Essence Magazine:
When good kid, m.A.A.d city was released a decade ago, Kendrick Lamar was a 25-year rapper on the brink of superstardom. Only about a year removed from his critically-acclaimed debut album Section.80, the California native set out to create a body of work that would not only resonate with the youth of his era, but everyone that would consume his work for generations to come.
Lamar’s second studio project came out during a time when concept albums were thought to be a thing of the past. The vivid imagery in his storytelling brought listeners into a world of poverty, violence, and uncertainty, but also spoke to the hope for a better tomorrow that every human being yearns for; regardless of social class. Throughout its duration, this LP became an exploration of the harsh reality that was the Grammy Award-winning artist’s childhood while growing up in Compton.
Kendrick’s 2012 release wasn’t just an album, it was a journey. A journey filled with actions influenced by love, deception, and greed. It also touched upon serious themes such as addiction and crime, along with how social factors can affect the trajectory of a child in both positive or negative ways.
Lamar begins this introspective tour through his past with the song “Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter’s Daughter,” which lays the foundation for the rest of the project. The track starts with a prayer, then transitions into the chronology of Kendrick and Sherane’s lustful relationship. The intro ends with an unlikely run-in with two men from an opposing neighborhood, followed by an angry voicemail from his parents. It is moments like these that are most poignant on the album, where a variety of emotions can be felt in an instant. It also serves as a painful reminder of the urgency of life.
good kid, m.A.A.d city is 12-tracks deep (along with the remix to “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe, featuring Jay Z) and has been considered one of the most complete recordings ever to be produced in the realm of hip-hop. Lamar’s personal experiences molded him into the man that he is today, but it is the outside forces in his neighborhood – prevalent on cuts such as “The Art of Peer Pressure” – that may threaten his livelihood, and gives listeners a glimpse into how heavy the weight of acceptance truly is.
After the Jay Rock-assisted “Money Trees,” we again hear a voicemail from the pgLang founder’s parents, reiterating the fact that this album is not only a perspective on the hardships of life, but also the unconditional love and concern that family provides. Throughout the record, these messages serve as a grounding agent so that Kendrick doesn’t fly too close to the sun, a luxury that a good amount of his peers weren’t fortunate enough to have.
For many, the middle of good kid, m.A.A.d city is its most potent. Starting with track 6, his collaboration with Drake titled “Poetic Justice,” Lamar further elaborates on the growing love between he and Sherane, followed by the tension-filled “good kid.” On “m.A.A.d city,” gives a deeper look into the heart of a man scarred by his surroundings. In order to cope with the normalcy of violence, some turn to alcohol; which inspired the album’s first single, “Swimming Pools (Drank).” The 12-minute “Sing To Me, I’m Dying of Thirst,” speaks about the difficulty of life from three individual’s point of view, culminating with Kendrick’s decision not to lead a life of crime.
The post Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city: A Love Letter To Compton, And An Ode To The Power Of Perseverance appeared first on Essence.
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