February 26, 2020
Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Album: “good kid, m.A.A.d city”
Extended Play: “Sing About Me, I’m Dying Of Thirst”
Best Bonus Track: “Now Or Never”
Growing up in Compton, Ca, Kendrick Lamar, simply put was a “good kid,” in a “mad city.” Throughout this conceptual album, Lamar paints his genuine experiences of sex, drugs, crime, and the inherent dangers that lie within the intercity streets.
Before and after many of the tracks, a story unfolds told through a series of soundbites of Lamar and his friends, along with voicemails from Lamar’s worried mother. This story is told in a non-linear form which gives added interest to repeat listens to slowly piece together the series of events and their chronology.
Lamar describes his conflict between fitting in, versus doing what he knows is right on the tracks “Backseat Freestyle” and “The Art of Peer Pressure.” Critical success would be an understatement for Lamar’s work, as it has not left billboard’s top 200 albums since it came out over seven years ago and is currently ranked within the top 100. “good kid m.A.A.d city” has quickly become a classic over the few years it has been out.
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