good kid, m.A.A.d city

This is a great album. Upon my first listen, I didn't understand what it meant or the concept that Kendrick was trying to introduce. But as I relistened to the album and again and watch some youtube videos explaining the album and dissecting each of the songs on it. I realized this album is revealing a story about the artist (Kendrick Lamar) about his adolescent days as a good kid growing up Compton which is known for its criminal activities. It showcase the traumatic events kendrick went through which played a vital role in his rap career and how he grow as a person, especially since he witnessed the death of his close friend by a shoot out. My fav song on this album would be real, as it mostly signify who I am as a person and the integrity I'm trying to display. Other songs would be Sherane, Swimming Pools, and Sing about me, I'm dying of thirst. These songs mostly captured my ears as I could relate to them plus the lyric and production are beautiful

He’s a poet

Grotendeels goed

best rap album I've heard so far. I got more and more into it as I listened which is probably proof that it's just a lack of listening time probably

Devestatingly beautiful. A much more low-key Kendrick than I'm used to hearing. There's a lot in here that speaks to his style and later works that he's carried throughout his career. I loved the low-fi beats mixed with old elements of funk and jazz. Sets the scene for West Coast rap/hip-hop. The overarching story hits hard. You can almost get lost during the meat of the songs, but the intro/outro reels you back in, sometimes so suddenly it gives you whiplash. It's immersion in that way, like hearing life-changing news in the middle of a perfectly ordinary day. Usually I dread albums over an hour, but this one kept me hooked the entire time. "Money Trees" has always been a favorite closely followed by "Backseat Freestyle." In the context of the album, though, "Compton" came out on top.

Some themes are... a lot. I think it falls way too heavy on my ears at times. But that can be expected within Lamar's territory. The album does so many good things but it also loses in some parts. Money Trees , bitch don't kill my vibe,poetic justic, swimming pools are some old favourites. On this full listen dicovered good kid, now or never (i love mary j. blinge) sing about me I'm dying of thirst (WOW, WOW,WOW), real, and compton. Will i ever listen to the entirety of this again? No. Will some of these songs be a part of my rotation? Yes. And sometimes that's all you need from an album

Excellent, insane, so many tracks that you just immediately fall in love with.

MONEY TREES HALLE BERRY HALLELJUAH

My favorite Kendrick Lamar album

I have never truly listened to Kendrick before and I enjoyed it a lot! Favs included: Backseat Freestyle, Money Trees, m.A.A.d city. I def just like more melodic stuff. Not sure if I'm saving my 5/5 for **the** perfect album or if I'm just too nit picky with my reviews but I think the genre, some songs, etc. made it not the perfect album so 4/5.

The one-star reviews on this (and most rap albums on the list) are pretty funny

Such a great early album from Kendrick

One of the hip hop albums I’ve most listened to. Around the time when this came out is when I was probably at my peak of exploring rap music. I feel like this album was the tail end of a peak in the genre. I don’t think I’ve found a single hip hop album since that’s kept my interest the way this did. I’m sure it will hold up on re listen. The rhymes on this album. It’s so smooth and every track is a top notch beat and rhyme yet with simple catchy production. There’s a natural flow from track to track and it all seems to be telling a story and it is all thematically connected. It’s legitimately a great album. Kind of crazy this album is almost 15 years old. I remember listening to it when it was released and was kind of the breakout of Kendrick. Now it’s considered a classic and rightfully so. The Art of Peer Pressure might be my favorite track on the album. It’s a great story in a song and it’s what Kendrick does best here, tell a story. It’s the recurring theme through the album. Album doesn’t let up at all. Good Kid and MAAD City are two great tracks back to back. Then the 12 minute Sing About Me, Im Dying of Thirst, what a track. Love this album. 5/5 and it holds up. You can make an argument this is a top 5-10 rap album of all time.

Love the intracate tunes.

The sheer cinematic quality of this project completely blew me away, it feels way more like a short film than just a collection of rap tracks. The storytelling is on another level, and the way he uses those voicemail skits from his parents really pulls the whole narrative together. The production is super dynamic too; it flips perfectly between the chilled out vibe of "Money Trees" and the aggressive, high stakes energy of the title track. I know the heavy subject matter can be a lot, but his honesty about growing up in Compton and dealing with gang violence and the pressure to survive is incredibly powerful. It’s a dense, challenging listen that gets better every time you peel back the layers. Easily one of the best debut albums I’ve ever heard.

Pretty crass but really funny. Lots of clever lyrics. Feels very "in the life of a horny teenager in a rough neighbourhood", which is captured well throughout all the songs. This music isn't my normal cup of tea but overall I enjoyed it and I see why it had the cultural impact it did. It's like watching a really good movie in a genre that you don't like; you probably won't watch it again but you recognize the work put into it and the quality of it.

top songs: Don't kill my vibe, Good kid, m.A.A.d city, Real

Improved half-way in.

Good in places, frustrating in others. The skits became an annoying distraction Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ❌️ ★★★☆☆(6/10) Total reviewed : 359 Already owned : 79 Purchased : 16 To buy : 4 Nope : 260

Je n'ai jamais plus accroché que ça à Kendrick Lamar. Je connais le bonhomme et je sais que c'est une référence dans le hip-hop actuel, mais je n'ai encore jamais trouvé l'album qui me ferait vraiment accrocher. Et comme je sens que Robert Dimery va nous en coller plein, ça sera l'occasion de le redécouvrir un peu mieux. Le premier sur lequel je tombe est donc good kid, m.A.A.d city, un album plus ou moins autobiographique, basé sur l'adolescence de Kendrick Lamar à Compton, la ville où il a grandit, marquée par des problèmes d'insécurité, de drogue et ce genre de problèmes sociaux. C'est probablement la première fois que j'accroche à ce point à un de ses albums. La prod est globalement plutôt sobre et sombre, comme y on pouvait s'attendre vu le sujet. Je ne suis pas les paroles plus que ça (pas facile en anglais) et je sais que c'est un aspect très important de sa musique, donc c'est un sujet dont je ne peux pas trop parler. Cela dit, les 68 minutes passent toutes seuls, même sans comprendre parfaitement les paroles, l'atmosphère musicale est très parlante (mention spéciale à la deuxième partie de Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst). Et je pense que c'est un album qui s'apprécie de plus en plus à mesure qu'on se plonge dedans, donc je sais que mon avis est assez peu informé, mais je fait est que j'ai bien accroché. On verra ce que je pense du prochain qui ne manquera pas de figurer sur la liste.

The more I listened the more I liked. All the talking or whatever in-between a lot of the tracks is just annoying AF though.

discovered kendrick through damn, loved him through good kid mad city. love this album.

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

pretty nice, i like this one

One of the best hip hop albums of the era In a time when everyone was listening to drake, Kendrick came along with a proper hip hop album. Masterful storytelling and incredible production, my favourite of his and in my opinion in the top 3 hip hop albums of the decade Favourite track: the art of peer pressure

I think Kendrick is the best rapper out there right now. This is early stuff and great, but he got even better.

Way better than I remember now that I'm not listening to it straight off the back of To Pink A Butterfly

Honestly the songs I already knew are the only ones I’m gonna relisten to

Kingfu keny

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

If anyone were to ask me „What are the best hip hop albums of the millennium“ this album would certainly be included in my answer. A Truly mind-blowing contribution to the genre that helped push its boundaries

Magnificent storytelling, tight lyrics and musically satisfying.

Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant

Not the kind of flow I personally like, very influential and important to the scene but actually listening to it start to finish I didn’t enjoy myself. Some of the choruses are a bit corny but the story telling is really well done.

Kendrick truly is one of the greatest to ever do it.

He’s decent is Kendrick and this album isn’t bad but it isn’t my thing really. He comes closest of the current crop of rappers in speaking to me, but on this it’s still a disconnect. At least it’s not all ego

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

My bf loves kendrick lamar. was listening to this album and he told me he saw him live once in germany.

Learning more about this genre through this list. Listened once, read reviews and listened again. Enjoyed the structure of the album, connected by phone messages. Like the beats and particularly like the nells on backbeat freestyle (I think?). . 3

love every song in this. some favourites- maad city, money trees, swimming pools concept albums have some different kind of pull on me. i had somehow never realised the genius of kendrick lamar until i heard this album start to end.

Dieses Album ist echt gut, wahrscheinlich so eine 9,3/10. Grund das es keine 10/10 ist, weil ich Backseat Freestyle einfach nicht ausstehen kann. Gleichzeitig gibts auch so gute Songs auf diesem Album grade so good kid ist ein absolutes Brett.

Fantastic

I am not a fan of Kendrick, and this album overall sounds pretty goofy to me. But compared to hip-hop of the last decades so far, I think he is clearly a league of his own. And for that reason I will give him a solid rating of 3 stars

Awesome album from start to finish. Especially love MC Eiht's feature. Glad to see this album on here, and happily surprised by the high worldwide ranking and all the 5-stars. Was not expecting that at all.

Ma oleks peaaegu ratingu tegemata jätnud. Ausalt öeldes tunnen ma, et ma pole kõige parem sellele albumile hinnangut andma, sest ma ei ole nii kursis räpivooludega. Ma tundsin kindlasti, et tegemist on kvaliteetse räpialbumiga, mis pakkus palju eri kõlasid. Tegin seda kuulates trenni, niiet mul polnud nii palju hetki süveneda sõnadele ja sõnumile, mis on kindlasti osa selle albumi menust ja sisust. See ilustreerib taas seda, mida ma räpi juures hinnata oskan ja see on loo jutustamise võimalus, mida tihti popmuusika nt ära ei kasuta.

One of the best albums ever

Great

It's not Kendrick's best album (for me that's "To Pimp A Butterfly,) but it's still a damned good album that actually reflects on the bleakness of the cycle of violence that's been glamorized in gangster rap for years. It still goes hard and Kendrick is still a fantastic lyricist, and the samples are great. I'm also fairly sure that not many albums have a Maya Angelou feature... Standout track for me was "m.A.A.d City."

This is really good. I know its less popular than To Pimp a Butterfly, but I had a better time with it. Kendrick really has mastered his craft. I must say, the number of people who hated this album for its misogyny while LOVING Bon Jovi, who's discography is as misogynistic as this if not worse, is large... I wonder what the difference between Bon Jovi and Kendrick is... I WONDER????? The number of insanely racist users of this site is sickening. 5/5

One of the best stories in hiphop history

Good album, songs nice, didn't get the goodness of lyricism. Didn't understand the heavy significance people say this album has

good album but i don't need this relgious stuff on the album

I'm not a big hip hop/rap fan but i did enjoy this album. Down to 4, because not my thing

Gave up after 1 song...not my thing

I was legit excited when I saw this was my album of the day. I have always loved the incredible storytelling on this album....There's a reason this guy is a Pulitzer Prize winner. It is so interesting how his credentials in gang culture are completely legit, but he makes it clear it was never by choice, just a byproduct of the environment he grew up in. "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" is just a fantastic, smooth track to completely chill out to. "Poetic Justice" is an awesome collaboration with Drake, too. "Swimming Pools (Drank)" was the exact song that got me into Kendrick in the first place, and it still hits just as hard today. You can really tell across this entire record that he uses music as his ultimate therapy to confront his own demons, his heavy background, and the dangerous lifestyle he narrowly avoided. It is just beautiful, cinematic storytelling from start to finish, and I am a massive fan of his work. Favorite song: "Poetic Justice"

Good, but not my favorite Kendrick Record

Outside of my general taste, but I liked it for what it was. Also, seeing Kendrick and Drake on a song together is a weird experience in 2026 6,8/10

Aw yeahh. One of the best rap albums ever

Another Kendrick album, another banger. I just listened to TPAB last week. I think this album has more songs I would go back to, while TPAB is more politically charged and lyrically complex. Both albums are great though.

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

Kendrick lamar is one pf the best story telling rappers ever. These are rap concept albums with a chronological narrative insane work.

Nothing hits harder after a long day at the office than blasting this hard pipe hittin music in my Kia Soul on the way back to my nice suburban home.

I too would like to fuck the whole world for 72 hours.

Honestly, pretty great album. The beats were varied and creative, the lyrics memorable, and the production quality was high. My only issue is it did overstay its welcome, especially considering the last song was padding to an album already over an hour long.

This isn't my genre of music at all, but it sounds like good music nevertheless. Impressive sampling and track layering throughout the album, with a compelling and consistent theme. It's clear that this album was the product of many talented contributors.

Within two minutes of listening, you know that this guy just has IT.

It's a vibe, but not my vibe. Preferred the other one.

Listened before this

Yes please and thank you Kendrick Lamar!

What do you mean “all my life I want money and power” wasn’t written for the Bad Blood remix?

Good Kid and Swimming Pools (Drank) are two songs I genuinely like but really did not care for the rest of the album. The more I listened I think it was because of the pacing and just that I found the majority of these songs too slow for my taste. There are a few songs I really like on each Kendrick album but never fully connects for me From this listen, I found that I quite liked Collect Calls, the production at the start of m.A.A.d city, and 10:00-10:20 of Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst (but seriously I was not here for 12 minutes)

This is just so damned good, kid.

i dont even know tbh, i was sick when listening yo this, overall okay but i thought it was going to be more fun and experimental considering how people glaze kendrick

The most carefully constructed hip-hop record encountered in this project, and the one that addresses the recurring friction points most directly. The voicemails, skits, and interludes that derailed OutKast and others earn their place here — they’re serving a narrative rather than interrupting one. good kid, m.A.A.d city is a coming-of-age story set in Compton, told with cinematic precision and emotional honesty that gives the album a coherence most rap records never attempt. Kendrick’s delivery is the other distinction. Where Common’s flow faded into the background and became texture rather than presence, Kendrick commands attention throughout — varied, emotionally present, and shifting registers in ways that match the story’s emotional arc. “Money Trees” in particular shows a storytelling gift that operates at a different level from almost anything else in the genre, and “Swimming Pools (Drank)” demonstrates how to make something genuinely complex work as pure pop simultaneously. The Compton geography connects this directly to NWA — same streets, completely different artistic approach. Where Straight Outta Compton documented with rage, this excavates with empathy, which is the harder and ultimately more lasting achievement. A five for a lot of people, and the craft absolutely justifies that reaction. For this particular listener, very good stops just short of irreplaceable — which is an honest four rather than a manufactured five.

These echoey, synthy beats sound so dated in a good way. Kendrick is so energized. Just has something special, maybe it’s the nostalgia.

Buen album, yo creo un album que la mayoría de la gente ya habia escuchado en la vida, sin mucho que decir, un album buenisimo

Storytelling wins this one. Am I a rap fan after this? Not really, but I can appreciate a bit...so bitch, don't kill my vibe...

Those bass lines, though. I keep getting distracted by them. Great storytelling too.

Mad at myself for sleeping on this!

butterfly

Just not in the mood for a whole rap album

Considering all you hear of Kendrick Lamar I was so surprised how Meh! This album was. There wasn't really anything outstanding about it.

Notables: - Backseat Freestyle - m.A.A.d city - Swimming Pools

Well this album does some things very well. The production is excellent. The story telling and narrative are probably the main draw here, but to be honest they’re not things I really care too much about in an album, and here the story doesn’t really enthral me. Sherane is fairly enjoyable for me, the instrumentals are great and the flow is pretty nice. I actually really like the skit as well. I don’t really vibe with “Bitch don’t Kill my Vibe”, it sounds like he’s doing a weird voice, and it’s too lethargic almost. But my dislike for this track is blown out of the water by how shit the next track, “Backseat Freestyle” is. It’s probably the worst thing I’ve ever heard. It’s not even the puerile lewd lyrics that bother me (though they don’t help). It’s the awful melody(if you can call it that), the weird voice he’s doing, and the like bell ostinato thing that’s like drilling into my skull. It’s actually hard to listen to. Single handedly brings the album down a star for me. The next few tracks are all fine I guess, pretty nice instrumentals and beats. The gold nugget here is “Good Kid” which is pretty phenomenal, I particularly enjoy the bass in it. The other highlight is “Sing About Me, I’m dying of thirst.” It’s got a very pretty sound and I think it’s the one track where the storytelling does actually engage me. I’m between a 2 & 3 here.

It's really good actually. Stand-outs - Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter's Daughter - The Art of Peer Pressure - Money Trees

o Kendrick é realmente de outro mundo, não tem o que falar do cara, genial demais

I definitely don't think this is Kendrick's best, but it's still pretty good Favorite Song: Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe

Interesante mhm

este álbum tiene puro banger, 4.5

Album #171 Kendrick Lamar: good kid, m.A.A.d city How many different ways can Kendrick say bitch: The Album. I’m far from the first person to feel out of place amongst their generation, and to some extent, I’m sure that we all feel like an outsider to some degree. It is a peculiar feeling, however, when the group of people who grew up at the same time as you, experienced the same things at the same age, and presumably matured alongside you, think nothing like you. Obviously, that is inevitable since we are all individuals; however, sometimes there are phenomena which are so universally beloved amongst your generation, that there really must be something wrong with you for being the exception. When it comes to music, it seems as though my generation has awarded Kendrick Lamar with the title of king. On one hand, growing up, rap was the prevailing genre of music in school, and therefore most people’s listening habits centred around it, including Kendrick since he was one of the biggest artists at the time. But then again, Drake and Lil Pump were also just as popular, yet they don’t share the same critical evaluation that Kendrick received. So not only was everyone around me listening to Kendrick, but he was also receiving the plaudits from music nerds to support his quality. There was even a period where I succumbed to the pressure and participated in the celebration of his music. I was around 8 years old when this album came out, and once the song Swimming Pools was included in GTA V and my friend Seth showed it to me, I decreed it my favourite song and Kendrick my favourite rapper (surpassing the only other one I knew, Eminem). However, that appreciation was built upon sticks, and existed entirely within Seth’s bedroom; once returning home, I can’t say I ever listened to a single Kendrick song, or really any song for that matter. Eventually I came of age and started listening to music, and it wasn’t long after I decided rap, or really anything after the 80s, wasn’t for me. So I suppose, to some extent, I’ve just been existing in a state of feeling like I don’t get the Kendrick love, without actually listening to Kendrick since I don’t like rap. I guess it’s like me saying that hot dogs are overrated, despite never trying one because I don’t like sandwiches. Well, it was about time that I finally sat down and listened to the supposed GOAT of our generation. At this point, I have become more exposed to hip-hop thanks to this list and my friends showing me some albums, and I have even found some albums which I genuinely enjoyed; so I think I can actually assess this one fairly. And to my legitimate surprise, this is actually really good. Like I wouldn’t have been that surprised if I didn’t hate it, or liked it, but I actually thoroughly enjoyed almost every song here. I feel like sometimes I think I’m enjoying an album, then I hear another better album and realize what true enjoyment feels like; I have ‘enjoyed’ some rap albums previously, but I can’t say that I’ve ever actually thought one was as good as this. Maybe it’s because I’ve been listening to a lot of indie music from the 80s, and not mainstream, highly produced indie music like The Smiths, but genuinely terrible production from small bands (which I’ve grown to love); but the production of this album blew me away. It sounds like the embodiment of luxury. I think this is a theme I’ve realized about myself: that I consistently am surprised by the production of newer albums, since I’m so used to listening to old music; something that may seem normal for many, sounds incredibly novel and impressive for me, so I could be overrating the production here. Lyricism is something which normally holds me back for rap albums, since they are often focused on hyper-specific storytelling about themselves, which I often find unrelatable, and usually cringe. However, I think this album being a loose concept helps me follow along with the storytelling and appreciate it more. Though there are certain word choices that I find come off tacky, and Kendrick often blurs the line between introspective and corny, I think that overall he balances it well. Honestly, even his goofy high-pitched voice at times didn’t really bother me by the end. I did find it funny, however, looking back that Drake was on a Kendrick song rapping about loving black women; I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to take that song seriously. The only other songs that I can really see being more of a negative than a positive are the last two, if not simply for the fact that ending the album at Sing About Me, I’m Dying Of Thirst would have been perfect, and probably resulted in the album getting a 10. GKMC is probably the best rap album that I’ve ever heard, and it manages to combine a mainstream sound with some actual worthwhile themes and ideas. After listening to the album, I come away with two conclusions: one that I’m really not as unique as I thought I was, and I yearn for Kendrick just as much as everyone else, and two, I probably shouldn’t have gone around calling Kendrick the most overrated artist of all time. Best Songs: Swimming Pools, m.A.A.d city, Sing About Me, I’m Dying Of Thirst Worst Song: Compton Score out of 10: 9.5

goated kendrick

amazing rap album

Kendrick’s best album, SAMIDOT is the best rap song of all time, great beat selection, and fantastic storytelling.

Viva kdot, que buen álbum dios mio

Too much gratuitous profanity

Buen hiphop

One of the greatest of all time!

10/10

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

Ироничное пасмурное лето. Кабриолет , пальмы, томный долгий взгляд на сдержанный шторм океана. Солнце пробирается сквозь пышные тучи, видно пучки лучей обнимающие деликатные волны. Данный альбом - пластилин настроения. Хочешь вспомнить каждый больной шаг или попредвкушать свои будущие победы, забыться в обволакивающей грусти или насладится распирающей радостью - получится все. Речитатив настолько яркий и живой, что кажется до него можно дотронуться. Бэк-вокал естественен и лаконичен, если быть в движении при прослушиванию невозможно не осмотреться - где они все, они явно прямо тут! После композиции good kid. Шторм становится штормом. Непонимание, нарастание чуждой для этого альбома агрессии, нас за шиворот уводят с прекрасного заката в лучший провинциальный клуб этого вымышленного города. Swiming pool - ты в клубе на побережье, зачем тебе там быть если ночью ничего не видно и луна не вышла ? Этот праздник отчуждения нужен тебе и твоим друзьям. Стоп а они друзья ? А эти прекрасные дамы с которыми я был близок секунду назад разве не дороги мне ? Это странная чувство внушает именно swimming pool. Пошлая и прямолинейная композиция. На протяжении всего прослушивания она нас готовит к чему-то но пока ты не понимаешь к чему. Тут полный провал памяти ты находишься в трансе до самого конца пока тебе в душу не передают определенность и знания вместе с тягучим и приятным голосом женщины в конце песни ты молишься вместе с теми отщепенцами. (Только сейчас осознал, что альбом начинается в точности с этой самобытной молитвы, а может этот альбом - прекрасный обыгрыш мысли о цикличности жизни?) Ты - бог, бог это ты. Ты здесь и это твоя жизнь. Песня real - наконец-то ты можешь ощутить тепло от солнце, ветер принес к тебе капельки воды и ты не просто это ощущаешь ты есть это тепло, ветер и вода. Припевные повторения утверждают это все твёрже и твёрже показывают. Долгожданное осознание себя, может не навсегда но точно сейчас. Естественно испытав это чувство хочется просто расплыться в наслаждении, и Кендрик даёт это нам и по факту завершает свой альбом. Сложно оценивать что-либо в системе оценок например 10/10. С точки зрения истории которую я описал и в которой находился и ощущал этот альбом то естественно не возможно поставить что-то кроме 10. Если оторваться от цельного альбома, то каждая отдельная песня, в моем случае кроме money tree - обычная отлично технически реализованная композиция, которую скорее всего сложно пропустить в плейлисте. Что касается лично моего вкуса то оценю этот альбом на 3,75/5 не умоляя того удовольствия с каким он был прослушан! Добавлю, что моим антифаворитом стал backseat freestyle

It is not my cup of tea!

This will go down as a legendary album in hip hop. It tells the story of a young Kendrick Lamar growing up in Compton and the struggles with it. The mix of storytelling and the ability for him to make trendy rap songs with mainstream appeal is what makes this truly special album. 9/10

I think it’s his best album

What makes a great rap album? I don't really know but I know that this is one of them. I do find it funny that Drake in on here I know that the beef started after this album but you know pretty funny.

Was ready to give this a 1 after the first three songs. Thankfully from peer pressure onwards this was a solid 4.

Ooh, a Kendrick album. Never listened to one in full before so I’m quite excited. Actually, this is great! I always knew Kendrick was one of the great modern hip hop artists, but because I didn’t love the genre I never really checked him out. The first track, Sherane, was awesome! Its lyrics, its beat, it really surprised me. Going into Bitch, don’t kill my vibe, I thought it was an absolute bop! I thought his voice was slightly monotone at times but it didn’t take away from the track. I really liked the beat with Kendrick Freestyle. The clanking was funny to me, but the lyrics were fantastic. Referring to his scrotum in a freestyle is definitely a choice. The art of peer pressure again was just all around a good track. Beat, lyrics, everything. Money trees was so funny to me, cant have a hip hop album without talking about screwing someone else’s woman. Ah, this is also the track where that one Tik Tok sound is from. Poetic justice again had some great lyrics. “To right my wrongs I write them down” was a great lyric. Good kid was heartbreaking, and then mad city continued on with it, just more angry. Swimming pools was a vibe. Sing about me, I’m dying. Oh my god. That was brutal. It deserved every minute of those 12 minutes. Real was a great follow up. Compton was a lovely closer to this honestly fantastic album. 5/5 ⭐️ 148/1089

goat

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

One of my all-time favourite hip hop albums. Tells a gripping story while simultaneously being an intensely satisfying musical experience. "Swimming Pools", "Poetic Justice", "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe"... single after single, just amazing stuff. "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" is probably my favourite. It's incredible, the track is twelve minutes long, but whenever I listen to it feels like it's gone in a moment. Great tracks off the deluxe edition, like "The Recipe" and "Black Boy Fly". Got to see Kendrick tour this album at Pemberton Festival years ago. The energy was incredible.

Simply incredible, lyrics like reading a book.

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

I guess even the modern greatest in the hip-hop game can't help himself. That first track? It's a solid showcase of what was, at the time, a rising star's flow, rhymes storytelling… and it starts with baby crying samples and ends with a voice message that feels like skit territory. In 2011? Why couldn't Kendrick have a dream where we don't do that any more? I don't really get K.dot in general, though. I get that he is skilled, I like that he pisses off people that should die mad. I just haven't really taken the plunge yet over a number of his albums. There's plenty of the childish bravado that takes some really clever work for me to get into, but I don't think that's it. There is the full on lift of Janet Jackson's “Anytime Anyplace,” the sort of wholesale use that should have died with Diddy's popularity. There's the embarrassing chorus on Real (*im really really real”... ok sure). There's “Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe,” which feels like it is too hazy and downbeat, which could have been a proverbial banger with a different, er, vibe. Something just doesn't connect. I think the two tracks that make up the title, on the other hand, are pretty solid showcases with minimal complaints. I appreciate the ambition of the 12 minute “Sing About Me I'm Dying of Thirst”. “Compton” puts Kendrick with Dr Dre, which can only be so bad, right? It's not my bag, it's not something I get the hype on, but it is a proof of concept for the mythology he's created in the ensuing years. 3*

Not what I'd normally listen to, but not bad as background music today.

OK, but not my thing

Great beats, vocals, very interesting thought provoking and well constructed album, like a bit more now than when it came out

All bangers. New faves are backseat freestyle and maad city.

Genuinely one of my favorite albums. The storytelling is incredible, and depressing. Swimming pools being a drinking anthem in the early 10s is always wild to me considering it's a song about the dangers of alcoholism.

Day 5 - actually really enjoyed this album. Every now and again you get a real banger. Also enjoyed the narrative around gang violence, life in Compton etc. Also a bit of filth, quite tongue in cheek, I enjoyed. 8/10 for meeeee

3.75 ⭐️

Some bars here, of course. Solid production. If you're into Kendrick, it's your bag.

Ram Dass, a spiritual leader and adaptor or eastern mysticism (fka Harvard professor Richard Alpert), often preached about a psycho-spiritual technique he called "cultivating the witness". It's a method by which you attempt to "observe" your emotions and reactions to them, instead of just feeling them. By cultivating a witness, in theory you have a better ability to reflect on your situation at any given time. This may also lead to a quieter mind and, in turn, a newfound sense of clarity. On GKMC, Kendrick Lamar has cultivated a witness not just of his own self, but in the form of the voice of his mother over the phone. He uses this technique to such perfection, it allows him to vividly express every dynamic of his adolescence in Compton. "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" and "Backseat Freestyle" have a youthful, brash energy to them. Of all the highs and lows Kendrick went through in his youth, these songs are wonderful expressions of the high's, the volatility of said highs, and some of the self-recognized false-promises of the high life Kendrick is aspiring for / finding himself apart of. "The Art Of Peer Pressure" touches on the culture of gangbanging, with Kendrick acknowledging that this is something he doesn't really want to be apart of, but succumbs to the worst parts of a social situation he finds himself steeped in. "Poetic Justice" is the only song that isn't a timeless classic to my ears. Not because of the now-ironic Drake feature, but because of the prodduction on the beat just sounds very 2012. Kendrick is seen steeped in the hysteria and desperation of life in Compton on both "good kid" and "mAAd city". Friends dying to gun violence, the confusion on where he stands in such an unsafe space. "Swimming Pools" is a particularly good witness testimony to the use of alcohol and subsequent addiction that follows, all in response to a need to numb one's senses. "Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst" is my personal favorite here - a lengthy opus that's more introspective, reflective, and lyrically free-flowing. Kendrick speaks for his whole community on the second half of this song. His lamentations likened to a spiritual and emotional drought, the reason he believes is causing all this senseless violence and death around him. "What are we doing, who are we fooling?" he asks. Some eerie female vocals float behind him, elevating the sense of death and desperation he's feeling both externally and internally. Absolutely, tragically beautiful. The cultivation of a witness comes to a head on "Real", where Kendrick can be heard literally looking in the mirror and reflecting on what he sees and feels. Much of what he observes is a facade, someone who uses material items of cultural status/wealth to convince himself he's 'real'. Within this reflection is a recognition that all of these things are fleeting and ultimately unfulfilling. What's real is who you are and how you act. The father figure over the phone comes in to confirm this, saying "real is responsibility, real is god". A man is measured not by what he has, but by who he is. What's real is the love of those who surround you. The album closes in an inevitable fashion. Being the newly-crowned king of West Coast rap (look up the concert where this figuratively and literally happened), Kendrick joins forces with former Compton torch-barer Dr. Dre to pen a love letter to their city -- the good AND the mad. Such an insular, focused effort that comes to life over the course of an hour. The older I get, the more I hear Andre 3000's influence on Kendrick's wild-but-personable delivery. Kendrick Lamar is a generational talent who's pumped out multiple classics that are essential 21st century listening. This one of those works of art. 5/5

Fair to say that I don't get rap music

Misogynistic monotone mumbling over a click track. I tried, but couldn't find anything redeeming in this album.

Took this opportunity to relisten to the album, and so glad I did. It's what an album should be: great songs that are only improved by listening to them together.

This album is on a whole other level, succeeds in many different ways. Outstanding as a concept album, apparently somewhat narrating the artist's own journey. Music hugely varied, mesmerising - works exceptionally well as hip hop on the non-obvious end of spectrum. Lyrics poetic and confronting. Delivery exciting for rap flow, filling out a dramatis personae. It's tough and bitter but uplifting rather than crushing. It's Astoundingly Wonderful, 11/10.

Why does it have to be so long? It's difficult for me to follow the story of a concept album especially if it's hip hop. I lost my interest after maybe the song Good Kid (which was my favourite from the album). Also Money Trees is one of my favourite hip hop song of all time. So extra points for that. But overall, it didn't pack the punch TPAB did.

One tends to roll into a record like this - insufferably vulgar, pee pee obsessed misogyny - rolling ones eyes and yearning to get pancaked by a bus. And at some point being drawn in to the decent headphone cinematic sound design, engaging human interaction interludes, and a surreal Silver Soul sample from Beach House. FFS bish, take my damn money!

Great but slightly too long

Overall: 8/10 I used to like this one a lot more, but I think it actually loses some steam by the end. Kendrick is one of the best voices in hip hop in the last 20 years and this one is really special. I love this man's brain so much. I just prefer where he went after this one. Fav Song: Backseat Freestyle

I like old school rap, maybe topping out in the early aughts with Jay-Z. The hip hop I enjoy most has either great funky sampling and/or jazz or otherwise organic music and the actual MCing has got to be rhythmic. Right away in the first track the rhythmic rapping is thrown right out the window - I know it's a preferential thing but there's no sense of rhythm to this, it's stream-of-consciousness words that I've no doubt I'd never be able to do but it all exists completely independently from the music. As if they're two completely unrelated parallel entities that were just placed together almost randomly. I intellectually understand that Kendrick Lamar is probably the best of modern rap, but his style is just not for me. 3.5⭐️

My favourite of Kendrick's and maybe my favourite rap album. The musical arrangements are quality and he uses such a range of them on this

2/5

Didn't click with me

Nope. Still don't get the love for Kendrick Lamar

Great beats and interesting lyrics throughout, and very high energy, although I could have done without some of the outros.

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

A heavy narrative delivered with world-class lyrics

Early Kendrick is sending me into a high-school based war flashback. I can taste the house party jungle juice and smell the hookah smoke. BITCH DONT KILL MY VIIIIBBEEEEEEE 🤪 Basically just a masterclass in storytelling. Fav song: good kid & Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst

seeing the drake feature on this felt like finding the itchy tasty journal entry in a survival horror game favourite song: good kid

Best album yet favourite was money trees or good kid

Good album, m.A.A.d lyrical content.

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

Not for me

Such a good mix of vibes

I think this is good but it isn't for me. I don't mean that in the way of "it doesn't suit my tastes" which is sort of also true. But what I mean is Kendrick Lamar didn't make this for a middle aged east coast suburban dad. I don't feel qualified to appraise it in any fashion. I at least enjoyed that the skits were a carrying narrative that continued throughout the duration of the album. I also appreciate that I don't remember too much blatant misogyny which kind of pervades most other Compton-based acts on this list

I like Kendrick Lamar just fine, but the world seems to adore his work. I can't quite get there with him, and he feels like one of those artists you have to hang in there with until it clicks and you "get it". Like I said, I like him alright, but this "click" hasn't happened yet for me. This record hasn't done it for me, though I like it ok. It seems like he works on a "concept record" sort of level, which I can appreciate. I'm not quite sure what I'm missing with him. Maybe I'll get there one day, but today isn't it. So, this has aggravated me enough to look into it more...which is usually one of the first stages before I really connect with a record. So, maybe today is the day after all. Anyway, I'm kind starting to get a sense for the storyline, and I appreciate that it isn't really told in a chronological order (I read somewhere that Kendrick was influenced a bit by Tarantino's Pulp Fiction). I'm re-listening to the record, which means it's captivated me at least a little. I think what I'm figuring out is that Kendrick is more of a storyteller than he is concentrating on being a hit maker, which I actually prefer, although I do like it when those things overlap. 8/10

Really really good, 4.5 but can’t reasonably give a 5 with how I’m not a fan of all the skits/calls filling the time

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

Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst is sublime. That last 4 tracks really pull it all together for me even if the album as a whole is not my cup of tea. Knowing very little about Kendrick going in, this piqued my interest, I’m intrigued.

It's a good record, Kendrick Lamar is a game changer, but Butterfly and/or Damn are the ones to hear, and really, just Butterfly.

Part of what makes Kendrick Lamar so compelling as a rapper, beyond his considerable wordplay skills and storytelling, is his range of inflection, able to sound alternately paranoid, tender, wisened and chastened, not merely braggadocious or tough. It’s rare in hip-hop. And while this is obviously not the first hip-hop album about (or set in) Compton, Kendrick treats his hometown with nuanced reverence, clear-eyed about its problems and dangers but also wistful for how it grounded him in family and faith (perhaps he was wise to keep Dr. Dre’s role limited to a single cameo). There’s also a dramatic arc to this album that makes it work as a concept and story. The songs get more soulful as the album goes on, and the whole thematic experience feels incredibly human.

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

303/1001 Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city Heard before? ✅ Revisit? ❓ It's not the Kendrick Lamar album I gravitate towards and on re-listen there aren't the tracks that I love. Interesting production etc. but yeah not enough for me...

This might be a bit of a hot take but DAMN. is Kendrick Lamar's best album. This one and Butterfly are both pretty great as well.

eu me sinto um real nego malandro, você me sente?

Impressionnant pour un album de 2012, il n'a pas vieilli et regorge de classiques de Kendrick Lamar. Aucun titre n'est réellement skipable et peuvent chacun marquer à leur manière !

no lo escuche, no es de mi agrado el rap

I know this is good. It’s intense story telling, laden with hooks, interesting beats, quirky samples and Kendrick’s rap style is characterful and adds to the narrative. I just don’t think I’ll ever like it enough. That’s a me problem rather than the albums problem, but it does feel a little impenetrable for me

Good very summer and the uglier part of the city type of urban very very chill and hand-me-down cars but not necessarily w friends more introspective and reflective rather than just floating in the moment we’re detached and studying it

I know I’m not a rap or hip hop fan and this hasn’t changed that. Can’t really judge it since it’s just so different from what I like. Maybe it’s good for the genre, I wouldn’t know. The sound just felt the same every time and the beats were headachy and repetitive to me.

great album, outside of my usual genres but I loved it

Not my typical genre, but waxes poetic. Favourite track: The Recipe

Good Kid, M.A.A.d City It's a masterpiece, a rhyming film that tells the story of Kendrick and where Overo Compton was born. It's a narrative that tells a coming-of-age story, but the icing on the cake is the production, a true masterpiece that ranges from jazz to trap, through funk and neo-soul.

What's this, a MODERN (ish) hip hop album showing up in this generator?! Or at least closest thing to modern I've seen so far, haha. Maybe they're all tucked away later, but there's a REAL disregard for modern hip hop I've seen in this generator so far, and I'm hoping that changes, especially for modern day classics like Good Kid MAAD City. To Pimp a Butterfly better be here!!

My personal favorite Kendrick album. It's such a tightly packaged story of his upbringing. The fact that this lost to Macklemore at the Grammys is absolutely heinous. This is one of the greatest rap albums of all time.

Il y a des sons beaucoup plus vifs et vulgaires et certains autres ont des mélodies superbes avec des vibes très chill et des vraies instrumentales peu écoutés dans le monde du rap (swimming pool gros cup de cœur). Je trouve que Lamar là-dessus propose une nouvelle dynamique pour le rap US en proposant des sons plus travaillés avec des mélodies qui dénotent du rap traditionnel. L'album est un concept innovant se présentant comme un court métrage, il suit l'histoire de l'adolescence de Lamar dans les rues infestées de drogues

Decent album. Not a hip hop/rap fan but there’s some good songs on here

No like

Don't like this as much as -- I think -- some of his newer albums. But he has a pretty high floor for me. His music has unique feel and creativity.

so i did like this actually, not just cause i already knew it pretty thoughtful and i liked the visual aid and story

One of my favorite hip hop albums of all time. It’s an absolute stunner.

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.

Like this - definitely hear things that are gonna be great in to pimp a butterfly. I'll never look at the eiffel tower the same way again.

Has some banagers but I wouldn't revisit it

Not what I was expecting as a first album but definitely not disappointed at all. Timeless classic, nothing much more to say

own

aj 3

Ok

Standouts Good kid

"good kid, m.A.A.d city" is a dense, autobiographical concept album detailing Kendrick Lamar’s youth in Compton, California. Framed as a narrative short film, it prioritises spoken-word skits, stark soundscapes, and thematic weight over traditional hooks. For this listener, however, the experience was a severe ordeal. The record lacks charm, groove, and melody, relying heavily on intrusive narrative interludes that disrupt any potential momentum. While praised by many for its ambitious storytelling, the execution feels relentless and bleak. Perhaps it caught me on an off day, but as a musical experience, it offered virtually nothing to enjoy. One star.

LFG

So far on this journey, my experience with Rap has been positive, at least when it comes to the big boys. Having grown up enjoying more of the harsher edged Hip Hop, which often went hand in hand with Metal, this isn't surprising, but my issue with what modern Rap I've heard in the charts is that it is so weak, so one note, and so lyrically inane that it does nothing for me. I don't know where Kendrick fits in this as I've only heard one song from him, to my knowledge. What I do know is that this is a bad album cover. I'm not a fan of most of the vocals and none of the songs stand out as anything I'd want to hear again. But there's impressive creativity amd ambition. A very middling effort that i don't believe would improve much in my estimation with additional listens.

Drake is lame

If pyros and crips all got along I’d probably bust a move by the end of this song

does he do all these drugs he mentions??

good kid

There wasn't anything I liked about this album.

Obviously its a 10

Obviously Lamar is better than Drake. Not into this genre, but really enjoyed this one. Also Money Trees has 2.2 freaking billion listens on Spotify. Even at 1cent per listen that's.... a lot of money.

I really like this so far I've only really listened to Kendrick's more recent and popular stuff I honestly can't catch all the words, like I am with every first listen ever, so I want to take this in at another point in life too. (Sherane) I think that Backstreet Freestyle isn't my vibe as much, loved Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe, and am really taking in the Art of Peer Pressure right now. This feels like an album that changes people I'm realizing that I haven't truly and fully listened to many albums in my life. good kid really got me. Oh my God. m.A.A.d. city I understand why the album's named after these two I remember liking Swimming Pools, but not truly listening (note to come back), and Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst, I was trying so hard to listen to, but there's so much there. I think it's my favorite song on the album. and I cried Damn. Just damn. Oh wow, Real Okay I feel like my brain is changing, even if just a little bit. I'm realizing how powerful it is to get into an artists head I like Compton too, but, again, it's just not as much something I'll prob come back to and listen in my free time, beat's awesome though (Bonus Tracks: Listening to all the bonus tracks this summer fs Really feeling it with them, it's uplifting me, and it's cool hearing him with all the different collaborators) Man, this album, It's just so fucking good. It's well done. And there's so much life and truth packed into it. I don't listen to enough music I'm realizing. I'm rating this art a 4.8 I can't listen to something the first time I listen as a 5.0, so much emotion gets layered on the more I listen, but this one is starting high. This is something I'm coming back to.

Pretty killer, some filler. Closer to a 3 than a 5.

Not into this artist or style, I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt for a round up since it was well received for the audience. 2.5/5

I don’t think I’ll ever fully be a Kendrick fan, but this album was an overall enjoyable listen. The rhymes are clever, and the production was understated which I think helps keep things interesting. And while I normally don’t care for skits in this genre, inserting them within the songs really helps with the storytelling. A little long winded on the backend, but a much more memorable album compared to others.

Man, I apparently didn’t listen to enough Kendrick Lamar. This was very enjoyable. Loved the kick and the beats. Usually the skits annoy me but I didn’t mind these ones (where’s my dominos!). Rhymes are quite great too. Sing About Me stood out to me. 4.25

I'm def Team Kendrick (and Team Edward if you must know) and gotta give at least one of his albums a 5*. This one is chock-full of hits. Backstreet Freestyle is one of my all time favorite "nobody's home, let's turn the speakers up to 11 and enjoy some bass" songs. Drags a bit at the end but still lan amazing album. 4.25/5

Not as bad as most but not great

I thought the song structures were really interesting, lyrics were great and the production was fantastic. there is just so many good things that could be said about this…5!!!

Great album! Such a good rap album! Love Kendrick Lamar!

The first time I listened to this album, I thought it was really good! It had some good rhyme schemes and great beats. Then I watched a video explaining the story of this album and I understood it further. Now, I'm relistening to the album and I'm realising just how great this album is. The lyrics, the themes, the interwoven stories between the characters. Not to mention how catchy this album is because the beats are on point and Kendrick's rapping over them is just supreme. It may not be my favourite Kendrick album, but it's still so incredible. It would be a disservice to give it anything less than a 10/10. As an additional comment, Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst is a perfect song and I will be hearing no arguments otherwise.

BETTER THAN TPAB not really but sometimes

Shermz: Ohhh I think I’ve heard of Money Tree before! TBH I feel like what I’m learning from this experience is that I only listen to v pop pop songs LOL Wenz: The rap parts were not bad, but I usually prefer rap songs with nice hook, the hook in these songs were so-so to me 😅

ilkeit

1972. Known for its wide stylistic range and the strong influence of Delta blues, gospel music, and country rock.

It’s so good to come across a Kendrick album. This hits hard—no surprise, he always delivers.

This is one of the best hip hop albums of all time, and debatably one of the best albums of all time. This is a must listen and is such a greatly cohesive album. I've come to appreciate it more and more over the years. How Kendrick Lamar tells a story of gang violence mixed with banger songs is beyond me. Best Songs: BDKMV, Backseat Freestyle, Money Trees, good kid, m.A.A.d city, Swimming Pools, SAMIDOT, Compton Worst Songs: NA

It was nice to revisit this album... I think what sets this apart is how introspective and honest it is. The way Kendrick tells the story of his childhood is so nuanced and gives so much perspective into his experience growing up in Compton. It also just sounds great, and I love the range of Kendrick's lyrics and delivery. Favorites: Backseat Freestyle, Poetic Justice, m.A.A.d city, Compton

It's funny he calls this a "a short film" because he does really remind me of Scorsese here. A nerdy, overachieving kid watching the gangsters from his doorstep, at once horrified and enticed by everything happening around him. And then making art that some people see as glorifying that lifestyle, but really are just ways to process their complicated feelings on the milieu of their upbringings. Anyway this is fantastic, and will probably always be my favorite of his. It just feels rawer than his other work in a way that I prefer, as good as TPaB is.

