fav song- money trees Least fav - Compton Specific rating 4.8

TPAB is existentieel en expressionistisch, terwijl deze voorganger het veel dichterbij huis houdt en bij vlagen veel persoonlijker is. De eerste fase van TPAB tekent Kendrick als een artiest die de verleidingen die zich voortdoen bij het genieten van succes niet kan weerstaan, wat het gevoel van eigenwaarde kan doen laten verbleken. In vele aspecten voelt 'Good Kid, M.A.A.D City' als een spirituele voorganger van deze passage in complexe storyline van TPAB. Sterker nog, hij is de hoofdrolspeler in dit hoofdstuk, waardoor je deze twee albums niet los van elkaar kunt zien. Naast dat het by far zijn beste twee muziekstukken zijn, zitten ze thematisch meer in elkaar verwikkeld dan je op het 'eerste oor' zou zeggen. Maar naast de materialistische verleidingen draait dit album ook rond de vijandige omgeving waaruit vele rappers zoals Kendrick worden geboren, en blijft het zeer dichtbij zijn wieg in Compton. Daarbij hoort natuurlijk de klassieke G-Funk sound uit de early 90s, die al veel minder dominant aanwezig is op TPAB. Muzikaal gezien is z'n opvolger veel eclectischer, maar dat neemt niet weg dat de sound ineffectief is. Sterker nog, nummer voor nummer denk ik zelfs dat de meeste 'heavy hitters' op 'Good Kid' staan. Van nummer 3 tot en met 10 is bijna alles raak, en weet hij de enigszins eentonige sound zeer interessant te maken door zelf een hele range aan stemgeluid op de mat te leggen. Veel meer dan op TPAB lijkt Kendrick zelf een instrument, waarin hij moeiteloos switcht tussen een coole, een paranoide, een boze en een educatieve vertelwijze. TPAB is hogere kunst, en raakt op alle vlakken die muziek zo'n interessant medium maken, maar 'Good Kid' heeft de bangers en de swag. Pound for pound de betere songs misschien wel. Toch laat TPAB een diepere indruk achter, en zal dat ook langer blijven doen. Maar beide albums staan - zoals ik al zei - voor mij huizenhoog boven de rest van zijn discografie, en behoren tot de meest significante Hip Hop producties van deze eeuw. 9/10 Highlights: Backseat Freestyle The Art of Peer Pressure Money Trees Good Kid Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst

Het duurde even, want ik moest even een goed moment vinden om deze plaat op te zetten. Dit draai je niet even op de achtergrond of tijdens een veels te drukke treinrit. Dus voila... good kid, m.A.A.d city. Goed, ik ben verre van een Hip-Hop kid. Van een leven in Compton kan ik mij nauwelijks een voorstelling maken, maar wat een vet album is dit. Ik ga echt goed op de manische stem van Kendrick. Het kan van karakter verwisselen in en tussen nummers, dat maakt het luisteren extra interessant. Zijn stem in combinatie met de west-coast vibe die Dr. Dre neerzet in de productie waan ik mij toch in de buitenwijken van LA. In good kid, m.A.A.d city zit een energie, een soort boosheid en vliegen de bullets je soms om de oren. Tegelijk kan Kendrick ook afschalen. Een tussennummertje als The Art of Peer Pressure geeft een kalmte aan het album wat ik vaak bij Hip-hop albums mis. Die gaan continu door in de vijfde versnelling. Kendrick kan als geen ander volle bak gaan, maar weet door terug te schakelen een super gebalanceerde plaat te maken. Daar geniet ik ook al niet hip-hopper ontzettend fijn. Wat een heerlijke vibe. Waar TPAB wat dansbaarder of wat funkier is (en daarom goed in de smaakt valt) kan ik niet anders dan ook good kid, m.A.A.d city 5 sterren geven. Want hoe episch is het gebruik van die Beach House sample. Geniaal. 9/10 Highlights Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe Backseat Freestyle Money Trees m.A.A.d city

Favourite album ever. Masterpiece

I LOVE THIS ALBUM ESPECIALLY Swimming Pools (Drank) Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst The Art of Peer Pressure And more I love the whole message of the album and I love Kendrick Lamar

Loved it!

One of the best

Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst

Love this album. Gave it a listen a bit later, one of my top albums now.

SAMIDOT may be the best kendrick lamar song.

By far the most excited I've been for an album. Kendrick>Drake

First 5 given, fantastic sounds, guest spots, beats, lyrics, and diversity between tracks. Not a miss in here.

A classic modern hip hop album. One of my favourite albums of all time literally nothing I don't like about this album. It feels like the sincerest tribute to Kendricks home town of Compton. 10/10 Favourite: m.A.A.d city Least Favourite: None

it’s honestly hard to put into words the respect and love i have for this album. the storytelling kendrick was able to achieve here is so impressive. you can really tell the vision he has for his music is so strong, even at his major label debut. i really wish people would be able to hear this album with open ears, taking in more than just what they hear on the surface. i really think this album deserves that.

