Reviews (page 8 of 14)
uh... what is this, no likey
This is fun, I got Lamar's Pimp a Butterfly just last week and referenced this album as being better and belonging more on this list. Just going to copy paste my opening caveat from that album review: "This album was a central musical point in my life, played on repeat for almost an entire year alongside [Pimp a butterfly] in my friend group during the third year of our undergrad. It was the backdrop to a lot of formative memories and it's hard to listen to it now 8 years later trying to separate those memories from the "listen before you die" experience of this list." Alright, so let's see how this aged. Opening on Sherane gives you an immediate plunge into the depths of Kendrick's talent and childhood. He comes out of the gate showcasing storytelling, smooth flow, tension... and the skits arent corny. From that peak of a song we flow right into the Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe, simultaneously an anthem and a sociopolitical commentary, then right into the Backseat Freestyle filled with equally catchy motifs, energetic maschismo, and satire. Then the Art of Peer Pressure, yet another satirical social commentary with killer lines and transitions. I could continue this throughout literally the entire track list. Yes, I listened to this album on repeat every day for close to a year. And now ten years later, every bar still holds up. And his backing tracks are anything but boring. Kendrick is not only a lyricist and flow master but he fully composes, with jazz, synth, gospel, blues elements carrying the flow of his storytelling on a rolling wave. Money trees is the perfect place for shade. All killer, zero filler. An absolute must listen before you die.
Great tunes
Peak
Brings back memories of visiting the dead homie in 2014-2016 who just smoked weed while he told stories about his dead girlfriend and listened to Zedd. RIP. Absolutely hate Kendrick's voice, flow, lyrical choices, and beats. Motherfucker sounds like the noise a dog makes when you accidentally step on its tail. This one's biased, but no thanks.
Good intro for me to hip hop
Perfect.
I don't think I was built for this type of music. I'm just a simpleton, I eat bread and life is good.
Didn’t listen. I will come back to it 😊. I think it’s going to be a 3
Really good album. Had never heard the artist before, wouldn’t be against checking out some more of his stuff after this
Exceptional album which turned hip hop on its head on release and understandably so
Gets better with time
Smooth. Narrative. Perfection.
Way too long although it don't sucks like other hip-hop albums.
i tried to like it since so many people do. I do like rap. The lyrics are quite good, but i just feel he cannot sing very well which distracts too much.
Just an amazing piece of art
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
just not my thing at all. I realise it is important and all that, but it is not for everyone. I listened to it with this in mind but i just could not gel with it.. It was not unbearable though..so 3 stars
Love this 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)
I don’t have a lot to say here other than this album is pretty perfect, no skips. Great storytelling, fun sampling, and dare I say the skits actually work. I’ve heard this album a bunch and there’s something new every time through. I saw Kendrick live at a festival back in 2015, and he played with a full live backing band. Really changed my perspective on rap, and especially live rap.
Meh
Sydäntä riipaiseva albumi! Todella makeeta biisiä välillä, helposti tietyt biisit vois mennä jollekin omalle mix listalle.
Not my thing.
Nuh! Still don't like rap.
It’s perfect. Loaded with great tracks, lyrically so tight and interesting no matter how many playthrougsh.
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.
7/10
Not my jam at all. Quality production, to be sure, but this one’s a miss for me.
gostei. não ouvi todo.
Above average
Please, don't make me listen to rap again. There's nothing wrong with it, I see its value as an art form. But I just cannot seem to find the appreciation for it as a listener. That said, the rap songs I have actively listened to in the past and enjoyed were all Kendrick's, so I do really like him as an artist. I just... yeah. This was not the album for me.
Molto bello, ho preferito To Pimp a Butterfly come tematiche ma anche questo non scherza
Nao gostei
Good Kid m.A.A.d City is an undeniable masterpiece featuring Kendrick's typical genius songwriting and lyricism. Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst is one of the best (and most heartbreaking) rap songs ever made.
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
Ein besta plata sem ég hef hlustað á, þvílíkur demantur.
With drake
I've never listened to Kendrick Lamar before. Although this is very much not my style, it is very well done.
Pet fav songs: Backseat Freestyle; m.A.A.d City; Swimming Pools; Compton. I don't know this a "masterpiece" but it is very good. Great production. Overstays its welcome a bit. Cut 'Sing About Me...' and 'Real' and I think this would be better. Albums hitting 40 to 45 mins or more start to drag. Just because technology lets you run up the play time doesn't mean you should. Forced restraint has helped more artists than anyone would like to admit. 30ish mins for an album is optimal just like 90ish mins for a movie. Make your point and keep it tight.
3.5
The album that launched Kendrick Lamar's career. Top to bottom its a great album, a modern hip hop classic.
Love how Kendrick just changes his styles within this album. Brilliant story teller
The elements are here that came to fruition brilliantly in damn but here it feels the subtlety and the pacing and the samples are not on the same level. This is good but not great.
WOW! Pink Floyds "Wish You Were Here" yesterday and then this masterpiece today! Without a doubt a classic!
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)
Hmmm. Parts of this are brilliant. I believe many people have this as his best album. I can understand that. I prefer To Pimp, Mr Morale and GNX. This does not mean I don't like Good Kid. I do. It does start to drag towards the end though. It's a 3.5 really.
I would’ve listened to this on any given day anyway. It’s a peak album and only gets better with time. Sing About Me I’m Dying of Thirst is an all timer song for me on top of the fact that you have classics like Swimming Pools, Money Trees, Backseat Freestyle, m.A.A.d. city, and Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe. It’s a no skips album.
Kendrick can’t make it bad album- this one is the best, in my opinion!!
Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter's Daughter 2.7 Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe 2.3 Backseat Freestyle 2.2 The Art of Peer Pressure 2.4 Money Trees 2.3 Poetic Justice 2.2 Good Kid 3 M.A.A.D City 2.6 Swimming Pools (Drank) 2.4 Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst 2.3 Real 2.3 Compton 2.4 Score: 2.425
Wow! I’ve heard this before but never really gave full attention to the story, after sitting through this another time it was amazing. For sure one of the best rap albums
I'm not a big rap or hip hop guy so this will be a trip out of the norm for me, but with Kendrick being literally everywhere these days I'm excited to give this a listen. Standouts were "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe," "Backseat Freestyle" - absolutely loved this track for the beat and vocal style - "m.A.A.d. City" was powerful, "Swimming Pools." Also really enjoyed the Janet Jackson sample playing under "Poetic Justice," it complimented the song nicely. This is an album to be experienced as a whole and to really absorb the lyrics while you listen. Considering Kendricks upbringing, the whole package packs a punch. My only negatives are that the recordings interspersed into the songs were interesting snips of Kendrick's life, and I get that they help tell a story, but they kind of threw off the flow for me. Some of the songs switch styles/tempo partway through or after being divided with a recording like 2 songs mashed together, which I can't say I loved. Also I thought the album was on the longer side, 10-15 minutes shorter would have been perfect. This was a hard one to rate. I think you have to incorporate all the background and life experiences that were put into it because it's so personal. But, that can be said about a lot of albums. Musically, a lot of it is interesting, but probably not my favorite. It's a great origin story and piece of art, even if a little rough around the edges, and I'm glad to have listened and gotten a glimpse into Kendrick's life but I think this juuuust misses being a 4/5 for me.
Quite chilled, but better when you’re not listening to the effing and jeffing. Reminded me of the vibe of What’s Going On.
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*
Not for me!
Normally I wouldn't listen to it. For once it's actually quite nice
2.5/5
Theme runs the album. Definitely songs we need to listen to and have an understanding for today. 8/10
Yeh that's a hard 5, right into the temple please
Fuck no
I don’t get Kendrick. I’m not a huge hip hop fan but I can appreciate it. I get why people like some rappers who might not be my personal favorite, but I don’t get Kendrick. I’ve listened to this album and to others and it’s just… mid. Ok rapper ok production. What’s all the hype about? How come this is the #6 most listened artist on Spotify? It’s not offensively bad just super generic. I don’t get it. I understand Kendrick is big so he can get his three stars but I don’t like the music.
Not much to say, Kendrick is goated
Amazing lyricist! I saw Kendrick after this record dropped, and it’s still a good listen.
A modern classic. This album proved that Kendrick is a master of his craft, a reputation he has continued to solidify with each following album. Hip hop, simply put, rarely gets better than this
Amazing Album
Kind of enjoyed
I'm not a rap/hip hop fan. This album had some good tracks I know as classics. Other tracks I didn't like at all.
good good
Kendrick on his way up, already better than most.
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]
I can honestly say I've tried to get into Kendrick because of friends who swear he's the greatest. I never heard of him in 2012. Is it the lyrics or storytelling? I don't judge a song on lyrics alone and can I really relate to a hip hop guy? The music backing him up is just above average. The listener counts are staggering. "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" which sounds like an alien singing is so basic and weak but it has nearly a billion listens, wtf? No song has fewer than 91M listens and there are tracks with 519M ("Backstreet Freestyle"), 743M ("Poetic Justice"), 930M ("MAAD City") and 2.3B ("Money Trees"). I got nothing from any of these songs, no urge to hear it a second time, no slipping into the groove, no clever lyric I thought was memorable... I'm convinced there's voodoo going on, an imbedded subliminal message that slow minds hook on to and make them want to hear this drivel over and over. 2 stars, it's better than some rap/hip hop but it's either too new for me or I just don't get what he's selling.
An amazing narrative achievement that also delivers a number of undeniable hit singles.
Great - hard to rate it fairly when I know how much better they’re going to get
Not my jam
yt
not typically a genre i would gravitate towards, but i liked it. definitely knew some songs.
2012
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.
Fantastique. Listened to a few of the songs before but enjoyed the one I hadn’t. Like the story of it. When you can get away with an 11 min song you know it’s good. Fav song- money trees Least fav - Compton Specific rating 4.8
kendrick solid
It grew on me as the album progressed and it was just the second half I'd rate it a lot higher but I found some of the early songs genuinely difficult to listen to and that brings down the whole album for me. Really interesting storytelling happening but enough misogyny that I just couldn't enjoy it. A man saying bitch that much will always bring me out of the listening experience. Favourite: Real Least: Backseat Freestyle
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
TPAB is existentieel en expressionistisch, terwijl deze voorganger het veel dichterbij huis houdt en bij vlagen veel persoonlijker is. De eerste fase van TPAB tekent Kendrick als een artiest die de verleidingen die zich voortdoen bij het genieten van succes niet kan weerstaan, wat het gevoel van eigenwaarde kan doen laten verbleken. In vele aspecten voelt 'Good Kid, M.A.A.D City' als een spirituele voorganger van deze passage in complexe storyline van TPAB. Sterker nog, hij is de hoofdrolspeler in dit hoofdstuk, waardoor je deze twee albums niet los van elkaar kunt zien. Naast dat het by far zijn beste twee muziekstukken zijn, zitten ze thematisch meer in elkaar verwikkeld dan je op het 'eerste oor' zou zeggen. Maar naast de materialistische verleidingen draait dit album ook rond de vijandige omgeving waaruit vele rappers zoals Kendrick worden geboren, en blijft het zeer dichtbij zijn wieg in Compton. Daarbij hoort natuurlijk de klassieke G-Funk sound uit de early 90s, die al veel minder dominant aanwezig is op