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Antonio Jackson
Variety Editor
On Oct. 22, 2012, Kendrick Lamar, African American rapper, released his second studio album “Good Kid, m.a.a.d city” through Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. Following Lamar’s first album, “Section.80”, “Good Kid, m.a.a.d city” sets the tone for the Compton rapper’s impact to not only hip-hop but the black experience in America as a whole.
With lowkey, laid back production by the likes of Dr. Dre, Pharrell Williams, Hit-Boy and more, “Good Kid m.a.a.d city”, through 12 songs, follows the story of, possibly, a young Kendrick Lamar as he navigates through the hardships he faced while residing in Compton, California. Each song immerses listeners into Kendrick’s journey from a young girl-loving trouble maker to a spiritual, well-rounded adult who was molded by his neighborhood and close ties with his dangerous environment. With a narrative that’s not concrete, lyrics from every song describe issues that can be recognized by a majority of African Americans, such as gang violence, economic disparity, and a lack of respect for women.
“Poetic Justice”, featuring Drake, is easily the best song from the project. This song describes the internal struggle Kendrick faces when dealing with a woman he desperately desires. It is a story of love and lust, with the woman interest expressing physical affection and emotional attachment while also pocketing conflict. The chorus is insanely well written, with Kendrick singing about how he understands his love interest’s wants, describing her craving for “poetic justice”. Yet, there’s a subliminal sense of frustration from Kendrick, with him running out of patience with his love interest. Produced by Scoop DeVille, “Poetic Justice” sound is unmatched with a smooth, soothing beat and relatable lyrics. One can also admire the inclusion of the Janet Jackson sample of “Any Time, Any Place”. Although very subtle, the song can easily come off incomplete without it.
A personal favorite from this album would be “B****, Don’t Kill My Vibe” produced by Soundwave. This song embodies exactly what the title expresses, a “vibe” that must not be disturbed by any means. The lyrics of this song is something that can be remembered as well, expressing the desire for independence so that one can obtain their independence and sense of self. It gives listeners a reminder to stay true to themselves and treasure moments of peace and introspection.
A low point of “Good kid m.a.a.d city” would be “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst”, produced by Like and Skhye Hutch. This isn’t necessarily a bad record, the beat remains consistent with what the rest of the album aimed for as far as being laid back and soothing to the ears. The lyrics can be appreciated as well. However, the song is way too long, twelve minutes to be exact. This record is so drawn out that listeners can become lost and lose the message of the song completely.
“Good Kid, m.A.A.d City ” has been awarded BET Hip Hop Award for Best Album of the Year and Soul Train in 2013 and has been nominated for four Grammy’s in 2014. It has sold 242,000 in the first week, earning the highest first week sales for a male hip hop artist in 2012, according to variety.com.
Overall, “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City” is a phenomenal classic with relatable lyrics and storytelling for any age. With accurate representation of what life is like as a young black boy trying to maneuver through life despite the trials he faces within his community, this album will be forever immortalized within the black community.