Bruh... Kendrick to jebany geniusz. Jestem naprawdę (pozytywnie) zaskoczony tym, że gość osiągnął taki status i taką sławę. Bo przy niewyobrażalnym talencie, poetyckości i genialnych aranżancjach, jego albumy nie są wcale szczególnie radiowe, nie są stworzone na nasze czasy serwisów streamingowych. A mimo to są po prostu tak dobre, że idą wbrew nurtom. Gdzieś przeczytałem, że ten album to "elevated gangsta rap" i wydaje mi się to idealnym opisem. Fascynujące, jak bardzo street, a jednocześnie artsy jest ten gość. Nie jest to album tak zniuansowany i rozwinięty jak późniejszy "To Pimp a Butterfly" i wolę TPaB od "good kid, m.A.A.d city", ale ten jego wcześniejszy krążek to wciąż jest rap gold. Nie jestem wielkim fanem tych fragmentów, kiedy śpiewa o kobietach, bo to jest to typowe gangsta uprzedmiatawianie i gryzie się to mocno ze mną, ale cholera nie można odebrać mu tego, że jest to mega dobrze zrobione. No i wszystkie inne utwory to są perełki. Wszystko jest bardzo brutalne. Czasami chciałbym czegoś bardziej soft, to ciągłe napięcie i ciężar potrafią dusić, ale z drugiej strony to jest to, co on widzi w świecie. Moje zmęczenie jest efektem jego wyczerpania. A jednocześnie to jego świat i człowiek ma wrażenie, że chłopak nie ma najmniejszego zamiaru go opuszczać. Mega mocny album. Trudny, ale warty każdego grama uwagi, który mu się poświęci.

Second album of Mr Lamar that i've heard. The first one was a positive suprise and an easy 5. I'm not sure if this album is better or worse and if it is truely a full score masterpiece material. I was planning to give it a 4 then "Bitch don't kill my vibe" closed the album and I will gladly oblige. 5/5.

Fantastic album, front to back.

Ah, my second and last Kendrick Lamar album to review. I’m 95% sure that I’ve listened to this before, but if that’s true, I’ve only listened to it once. I think Kendrick Lamar is incredibly talented, but his music isn’t really something I enjoy listening to, mostly because it just has a very dark aura to it that I find personally unsettling. Granted, that’s probably the point of some of his music, but it’s just not something I find particularly enjoyable. Still, I’m interested to revisit this album today, and see if my memory of it serves me well. Well, my memory of this album being dark still holds true, but unlike my first time listening to this album, I did enjoy listening to good kid, m.A.A.d. city today. The production on this album is incredibly clean, and I love the beats and samples that were used. Kendrick has an incredibly unique voice, and his rapping is incredibly crisp and clean. The songwriting on this album is fantastic too, and the songwriters did an amazing job of weaving this tale about life in Compton. “M.A.A.D. City” was probably my favorite song on the track. Kendrick’s ability to rap with that incredibly anxious tone in his voice is insanely impressive; it’s like he transforms into an entirely new person on that song. I think what made my listening experience so much more enjoyable this time around, is that I was able to become immersed within the world of this album. And that’s what this album does so well; it doesn’t just create an atmosphere, it pulls you into the world it creates, making you walk the streets of Compton, seeing everything Kendrick is rapping about firsthand. “Swimming Pools” is a prime example of this album’s ability to do that; this song always makes me uncomfortable, and it’s because the atmosphere is so dense, that I feel like I’m getting hammered from drinking shots of straight liquor. I was listening to this album through my headphones while I did some housework late in the evening, and on “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst,” there was a gunshot sound that scared the absolute shit out of me. I literally spun around to look in the kitchen to see if there was someone there with a gun. Every two minutes after that, I was looking over my shoulder. While this album isn’t something I would listen to often, I think it’s an incredible work of art, and I’m glad that I got to experience it again today.

IM DYING OF THIRST IM DYING OF THIRST

GOAT

all timer, perfect album, 10/10

This is genuinely one of my favourite rap albums of all time - and weirdly enough I'm not a huge fan of Kendrick Lamar. But this album is so well rounded, with an incredibly well developed theme and sound that is consistent while telling a story that feels like a slow wave of changes. Simply fantastic.

Feels like you are walking through moments as a young man in Compton. The production is jazzy and refined with modern hip-hop hitmaker west-coast style. If you dislike hip-hop or lyrical-focused music theres still an intensely profound and personal window into a large portion of the American population.

A modern masterpiece. Emotional, thought provoking, and as real as real gets. 10/10.

A favorite for awhile and a great record overall