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.

I can appreciate the talent, the stories, and the beats. There were some high points but also some low/boring points for me. Probably won't listen to it again, but I'm glad I took the time to listen to it all the way through.

Fantastic album from one of the greatest artists of all time

un peu misogyne des fois

all i want in life is to find the one thing i was put on earth to do just like kendrick did

Ламара вже викупав після досить успішного Section 80 (який трохи недоціненний на фоні наступних двох-трьох альбомів). Пам'ятаю, що дуже сильно завалив від альбому, від сторітелінгу, відсилок до історії з іншого альбому, гостьових виходів MC Eiht та Jay Rock, біта Just Blaze на Compton. Хоч і TPAB кращий альбом Ламара, цей теж безсумнівний топ і вже класика.

Класика!

Banger album.

I already listened to this album.

I've been meaning to listen to this again anyway. I remember hearing "Swimming Pools (Drank)" on All Songs Considered forever ago. I was in front of Delta Sonic, either biking or walking. What was I doing up there? Maybe driving and I was getting gas... A lot of this reminds me of "A Life In the Day Of Benjamin Andre" in good ways.

Kendrick Lamar é genial! Hip Hop maravilhoso. QKZxHBB.

oh yea i know this one, pretty well. mmmm the bass on sherane.. tasty. very very high highs, few shallow lows. like real doesn’t need to be nearly as long as it is. but goddamn good album. watched requiem for a dream last night. waking up with this. hit a hell of a lot harder, damn.

to come out swinging this hard on the debut and only to improve year after year.....daaaamn.

This is a good album, maybe a great one. I have a hard time with all the explicit lyrics though. It's too frequent for my sensistive ears.

Haters will say it's fake.

It's hard to rate and review an album that's so all over the place. This is obviously a quintessential 2010s album, in the sense that it features both the best and the worst of that era's hip hop. The good : An obvious talent for storytelling with grounded lyrics, and a welcome departure from the 2000s obsession with bling. A lot of stylistic experimentations and diversity – contrary to some rappers that will give you 12 similar songs in a row, Kendrick tries his hand at everything. Some amazing songs, like the quiet and sober Sherane, Good Kid with its almost Cypress Hill vibe, or mAAd city, great club music that suddenly turns into a ghetto anthem halfway through. The bad : Too much R&B influences for my taste. Too much drum machine. A very trendy, very 2010s-sounding “lazy syncopated flow” in some songs, something I can’t stand. Kendrick’s attempts at R&B / pop-rap are efficient, but really not my jam (I absolutely hated Bitch Don’t Cramp My Style). Some less inspired songs (Backseat Freestyle and Money Trees were annoying). This duality makes for an uneven album – I loved half the tracks, and was bored by the other half. Overall I understand where the hype comes from, and I won’t deny that Kendrick Lamar is talented. However, I still think he's a bit overrated - a good chunk of his fame comes from the fact that he's marketable to a wide demographic thanks to his versatile style. It's not necessarily a bad thing per se, but it can sometimes feel like pandering. Subjectively it’s a 3+ for me, since I doubt I'll listen again ; but I'll add bonus points for creativity and originality. As often with rap music on this generator, the thinly-veiled prejudices and hypocrisy of some of the reviewers also tend to make me more sympathetic towards this record. 6+1/10

This is almost 15 years old already. The guy helped put some respect back on US rap while we were busy diving into grit and flow killing autotune in France. Great flow, fun and creative lyrics deeply rooted in the hood, and a vibe that fits the whole. For me, a great album.

Listened in the car and countless times since it came out. An incredible coming of age story on the streets of Compton told in three acts. Unmatched lyricism and flow, great guest spots (hearing that Drake spot in a post Not Like Us world is always a bit of whiplash), and incredible beats and production. It's a perfect album and I'd give it 10 stars if I could. And yet it's not even Kendrick's best album.

Knew this was getting 5 stars from the go. The single most snubbed album of all time at the Grammies, and probably my favourite Kendrick project? Though we will see how I feel about that when we hit TPAB. Banger after banger after banger. I've thought "oh I should highlight this track in my review" for quite literally every song.

heerlijk album, low-key en muzikaal, echter was ik vergeten hoe matig ik bitch don't kill my vibe en backseat freestyle vind

Kendrick is king

didn't even bother to listen

A few good songs in there but ultimately not my style

um álbum q moldou o futuro da indústria e dá pra ver pq, storytelling impecável, tem um peso cultural enorme, e rap BOM, parabéns kendrick tu é artista

considere 4 estrelas e meio

This album dragged. I was really excited for this album and while Lamar’s lyricism is on point it frankly wasn’t enough to keep my attention. A perfectly fine record that I’m just in the minority of not really enjoying it.

excellent album. one of my personal favourites. so many bangers

Zapamiętałem ten album po jego świetnych singlach, czy pojedynczych utworach, które słyszałem, overall nie sprawił mi tyle przyjemności co słuchanie np. maad City, swimming pools czy money trees. Nie bardzo mnie obchodzą niesnaski społeczeństwa amerykańskiego, więc może to do mnie nie dociera, ale niektóre bujają i od lat mam na playliście.

Not my thing but found it relatively easy listening. Good storytelling and nice drumming.

My First hip hop album that i fully listened btw i gotta say its Genius one listen for now so its not final opinion but no skip not a single pause just some minor moments that Werent perfect but no album can achieve that the whole concept behind the album bits where almost perfect lyrics really hitting hard this album is not only for vibing but for experiencing once again or for the First time the beauty and pain of growing up going with bad groups and realizing your mistakes

Our American Dickensian hero, equal parts *Oliver Twist* (street urchin of diminished noble parentage), *Great Expectations* (inheritor of the gift and burden of being West Coast rap's Next Big Thing), and *A Christmas Carol* (sinner who mends his ways after being shown visions of what his life will be if he doesn't). Lamar begins with the Sinner's Prayer and proceeds to show us why it was necessary in the first place, running through the sins of lust ("Sherane"), sloth ("Backseat Freestyle"), greed ("Money Trees," which borrows story beats from Oliver, Fagin, and the Artful Dodger), gluttony ("Swimming Pools (Drank)"). At a critical moment ("Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst") he rejects wrath - and then, on the positively sentimental "Real," he asks his beloved, "What love got to do with it when you don't love yourself" - Pip realizing that he isn't the problem, Estella is. By the time Dre officially hands him the baton on "Compton" it's clear we're in the presence of an essential literary voice. And the raps are fucking glorious, because of course they are.

daxter type beats

Back to back Kendrick and back to back 5/5. Might like this more than TPAB at the moment. Fav tracks: Backseat Freestyle, The Art of Peer Pressure, Money Trees, Poetic Justice, Mad City, Swimming Pools, Sing About Me, Black Boy Fly. RYM: Y (#6) Saved a song: Y

Bagus bat jir

God Kendrick

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.