TPAB. Muzikaal gezien is z'n opvolger veel eclectischer, maar dat neemt niet weg dat de sound ineffectief is. Sterker nog, nummer voor nummer denk ik zelfs dat de meeste 'heavy hitters' op 'Good Kid' staan. Van nummer 3 tot en met 10 is bijna alles raak, en weet hij de enigszins eentonige sound zeer interessant te maken door zelf een hele range aan stemgeluid op de mat te leggen. Veel meer dan op TPAB lijkt Kendrick zelf een instrument, waarin hij moeiteloos switcht tussen een coole, een paranoide, een boze en een educatieve vertelwijze. TPAB is hogere kunst, en raakt op alle vlakken die muziek zo'n interessant medium maken, maar 'Good Kid' heeft de bangers en de swag. Pound for pound de betere songs misschien wel. Toch laat TPAB een diepere indruk achter, en zal dat ook langer blijven doen. Maar beide albums staan - zoals ik al zei - voor mij huizenhoog boven de rest van zijn discografie, en behoren tot de meest significante Hip Hop producties van deze eeuw. 9/10 Highlights: Backseat Freestyle The Art of Peer Pressure Money Trees Good Kid Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst
Het duurde even, want ik moest even een goed moment vinden om deze plaat op te zetten. Dit draai je niet even op de achtergrond of tijdens een veels te drukke treinrit. Dus voila... good kid, m.A.A.d city. Goed, ik ben verre van een Hip-Hop kid. Van een leven in Compton kan ik mij nauwelijks een voorstelling maken, maar wat een vet album is dit. Ik ga echt goed op de manische stem van Kendrick. Het kan van karakter verwisselen in en tussen nummers, dat maakt het luisteren extra interessant. Zijn stem in combinatie met de west-coast vibe die Dr. Dre neerzet in de productie waan ik mij toch in de buitenwijken van LA. In good kid, m.A.A.d city zit een energie, een soort boosheid en vliegen de bullets je soms om de oren. Tegelijk kan Kendrick ook afschalen. Een tussennummertje als The Art of Peer Pressure geeft een kalmte aan het album wat ik vaak bij Hip-hop albums mis. Die gaan continu door in de vijfde versnelling. Kendrick kan als geen ander volle bak gaan, maar weet door terug te schakelen een super gebalanceerde plaat te maken. Daar geniet ik ook al niet hip-hopper ontzettend fijn. Wat een heerlijke vibe. Waar TPAB wat dansbaarder of wat funkier is (en daarom goed in de smaakt valt) kan ik niet anders dan ook good kid, m.A.A.d city 5 sterren geven. Want hoe episch is het gebruik van die Beach House sample. Geniaal. 9/10 Highlights Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe Backseat Freestyle Money Trees m.A.A.d city
If I never hear another 16th note trap beat again it will be too soon
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.
Favourite album ever. Masterpiece
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”
I LOVE THIS ALBUM ESPECIALLY Swimming Pools (Drank) Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst The Art of Peer Pressure And more I love the whole message of the album and I love Kendrick Lamar
Obviously he's a great musician and storyteller. I'm not gonna repeat the same shit everyone else has, but I will say there's more to the lyrics than what's on the surface in the hope that those who dislike it for it's "misogyny" or whatever takes another look at it because that's not the point of this album. Story and meanings aside, he's made better stuff. I'm not a great fan of the downtempo, mellow hip hop stuff in general. The basslines are great though and the way he changes his voice to represent different characters and still maintain a high standard is really impressive. High 3
Loved it!
One of the best
Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst
Love this album. Gave it a listen a bit later, one of my top albums now.
SAMIDOT may be the best kendrick lamar song.
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.
By far the most excited I've been for an album. Kendrick>Drake
I get the Album. I get the lyrics. Funny hearing Drake on the album. Was decent
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
Not bad
No soy fan del rap
Realmente no me gusta el rap y este álbum me dio la razón 😭
First 5 given, fantastic sounds, guest spots, beats, lyrics, and diversity between tracks. Not a miss in here.
A classic modern hip hop album. One of my favourite albums of all time literally nothing I don't like about this album. It feels like the sincerest tribute to Kendricks home town of Compton. 10/10 Favourite: m.A.A.d city Least Favourite: None
Prefer his later albums but this is fine
it’s honestly hard to put into words the respect and love i have for this album. the storytelling kendrick was able to achieve here is so impressive. you can really tell the vision he has for his music is so strong, even at his major label debut. i really wish people would be able to hear this album with open ears, taking in more than just what they hear on the surface. i really think this album deserves that.
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.
Bruh... Kendrick to jebany geniusz. Jestem naprawdę (pozytywnie) zaskoczony tym, że gość osiągnął taki status i taką sławę. Bo przy niewyobrażalnym talencie, poetyckości i genialnych aranżancjach, jego albumy nie są wcale szczególnie radiowe, nie są stworzone na nasze czasy serwisów streamingowych. A mimo to są po prostu tak dobre, że idą wbrew nurtom. Gdzieś przeczytałem, że ten album to "elevated gangsta rap" i wydaje mi się to idealnym opisem. Fascynujące, jak bardzo street, a jednocześnie artsy jest ten gość. Nie jest to album tak zniuansowany i rozwinięty jak późniejszy "To Pimp a Butterfly" i wolę TPaB od "good kid, m.A.A.d city", ale ten jego wcześniejszy krążek to wciąż jest rap gold. Nie jestem wielkim fanem tych fragmentów, kiedy śpiewa o kobietach, bo to jest to typowe gangsta uprzedmiatawianie i gryzie się to mocno ze mną, ale cholera nie można odebrać mu tego, że jest to mega dobrze zrobione. No i wszystkie inne utwory to są perełki. Wszystko jest bardzo brutalne. Czasami chciałbym czegoś bardziej soft, to ciągłe napięcie i ciężar potrafią dusić, ale z drugiej strony to jest to, co on widzi w świecie. Moje zmęczenie jest efektem jego wyczerpania. A jednocześnie to jego świat i człowiek ma wrażenie, że chłopak nie ma najmniejszego zamiaru go opuszczać. Mega mocny album. Trudny, ale warty każdego grama uwagi, który mu się poświęci.
Second album of Mr Lamar that i've heard. The first one was a positive suprise and an easy 5. I'm not sure if this album is better or worse and if it is truely a full score masterpiece material. I was planning to give it a 4 then "Bitch don't kill my vibe" closed the album and I will gladly oblige. 5/5.
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.
Fantastic album, front to back.
Good album, everyone should hear it at least once 1001 album worthy: Yes - 60/109
Pretty good. not my personal jam, but I liked it. It wasn’t my closest listen, but I knew that it was sorta about escaping poverty and sjw stuff maybe idk
Ah, my second and last Kendrick Lamar album to review. I’m 95% sure that I’ve listened to this before, but if that’s true, I’ve only listened to it once. I think Kendrick Lamar is incredibly talented, but his music isn’t really something I enjoy listening to, mostly because it just has a very dark aura to it that I find personally unsettling. Granted, that’s probably the point of some of his music, but it’s just not something I find particularly enjoyable. Still, I’m interested to revisit this album today, and see if my memory of it serves me well. Well, my memory of this album being dark still holds true, but unlike my first time listening to this album, I did enjoy listening to good kid, m.A.A.d. city today. The production on this album is incredibly clean, and I love the beats and samples that were used. Kendrick has an incredibly unique voice, and his rapping is incredibly crisp and clean. The songwriting on this album is fantastic too, and the songwriters did an amazing job of weaving this tale about life in Compton. “M.A.A.D. City” was probably my favorite song on the track. Kendrick’s ability to rap with that incredibly anxious tone in his voice is insanely impressive; it’s like he transforms into an entirely new person on that song. I think what made my listening experience so much more enjoyable this time around, is that I was able to become immersed within the world of this album. And that’s what this album does so well; it doesn’t just create an atmosphere, it pulls you into the world it creates, making you walk the streets of Compton, seeing everything Kendrick is rapping about firsthand. “Swimming Pools” is a prime example of this album’s ability to do that; this song always makes me uncomfortable, and it’s because the atmosphere is so dense, that I feel like I’m getting hammered from drinking shots of straight liquor. I was listening to this album through my headphones while I did some housework late in the evening, and on “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst,” there was a gunshot sound that scared the absolute shit out of me. I literally spun around to look in the kitchen to see if there was someone there with a gun. Every two minutes after that, I was looking over my shoulder. While this album isn’t something I would listen to often, I think it’s an incredible work of art, and I’m glad that I got to experience it again today.
IM DYING OF THIRST IM DYING OF THIRST
sigh! more terrible lyrics with multiple mutha f'rs etc Utter drivel
Nah
This is astonishing. Now I get it. Now I see what the fuss is about
Muy interesante el uso de samples y audios al final de los temas, mucha coherencia en el disco. Producción 10/10. Las letras son ehhh mmmeh pero bueno. Nota: 3.4
GOAT
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.
No issue with the rapper/lyrics/content. But the too heavy boom bap bass and the few and far between samples didn't do anything for me. At some point (I think probably 1995 or 96) rap passed me by and moved into it's next phase. Everything has to change and evolve, that's the way it should be. But it doesn't strike me the same even with a super talented rapper like KL.
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
all timer, perfect album, 10/10
This is genuinely one of my favourite rap albums of all time - and weirdly enough I'm not a huge fan of Kendrick Lamar. But this album is so well rounded, with an incredibly well developed theme and sound that is consistent while telling a story that feels like a slow wave of changes. Simply fantastic.
hated it, not my thing
Feels like you are walking through moments as a young man in Compton. The production is jazzy and refined with modern hip-hop hitmaker west-coast style. If you dislike hip-hop or lyrical-focused music theres still an intensely profound and personal window into a large portion of the American population.
Okay.
A modern masterpiece. Emotional, thought provoking, and as real as real gets. 10/10.
A favorite for awhile and a great record 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.
My first impression on hip-hop, and a very good one. Really liked the story telling and the profound meanings in some of the songs. Also liked how all the singular lyrics seem to tell whole different stories on their own. I can grab each one and fit them into my life in a way even if I wasn't from a "m.A.A.d city".
this album has one of the most amazing storytelling i've heard in a while ... seriously even if you don't like rap you should listen to this album, absolutely incredible. and the fact that kendrick dropped an album even better than this one right after is impressive
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
Did not like. Don't understand this kind of music at all.
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!
Fine.
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.
The only album I know that’s so vivid it’s like watching a movie. The greatest rap album ever made. My only nitpick: it should have ended on track 10 (keep the skits from 11 and 12, though).
3,5
One of the most well-executed concept albums ever. The lyrics are so good, along with the story they tell. Sherane and The Art of Peer Pressure are two of the greatest storytelling rap songs ever written; they're practically short stories. Ben's right, if these reviewers think that this is just an album about drugs and sex and violence, they're simply being ignorant. How can you listen to this and completely look over the message of every single song? The songs about those controversial subjects are looking at them from a perspective of growth, a move away from hedonism and toward looking back on a life and asking why it had to be that way. Great album.
One of the best rap albums of all time. It’s got some bangers that we’re all over the radio and clubs and house parties, but also has a deeper soul. No one mixes the narrative raps with the pop sensibilities quite like Kendrick. It’s an incredible journey that makes you feel like you’re boolin around in Compton with Kendrick. You feel the highs and lows alongside him. Somehow, even with a different background and having grown up in a different environment, you feel connected to his younger life while the songs play. And that broadening of the perspective is what art and music is all about. To all the 1 ratings on this album that are some combination of “I’m old”, “I’m lame” or “I’m subtly racist”, SHUT THE FUCK UP BOOMER
Yeah forgot how many bangers are on this album. King.
Ew.
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
How do I give something a 6 out of 5? This shit is by far the best album we’ve listened to so far, even better than I remembered it. It has everything you could ever want. Ugh. Nostalgia and genius and boom. That’s a hit.
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.
A simpler time - when Kendrick and Drake could exist in harmony. I'm too damn old to fully appreciate but the mic skills and thoughtful production are in arguable. The best truly rises to the top - not to me but I hope respect.
This is a solid album. It listens well top to bottom. 4/5.
I had never knowingly listened to Kendrick Lamar before today. And after listening to this I hope I never do again.he is according to spotify known for his top tier lyricism and sharpn conceptual vision. The latter I get , and this does have a framework and comes freighted with a concept. Lyrically to.my mind he falls well short of the rap I have listened to over the last 35 years, and I just don't see from this why he's held in such regard. Seems meek and formulaic lyrically and what little musicality there is is bland and minimal to the.point ifnveing washed out. Sounds very much like the background music to GTA or similar and perhaps you know that's all it is
My third-fav album from K-Dot.
ICK
Instant classic one of my fav albums of all time
Loved it growing up, still love it now
Perfect
pretty great debut album
I was given very high expectations, which maybe it does deserve but as of two listens it’s not quite there for me. I like how he sounds honestly, I think some of the songs I could get into except that the amount of lyrics that use b**ch or just generally talk about women’s bodies as objects in a lot of the songs make it not very listenable for me. I get that apparently it’s like supposed to be not Kendrick’s thoughts but idk his impression of other people or culture or something but I don’t know where to make that distinction so that frustrated me. I appreciate what I’ve heard his commentary is supposed to be, I just don’t understand where to take his word at face value and where not to. I could see myself looking back on this and feeling completely different but this is where I’m at now.
Literally so good I bought the vinyl.
I always wanted to listen to this album and glad it made it on the list. Honestly, it lived up to the hype which very few albums do. There's the obvious "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" and "Swimming Pools" but the songs in between are very, very good too. 10/10.
I start to disengage from rap music when I hear words like bitch, ho, dick, pussy, motherfucker, and the n-word. Sorry. The beats are great, I like his rap style, and I can appreciate the social commentary/theme of the album but as a middle-aged white guy it is heard to give this repeated listens. It's not for me and not intended for me.
For a small suburb of Los Angeles, Compton has produced a disproportionately large amount of Gangsta Rap albums. Ok, I get it, it’s one of the most deprived areas of the USA, and I can’t imagine how tough it must have been to grow up there as a young black man, but I really think I’ve listened to enough albums like this now. This one is probably one of the better ones, unusually featuring a Christian conversion prayer alongside the usual m— f—in n— words, but enough already.
At first this album didn't trigger anything particular for me; it's OK I guess, but no more. Then The Art of Peer Pressure started, and I really liked everything from this: the atmosphere, the flow, the storytelling... And it goes on: overall it's not memorable but here and there there are really interesting songs. More of this would have been better.
Surprised by the divisiveness on this album on this site? Hey not to be that guy but if you listen to backseat freestyle and think thats his honest to god mentality I need you to like, read a book. if you didn't rock with this album because you just don't like rap, thats fine we all have our preferences! However, if you're dismissing it as 'disgusting' or 'braggadocios' because you take everything he says at face value rather than him trying to compose a narrative, please, think a bit harder about the art you consume, read the lyrics, ect ect. Sit with it! its a little presumptuous to assume that a rap song can't have nuance to it because it doesn't sound like the music you normally consume. Anywho.
El disco es de los mejores que he escuchado de rap, pero escuchándolo con más atención es menos de la concepción que yo tenía. Los temas top top son 3 o 4.
Great album, can see why this is praised by so many.
Oh, more sold on this than his first album. More flow and musicality. Still think he's overrated as a lyricist though.
Fantastic! One of the best rap albums of all time. Definitely one of my favorites! Have listened to before, and love it, but has been awhile. So listening to it again just made me appreciate it all over again.
No doubt he's a super talented lyricist with some very interesting ideas and collaborating here with some solid producers, but every time he says bitch or nigger my soul takes on more water. Great pacing to this album, but ultimately this music is inside baseball to the extreme, made for people other than me.
It seems somehow appropriate that we'd get a Kendrick Lamar album after his Super Bowl halftime show (not sure how I feel about having two Kendrick Lamar albums in this collection, though). Interesting that Drake coexists quite happily in this album (but not so interesting that I have any desire to understand the beef/diss between both of them). Also interesting that this album doesn't really hew to old-school West Coast style (aside from the unfortunately ubiquitous expletives and misogyny), and I liked it that there's plenty of ambiguity in the too-long and somewhat tedious coming-of-age story on this album. His singles seem like the highlights of the album, and the accompanying videos are compelling even while they're also uncomfortable and offensive at times (but why does the video for "B**ch, don't kill my vibe" end with a brief "Death to Molly" message?). Most of all, though, I enjoyed this album more than I expected to, largely because of the strong storytelling and how he sidesteps the seemingly required sledgehammer of bragging and glamorizing that characterizes so much of 21st century hip-hop (or at least my impression of it). I was really tempted to give it four stars, but the too-long runtime and the super-annoying chorus voice that was on too many of the tracks downgraded it by a star. Sorry, Kendrick!
enjoyed the music more than I enjoyed the lyrics or Lamar's voice.
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.
🤷♀️
At the first song it seems it has a lot of story, and the second talking more about religion with really calm vibes. This third song seems more loud, it makes a message, seems raw. Omg the fourth song seems so just deep, about peer pressure and what it makes you do, when you even arent that. Okay money trees is so catchy but the story is there, life of poverty with nothing else to go to but violence, drugs and sex. Such a deep song makes me think.
samidot is one of the best songs ever. beautiful coming of age story
GOAT
Great start.
Well this is where a lot of songs that I’ve heard but never listened to came from. Definitely grooves but I’ve had too much caffeine today for it
Don't need to say much. Arguably his best album and this statement has stood the test of the last decade. Even the bonus tracks are great and have killer features. Fave song is Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst. I just love the storytelling, length and changing perspectives, which I think is what the genre excels at over all others.
Awful. Have never understood the hype this man lives off.
I can see why people love him. He's a brilliant lyrical story teller!
bit wish wash
Не ми е дошъл още акълът за тоя явно
I am not much of a lyrical man but this album gives the feeling of the struggle of inner city cycles via alternatives to lyrics such as gun shots ending songs soon. I will have to give damn another listen it it won the pullitzer over this album.
Listening to the version of this with the profanity blanked, and wow that’s a lot of swearing. Doesn’t add anything to the music, just winds me up. Got to track 5 and thought right, I don’t need another 8 tracks of this.
I don't know if I've mellowed to Kendrick, or if it's actually a better album, but I didn't dislike this nearly as much as To Pimp a Butterfly - still very much in the "not for me" camp though. Apparently he had a good Superbowl show though, so that's good for him I guess?
Started off ok but I soon got bored by the lack of any sort of tune or melody. I much prefer old skool hip hop which is actually fun to listen to!
I liked to Pimp a Butterfly, but this was hard work. Falling into rap stereotypes, the misogyny in particular put me off. Musically, it didn't do much for me either. It didn't make me actively angry, more disappointed as Kendrick is supposed to be the gold standard of rap - a bit like when I tried to listen to Kanye West's The College Dropout, I just don't get why this is popular.
not my favorite kendrick but that could be recency bias. great album!
Accidentally listened to this one a day in advance… fantastic album with a lot of his most easily digestible work. Insanely talented guy
I thought it was pretty good
Fast hätte ich zum ersten Mal super bowl geschaut, nur für Kendrick. Ein ticket dafür kostet übrigens 8000 Dollar. Das Album ist ein absoluter banger, bin grosser Fan des drake haters, der für seinen disstrack auch noch offizielle Auszeichnungen bekommt.
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.
Ok Kendrik, de brüder woni erst minimst gstreifft han. Aber au weiss dass de lill noah big up hömie vom bre kndrk isch. Da fallt mir ih, haarscharf isch de noah am ne täättoo verbigschlüderet in quito. Heiligsverdiene wär das öpis gsi. Da wäred d platzspitznadle fast iversüchtig wurde. Also ich ha na nie kendrik album glosst. Ersti track hed mi vor de tramhaltestell krass abgholt, es 4i, denn biz weniger und denn wieder uf es 4i zue und natürli mit money trees straight 5er banger track. Ha mich denn gfragt isch das es 4er oder 3er album und nach langem hani mi entschiede das set es 4i si. Aber bürstlis, Ich bin immer na am wiiterlose gsi, und denn isch e gfüllti 2minute jesus preach stell cho. Und aso bitte, was hed das uf dem album z sueche? Und rechtfertigt das denn na es 3.5er album uf es 4i z lüpfe mit so nöd muskalischem nöd inhalt? Und wett mir generell em ne album wo jesus so fest promoted 4 sternlis geh oder heds nöd mind 0.5pünkt abzug verdient? Dilema dilema Und witer führt min gedanke, curtis mayfield album (5sternlis) hed e jesus lovesong drinne gha. Heds mi gstört, nei nöd mega. Was isch de unterschied denn? Erstens in musik verpackt, und zweitens vu 1970, das sind na anderi ziite gsi. Und ez weissi nöd wasi sell mache. Cooli superbowl show btw.
durch und durch es banger album scho viel gloset als yöng kiddo und ich weiss au wider warum mini gross introduction zum kendrick damals meh muesmer au gar nöd sege nume das mini insta reels hüt morge voll gsi sind vo Ken D. Rick content gg easy pentakill
87 albe isch die schöni gmeinsami albumreis scho alt... nie hetti dänkt dass mer innerhalb vo so churzer ziit scho 3 vo mine top 5 albe of all time zämme werded bespräche aber here we are friends: platz 1 <3 ------ good kid, m.A.A.d city: es album woni mindestens 1 mal im monet in ganzer längi lose. meistens bliebts aber nöd nur bim dem: wie's uf em cover scho heisst isch das album vill meh als eifach nur en tonspur. es isch es cinematischs erlebnis, wo mir glasklari, lebendigi bilder vor em geistige aug lieferet wie ich selber als stille beobachter uf de rückbank vo dem chrysler van sitz und dur d'strasse vo compton cruise. klar entstöhnd die bilder us ere üsserst privilegierte perspektive: als wiisse maa us oberrüti wird ich mich nie chönne inefühle wie's isch inere vo gwalt dominierte umgebig in compton ufzwachse. trotzdem verhilft mir die persönlichi, visuelli ebeni zunere zuesätzliche tüüfere wertschätzig. und das wie ich's bi keim andere album jemals spüre wird... ------ zur feier des tages möcht ich darum usnahmswiis mal chli meh is detail gah und gibe euch es churzes persönlichs review zu jedem track uf dem meisterwerk: «Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter's Daughter» (9.0/10.0): es lied woni bis vor paar jahr nie vill beachtig gschänkt han, grossi miskalkulation vo minere siite wie sich spöter usegstellt hed... was für en opener, en bassline zum devoschmelze und meisterlichs foreshadowing bezüglich storytelling. «Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe» (9.5/10.0) en nostalgie-explosion, das seinesgleichen suecht… han's wo's usecho isch pauselos glost, denn hed's aber leider zu ziite woni meh in gnuss vo elektronischer musig cho bin en sekundäri rolle ihgnoh... bin froh hani mini liebi für de song vor 2 jahr wieder neu gfunde und verlieb mi jedes mal uf's neue weni's lose «Backseat Freestyle» (8.5/10.0) huch, da simmer ja scho bim erste banger im wahre sinn ahcho, es schöns flashback vom storytelling zum kenny sine teenagerjahr… ah dere stell muess aber gseid werde, dass es sehr wenigi moment gid woni das lied in isolation lose… wenn denn immer nur im albumkontext. anere wiitere stell muess aber au gseid werde: «I pray my dick get big as the Eiffel Tower, so I can fuck the world for seventy-two hours.» «The Art of Peer Pressure» (10.0/10.0) bi jedem durchlauf vo g.k.m.c frög ich mich weles gnau mis lieblingslied im ganze projekt isch und 6 vo 10 mal fallt d'antwort uf the art of peer pressure. keis lied löst so lebendigi bilder ih mim chopf us wie das, selte gspüri so intensivi musigbezogeni emotione als wenn die subtili main melody hitted. en oscarwürdige short film innerhalb vomne oscarwürdige spielfilm. perfekt. wahrschinli ide top 5 songs of all time für mich «Money Trees» (10.0/10.0) ih 2 vo 10 fäll fallt d'antwort nach mim lieblingslied vo g.k.m.c allerdings uf money trees. es meistwerk wo scho lang vor minere bewunderig für de kendrick es 10 vo 10 gsi isch und ich glaub ich han no nie en mensch troffe wo gseid hed dass das lied nöd guet isch. meisterlichs sampling vom dj dahi und vo de rap performance vo allne beteiligte müemmer gar nöd erst ahfange. bestimmt ide top 10 songs of all time «Poetic Justice» (8.0/10.0) miteme füechte aug blick ich uf en welt zrug wo en kendrick und drake collab no möglich gsi isch... uf fast jedem andere album en hit, im g.k.m.c kontext für mich aber eher im untere spektrum, aber natürli trotzdem en banger. «good kid» (9.5/10.0) no immer bereui wie lang de song unter mim radar duregfloge isch und dass ich darum erst en 3 jährigi intensivi beziehig zu good kid han chönne ufbaue… aber au da wirds bi jedem mal lose stärcher und stärcher, love you baby «m.A.A.d city» (9.5/10.0) au wenn d'ziite praktisch verbi sind wo ich das lied ih minere freiziit ellei lose han ich glasklari erinnerige wie de "teeny" noah im hip hop usgang yah yah yah yah schreit und debi paar ellböge im moshpit verteilt erst ih jüngere vergangeheit hani en tüüferi appreciation für de zweiti teil nach em beat switch chönne ufbaue und ich prognostiziere au da no en endlos langi liebi defür «Swimming Pools (Drank)» (10.0/10.0) und au da schwirred klari erinnerige ih mim chopf ume wie de jungi dummi noah «swimming pool full of liquor then you dive in it» imne party kontext umebrüllt und sich de dunkle ironie keineswegs bewusst isch... wieder en fall vonere tüüfe verbindig woni zwüscheziitlich churz verlore han aber glücklicherwiis wieder neu für mich entdeckt han, danke! «Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst» (10.0/10.0) und da hettemer d'antwort uf die letzte 2 fäll vo minere stetige suechi nach mim g.k.m.c. lieblingslied: en zweiteiligi erzählig womi unironisch scho vermehrt fast zu träne grüehrt hed und glichziitig es riese lächle is gsicht zauberet hed. sprachlosigkeit herrscht. klare fall vomene wiitere top 10 song of all time «Real» (7.0/10.0) püh endli mal chli abefahre, de einzig song ih dem project wome eigentli skippe chönt, us respekt machi's aber trotzdem üsserst selte... und das hed zum glück zur folg, dass sogar de mir immer meh gfallt «Compton» (9.0/10.0) es triumphals (vermeintlichs) endi zu dere story. k.dot made it out the hood. und das als beschte rapper allerziite. für mich sogar als min lieblings musiker allerziite. ------ so mini fründe und fründinne, wörtlichi usfüehrige für d'songs uf de deluxe edition sparemer eus ah dere stell aber eifach no für's protokoll zwei honorable mentions: «The Recipe» (9.0/10.0) & «Black Boy Fly» (9.5/10.0) ------ ich bin froh, dass ich mir endlich die ziit gnoh han mini bewunderig für mis lieblingsalbum in wort probiere z'fasse. ich han zwar immerno s'gfühl es isch mer nöd vollumfänglich glunge... aber ich han ufjedefall mis beschte gäh und ich hoffe ich han eu dur das es düütlichers verständnis für mini liebi zum kendrick und spezifisch zu good kid, m.A.A.d city chönne ufzeige. danke villmal für's zuelose. ich han euch alli ganz fescht gern <3
I really didn't enjoy this.
My favorite Kendrick album for sure. I know there’s lots of controversy surrounding the recent beef but regardless of the man or his disputes, you can’t deny his lyrics/production talent behind his songs. Shane, the art of peer pressure have some crazy weird beats. Poetic justice still bops even with the oddness of that drake feature. Backseat freestyle and swimming pools (ironically) are still great party jams. Money trees and good mid / maad city are great. Song about me, I’m dying of thirst is one of my favorite rap songs ever.
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
Really great album, sonics, word, everything is supber. Love it even though I'm not hip-hop core fan.
A master piece. The beats and story telling were incredible. It’s funny to look back on the project that elevated someone to the greatness that they’re at now.
I’m glad this site is anonymous because I like this record better than To Pimp A Butterfly.
Perfect no notes
Incredible. Amazing storytelling. Incredible lyricism. Great beats and rhythm.
I think this album is better than the last one. 3.
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
one of the best musical examples of storytelling ever. goat
Not bad
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
Way too long, pretty dull in general. Lamar's voice varies between whiny and muppetesque. It's certainly unique but not in a way that sounds pleasant to me. Most songs had very little variation within the song so they get stale very quickly
uma das maiores pedradas da história do hip hop pprt
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.
Test
Tillsammans med MBDTF det enda moderna rap-album som är ett mästerverk i dramaturgi. Djävulskt genomtänkt. Jay Rock på ”Money Trees” är förra decenniets bästa vers. ”Sing about me, I’m dying of thirst” är det starkaste Kendrick gjort. SOMEBODY SAID DOMINOES?
Masterpiece!
Goated
Classic
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.
Due to how much links I put below, I’ll have to keep this rather brief. Before Kendrick’s masterpiece, To Pimp A Butterfly, he made the masterpiece of a concept album that is *good kid, m.A.A.d city.* The production, story telling, lyricism, songwriting, and performances are all top notch here. The themes of violence, gang culture, redemption, innocence, faith, and other things are so eloquently spoken and touched on here. The music really matches the themes that this album touches on. The emotional depth of this album is outstanding and truly remarkable. The immersiveness of this album is something to behold as well. The ongoing storyline throughout and the skits to me are really thought provoking, kept me engaged, and added much more emotional depth. They really helped to keep me interested, and were really well done. With so many stand out tracks, I couldn’t possibly list them all here. *good kid, m.A.A.d city* not only serves as a masterful concept album about growing up in Compton, but it also serves as a way for Kendrick to reflect upon himself. Whether I prefer *To Pimp A Butterfly* or this one is very hard to say. *good kid, m.A.A.d city* is a cornerstone of modern Hip Hop. I highly recommend giving this a listen, especially if you’re into or looking to get into Hip Hop. It’s a stone cold modern classic.
It has its moments. In particular some cool beats here and there. But in general I'm not a fan of his style, especially his smooth low-energy vocal style he uses a lot of the time.
I can see why he's so well thought of. I like the storytelling aspect but I'm too white and too woman to enjoy this very much.
Absolute modern hip hop classic and belongs among the greats. Probably only bested by TPAB for best rap album of the 2010s Anyone saying this is just about drugs and bitches and partying is literally not listening to the lyrics at all.
can he just shut up and play the fucking songs ?
Amazing start to finish. A simple story told in a complex and compelling manner. An all time classic.
Generally not keen on this style of rap, but some of the tracks I did enjoy (particularly the ones with a more 90s hip-hop beat). Kendrick’s voice is very annoying, would probably give an extra star if it was good. However, the concept and story of the album is interesting and well done.
Lots a great classic song that I didn’t know where from that albume
Classic
Better than the one that won the pulitzer
The topics blended together (sex, gang life, poverty, etc.) and got redundant after a while. I did like the beats which helped bring up the rating.
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.
It's young Kenny at the peak of his powers. Enough said.
Perfect
Unexpectedly not bad, has some solid songs, would listen again.
Oof. You'll carry that weight.
Although as a middle class white person it is extremely difficult to relate to them, Kendrick Lamar's lyrics really steal the show here. He is a story-teller and an amazing one at that. His music takes you on a journey through his experience of life and each song is a different portal to a scene in his movie. The production and musicality of the beats and samples behind his lines turn this into one of the best Hip Hop albums ever released. Wonderful stuff. 9/10
Do not like Lamar.
Great concept record with an interesting story and some catchy songs.
Gah, the first album I get on this whole list is Kendrick Lamar??? Ugh. I feel like I’m kind of broken here because man, do people ever love Kendrick Lamar, but I just can’t seem to. Also, I fully recognize that my main reasons (I don’t like his voice or his flow) are pretty dumb. I guess I sort of get why so many people love this album so much, but for me there are just too many things about it that feel like needles under my skin, sonically. I can’t even focus on the lyrics or the story because I’m so distracted by his voice and various sounds and I haaaaaate feeling like I’m listening to a movie without being able to watch it and the whole thing is just making me feel anxious. I…have issues, right? But I did like “Compton” (probably because it’s Dre heavy). My conclusion here? I don’t like it, but I definitely believe that it’s not Kendrick, it’s me. 2/5
I really tried but Kendrick Lamar just ruins any song he is in. The positives: like most rap music I like the beats and melodies. Some lyrics were pretty good! I liked some of the featured artists especially MC Eiht. m.A.A.d city was a good song. The negatives: Kendrick Lamar. Unfortunately he is in every song so... 2/5
I have always heard this album was hype and boy did it live up to the hype. All of the hits I've heard over the years are bangers and the rest of the album holds up great too. The first 5 star from me
This is the second best Kenny album imo. It gets a 5 though because its amazing in a way that doesn't really compete with TPAB. I like the weird gloomy aesthetic, and the dark storytelling. Kenny really does a fantastic job describing life as a poor black kid, but in a more direct way than anything in TPAB, in GKMC he is really straightforward in his message. There are a couple parts of this album I don't love quite as much as the rest, but the highlights are so damn high, you completely forget about them. Best songs: Sing about me, The art of peer pressure, and Money Trees. Less memorable songs: Real, mAAd city, and Compton. Best verse: Jay Rock on Money trees. Best beat: The art of peer pressure.
Wow, so gooooood!
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.
#471. Not great, not terrible, not much. 3/5: fine Song added to playlist: Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
me when bitch don't kill my vibe comes on and i realize i'm accidentally listening to the clean version... thankfully it was only track 2! i fw Kendrick but same thing that i said about NWA, i do not rock with the misogyny. However, i like the style of this album better for sure I like his more recent stuff better but this was a good gym album
Gangsta Rap, yo
One of the best concept albums i have ever listened to it’s been in my rotation since forever definitely recommend it for everyone
100/100
This is beyond a shadow of a doubt, one of the most gripping concept albums of all time. I find myself invested in the story of every single song, and I'm really rooting for Kendrick in every situation he describes. This album really puts into perspective how rough and violent life can be as a black teen in Compton, and having his whole life story presented all in one album is so impressive considering how densely packed all the lyrics and stories are. Kendrick Lamar is a better musician, rapper, lyricist, and storyteller than any of us could ever dream of being.
5/10 I don't get it. a me problem I'm sure. 1-13-2025
Long album of sad bangers
Interesting listen. I very much went into it expecting to hate it. However, there's a lot of interesting things happening in this album. It took me on a journey into a culture I know nothing about, and it's intriguing. Musically, it's very good. I'm not one to usually listen to lyrics, but with this I definitely listened some and I feel like it was an eye-opening experience. Saying that, I absolutely hate the mysogynist nature of a lot of the lyrics, and would be horrified if my children heard me listen to it or were listening themselves. So musically, really liked this, conceptually really liked this, but have to definitely take points off for making me feel uncomfortable listening to the language. 2,5 stars from me, rounded up because of the journey it took me on, but please don't make me listen to it again. Now where my dominos at?!
Really solid, NSFW but enjoyed the beats and lyrics.
Nah
Just no. I tried but I'm pulling out one of my infrequent not-gonna-listen cards for this one.
Perfect serenade of Kendrick Lamar revealing his life through the story of Compton California.
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 never misses
As big as the Eiffel Tower.
I know a guy called Kendrick and obviously he’s not as cool as this one
This album is an experience back-to-front. You could just lose yourself in the vibes with the "poppier" tracks (like Backseat Freestyle or Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe) or really sit there and think about life and how Kendrick grew up, and the kind of neighborhoods and systems that birth these kinds of albums. It's still my favorite Kendrick project.
nah bro kendrick is mid
Inte riktigt min kopp te, jag fångas inte av musiken och texten går mig antingen helt över huvudet eller så är det bara inte så bra. Tycker hans röst är rätt störig också.
One ‘biatch’ too many left me cold. Stopped listening there. 🥱
Kendrick captured in his lyrics what Meirelles and Lund portrayed in City of God
Exceptional storytelling
Not my jam
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
Not my cuppa tea.
Peak music
The rapping is fast and skillful, but I don't like the sweary interstitial tracks. Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe is catchy.
Absolute banger.
Kendrick does an amazing job of creating a coherent concept while having each song be excellent as a standalone. Amazing album.
3.5
Quintefuckinssential
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
4.5/5
Kendrick's always been an interesting case for me. As someone who really loves a lot of hip hop, I appreciate his talent as a rapper, and I think he does do some kind of interesting stuff with the genre. However, it's never gonna be my favorite style of hip hop. He really relies on that laid back west coast sound most of the time (albeit with a modern twist), and I've always preferred the grittiness and energy of east coast hip-hop. I think he adds some funkier, more upbeat stuff on TPAB ("King Kunta" is the best example) that are kind of missing for me here. 3.5 stars.
4.5