In an interview for XXL, Lamar said that the album would not sound like Section.80, but will return to his Compton roots: 'I couldn't tell you what type of sound or where I be in the next five years as far as music. He told HipHopDX that he did not want to work with high-profile producers, but with those he had established himself with, mainly producers from Top Dawg's in-house production team, Digi+Phonics. Lamar wanted to discuss life in his native Compton, California, on the album.Īfter the release and success of his debut studio album Section.80 (2011), Kendrick Lamar signed a major label record deal with Interscope Records and Dr. In 2020, the album was ranked 115th on Rolling Stone 's updated list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. It was later certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album was also named to many end-of-the-year lists, often topping them. It became Lamar's first album to enter the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number 16, and entering the UK R&B Albums Chart at number two. The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, selling 242,000 copies in its first week – earning the highest first-week hip hop album sales of 2012 from a male artist.

Good Kid, M.A.A.D City received widespread acclaim from critics, who praised its thematic scope and Lamar's lyrics. Lamar also went on a world tour between May and August 2013, featuring the other members of the hip hop collective, Black Hippy. All five singles achieved chart success of varying degrees. The album was supported by five singles – ' The Recipe', ' Swimming Pools (Drank)', ' Backseat Freestyle', ' Poetic Justice', and ' Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe'. The album earned Lamar four Grammy Award nominations at the 2014 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.

Billed as a 'short film by Kendrick Lamar' on the album cover, the concept album follows the story of Lamar's teenage experiences in the drug-infested streets and gang lifestyle of his native Compton. Dre, Just Blaze, Pharrell Williams, Hit-Boy, Scoop DeVille, Jack Splash, and T-Minus, among others, contributing to the album. Good Kid, M.A.A.D City was recorded mostly at several studios in California, with producers such as Dr.

It is Lamar's major label debut, after his independently released first album Section.80 in 2011 and his signing to Aftermath and Interscope the following year. Dre, Jay-Z, Jay Rock, Anna Wise, and MC Eiht. The album features guest appearances from Drake, Dr. It was released on October 22, 2012, through Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (stylized as good kid, m.A.A.d city) is the second studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar.

Good kid maad city deluxe cover