good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
2012
good kid, m.A.A.d city is a narrative, coming of age story of “K.Dot” – a youthful teen experiences in the drug-infested streets and gang lifestyle of his native Compton – as he transitions into “Kendrick Lamar,” the iteration of the emcee who has come to embody the uplifting voice we know today.
Subtitled “A Short Film by Kendrick Lamar,” this concept album depicts a day in the life of a 17-year-old Lamar as he rides around Compton in his Momma’s minivan. The story starts at the end. GKMC’s story isn’t completely chronological, as we’re told stories from K.Dot’s perspective, with a few Kendrick tracks peppering the storyline throughout.
The run-in with the gangbangers kicks off the second half of the story. It’s like the bit in every good gangster story where the protagonist realises that they need to break out of the death-ridden community they’re living in, before it eats them alive. Vice did an excellent narrative guide to GKMC.
Stand-Out Tracks
Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe
Money Trees
Swimming Pools (Drank)
Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst
