Good Kid: M.A.A.D City [Deluxe Edition]

Kendrick Lamar | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 22, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Aftermath
• ASIN: B00913P6G0
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (451 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,363 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter's Daughter

2. Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe

3. Backseat Freestyle

4. The Art of Peer Pressure

5. Money Trees feat. Jay Rock

6. Poetic Justice feat. Drake

7. good kid

8. m.A.A.d city feat MC Eiht

9. Swimming Pools (Drank) [Extended Version]

10. Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst

11. Real feat. Anna Wise of Sonnymoon

12. Compton Feat. Dr. Dre

13. The Recipe feat. Dr. Dre

14. Black Boy Fly

15. Now or Never feat. Mary J. Blige

Editorial Reviews

Deluxe Edition includes three additional tracks. 2012 release from the Compton-based Hip Hop artist. Currently signed to Top Dawg, Aftermath and lnterscope. Lamar is a member of Hip Hop supergroup Black Hippy, along with fellow West Coast rappers and label mates Jay Rock. Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul. He first gained major attention after being mentioned by Dr. Dre resulting in a buzz for the, then upcoming. release of his fourth mixtape. Early in his career, Lamar amassed a large internet following, and had already worked with Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Wiz Khalifa, Game, Drake, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Talib Kweli, Lady Gaga, Kid Cudi, Busta Rhymes, E-40, Warren G, Bun B, Tech N9ne and Lil Wayne among other popular artists.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Music, Great Lyrics, Classic Hip Hop November 2, 2012

By Mr Eclectic

Format:MP3 Music

It takes me several listens to really digest music. Initially, I thought some Cali reviewers were hyping the album up by calling it a classic. I got off work and after the 2nd listen all the way through, I was sold. This has everything you look for in an album with very limited recognized artists.

I appreciate this album because it brings real, everyday life experiences to wax. Kendrick brings a cool story line without compromising lyrics to concept and without forcing himself on beats. The lyrics, beats, and flow combine to make great music. You can tell he had fun making this album. It defintely has an unique 90s feel mixed with today's hip hop. You can play this album straight through. This is my favorite album of 2012, and 2012 has been a great year for Rap and Hip Hop.

This is great music.

31 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Both a Superb Rap Album and Conceptual Affair - 4 ˝ Stars October 27, 2012

By Michael Brent Faulkner, Jr. VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Kendrick Lamar's debut effort Good Kid: M.A.A.D City [Deluxe Edition] materializes just at the right time to give West Coast rap some renewed notability. Kendrick Lamar is one today's most unique rappers. Left of center, he joins the likes of Drake and KiD CuDi, paving his own pathway. Good Kid m.A.A.d City is not only one of 2012's best rap albums but also one of the year's `crowning achievements.' Conceptually structured around its title - Kendrick is ultimately a good kid trapped in Compton, which is chucked full of vices within the sins/demons of a bad, rough city - Lamar details his early life experience.

"Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter's Daughter" opens with a prayer that ultimately alludes to the title of the album. Featuring soulful, old-school production by Tha Bizness, "Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter's Daughter" finds Kendrick narratively lusting for a 'no-good' girl. Lamar's rhymes are agile and well conceived, eliminating need for a hook (there is none). As customary throughout the effort, an interlude (skit) foreshadows successive tracks, much like a novel.

On "B*tch, Don't Kill My Vibe," producer Sounwave's production incorporates a Boom Clap Bachelors sample ("Tiden Flyver"). Over a lush, west coast characteristic sound, Lamar is on autopilot, admitting his improprieties while also admonishing anyone to attempt to block his individuality as a person and artist. Lamar's vocal inflections and athletic flow help to make this cut another brilliant contribution.

"Backseat Freestyle" sports some of Hit-Boy's best production work. The Intro/outro is particularly notable by Lamar: "Martin had a dream, Martin had a dream, Kendrick have a dream......" Lamar's hook is equally confident, where he desires 'money,' 'power' and 'respect,' with more colorful terminology of course. Lamar remains relevant and uncompromising, managing themes of childish fodder (desiring material things like money) yet also lofty self-esteem and aspiration ('I can be the greatest').

"The Art of Peer Pressure" begins with production yielding a 'stoner' vibe. It changes upon the first verse, accelerating the tempo and opting for a less lush/lazy sound. Playing like the `tone poem' it is, unpredictability here parallels `unpredictability' of peer pressure. The outgoing interlude, confirms this notion, referencing drug-use. "Money Trees," produced by DJ Dahi, samples indie-pop band Beach House ("Silver Soul"). The cut continues to possess a characteristic west coast vibe. Jay Rock guests on verse three ("Dreams of me getting shaded under a money tree...") while Kendrick holds it down with numerous clever lines ("I f___ Sherane then went to tell my bros/then Usher Raymond "Let it Burn" came on...")

"Poetic Justice" eclipses the former two cuts, featuring Drake in top-notch form. Lushly shaped by Janet Jackson's "Any Time Any Place," Scoop's production is terrific. Anchored by a simple, though effective hook ("You can get it...and I know just, know just...what you want/poetic justice, put it in a song"), "Poetic Justice" is one of the album's strongest moments.

"good Kid" is produced by Pharrell Williams and features Chad Hugo (The Neptunes) on the hook. Soulful yet mysterious, as always, Kendrick continues to compel and lure in the audience. Companion track "m.A.A.d City" contrasts "good kid's" soulfulness in favor of harder production. Kendrick's rhymes are incredibly emotional while fellow Compton rapper MC Eiht delivers a compelling verse. Both "good Kid" and "m.A.A.d City" are `A' cuts, like the majority of good Kid m.A.A.d. City.

Breakthrough single "Swimming Pools (Drank)" finally appears, featuring exceptional production work from standout T-Minus. Kendrick Lamar manages to tie swimming pools and alcohol together incredibly, most notably on one of 2012's most memorable rap hooks: "...why you babysittin' only two or three shots? I'mma show you how to turn it up a notch/first you get a swimming pool full of liquor, then you dive in it/pool full of liquor, then you dive in it..." Despite its reprised greatness on the album, "Swimming Pools" may not even be the album's best song!

"Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" clocks in at an incredible twelve-plus minutes. The first portion ("Sing About Me") samples jazz guitarist Grant Green. "When the lights shut off/and it's my turn to settle down/my main concern, promise that you will sing about me..." Lamar sings on the hook, matching the mysterious, somber vibe of the cut. The next portion, "I'm Dying of Thirst," contrasts the production and opts for quicker tempo. Quite mysterious though captivating, "I'm Dying of Thirst" loses no momentum A notable skit closes the cut, in which Kendrick's grandmother urges Kendrick and friends they are `dying of thirst' in relation to their `faith.' Cleverly, the opening prayer from "Sherane" is placed in context.

"Real" proceeds, featuring lush and soulful production. Not the cream of the crop, "Real" is above average. Closing cut (standard edition) is third single "Compton," featuring Dr. Dre. Produced by Just Blaze, "Compton" samples Formula IV ("What's This World Coming To"). Kendrick and Dre cleverly split verses, ultimately summing up the sentiment of "Compton" via its hook: "Compton, Compton, ain't no city quite like mine..." The Deluxe Version includes additional cuts, most notably single "The Recipe," also featuring Dr. Dre.

As previously stated, Good Kid: M.A.A.D City [Deluxe Edition] as it is one of the year's very best albums, easily. Lamar ultimately conceives the next great concept album, which is no easy task. With no misses of note, good Kid m.A.A.d City is even better than advertised. Read more ›

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasant Surprise! October 27, 2012

By ROFLChopper

Format:Audio CD

Wow is pretty much all I have to say about Good Kid: M.A.D.D. City. Kendrick, your lyrics and tight beats to this unique album proves you have arrived! As many of our hip-hop favorites over the last 2 decades slowly wining down their careers in the game, new blood has to show this genre will be in good hands for many years to come, thanks to Lamar no doubt it will be.

I've only heard a few songs from Kendrick Lamar--thanks to MMG--but now since he's on Dre's Aftermath label -- he'll definitely be in great hands for years working with a legendary Grammy-winning producer who has produced many classics for NWA, 2PAC, and Eminem. Kendrick's sound almost bares in comparison to Outkast first album (which for a lot of hip-hop junkies that album was a pure classic)!

There is something extremely cosmic and raw with his lyrics especially when you hear 'Poetic Justice' 'Art of Peer Pressure' 'good kid', and 'm.a.D.D city' and 'Swimming Pools.' The rest of the album is quite impressive and very visionary if you ask me. You can now count me in as a fan of Kendrick Lamar!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good kid classic cd!!!! October 22, 2012

By hiphop roots

Format:Audio CD

Just the album cover alone makes this a classic (so real he has a mini van on the deluxe cover to represent the struggle how deep is that not a phantom or lambo like most of deez wack mc's represent while they steady cover up no rap skills in exchange for fashion smh) Kendrick is true to his lyrics all the way down to his appearance. He's like the west coast version of j.cole both artist have more to offer to this hip hop game. Whole album is nice!!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Way To Go Kendrick! October 26, 2012

By Flub Tinsdale

Format:Audio CD

This project is AMAZING! In this day and age, it seems like people are making names for themselves out of an image that they can't keep up with, corrupted by television, radio and peers will make it hard for the New generation to be themselves.

Kendrick sees that and put it into his first major label album. Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City is a cry for help in my opinion, and he faced life as he knew it (and most of us know it) in a way that all urban city affiliates can relate to.

Kendrick tackles 2 things in my opinion: the troubles of today's youth AND the trouble with today's music. As he tells his flawless story of being in the city of Compton, he also manages a very eclectic score to compliment the scenes as they shift, giving YOU, the listener, a more broader vision of the picture he painting with his wordplay at these moments of conflict, which is why every song (whether you love or just "like" it) is A+ material.

Artists and recordings like this are far and few between, but it takes a person like Kendrick who understands the history of Hip Hop music, do to the upbringing of family playing Hip Hop as a child, and he also understands the things people in his age group face by observation and experience. Kendrick is on a mission to save music and lives at the same time, and by the way he executed Good Kid, M.A.A.D. city, he's just the young man for the job.

5 out of 5