Oh god! This is 5!!!! Maybe the best album ever? When I say that I mean an album that works both as a whole - is composed as an album- and still pulls off “hits” - songs that can stand alone and people love. But when you put those hits into the context of the album as a whole, they’re meaning changes, and perhaps they’re popularity is almost a conscious commentary on society. I know most that would agree think TPAB is better. And maybe it is. But this was the album that broke Kendrick open for me. It has compositional elements like What’s Going On- which probably IS the best album ever. I listen to this regularly. It honestly took me time to get into Kendrick, but now… I know he’s the 🐐 So glad to listen to it again. Boolean rating? Yes!!! Oh yes I needed to hear this before I died. So glad I can hear it many times before I go…

I prefer Butterfly and some of the lyrics here are questionable to say the least, can’t help wondering if it will age badly or will be forgiven. But regardless I do love his flow and it’s an album that’s been crafted and is unusually serious for a rap album

Terrific narrative album that proves the test of time, however its sound is also slightly dated, it is clear this is a 2012 album by production. In some ways that can be a positive, but I think TPAB proves to be a more resonant and timeless album, whose sound exists outside of the era in which it was created.

This album was a pleasant surprise. It was fresh and inspiring. I am not the biggest hip hop/rap fan but an album like this could turn me into a big fan.

God I love this album. My first five star!

y'all bitches better not kill the vibe

9/10

Not really my vibe, and kind of blended together for me, but I liked the personal touches added that make it feel autnetic.

4/5

No me gustó

dying of thrist is pretty nice

The radio hits are classics. The rest drags on a little.

este me gustó más, me gusta el arte que hace kendrick

SÅ fik vi endnu en masterpiece, BUM. Moderne tids ubestridte konge af konceptalbum fyldt med ørelir, der også virker på egen hånd. MED DET SAGT, så er første 2/3 bedre end sidste 1/3 som enkeltstående sange, men som samlet værk er havner vi stadig helt i top. 4.8-ish

Det her behøver nok ikke ret mange ord. I min optik Kendricks magnum opus. Highlights: - Jay Rocks vers er et af de bedste vers of all time - Drake er ikke ulidelig - Alle sange slapper 4.99

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

I really like this album, I’d not listened to Kendrick before, I’ve downloaded several tracks that I need to listen to again.

Not for me.

I just reallly really don’t like this genre.

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

ничего мега крутого о нем не скажу. на фон поставить в целом пойдёт, ни одна не зацепила но и ужасных там не было, короче среднячок 5/10

I have heard of Kendrick Lamar, but I cannot say that I know his music. Lamar's second studio album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City was released in 2012. Why does every rapper have the same bio on Wikipedia? They are all considered the best rapper. Is that like a participation award? I did like the use of a Janet Jackson song on"Poetic Justice", but it makes sense. The rest of the album had good music, but that was it. Overall, I hated it because of the language. It is vulgar, but that seems typical for rap and hip hop. Is it ironic when they talk about Jesus and curse so much? I had oringally gave it a 5/10, but years later(2026) I lowered the score. 3/10.

this album feels like a project in the best way x

First couple of songs were good, the rest of it was okay, there were a lot of familiar songs. I liked m.A.A.d city a lot, solid 8.5/10

The Art of Peer Pressure is a highlight. Not a fan of Kendrick's lyrics but the tune is sweet.

3,5

Great album. I love the understated paranoid beats. Somewhat let down by guests they should give another verse to Kendrick rather than lesser rappers like Drake and Jay Z.

Think this might be the first album here I've listened to most of the songs before lol, but now I had the chance to actually listen to it in full and appreciate the lyrics and production more. I love this album. The tracks were very well written and the melodies are so memorable and it really captures that film aesthetic. I loved every song from this album but Backseat Freestyle and Compton are my standouts. Great album in Kendrick Lamar's discography. 9.4/10.

love the linear yet non-linear set up of the album. hard-hitting lyrics and a good beat.

great album!!! had an interesting narrative

Kendrick voice is so powerful

10/10

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

Je l’ai en vinyle ✌️

2+ Stars (6/15)

Kendrick Lamar was at his best in this album storytelling and lyrics everything was a 10

Whilst I think I prefer To Pimp a Butterfly, this is still a great album. Storytelling is something which I really enjoy in all music and this album does it particularly well.

this gansta shit might really influence some kids

Fine I guess

I have heard this album quite a few times before, but it's one I've been meaning to revisit recently. Sherane AKA Master Splinter's Daughter: a haunting start to the album that lets you see into what happens when you meet the right girl at maybe the wrong time. The ending speech about dominoes makes me so happy every time I hear it. Bitch, don't kill my vibe: who isn't a sinner, and who won't sin again? This was probably the first Kendrick song I remember hearing in my life. It really sparked my love for him; being able to be this serious and yet control the vibe of the song to be upbeat and interesting to hear is a skill that was not expected of Kendrick at the time of this album's release Backseat freestyle: what has not been said about this song yet, it's catchy and strong and makes you feel the dichotomy between the Kendrick that loves Master Splinter's daughter and the Kendrick who is alone with himself, which plays into the next song The art of peer pressure really showcases Kenrick's storytelling power. The homies that are making Kenrick ruin his life, but protect him. he is not unfamiliar with the gangbangers, but he doesn't want to be a participant in the actions of the gangs. It is hard not to be in the middle of the issues, though. The leaving-the-house scene is visceral, and you can feel the tension in the car as they make lefts and rights. Money trees: one of my favorites on the album and fav rap tracks in general, the hook and chorus are instantly recognizable, and the bring back of the domino plot is great Poetic Justice: Back when Drake made a good feature and wasn't embarrassing, both rappers on this song were heroes of the time, and the fact that Kendrick was able to get a 2012 Drake on his second album is impressive to me. I would kill to have been in a frat when this album came out, but specifically, this song and "Money Trees" make me feel the most jealous. Good Kid: the story of a kid who wants to be good but is trapped in the circumstances he is surrounded by. MAAD CITY: I lied, this is the one I want to hear in a Big 10 frat basement the most I lost track of what song I was on, so I'll stop my song-by-song list there, but this album is full of so much love and heart that the first time I heard it in its entirety, I cried. to sing only about things youu claim have happened and have this be the story told is incredible from a song perspective; each track brings you deeper into the story, like chapters of the great American novel

Twas good

Mid/high 3? Wanted to like this more, I love Damn. but this one just sags in the middle for me

Encore un no skip. Je découvre Good Kid et je plonge dans swimming pool. J’adore money trees. Jaime les changements de style sur les beat, parfois très hérités de la culture sample parfois pas du tout avec de grosses basses. En parlant de basse celle de Good kid justement est formidable dans un tout autre style.

5/10

I am not really into modern rap but Kendrick is definitely different

Unpopular opinion: Kendrick Lamar is the most overrated rapper of all time. Perfectly decent flow (re: good but nothing special). Lyrics are meh. All due respect to Compton, but NWA would accidentally obliterate anyone who came up there after 2000. The kids just don't know. And then we have the double album of it all. For your company debut. Ugh. Let's just not talk about the skits.

3,5 Highlights: Good Kid, Compton

I don’t like

Not normally my type of music but I had actually heard a few of the songs before. Thought it was a good listen though probably a one and done for me

Did somebody say "Domino's"?

Gave it a chance but couldn't do it! Not my thing at all.

Good

Mid

Have listened many years ago but hadn’t gone back to in years. Enjoying the lyrics

I really like that Kendrick made it look like a movie in a way that it represents different periods in his life. The songs were made to mean exactly that, 'cause they represent, alongside the lyrics, the emotions and the story that's been told. So the music adjust to match and maintain the vibe of the story. Looking this album as a whole makes it successful, and looking into each song shows the attention they put to detail. Great album.

Endlich mal ein geiles Album. Total mein Vibe!! Kannte einiges davon schon. Aber cool auch mal so das ganze Album durchzuhören. Bitte mehr davon!