Kendrick Lamar: good kid, m.A.A.d city (10th anniversary, 2LP) [AFTERMATH / INTERSCOPE]

Why you'll love it

good kid, m.A.A.d city is the major-label debut that made Kendrick Lamar a superstar, a coming-of-age concept album about growing up in Compton. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and has rarely left the chart since.

This edition

• 10th anniversary edition
• 2LP set, 12 tracks
• Aftermath / Interscope / TDE pressing

About the album

Billed on the cover as "a short film by Kendrick Lamar," good kid, m.A.A.d city tells the story of one long, eventful day in the life of a teenage Kendrick in Compton: a girl named Sherane, a borrowed van, peer pressure, gang violence and the pull of the streets, all stitched together with voicemails from his parents and skits that play like scenes in a movie.

The songs work just as well on their own. "Swimming Pools (Drank)" and "Poetic Justice" were hits, "Money Trees" with Jay Rock is one of the most beloved tracks of the decade, "Backseat Freestyle" is pure adrenaline, and "m.A.A.d city" with MC Eiht is a thrilling two-part epic. With Dr. Dre as executive producer and Pharrell, Just Blaze and Hit-Boy behind the boards, it's one of the great rap albums of all time.

Also at Kops: more Kendrick Lamar on vinyl · browse Hip Hop / R&B

Tracklist

Listen

On Aftermath / Interscope / Top Dawg, a 10th anniversary edition of the 2012 album.