Review:
Compton MC Kendrick Lamar seems to be hip hop’s latest contender for the crown
of best rapper alive, and with Kendrick it does not feel like such a stretch
(in fact, he probably is). Technically, he is flawless. Lyrically, he is thoughtful
and a wonderful storyteller. Artistically, he weaves hip hop’s present and past
together magnificently. His aesthetic is one of the best in the genre. With his
major label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city, Kendrick has made 2012’s best hip
hop album so far.
The anticipation for good kid,
m.A.A.d city has been immense, both from fans that loved Section.80
(his first studio album, and one of the best of 2011) and those intrigued by
his signing with Dr. Dre and his string of great singles released in 2012 (The Recipe, Swimming Pools [Drank]
and Compton). A song potentially
slated to be on the album leaked in early 2012 called Cartoons & Cereal
setting the mood for what good kid, m.A.A.d city would be like – the song is
brilliant, as is the finished album.
good kid, m.A.A.d city plays as an
introspective story following Kendrick’s journey through adolescence growing up
in Compton (with the dangers, influences and culture the city encompasses),
detailing the choices he made. It is an enthralling story that draws the
listener in. Kendrick is not just boasting or rapping about wealth and the
things that come with it, he is telling his fans about something real,
something important, something we can care about and not just frivolous. And yet,
he is still able to touch on many of the typical genre topics. He talks about
how he survived the streets, the allure and pitfalls of chasing women, making
money (though, there seems to be a negative connotation to what the cost of ‘making
it’ is). In many ways the album is a love letter to Compton and warning to the
youth still struggling to get through the day in the city (maybe best stated in
Sing About Me, I’m Dying
of Thirst).
Musically, the album is like
nothing else in hip hop. It references the West Coast sound that Kendrick grew
up on (including appearances by MC Eiht and Dr. Dre), while also having the raw
energy and anger of one of his main influences Tupac. But, Kendrick combines
this with a very modern sound. He is very cognizant of where the genre has been
and where it is going, and his place in it. His TDE/Black Hippy crew makes
their mark on the album too with great production from Terrace Martin,
Sounwave, and THC and a bitter (but poignant) verse from Jay Rock. Kendrick also
has strong production from notable producers Pharrell, Just Blaze, T-Minus and
Hit-Boy, and a guest verse from Drake.
Expectations for good kid,
m.A.A.d were incredibly high, and Kendrick has delivered a classic album. It is
a must for fans of hip hop. 5/5
Essential Tracks:
