Reviews (page 7 of 13)
This album was a surprise to me, mostly because I had just never listened to it. I really appreciated the story the album told across the length of the album. I tend toward pop, rock, and folk music, it just never occurred to me to listen to this album or that I would like it as much as I have. I’m so glad I didn’t skip this one.
Some great tracks on this, a couple that never seem to take off. 3.5 rounded up 4 Heard before? Yes, some songs Owned: Yes. 11/1001, 11/45 (24%) Will I get? Yes
The music is creative, the rapping is smooth and laid back. lyrics are artistic, songs are not radio style at all. the vocals are not good-sounding, very nasal, but it's got meaning rather than glitz. good kid is great. poetic justice is very good. swimming pools and now I get it
Engaging story-telling across a variety of good songs, best listened in one sitting.
The art of peer pressure was a good add to my list
Great album. it's another one that I hadn't heard all the way through.
Maravilloso
Very good rap album. Acclaimed for a reason. Let it be known that I was a Kendrick Lamar fan way before the Drake feud and allat, which gives me such a musical superiority complex that simply may never go away. I wouldn't call it a straight 5/5, but a solid 4. The theming throughout, interspersed with narratives and spoken-word passages, is captivating, and never sacrifices the actual music/content. It all flows well. It's not his greatest album, but a quite good one.
Wow such a sold album. Even though raps not my fav, that was great
Really dense, introspective lyrics with some wild backing tracks. This one blew me away
Great rap album from a great rapper. I haven't listened to the entire album from start to finish before and doing it today made the songs I've heard before even better. The songs mash well and the flow from song to song was great to hear.
Tenho uma relação complicada com a música de Kendrick Lamar. Na época que eu ouvia Rap mais avidamente eu gostava muito de suas canções. Hoje, já larguei o Rap pra trás. Não tenho preconceito com o gênero nem nada parecido, mas é difícil eu ouvir casualmente. Em anos recentes, fiquei supersaturado com a pessoa Kendrick Lamar, e pra piorar, achei seus últimos lançamentos bem medianos. Dessa forma, hoje em dia, se me perguntar, irei dizer que acho ele chato, e que detesto a voz de Gremlin que insiste em fazer em suas novas faixas. Mas, ao ouvir este disco, imediatamente volto para 2015-2016, a época que eu mais ouvia Rap, e a época que eu mantinha este disco em rotação constante. Até hoje sei de cabeça as letras e os interlúdios todos. E imediatamente me lembro que Kendrick Lamar já foi um bom artista, e um que eu verdadeiramente apreciava. É refrescante ouvir um álbum onde ele mantém uma voz normal e agradável por boa parte da sua duração. E sem aquelas batidas esdrúxulas que ele empenha atualmente, salvo raras exceções. Enfim, acho importante dedicar um parágrafo para discutir minha opinião do artista na atualidade, mas agora vou falar de good kid. Este sempre foi meu disco favorito do Kendrick. Mas ouvindo-o novamente dez anos depois, percebo algumas falhas. Pra começar, a duração. O disco é longo demais. Rap é um gênero que é melhor apreciado em curtas doses. Acredito que a faixa Sing About Me teria sido o final perfeito para o álbum, ele continuar para além disso é desnecessário. Além disso, temos o clássico, quase clichê a este ponto, problema — os interlúdios. Neste álbum, todas as faixas possuem um interlúdio praticamente. OK, eles contam uma história até que interessante e engajante. Mas vamos lá, essa história só é engajante na primeira vez que você a ouve. Depois de ouvir o álbum uma única vez, os interlúdios ficam redundantes e fazem você perder seu precioso tempo ouvindo. Agora de pontos positivos, por sorte, tenho vários pra listar. Neste álbum Kendrick realmente demonstra versatilidade. Ele compõe versos complexos e refrões chicletes. As batidas são maravilhosas, a produção do álbum todo é ótima, subentendida e muito bem temperada. Tudo no ponto certo, balanceado. Instrumentalização orgânica brilhante combinada com samples escolhidos e empenhados magistralmente. O disco possui poucos features, o que considero um positivo, e os que estão aqui são bons. A segunda parte da faixa titular, com participação de MC Eiht é um completo absurdo, definitivamente o maior destaque do disco, junto da maravilhosa Sing About Me I’m Dying Of Thirst. Se ele tivesse lançado os interlúdios como um projeto separado, visual ou apenas sonoro, e mantivesse o disco só com suas canções, ele facilmente estaria na lista dos meus álbuns de Rap favoritos. Mas, não é o caso. Uma pena! Continua sendo um ótimo disco, mas poderia ter sido bem melhor. 4/5
Decidí hoy comenzar mi camino con el generador, y no pude tener un mejor recibimiento. Este álbum se siente como una charla personal con Kendrick. Su sonido y letras me transportan a las calles de su adolescencia haciéndome sentir participe de su historia. Maneja un sonido fresco (y hasta innovador) que a pesar de ya tener 13 años de publicado se siente más relevante que nunca.
Allright. So. This is my least favourite Kendrick Lamar album by a long way. The narrative aspect is intereting, the flow and lyrics are obviously fine, but the sound and tempo is just not really my thing. That does not mean that it's a bad album by any stretch, but it's not amazing either.
i enjoyed this album a good amount. it's not the most polished or indispensable album on this list (and arguably not even from kendrick), but it has some high highs and huge names. some of the tracks are a bit samey and the typical gangsta rap misogyny is still very present here. the whole thing goes on way too long, but if you just skip the 12 and 7 minute tracks, it's pretty good! favorites: bitch don't kill my vibe, money trees, poetic justic, m.a.a.d city, swimming pools (drank)
an all-timer that kicked off a generational run.
The juxtaposition of talking so eloquently about God and then covering real-life scenarios the way Kendrick Lamar does is really interesting. I can tell he is a guy who wrestles with God and his faith. It’s so rare to get cultural commentary this authentic and raw. The dexterity with which Lamar writes and raps is incredible. I can see why he is so lauded. This album truly made me think. It’s deep, heavy, introspective, and such a fabulous commentary on culture versus self.
This album really should be listened straight through. Not a ton of singles, but as a complete piece, a well-articulated narrative on gangs, drugs, violence, and consequences. There's a lot to unpack with this one, so I'll be glad to put it on again in the future.
Already heard it
I preferred the album after this one as this one seemed to be more straightforward gangsta rap. There were some tracks that sounded good and from what I read it seems to be a satire of culture that I grew up in. Worth listening to again.
It took until "good kid" for this album to click with me, but from there on out I have few complaints. Kendrick Lamar's vocals are laid back, almost conversational in places, like he is just telling you a story. I think it is this attribute which makes the more emotionally charged lyrics even more intense. The first part of the album didn't engage me as much, either in music or content, unfortunately.
I appreciated the chance to fully listen to the story. I’ve always liked Kendrick Lamar but this was elevated.
Purely digital music. Reminds of Kanye West mixed with Dr. Dre. Lyrically more advanced. Really interesting concept album about gang violence, black poverty, material success fantasy - has a point of view and the lyrics and rhythms work well to advance the themes. Notables include Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe, The Art of Peer Pressure, Money Trees, good kid, m.A.A.d city, Swimming Pools (Drank), Sing About Me I’m Dying of Thirst, Compton.
AMAZING HIP HOP RECORD! I’m really shocked I like it that much.
very solid.
About as good as a pure rap album gets
He has good flow. The songs all have different vibes, but they do sound like a cohesive album. Favorite song: the art of peer pressure
Awesome album. Loved the beats and even though I didn’t understand the lyrics a lot of times, his flow was great as well. The skits are a bit long and much at times tho.
4.5 but rounding down
The overall theme tied up on a cohesive album was great. You can tell Kendrick is really passionate describing growing up in Compton and his experiences. The production value was good. I can see how this is a classic.
I liked it a lot
Unbelievable lyricism and storytelling but it just wasn't scratching an itch for me, definitely just new territory for me and I know I would enjoy it much more after a few listens.
All time rap album
I like the variety of the beats.
quite the rap, see why the kids enjoy
Really liked it! Not the biggest fan of the newer Kendrick Lamar stuff but this one I enjoyed a lot. Wondered why most of the language was edited out…
Alt utenom de to låtene mellom Swimming Pools og Compton er sylskarpt og noe av det beste jeg har vært borti. Mister litt fokus mot slutten, med langdryge og kjedelige låter, som gjerne bare skulle vært kutta, eller forkorta kraftig. Beste låt: The Art of Peer Pressure
Bunnsolid album, rett og slett en hit-parade. Favoritt låt: Swimming Pools & Bitch Don't Kill my Vibe
good, not kendricks best but I really liked the narrative stringing shit together. Most songs very enjoyable, some songs are a bit excessively long but otherwise strong.
This album was initially very hard to review. One reason was cause it contains really polarizing songs. For example, “backseat freestyle” is easily one of my favorite Kendrick songs EVER. But the contrast is that I hate “poetic justice”. Which I don’t say lightly. The only other main criticism is for me personally, I don’t really care for introduction into the album and I think the last four tracks are also super forgettable. But the heart of this album, the real meat, are tracks 3-5, and 7-9. Those songs are truly great and amazing, and they so full of life and energy. They really feel like fun songs that, while being taken very seriously, are refreshing and exciting. Honestly if you took the tracks I liked off this album it would probably get a perfect score, but I appreciate the imperfections and I think it’s nearly a perfect album which is more than you can really ask for.
Great album to kick off his career
I can appreciate the lyrical skills Kendrick has and the stories he tells. He’s a great storyteller and his songs are super complex, which is more than can be said for most of the “classic” rap albums that are on this list we’ve had so far. I do think this is much, much better than a lot of the rap albums we’ve had and it’s light years beyond gangsta rap in terms of lyrical content and storytelling. However, it does suffer from the same drawback that almost every other rap album suffers from of just being too long. It doesn’t need to be over an hour. That’s just not necessary.
I always think I'm not a rap fan and then I listen to Kendrick and realize that I actually do like it. This album was a lovely listen and it's funny to see that he had a song with Drake back in 2012 and then everything in 2024 went down. Although "Sing About Me I'm Dying of Thirst" went on way too long, I still really liked this one. I liked To Pimp a Butterfly more, but I still enjoyed this one
Money City is, of course, the popular choice, yet there are other bangers that delve into social and political issues that feel personal.
If this album ends with Swimming Pools it’s a stone cold 5. Even so, it’s still very close. I think his best stuff is here
Really funny listening to Poetic Justice in light of...everything. Local sports radio uses the sample on Sing About Me I'm Dying of Thirst as an intro to rant about Steve Yzerman's decision making and the hubris of Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell. Same same. Great album, Kendrick is one of the great songwriters of our generation. Feel like it drags a little bit at the end but I think this is probably my favorite project of his.
Didn't know him before, good rap album
Kendrick is an important artist and this is really good. It’s worth listening to if only to show the promise Kendrick was to demonstrate. He was to mature. But this is a strong debut.
3.5
Enjoyed it!
Nice
Sing about me/dying of thirst is very good and very sad as is a lot of the album
Great album. Lyrical storyteller. Solid beats. Love.
I'm beginnin' to feel like a Rap God, Rap God All my people from the front to the back nod, back nod Now, who thinks their arms are long enough to slap box, slap box? They said I rap like a robot, so call me Rap-bot Uh, summa-lumma, dooma-lumma, you assumin' I'm a human What I gotta do to get it through to you? I'm superhuman Innovative and I'm made of rubber so that anything you say is ricochetin' off of me and it'll glue to you and I'm devastating, more than ever demonstrating How to give a motherfuckin' audience a feeling like it's levitating Never fading, and I know the haters are forever waiting... - eminem. maada city
An album that fully deserves its ‘classic’ status. Not sure how I haven’t listened to this before really, though most of the tracks I’ve heard individually. Kendrick is great. As always the lyrics, wordplay, and productions are on point. This album felt a bit more playful than his later stuff, kinda reminded me of Kanye in places.
All-timer, obviously. Seems to have solidified itself above TPAB for me.
It is most definitely conscious hip hop. The through line is in the title - he’s a good kid in a mad city. He is a world away from being a gangster, even if he’s surrounded by them. You hear him talk with relief and regret over an early (almost) run in with the law on The Art of Peer Pressure. The features on this album are quite clever, in contrast Jay Rock and MC Eiht play the role of trouble makers, rapping about guns and cocaine while Kendrick’s response is "and they wonder why I rarely smoke now.” The repeated themes of prayer and religion push this further - his mind is on other things. While other rappers are rapping about drugs and gangs, he’s rapping about how his family and faith serve as a grounding force. He is exploring his struggle to stay true to their values while being exposed to the various negative forces of his environment. Okay, he’s also rapping about drinking and his hot girlfriend, but you get my point. The album manages to be robust but light and good fun throughout. On an album full of highlights Swimming Pools (Drank) is a really nice hit of pop rap. I could imagine this getting better with each listen.
Kendrick is probably my favorite storyteller in rap. He also probably has the best flows and voice for my taste, so I guess he might just be my number one rapper. One of my favorite facets of his artistry are when he shares vignettes and stories in his songs of lived experiences. This album specifically brings you into his experience of growing up in Compton and all the trials and tribulations that came with it: gang violence, systemic financial issues, confusing familial roles and expectations, and more. There's a lot to like on this record, but I always come back to the lyrics, and when he says "I mean, I write poems in these songs", he's really just being blunt and I love it. When you dive further into them you really get the feeling that he is a poet and that he thinks so much about every line, pronunciation, and device. Even the naming convention in the title- "good kid, m.A.A.d city", he says that it should be spelled specifically that way, with "m.A.A.d." having two meanings- "My Angry Adolescence Divided", and also "My Angel's on Angel Dust". The guy just thinks about his craft... a lot. "Money Trees" feels like a precursor to his album "Damn", which came out 5 years after. It's got an impressively bouncy groove and tough yet philosophical chorus. Both "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" and "Swimming Pools (Drank)" were huge tracks when they came out. I remember walking around my college campus and passing by random groups of students hanging out and just hearing "pool full of liquor then you dive in" on repeat over and over. It was the cool stuff at the time, and I was happy to be a 2nd hand listener. If "To Pimp a Butterfly" is a 5/5, this one is a strong 4/5. It is an incredibly well done record, with great beats, flow, lyrics, and surprisingly good hooks, like on "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" and "Swimming Pools (Drank)".
Instant classic. Sets a tone of things to come not just for himself but for the direction of hip-hop.
Cool shi
I like Kendrick a lot, he's one of my top artists listened to this year. I knew several of the songs off this one, like "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe", "Money Trees", "m.A.A.d city", and "Swimming Pools". All good ones, and I like the rest of the album a lot too. So far Kendrick hasn't missed for me.
Good album, I'm not all that familiar so a nice surprise
Kendrick does have a way with words. Entertaining storytelling, unique voice and style, better to me when I'm paying attention to the lyrics. Really like the concept approach, very engaging, and quite listenable.
In my opinion, Kendrick's greatest strength is not his lyricism - although he's excellent in that regard too - it's his sense of grandiosity. Almost everything he puts to tape has a certain aura of urge, necessity and, to be honest, even spectacle to it. This album too presents one of the most ambitious and effective narratives ever portrayed in album format, rarely dropping releasing the gas pedal and continuously driving the story and character arc forward. The only thing holding this music album back for me is, ironically, the musical content. There are fantastic tracks here, the standout being Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst, but at other points, the backing tracks can range from repetitive to overly commercial sounding to even a bit grating. But hey, when you're being served a chronicle such as this one, that shouldn't spoil the fun too much, no? If only Kendrick would release an album of equally epic scope with consistently jazz, funk and soul-inspired instrumentals approximately 2.5 years later...
I was procrastinating on this one cause it's not really my thing. But, I was pleasantly surprised. Kinda had an old school vibe that I liked. I'll toss Backseat Freestyle onto the 1001 playlist. ~ 3.6 stars
Enjoy Kendrick. Great album.
Good but much better and accomplished was to come which you can't help but compare to 3.5*
Great album….nuff said Was able to see him touring this album and it was great live
love a concept album !! there were quite a few songs on this album I really enjoyed. I liked how diverse it was - each song had its own sound, and I loved the little 'skits' between songs. overall v good and v sad :'(
I had never really listened to Kendrick Lamar prior to this, but I came away really liking this album. I love good story telling and I love a concept album.
The prestige TV of 2010s music: drawn out multi level storytelling with plenty of sex and violence, social commentary via personal coming of age narrative, flashy high end production, self consciously artsy, expertly assembled with some real virtuoso performances, building tension that drags a bit in the middle, loved by middle brow critics for its gritty authenticity.
This album does it for me. For me it's the sample choices ..take it away youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2sLOOHcZBA
Bitch, don’t kill my vibe, backseat freestyle, money trees, good kid, the recipe are all favs
I'm liking it Will I listen to again: 51%
I was torn between three and four stars. I felt that more songs were three star than 4 star songs. However, this album was more than the mere sum of its parts. The songs work together thematically and compositionally in a way that bumps the album up to four.
It took me to the 2nd half for this to really land, but really solid back half. I think personally it's a 3.5 for me, but boosting.
Never listened to this album in full. An easy 4
Yes please
Was boppin' to this on a plane to Montenegro.
Et 200... "good kid, m.A.A.d city" sera donc mon 200ème album écouté dans le cadre de mon projet "1001 albums a écouter avant de mourir". Autant la 100ème bougie m'avait laissé de marbre avec les Beatles et leur "Rubber Soul" (noté 3 sur 5) autant ici on rentre dans un autre monde. Sorti en 2012, le deuxième album studio, souvent sous-titré "A Short Film by Kendrick Lamar", n'est pas un simple album mais une immersion dans les rues de Compton, en Californie. "good kid, m.A.A.d city" est le récit poignant d'un jeune homme, K-Dot, naviguant entre l'innocence de la jeunesse et les dures réalités d'un environnement gangréné par la violence, la drogue et les pressions sociales. Dès les premières notes, l'album s'impose comme une œuvre conceptuelle ambitieuse. Kendrick Lamar nous invite à monter à bord du van Dodge Caravan de sa mère, et à travers ses yeux, nous vivons une journée type, ou plutôt une série d'événements cruciaux qui vont façonner sa transformation. Tel un puzzle biographique, chaque morceau est une scène, chaque interlude une transition. L'album tisse une toile complexe d'expériences personnelles qui parlent d'une vérité universelle sur la jeunesse confrontée à l'adversité. La production, assurée par Dr. Dre, Pharrell Williams, Sounwave, Hit-Boy, et bien d'autres, est d'une richesse et d'une diversité remarquables. Elle oscille entre des ambiances West Coast classiques, teintées de G-Funk, et des sonorités plus modernes et introspectives. Les beats sont tantôt langoureux et atmosphériques, comme sur "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe", invitant à la réflexion, tantôt explosifs et urgents, à l'image du titre éponyme "m.A.A.d city", qui dépeint avec une intensité brute la folie ambiante. Au cœur de cet univers sonore se trouve Kendrick Lamar. Son flow est capable de passer d'un murmure introspectif à une diatribe enflammée en l'espace de quelques mesures. Il incarne différents personnages, module sa voix, joue avec les rythmes et les cadences avec une aisance déconcertante. Ses textes sont d'une densité rare et d'une honnêteté désarmante. Il ne glorifie pas la vie de gangster ; au contraire, il en expose les conséquences tragiques et le cycle infernal. L'album explore une multitude de thèmes interconnectés. La pression des pairs est omniprésente, comme l'illustre "The Art of Peer Pressure", où Kendrick raconte comment l'influence de ses amis le pousse à commettre des actes qu'il regrettera. La tentation et ses dangers sont au centre de "Swimming Pools (Drank)", un morceau faussement festif qui dénonce en réalité les ravages de l'alcoolisme et la culture de l'excès. La violence est une toile de fond constante, culminant dans des titres comme "m.A.A.d city", avec ses couplets fiévreux et ses sirènes stridentes, ou le poignant "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst". Ce dernier, divisé en deux parties, est une méditation profonde sur la mort, la mémoire, et la quête de rédemption. Kendrick y donne la parole à ceux qui sont partis trop tôt, et questionne le sens de son propre art face à la tragédie. Mais "good kid, m.A.A.d city" n'est pas qu'une chronique sombre. C'est aussi l'histoire d'une prise de conscience, d'une quête d'identité et d'une volonté de s'extirper d'un destin qui semble tracé d'avance. Des chansons comme "Good Kid" expriment le sentiment d'être pris au piège entre deux mondes, celui des "bons enfants" et celui de la "ville folle". La spiritualité et la religion apparaissent comme des phares dans l'obscurité, offrant une voie vers le salut, notamment dans les interludes parlés où l'on entend les prières et les conseils de ses parents. L'album est parsemé de sketchs vocaux impliquant ses parents et ses amis, renforçant l'aspect autobiographique et l'authenticité du récit. Ces moments, souvent empreints d'humour ou de tendresse, ancrent l'histoire dans une réalité tangible et permettent à l'auditeur de s'attacher davantage au jeune Kendrick. Ils servent de liant entre les morceaux, assurant la fluidité du "court-métrage" musical. L'un des aspects les plus fascinants de l'album est la transformation progressive du personnage principal. De K-Dot, jeune adolescent influençable et parfois naïf, il évolue vers Kendrick Lamar, l'observateur conscient, celui qui a compris les mécanismes de son environnement et qui cherche à briser le cycle. Cette évolution est palpable à travers la narration et la tonalité des morceaux, culminant avec la prise de conscience finale dans "Real". "good kid, m.A.A.d city" a non seulement propulsé Kendrick Lamar au rang de superstar, mais il a surtout offert un regard nuancé et humain sur la vie dans des quartiers souvent stigmatisés. Il a ouvert des conversations importantes sur la violence urbaine, les inégalités sociales, et la complexité de l'expérience afro-américaine. Un 4 sur 5 pour un classique instantané, pour un album essentiel à découvrir.
very good shit
WHEW
Having heard Lamar’s name for years but never bothered to investigate his music, I wasn’t sure what to expect (you can blame the over proliferation of mumble rappers over the past ten years or so). I definitely wasn’t expecting a concept album for his major label debut!
Beats are fire but don’t like the vocals as much
Kendrick is an artist that doesn't hide the fact that he's standing on the shoulders of giants. He collects as many ideas as he can and makes a mosaic from them. I was never into Kendrick when his music was coming out. Even if he's not my favorite rapper, he's got my respect. Solid album.
Backseat freestyle is a 5 star song and Kendrick knows how to make a hype up song. Just not the biggest rap lover
Pleide høre på før, bra album
I've never been as into this album as I am for TPAB so I was hoping it would click for me this time around and it definitely did. This album is loaded for bangers. I still don't think its as good as TPAB but its a close second. Favorite track: Peer Pressure 4.5/5
No time
im a hot girl in a mad, mad world
Soms iets te veel ideeën in één nummer, en helaas is de door Pharrell geproduceerde track echt een minpunt midden op de plaat. Voor de rest echt weinig op aan te merken. Ik weet nog dat ik Kendrick Lamar heb gezien tijdens de tour van dit album. Gezien zijn huidige status toch wel een bijzondere ervaring.
Kendrick's raspy voice has taken awhile to grow on me, but he does have a great flow, evocative lyrics, and top notch production. I'm generally partial to 90's hip hop, so it was good to listen to a more modern classic all the way through. I wish I could hear a version minus the voice mail audio in between tracks, feels like it'd be annoying on repeat listens, but an enjoyable album overall.
Still about as perfect a record as kdot has pulled together. If it suffers from anything it’s that, like a lot of hip hop albums, good kid is a collection of tracks produced by separate artists, obviously with Kendrick uniting them. Butterfly is a more cohesive instrumental piece, but lacks the range of his other “pop” records, which good kid nails. It’s a concept record, which I am mostly allergic to, alongside the skits, but this one has a lived-in, believable quality that works as a framing device/jokes (although there are jokes!). The indie rock samples made gkmc a bit of a curiosity in the months before the release - Dr Dre is rapping over Twin Sister? - but that was just one of the entry points for me. Ultimately this was a word of mouth thing, folks adding “ya bish” to whatever, speculating that Sing About Me could be its own movie, TNC being turned off by Backseat Freestyle and then later being like “oh whoops, I get it now,” and on a personal level it had a lot of the same sound of vaporwave that I associated with my time in California - melodic, catchy, uncanny new, old sounds but never feeling nostalgic. From Sherane to Sing About Me it’s a cinematic tour-de-force. On a relisten 13 years later, I’m *still* captivated by The Art of Peer Pressure even though I know how it will turn out. The Drake guest spot always got a skip and the Pharrell track stuck out as an odd duck, but fit just enough to work with whatever side quests Kendrick took. Drank could be a one-off novelty track (and at the Vandy show I saw spring of ’13, it definitely was for the frat kids), but there’s enough background colour about extended family difficulties that it’s part of the Duckworth mosaic, not just a curio. After the all-time triumph of Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst a simple coda would make it a perfect record, but we have a bit of a clunker in Real and a necessary, but weirdly ill-fitting Dr Dre track. The fadeout takes us back to the beginning of the record and then there a handful of bonus tracks which I hope get excised from streaming some day... There was an album out a year earlier by The Roots with a similar storytelling framing, starting at the end, ending at the beginning, with many of the same concerns about temptation leading the hero astray. Both characters meet a similar “end” and Undun is likewise a collection of imagery and side stories, populated by Black Thought’s musings and similarly, an indie rock nod or 2 (Sufjan to Kdot’s Beach House), just...one contains volumes and a first person’s account/believability and the other is merely really damn good, but more abstract in the execution.
Kendrick delivers an introspective into how he became who he is. This is a demonstration of why he is considered one of the best rappers of all time. Not enough bangers.
Pretty fire. I like Money Trees and I was surprised at how much I loved the Backseat Freestyle, which is super catchy. Bitch Dont Kill My Vibe is famous for good reason. The Art of Peer pressure was good social commentary as well as good music. Swimming Pools is currently viral and just super good in general. Kendrick's voice is unique but not like super nice to listen to in a more melodic track like Swimming Pools so I prefer the stupid tiktok covers but it's still a feat. Super good album despite me not really being familiar with rap/Kendrick!
Lyricism is peak in this album.
Not as good as x tho
Good intro for me to hip hop
Really good album. Had never heard the artist before, wouldn’t be against checking out some more of his stuff after this
I can appreciate the realness of the narrative of this album. I love the spiritual theme that rides along with the harsh realities of Compton life. The only song I didn’t really like originally was the freestyle, but it fits its purpose. Right now, without having heard much rap, I would say 4.0.
after the other days catastrophe this felt like a redemption, love kendrick love the album
Kendrick’s storytelling and smooth flow carry the album, and the production throughout is tight and immersive. Compared to To Pimp a Butterfly, this one is much more approachable and, for me, a more enjoyable experience all around. Oddly enough, the opening track might be the weakest track. A strong album that earns the praise it gets.
If there was ever a weekend album this is it. Lot to think about here, which speaks to what makes Kendrick special and how he’s elevated the genre. If you didn’t do the deep dive, this is a concept album with each song representing a scene over the course of days (with some exception for some introspection/reflections). In a way, this is the Compton version of Bat Out of Hell. Kendrick is trying to get laid and things go sideways. When it comes to KL I’ve always struggled with whether or not I listen to music for storytelling. The stories and subject matter are no doubt more interesting than almost all other rap, but what makes music music is not the words but the emotions a given song or album invokes. The ability to communicate thoughts and feelings without explicitly saying anything, or maybe it’s a phrase you ponder for years (I.e. Eating up the scum). Either way, credit where credit is due. 1. Without knowing anything about the concept some of these songs are hits and have been in the rotation for a decade (money trees, bitch don’t kill my vibe, Compton etc.) Making music that is both meaningful and slaps is an accomplishment. 2. Elevating a genre. Why it’s not a 5. I sense absolutely no joy or really passion. Obviously this is not a joyous topic, but usually you can sense the joy in making music. Kendrick is bummed out and even the breakthrough on the final two tracks didn’t showcase that feeling of happiness he no doubt had (when he found god and started working with Dr Dre). I think this album could have used a “Memory Lane” like track on the front to show what about life he enjoyed and was worth saving. The best we got was Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe… I also had the same feeling on a few tracks when you’re about 75% of the way through a non-fiction book “I get it… it was bad” High level, very happy someone is spending time to really make meaningful music and take the Hip Hop genre new places. Probably the best rapper of our generation.
I didn't realize how much of this I'd already heard before now. This album was absolutely huge among elitist white millennial circles in hipster Brooklyn when it came out, which isn't a criticism of it in and of itself, but may explain why I felt somewhat hostile to it initially. That and the fact that I thought Kendrick's super bowl performance and anti-Drake theater to be pretty lame and kind of depressing. That said, this is obviously an interesting and well-conceived piece of art about growing up - tapping into an American musical tradition that crosses cultures, genres and time periods. This is basically rap's answer to Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run era, mostly about being young and ambitious and needing to break loose of your environment to discover who you really are. But where usually songs about this classic theme have an ebullience to them (i.e the ecstatic and anthemic feel to Born to Run), Kendrick's take is somewhat tepid. He doesn't burst into adulthood so much as sort of just adapt to it. He slinks into it. It's not the most compelling or fun story, but is probably more true to what growing up actually feels like for most of us. So if that was Kendrick's goal, good job. But while I can appreciate the artistry and skill in storytelling here, I don't personally turn to mass market pop music (as an art form in general) to reflect back the feeling of everyday life in such generally plain and straightforward language. I've heard Kendrick described as some type of elevated lyrical genius and a poet and all that - but I don't really hear that when I listen to him. To me he's more of a 'truth-teller' type of writer, rather than someone who can transform the banal into something higher with the power of language alone. Because of that, I wish the beats and hooks were more fun to listen to. Giving this a 4 because I recognize there's something appealing about rap to many people that I think I'm just unable to fully appreciate for whatever reason, and that might be more user error on my part. For what it is, this is great. But what it is still doesn't really do it for me.
Been dreaming of a swimming pool of liquor to dive into since this came out in 2012 ;;;;;;;;;;) Anecdote: this album came out during my freshman year of college. I remember hearing Bitch, Dont Kill My Vibe and Swimming Pools in every grungy basement for a solid 6 months Honestly, I don't expect to enjoy the rap albums that surface on this list (a bias I need to fix because I really liked Wu-Tang) and I was still impressed with this. Its probably a 5 in the rap world and a solid 4 for my tastes. Hearing Poetic Justice was funny... Didn't realize Drake and Kendrick were actually friends for a while. I don't love the song M.A.A.d city. Curious what others thought on that one specifically (it seems super popular) Big fan of Money Trees.
Still love this album. Kendrick brought a lot of pop rap fans into more lyrical rap (at the same time Drake was bringing gangsta rap fans into modern emo rap, which was a lot lamer). This album is still my favorite of his - it’s earnest and thought provoking without being self serious and arty like much of his later stuff. Really puts you in his teenage head in a relatable way. The production is glorious on these tracks and carries a clear tone throughout the album, and the interludes actually add useful context to the songs (usually I find rap interludes pretty useless). The ponderous lyrical stuff is paced nicely against the party beats so it has a good balance. My only knock is that it’s probably a song or two too long (Real is objectively a shitty song)
Sydäntä riipaiseva albumi! Todella makeeta biisiä välillä, helposti tietyt biisit vois mennä jollekin omalle mix listalle.
Some really fun shii on this one.
Kendrick's best work, but my favorite track is The Recipe on the bonus disc not linked here.
Above average
I love the phone calls and random conversation samples. Easy listening album, no songs I really dislike and a couple of bangers towards the end (Real, Compton, also Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe) probably 3.5/5
Love how Kendrick just changes his styles within this album. Brilliant story teller
Fascinating throughout and still sounds fresh after 13 years. Heralded for a reason and a banner of what other greatness was to come from Kendrick. (4.5 stars)
I enjoyed TPAB but none of Kendrick's other albums have really clicked with me. This one is better than I remembered. I really enjoy how variable his flow and cadence are - he's a very expressive rapper. And I appreciate how he uses many elements of gangsta rap (which isn't a style I typically enjoy) and creates something that is reflective and smart, whilst still being hard-hitting. I respect the ambition of a story-telling quasi-concept album with different characters and voices, although I'm not sure it is put across 100% clearly. My main complaint is the production, which is very forgettable. Given that the album is about Compton, it might have been cool to have an updated West Coast sound, which we only get on a couple of later tracks. The aim was clearly to have a softer, dreamier sound overall, but it didn't need to be so innocuous. A few jazz samples would have gone a long way, or just a little more G-funk. Still a very strong record even if it will never be a favourite for me. 4*
Theme runs the album. Definitely songs we need to listen to and have an understanding for today. 8/10
Amazing lyricist! I saw Kendrick after this record dropped, and it’s still a good listen.
pretty good 4 stars i‘d say einige Neuentdeckungen
Haven't listened to this since 2015 or so. It's as good now as it was then. The little vignettes remind me of Wyclef Jean's debut album. It's a lot more chill than I remember, excepting a few tracks. Compton slaps.
custom_rating:8.5
[7/10]
Great - hard to rate it fairly when I know how much better they’re going to get
not typically a genre i would gravitate towards, but i liked it. definitely knew some songs.
Classic Kendrick and a hell of an album from start to finish. Excellent storytelling that means that it's one of those albums that may take a listen or two to catch everything that's said. The instrumentation/beats is also great. It's a really well-produced album.
kendrick solid
I enjoy this album and I feel like I come back to the songs on this one a lot more compared to TPAB. Favourites: Money Trees, m.A.A.d city, Swimming Pools (Drank) and Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst. Rating: 4.5
This album was much better than I thought it would be. Some good deep songs, as well as regular pop-y songs. Altogether, exceeded my expectations.
Appellerer både til mainstream og undergrund hiphop. har høj metacritic score. Kendt for god storytelling og god produktion. det har stor kulturel Impact og blevet studeret for societal problemer som systematisk racisme, vold osv. det er subtitled “a short film by kendrick lamar”
This guy knows his crap, he is just such an interesting and polished album for his second album. Great singles, good album tracks and his death in the album too. No wonder he is the top rap artist right now.
I understand why some people consider this one of the greatest albums ever made, but it's a tad over-long to really be 5 stars. 4.0/5.0: Great
i had heard 3/4s of the tracks before. obviously kendrick is a great rapper and the beats are great as well but i was always annoyed by the high pitch voice he uses on some of the songs. money trees and swimming pools in particular use it quite frequently. i understand that thematically its supposed to represent his conscience but it doesn't work for me. additionally almost every song overstayed its welcome by multiple minutes. even with those complaints i still enjoyed it for the most part
One of the most influential albums of the 2010s and it's easy to see why do many like it. The lyrics are great and add a lot of depth to these songs. Along with great production it becomes one of the best rap albums ever made. Personally I prefer a little more emphasis on the backing track like in Illmatic but this is still a classic.
Doesn't hit me quite as hard as To Pimp A Butterfly, but there are some great tracks here. Sing About Me, Dying of Thirst hit my heart in ways I wasn't expecting.
This is astonishing. Now I get it. Now I see what the fuss is about
Pregame notes: I am excited for this one, but I’m not super familiar with Kendrick’s catalog. What I have heard, mostly features on other artists’ albums I like. Postgame notes: Started a little slow, especially with all the god/bible stuff, but overall I enjoyed this one. Compton was probably my favorite track, but the back half is excellent.
So, my kid is super in Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, the Creator right. So I have heard this album a lot recently (and heard all the backstory about every track). IMO, there are several really really good tracks on here, Swimming Pools (Drank), Sing about me, I’m dying of thirst and Bitch, Don’t Kill my Vibe and then some other pretty ok songs songs and then some forgettable interludes….solid album overall
Difficult. A highly-praised and immensely popular album. It's well-done; some parts sound amazing. I don't foresee coming back to it very often, though.
Upee!
85% Best: Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe; Backstreet Freestyle; Money Trees; good kid; Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst Must-Hear? Sure
Makes me sad that there's this remarkable talent and these are the stories he needs to tell us. It's a m.A.A.d world.
Predicting this one coming up next was like getting wordle in 1!
This first few songs of this album weren’t that great but then it goes into something completely different, and sucked me in. 8.2/10.
This album was my first exposure to Kendrick's music. I was pretty impressed on how well spoken he was in his rap. I really like the inclusion of recordings of (I would guess) real conversations that Kendrick had in his life. Can't miss songs: Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe good kid Swimming Pools 3.5/5 = 4 in this scale.
finally, some good fucking food I've started listening to Kendrick after his super bowl halftime show, but I'd only got through the Drake diss songs and To Pimp a Butterfly, so this was next on my to-do list anyways. I'm not really into hip-hop, but what I've heard from Kendrick so far is great, this included. I'm giving a 4/5, but I wouldn't be surprised if that goes up after repeat listens.
Love Kendrick. Not this album though, per se, as it's how he got his foot in the door..it took me a while to get into him and then it literally just clicked w a live performance at the grammys and I thought 'OHHHH I get it now, this guy is a GENIUS!' : ) Kendrick's mom loved the Temptations so she named him after Eddie Kendricks, must have brought him good luck bc this guy has massive talent.
After the Super Bowl show, I greatly respect him and his music. He does not pander to an audience; he walks the talk and lives his life in alignment with his values. I like his use of phone calls and religious prayers to bring the song into more context.
This is a solid album. It listens well top to bottom. 4/5.
My third-fav album from K-Dot.
pretty great debut album
Oh, more sold on this than his first album. More flow and musicality. Still think he's overrated as a lyricist though.
Brilliant story teller. Sometimes when someone is this good at painting a picture I feel like I'd rather read or watch than listen. I enjoyed it a lot, but seems like the wrong medium.
Great start.
not my favorite kendrick but that could be recency bias. great album!
Oi da chund de Kendrick ja zumene optimale Ziitpunkt hinefüre. Macht mi grad no chli meh giggerig zum tüüfer i de ganzi Spass ihztauche. Ufjedefall isch de Kendi min guete Morgebegleiter gsi am Flughafe züri und au no biz im Flugi selber bisi uf mini downloadede Playlist han müsse uswiiche. 4 Drake disses Bar ufs Hand. Salam Alaikum mitenand und ich hoff ich chan mini Album Quote dur die negste 3 Wuche ufrecht erhalte.
No es el mejor álbum de Kendrick en mi opinión pero sería una mentira decir que no es buenisimo Rating:9 Cancion favorita: Bitch don’t kill my vibe
Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5
I can see Kendrick’s appeal, but I found the message of the album mostly lost on me. I did appreciate the stories of his life and that of the disadvantaged youth experienced growing up with drugs and crime. No subtlety to it, but good beats. I like one or two songs and would listen again e.g. m.A.A.d city and swimming pools. I kind of liked Backstreet Freestyle too
It is rare when an artist emerges as brilliantly fully formed on their debut album as Kendrick Lamar does on good kid, mAAd city. Yes I know this is technically not his debut. Still.
Already heard it
I PRAY MY DICK GET BIG AS THE EIFFEL TOWER SO I CAN FUCK THE WORLD FOR 72 HOURS fiquei imerso demais nesse aqui. papo reto. sempre tentei ouvir kendrick direito e nunca me desceu, mas agora foi. um absurdo. uns beat lindíssimo, storytelling cabuloso e não-linear (que eu aprecio mto), o cara escreve só pedrada. ainda dizem que o to pimp a butterfly é melhor? pqp num posso espera.
Goated
i've always felt a little out of place among my peers for not thinking this album is as good as others do. it's still great, don't get me wrong, but i find it a bit padded out and somewhat boring on some tracks. still, it showcases a ton of talent, and sing about me, i'm dying of thirst is still one of kendrick lamar's best songs, even all these years later.
Lots a great classic song that I didn’t know where from that albume
Classic
pretty damn good! there’s so much beautiful stuff happening musically and a lot of great lyrics and i can hear/recall how much it informed the culture, but the songs often felt overlong and the whole album felt like it dragged a little as a result.
it's goooood. a lot of really beautiful songs where once again I'm sure if I could register lyrics, would be even better. "Swimming Pools" is the only one that sounds really of its time to me, but other than that it feels like it could come out today. Which is possibly why I'm not so blown away...it doesn't sound that unique to 2025 ears but I guess that's because it was ahead of its time and stood out when it was released.
Unexpectedly not bad, has some solid songs, would listen again.
Great concept record with an interesting story and some catchy songs.
7/10 enjoyed, some really catchy songs, loved the parents voicemails
There's a few songs here I couldn't really get into, but it's easy to see why this is so well regarded by hip hop fans and the general public. Swimming Pools (Drank) is still such a fantastic tune.
Long album of sad bangers
Really solid, NSFW but enjoyed the beats and lyrics.
my scrotum imposin sooooo nostalgic. I’m smoking weed at the park in high school in 2015. charming in its scrappiness but still a masterful album deftly executed. kendrick’s preachy shtick is definitely less affecting with the benefit of time and hindsight and his following albums, but man it’s so good! m.a.a.d. city followed by swimming pool made me drive unwisely in the snow
I knew about Kendrick for a while but I hadn’t explored this record before. As a south American, with English as a second language, raised in a different culture, can say that this work is charming. Some songs are a little long - maybe this criticism dwells in the fact that I haven’t connected to a deep level - but I can feel the cohesion, the journey, the growth. Great album!
Kendrick captured in his lyrics what Meirelles and Lund portrayed in City of God
Exceptional storytelling
Fantastic. A fully realized album with great, thought provoking songs. Laying the groundwork for an incredible body of work. Pound for pound Kendrick is still one of the best rappers working today
3.5
The first time I hea heard this record it was back when it was up for album of the year. And the first half of it was really hard for me to take but as the story grew along I really became invested in the album a lot more than I am most rap albums. 8.5 ★★★★
One of the best hiphop albums in my book, even though this is out of my wheelhouse, this album has some real quality beats and some catchy songs. 4.5 stars
4.5
K-dot is my favorite current hip-hop guy, and I love the blend of politically and morally complex lyrics with some incredibly catchy beats. This is a good debut, but not my favorite of his.
Not really my thing but I get why it’s highly praised
Fuck this is a pretty dope album. I dont love all of it as aux shit but it has some mf bangers. Poetic justice ive been sleeping on, bitch dont kill my vibe, money trees, maad city, those are the car bangers. Its still a fjcking masterpiece
Knew the hits but had never listened to the album from end to end. Loved the back half of Dying of Thirst and Money Trees is a perennial favorite. Sets up To Pimp a Butterfly in big ways
enjoyed more than I expected incredible storytelling and blend of sounds two title tracks were possibly my favourites
Excellent album, I have never heard the whole thing but have listened to the hits. He is one of the best ever in my opinion, very nice flow and excellent lyrics. Great beats, all around outstanding. I'm sure I will be listening to this many more times.
8.30
Kendrick Lamar isn’t my regular cup of tea, but I have to give it up for Good Kid in M.A.A.D. City. It is a towering classic. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-good-kid-maad-city-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
While some of the tracks are way too long for my admittedly limited attention span, I was surprised to find I liked this record a lot. I don’t even like rap. Aside from the rich storytelling and depictions of street life, I like the cadence and flow and music.
The double album killed me due to time demands. Listed to most of, and will finish later. Found it very interesting!
Yes!! Yes!! I already know this one. Takes me back to 2012, which was a great year for me. When this came out, 106 & Park was still a thing (but not TRL or the Rock Countdown or the VH1 countdown). Anyhoo, I've still got it in the rotation. Highlights: I mean, Kendrick's got flow. It's undeniable. Almost all of these tracks are great, especially 'Backseat Freestyle', 'Money Trees', 'good kid' (the line "from a function that tooken place"!), 'Swimming Pools' Lowlights: 'Compton', the Jay-Z version of 'Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe', and, as you might expect from the genre, there's a lot of slurs* on this album, which is why I can't give it a 5. Imagine a (good) slur-free rap. I wonder if you can ;__; *For the pragmatics fans out there, I admit I'm using "slurs" a little imprecisely -- this album really only contains the b-word (which many (IMO incorrect) scholars say is not a slur) and the r-less n-word (which I agree is not really a slur (see Smith 2019), buut I still don't like hearing it as a white). So as these things go, it could be way worse.
This is such a difficult rating. I think it’s a 4 but I’m leaning 5. I wish 4.5 existed
Intense, obviously lyrically supremely sophisticated Storytelling 1000 D Hip Hop misogynie chani persönlich ned eif uusblende
Sehr geil, aber ich weiss nicht, wie ich mit den Lyrics umgehen soll..
Reminded again that I don’t really like skits on albums.
мне очень понравился саунд и сторителлинг, отдаленно похоже на горгород :):)
Wow! Eso fue todo un viaje. Lo que más puedo destacar de este álbum es la cinematografía y la historia que transcurre a lo largo de él. Una de las cosas de las que me puedo quejar es que sónicamente no me pareció nada muy interesante en general, tanto que de ser por mi la mayoría de canciones serían un 5, nada que me disguste, nada que me guste. Eso sí, la letra y la historia se llevan todo el crédito, aunque desde mi perspectiva no estoy de acuerdo en la construcción de ciertos conceptos, tampoco me opongo y me parece una muy buena historia con un mensaje muy interesante y realmente te hace reflexionar. Esas grabaciones al lo largo de todo el álbum son excelentes, un poco en partes lo que me hacía querer seguir queriendo escucharlo, ver como continuaba la historia y como concluía. No me decepciono. También tengo cosas que no me gustaron, como las letras de algunas canciones, aunque las puedo aceptar dentro del contexto de la historia del álbum, y no se realmente cual fue la utilidad de toda esa parte de flashback al principio del álbum, creo que sin la mayoría de todo esto, desde “Bitch, Dont Kill My Vibe” hasta “Poetic Justice” hubiese sido un álbum mas redondo, y me hubiese gustado mas, tal vez. Total (de la suma de canciones) del álbum: 71 Total real: 90 4,5 estrellas
This is the first album that has genuinely surprised me. I was so sure I wouldn't like it given I'm not usually into rap, and have listened to the odd Kendrick song before and not enjoyed them. Standout tracks were - MoneyTrees and Swimming Pools (Drank).
Henry has had me appreciating Kendrick for a few years. Though this album lacks any ‘hits’ for me, it’s solid and sets him up for his imminent genius period.
please don't kill my wife
If you want falsetto proto-metal
Ok, so this was the album ive been waiting for. I like hip hop but never found a way into kendrick. I found him a bit dense and lacking in hooks. Today i was visiting a city and put this on my headphones and walked around. The lyrics shone through, the beats were good and save for an obsession with his penis i thought that was great. Maybe i'll work through his back catalogue.
LP
Vette teksten, goede beats, maar net iets te weinig echte knallers
Kendrick Lamar es, sin duda, el artista de su generación. Este disco o cualquier otro (To Pimp a butterfly o Damm.) son de obligatoria escucha. Otros discos de 2012: TAME IMPALA "Lonerism", DJANGO DJANGO “Django Django”, The XX "Coexist", BEACH HOUSE "Bloom", CHROMATICS "Kill for love", THE SHINS “Port Of Morrow”, FRANK OCEAN "Channel Orange", DIIV "Oshin", ALABAMA SHAKES “Boys And Girls”, JACK WHITE “Blunderbuss”, SWANS “The Seer”, Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend! de Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Lambchop con Mr M, Anastasis de Dead Can Dance, A Wasteland Companion de M Ward, Born to Die de Lana del Rey, Spriritualized con Sweet Heart Sweet Light, Sweet Heart Sweet Light, Sweet Heart Sweet Light, Burial Kindred EP, Los Punsetes Una Montaña es una Montaña, Sigur Rós Valtari, The Raveonettes – Observator, Un Dígito Binario Dudoso. Recital Para Alan Turing de Hidrogenesse
A great record - maybe to me not as good as 'To Pimp A Butterfly' - but it's definitely among the best out there.
Nunca decepciona el muchacho Lamar
good kid, m.A.A.d city is a really good album, that much is clear, I just feel conflicted about it in places because I feel like I'm supposed to like it more than I do, and the reasons I don't like it enough to give it a 5/5 are really just stylistic choices. His flow, lyrical composition, storytelling and vocabulary is undeniably top-tier, and there are some absolute bangers on here, but where Kendrick loses me is a mix of a) his voice, b) some of the songs having a 'silly' quality and b) a lot of the chorus-type hooks are just him repeating the same line over and over. I've said before that my preference for hip-hop and rap sound is for a darker, grittier sound, so the run of good kid through to the end (except for Real, which is crap, and the 'Promise that you will sing about me' lines in Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst are a good example of the silly sound I dislike) is outstanding (so is The Art Of Peer Pressure), but a lot of the early tracks just don't resonate with me in the same way. There's also a weird thing where there are almost two songs in one in a lot of places and, while I'm sure that's an intentional decision, it feels a bit jarring to me. On balance it's a 4/5 because it's all good, it's just not all really good or entirely to my preferences, whereas something like The Blueprint absolutely was a few weeks back, that was one of the best albums we've had on this list regardless of genre, like top 5, and I don't think this is quite as good by comparison.
This is really good. Hadn't really listened to any of his stuff before we got his other album as part of this, but it's a really interesting listen. Think I prefer it to the other one of his we had, but only marginally - it benefits from being a bit tighter and less diverse in terms of the genres that he brings into it. There's not much that properly digs into your ears on a first listen (Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe the only one really), but it's definitely one I will want to come back to. Lyrics are great, it's a hell of a story, it's probably not a 5/5 for me yet but I think it might be after listening to it a few more times. 4/5.
At first I wasn't sure. I felt some songs had good beats but wrong deliveries, while others had great deliveries but horrible beats. It won me overtime and I think the overall concept is really good.
The lyricism of Kendrick is insane. The story of the album is really fully fleshed out. Excellent musicality and rapping. The guest appearances don't interrupt Kendrick's story of flow, but add to each song they appear in. The beginning of the album was a bit of a miss for me, but it picks up quickly and doesn't ever really slow down after that until the last couple songs. But an expertly created album. Favorite Song(s): The Art of Peer Pressure, Money Trees
It was good! I really liked the majority of the song.
Never been a hip hop person but obviously heard about Kendrick. Plus I’ve heard he’s the greatest! And I agree, I fully enjoyed this album. Nice beats but mainly sick lyrics.
Kinda embarrassed it took me this long to get to this album, but sooooo worth it. Just an absolute modern masterclass of modern songwriting.
I'm not from the hood and will not ever relate, and the opening tracks seem gangsta misogyn lets sign about my dicky BUT this mellows and says something and is a damn good listen. Definitely belongs on this list.
Naja, ganz abwechslungsreich. Eher eine positive Überraschung - auch wenn ich kein Wort verstehe, und der Text wohl recht wichtig ist für das Verständnis
One of my favorites
8/10
Solid front to back
I am not a big fan of modern hip hop (noted this is 12 years old now). An American colleague recommended it as an entry point. I never really went beyond this album to understand it's influence but I like it. After a few listens I feel my appreciation for it grew
The perfect palate cleanser after some of the trash we have gotten this week. Been waiting for this one to arrive, especially after it was chosen in Apple's top 100 albums. While I have a different Kendrick ranking than some and wouldn't put this above a few others, this is still a solid and powerful album. It will always remind me of hanging in the house that my brother and I rented in college as he played the vinyl in the living room. All these songs bring back those memories and that makes this more special than the songs themselves. Backseat Freestyle was my favorite from the album and something I listened to constantly as I roamed the lots in my parking services truck. Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe, Art of Peer Pressure, Money Trees, Poetic Justice, and Swimming Pools are all keepers for me. I could never understand if you were supposed to listen to the deluxe version or original because there were so many versions of this and that always frustrated me too. I just want an album to be what it needs to be, I'm tired of the deluxe business.
I'm well aware of Kendrick Lamar's popularity and acclaim, but this was my first time listening to him. I was super curious because this album has a pretty high score for being a divisive genre. My assessment of it was that it's very accessible and palatable for someone like me, who typically doesn't care for rap. I could actually decipher the lyrics and they were neither overly explicit nor hostile nor braggadocious. In fact, what I heard was thoughtful self-awareness and observation of the imperfect world we live in. I can see why this is critically acclaimed.
Thought it was an automatic 5-star when it popped up but landed on 4 instead. Can’t tell if I’m just a too used by it to be amazed or what… I will say that some of the placements are weak. Compton in particular (Real is the real closer) but also Poetic Justice, which while a good song, never actually fits the album space, and is ill-fitting after the hopeless day-dreaming of Money Trees. Plus I’ve never too big a fan of the reliance of interludes (baked into the songs in this case) as a storytelling device. Otherwise this is still full of bangers, obviously, with Money Trees, the two title songs (good kid is by far the most underrated song) and SAMIDOT hitting the hardest. Still probably a weaker 4.5★.
I'm less familiar with this album than with To Pimp a Butterfly - I forgot about some of the great tracks here and laughed my ass off when I heard Drake on "Poetic Justice"
top 10 record.it feels so real, and it is.
First track won me over; the next two put me right off (really irritating vocals); four and five had me back on board and then it was fairly consistent to the end. Definitely an intriguing one, will need more listening.
Haven't ever listened to Kendrick Lamar before and don't know why as this was an excellent album.
This is the first album from this project that I already bought, so, of course I like it. It's good. Swimming Pools (Drank) doesn't get enough credit. The words, the flow, the beat, the mix... it all reinforces the point of the song. I'm saying this now, half my life removed from high school partying, it really feels like a night where you went too far. The insecurities, the peer pressure, the second guessing, the alcohol making decisions for you, it is one of those great songs that captures an experience, the level of drunk that is never fun, but feels like the right choice in the moment, and the peer pressure that gets you there. The album as a whole, in September of 2024, is hard to rate "historically." "Not Like Us" is still in the top 10, months later. I think the influence of Kendrick, and this album, is still growing, seven years later. This was a breakout album for a reason. I feel like I have to give it four as an album, because Kendrick has topped himself multiple times, to the point that this album looks merely great in comparison.
On hyvä levy! Henk koht en pidä niin paljon ”näytellyistä osuuksista” (hälinät ja puheosuudet), arvostan vielä enemmän sitä, että tarina rakennetaan pelkällä musiikilla. Mutta onneksi se tehdään suurimmaksi osaksi tässä niin! Ei muuta analyysia, erinomainen levy.
m.A.A.d city -medley ja siirtymä Swimming Pools -megahittiin edustaa omassa, rajoittuneessa hip hop -universumissani jonkinlaista huippua: pää liikkuu täysin vastustamattomasti, ja haluaisin tiettyinä hetkinä jopa osata ajaa autoa - ihan vain blastatakseni tätä levyä. LP:n kaari kantaa hyvin, vaikka loppupuolen fiilistelyt/mietiskelyt vähän latistavatakin kokonaisuutta. Ainoa toinen kritiikkini on se, että artisti osoittaa välillä tiettyä taipumusta esteettiseen tyylitajuttomuuteen (esim. Bitch Don't Kill my Vibe, josta pidän, ja Poetic Justice, johon en ihan pääse sisälle): olen valmis kuuntelemaan kaiken - ja levyltä todella löytää alati uutta - mutta joka "vibeen" en kykene täysin varauksetta Kendrickiä seuraamaan. Mikä ei tarkoita, etteikö LP olisi itsessään verrattain lähellä täydellisyyttä. Erityismaininta: The Art of Peer Pressure. Uskomatonta miten hyvin tässä spoken word -flirtissä onnistuttiin. 4,5
4 stars
Always love kendrick
Well well well...look who is liking rap these days.
Very enjoyable -- didn't know this at all. Great vibe throughout with different sorts of songs. I'm excited about the Super Bowl halftime show.
The writing on the Polaroid graphic says "A short film by Kendrick Lamar," but I didn't pick up on the storyline at first. As the piece moves forward, the story emerges of a youth in the streets trying to rise above his circumstances and find escape and redemption through pain and faith. The album follows a similar thread. The earlier tracks are musically lackluster, relying on mainly on beat and lyrics for rhythm and melody. A turning point happens with "The Art Of Peer Pressure," which infuses more musicality into the intro, while the remainder of the track is again a bit bleak, again displaying the harsh reality of his situation. From "good kid" onwards, we get more interesting sounds and production, mimicking the maturing of the youth contemplating what remains if he dies and what purpose it would serve. We finally get redemption in "I'm Dying of Thirst" and then follow that with "Real", reflecting on how he was not real and whole with the earlier trappings of youth and gang culture until he finally left it. I can appreciate the overall positive message and the elevation of rap to an art form, though we wallowed long through some old tropes in order to arrive here, like Andy Dufresne, who "crawled through a river of shit and came out clean on the other side."
01) Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter's Daughter - 7,5 02) Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe - 9,5 03) Backseat Freestyle - 9,0 04) The Art of Peer Pressure - 8,0 05) Money Trees - 8,0 06) Poetic Justice - 8,0 07) Good Kid - 8,5 08) m.A.A.d city - 8,5 09) Swimming Pools (Drank) - 10,0 10) Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst - 8,0 11) Real - 7,5 12) Compton - 7,0 TOTAL: 8,29 (83/100) Current ranking: 82/298
Superb - his 2nd best....
Absolutely fantastic... Makes sense that it's before TPAB - bangers are certainly there but as a full album it doesn't exactly hit in that same seamless meter. Poetic justice, money trees, swimming pools are excellent among others. 4.475.
Super Bowl 2025 half-time show let's go
Grading on a Kendrick curve. Still a great album, but didn't land quite as well as Butterfly, possibly owing to its more traditional subject matter.
Good stuff 3.7
This felt like watching a movie. It locks you into a time, place, and feel and doesn’t let go. You can hear mistakes, dreams, aspirations, failure. It’s less developed than his later music, which has more complex beats, but lyrically it’s great.
I have a soft spot for Kendrick Lamar (and his mum, she nearly got me into Jesus in that interlude). He is one of the few big stars of this modern 'Nigga' shite rap that I have seen live, and not just managed to see the whole set without walking away, but actually enjoyed it at the time. (That is saying something about my self control under the influence of watered down beer at Reading Festival). As a whole, if you ignore the self centred, vanilla bollocks lyrics, the 'hard life growing up in the ghetto this sort always go on about, and just let the rhythms wash over you, and combined with the excellent instrumental arrangements - its really good, albeit a bit long. I liked the ambience of the music, I have no idea how much input a rapper has in writing the tunes but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he had a hand in it. If it had been anything other than a rap album, it would have been a 5, because of the vanilla lyrics. But, as I gave Kanye a 4 for the same reason, it would be very unfair not to give Kendrick the same. 4 stars
Der er godt nok nogen kæmpe bangers her.. Synes ikke helt det er en 5er fordi den bliver trukket lidt ned af konceptet og nogen meget lange numre som jeg ville ønske var kortere, men elsker de fleste af beatsene og elsker Kendrick som rapper. Havde Backseat Freestyle på repeat i hele 2012 så vidt jeg husker
Talented rapper. Need to revisit.
Good, but I love TPAB
Kendrick Lamar came on the scene when I wanted nothing to do with any current music, so his music has largely escaped me aside from a few major performances I’d seen, like the Super Bowl halftime show a few years back. His talent is evident from the first track. It fits in perfectly with the West Coast hip hop that I grew up with and loved (which obviously makes sense since Dr. Dre had a hand in it). This album is head and shoulders above most of the other hip hop I’ve heard from this time period. I definitely understand why Kendrick Lamar is considered so highly. I didn’t love everything about this album, but it’s solid, had a story, great production, and Lamar’s talent is evident. Definitely a worthy inclusion for the modern side of the list.
This is the first time I listened to this album in its entirety and though I'm not a rap fan, I thought this album was very good.
I need to try and be objective as possible here. So I hate the random skits at the end of every bloody song and they go on far too long and that detracts from the album as a whole...but the subject matter, Kendricks rapping ability, the beats, all so good. Its a 4 that could have and should have been a 5 Me trying to justify why it's not a 1 too the baby boomers at work Okay going on a tedtalks here. It genuinely does tackle the issue we all have with rap (misogyny, glorifying gang culture, drug culture and the violence associated to that) and really delves into how Kendrick was influenced by all this growing up and how it shaped him into a person he didn't like and he was lucky enough to be able to escape this by focusing on his music career, but he is lucky as most young black men in the ghetto don't have the luxury. The way Kendrick can we've so many double meaning into each verse still makes me think he's lyrically so gifted. He also has Drake on some tracks which was a real surprise to me as they absolutely hate each other now. TL;dr Kendrick good rap honestly. Reader.. they still think it's a 1...
funky and cool - works really well as an album and has some really great songs YAY!
I LOVE KENDRICK (drake clears tho) i already listened to this and if you don’t like it you suck poo poo very good story telling and could be a 5 if i was just judging off rap albums but compared to other perfect albums it’s a 4.5 DRIZZY DRAKE ON TOP 😩😩
anyone rating this album below a 3 missed the entire point (@ SOME OF THE DUMBASS GLOBAL REVIEWS ON THIS) and are thinly veiling their racism through pretending to gaf about "misogyny"...! but it's okay when your old white man idols do it??? lol! this album is genuinely excellent, its super clean and polished and is the first album generated that i have already heard completely from start to finish the only place where i think this album CONSIDERABLY falls flat is that it's kendrick's SECOND best album, and having outdone himself on tpab (more musically and lyrically dense, sonically SO smooth and so much more ambitious), this pales in comparison looking back but i will gladly admit that rating this a 4/5 is a product of my own personal bias i don't think this album is PERFECT, but 9/12 INCREDIBLE tracks (NOT COUNTING BONUS TRACKS ON DELUXE EDITION!!!!) brings it close!!! 4/5
This album is just hit after hit. Seriously, how does it have tracks like “Money Trees,” “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst,” and “m.A.A.d city” all in one place? The beats are amazing, and the rapping is on point. I’ve always loved the beat switch on “The Art of Peer Pressure.” However, sometimes his voice can get annoying, like on “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe.” I also feel that in some songs, the beat feels repetitive and doesn’t justify the track’s length. 4.5
could i write poetry to this? n
The storytelling is just so good on this album. I don't like some of the character's voices and a few songs are too long, but the lyrics overcome.
Interesting because the lyrics can be seen as offensive and stupid but it appears to be a big critique of his youth growing up in Compton. Musically, it's a little bit boring to me. Overall a pretty solid record that would probably get better with more listens or listening while having all the lyrics up. I don't like this one as much as DAMN. or To Pimp a Butterfly. The Art of Peer Pressure really sheds a lot of light. It seems like Kendrick was a good kid but caught up with the wrong crowd. After finishing the record, I feel pretty sad. It's a heavy record thinking about the kids that systemically end up in situations like this where at a young age they have to learn how to process things like sex, drugs, and violence.
This is the hardest listen and definitely the most emotional Kendrick record for me. You can see all of the roots and the things that Kendrick is doing early on in his music that will become even more pronounced in his later records (To Pimp a Butterfly, DAMN, Mr. Morale.) Cool beats, a lot of jazz and bass guitar elements. The lyrics are heavy, its harsh. It almost feels like a heavy movie or an emotional book. You feel that it's important, but its not something that I often gravitate towards. A lot of the lyrics and the voice samples really put you into the eyes of Kendrick. It feels like you're in Compton when you listen to this. What's wild to me though, is that one I get started with this album, I can usually cruise with it for a while. Its vibey. Its flowy. But then its contrasted with really heavy, emotional, hard lyrics. Kendrick is brilliant. Its fun to see this early on. Especially because he was only 25 when he wrote this.
best thing he did
I love Lamar's voice and his contemplative approach to story telling. There is a pursuit of realism that sets him apart and then he really cares about the musicality of his art and that makes it really rewarding to listen to.
Talent + attention to detail makes great work. Take notes
-I’d heard a few songs from this album but never listened to it in full. It’s very good and consistent in quality, felt a lot like a concept album -Seeing the Drake collab gave me whiplash -Favorites are Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe, Backseat Freestyle, and m.A.A.d city
June 21 2025 1. Intro de rezo. Good one, kinda dark beat. Liked. 2. Bitch don't kill my vibe, I know, fun. 3. Backseat Freestyle, fuck yeah, classic. 4. Didn't like this. 5. Money Trees, well damn nig'. Great, yeah 6. Poetic Justice. Didn't know about a Drake collab, that's funny to find out about now knowing all the beef. Ass song tho' 7. good kid. Loving it! Nice fucking beat. Fuckin raw beat, man. Loove it! 8. Recognize it. Beat gangsta conflictive. No me gustó mucho, pero el beat switch up sí ta fino, el beat tiene un aire a La Del Estribo. Cool one. Liked. 9. Swimming Pools. Yeah, good I guess. Don't love it. 10. Sing About Me. Well, entretenida. Not liking bc too long and the beat switch wasn't amazing and so much habladera de paja. Jesus message tho' 11. Real. No me gustó. Skipped after 4 minutes. 12. Compton with Dre. No way this sucks. I know they spittin some fire, but not enjoying too much. Didn't do much. Might relisten luego. 4.7 bc ajá.
Enjoyed this. I've never really gotten too deep into Kendrick Lamar's music. I feel like it's not made for me, so I have a hard time relating to it. I do enjoy listening to it, but sometimes feel like I shouldn't be.
It’s dope but dark
drank was old fave and still liked it
Great album. As someone who isn’t a huge hip hop fan and hasn’t listened to closely to KL, I wish I had heard this album before TPAB. Both are phenomenal, but gkmc is more traditional and accessible and a good taking off point. It didn’t have the same interesting and ecclectic musical texture, but it’s no worse off. ****
a decent boogie. very filthy. Backseat freestyle is my favorite song!
Solid four-and-a-half album. Kendrick really went hard with his debut. Amazing album, though some of the middle songs aren't as memorable as the first half ones.
I had Kendrick Lamar pinned as that one popular rapper with the odd voice and wacky flow. Odd voice? Sometimes. Nothing wack about the flow after listening to the whole album, though. Still not my favorite rap style or type of music in general, but definitely unique and high quality stuff. However, my favorite thing about the album is the concept. Not innovative by any means: life in the hood, rising from the gutter to a penthouse, losing friends and dealing drugs - the main themes of 90% of rap albums. But Lamar manages to tell intricate stories that neither glorify nor directly criticize the lifestyle, or only serve to lament his own suffering or bravery. Instead, there are sober facts and personal learnings. Aptly titled, good kid, m.A.A.d city encapsulates the feeling of a kid in a city. You can decide for yourself how you want to assign the adjectives when you listen to it.
I love Kendrick Lamar generally. And there a lot of my favorite songs by him on this album. I'll say my 4 star rating is due to the fact I don't think I was in a very hip-hop mood when I listened to the full album. And there's definitely some songs that are better than others on this album.
Groovy and fun, with very interesting lyrics that aren’t necessarily as serious as one might think. I don’t always appreciate Kendrick’s blend of hip hop and R & B, his eclectic palate, and his tendency to digress through very long songs, but it all works together nicely. Not every second is essential, but that’s pretty common in hip hop, I would argue, when being drawn into a daily life worldview of the artist, which I think Kendrick does especially well here.
Solid hip hop. After listening to mostly 90s rap on this list it was interesting to jump ahead 20+ years and hear how the art form had evolved. Kendrick’s lyrics are good - although they are juvenile at times. Beats and samples were top notch.
A remarkable piece of art, music, and storytelling. Such smooth sounds and beats throughout, and should be listened to in its entirety I just wish I didn't have to hear "nigga," "pussy," "bitch," and Kendrick sing about his dick every 3 and 1/2 seconds. I get it that it comes with the hip hop territory, but it prevents the more frequent air play I would otherwise give it.
Musically, it’s great. Lyrically, it’s like someone handed Shakespeare a thesaurus of insults and told him to focus on genitals.
The title track and "Swimming Pools (Drank)" are great. The entire album concept is cohesive and complex. The tracks are experimental, discordant and yet also quality rap tracks. Great introduction to Kendrick Lamar. 4.2 stars rounded down.
Ofcourse the comparison to TPAB is made. I do think TPAB is better, therefore a very high 4 stars. 4/5
This is one of those albums that came along in 2012 when I was feeling like I hadn't heard a good album in a while. And that so much hip-hop seemed lazy. This is great all the way through. Strangely enough, someone had tried to put me on to Drake a couple years before and that was one of the reasons I felt like maybe I was just too old for the new stuff. Turns out that wasn't true.
apple music putting this as the only kendrick album in the top 100 list is CRAZY!!! it’s good because it’s kendrick but it’s not even in the same realm as TPAB. this might be my least favorite album of his tbh, speaks to his greatness though
Putting this after kid rock means I think it is amazing
Forgot that Drake was on a track on this album. Guess things went awry from there.
Had heard many of the songs before, but good to hear it as a complete album and pay more attention to the lyrics. Very cool album, atmospheric.
Excellent arrangement. A classic. Even white boys got to shout.
I’m not a rap fan, but I thought this was good. The overall ambiance was okay well set and what I could follow of the story I liked, but there wasn’t anything that resonated with me and made me want to listen to it again
Damn good. I need to give this another listen. Never listened to a full album by him and I see why he’s the GOAT
Never listened to this whole album before. As a concept and artistically, I think it's great, but it's not something where I'd keep going back to listen. I'm torn what to rate it. I think it's an authentic, beautiful self-portrait. 5 star concept, 3 stars for personal listenint preference. Round it to 4 I guess. Favorites were good kid and maad city as well as backseat freestyle.
This review box has been staring at me for a way too long time. I'll just leave a 4 and move on.
Sing about me is a MUST for anyone who loves rap, or music in general. Lots of good songs, but the 2000s hiphop sound that appears on many songs just reassures me that TPAB is THE k dot album and not this one.
If I didn’t just have Fear of a Black Planet and Straight Out of Compton the two previous days, I might have given this album a 5. But going up against two of the greatest rap albums of all time, not sure this is quite as good. Very close though. If we could do half stars this would def be a 4.5.
3.9 he's got better ones, personally, but still awesome faves: money trees, sherane, sing about me
I remember when this album first came out. I kept hearing songs in DJ mixes, so I initially downloaded it for just a couple of tracks. Before I knew it, I was letting the entire album play over and over in my car. I was amazed by how raw, stripped down, and original it was—like a return to the basics. Kendrick Lamar's ability to draw the listener into the story and make them feel as if they were living out the moment with him is truly remarkable.
Another Kendrick banger, fuck Drake
Kendrick Lamar didn't need a diss track to win our hearts over. He did it with this album.
With bad rap, every song sounds basically the same and relies on vapid hooks and lyrics to keep the listener engaged. Kendrick shows his artistry here both musically and lyrically providing gangsta riffs and grooves that get you to move. I didn’t spend any time analyzing the lyrics but recognize there’s enough shit-talking of women to ding the rating.
4.5
Musically vibrant and interesting. This album really drops you into the setting of his experiences as a young man.
Never heard this before. Liked the sound but would need a bunch more listens to appreciate this fully.
I was excited to see this on my album list, and it delivered, 4.5 stars! But I’m rounding down because I’m mean.
Top Rap
One of the best modern hip hop albums, the lyrics are deep and intense without being heady. A
Good