Good Kid, M.A.A.d City—Kendrick Lamar—Mellope Album Review

1. Sherane, a.k.a. Master Splinter's daughter (8.9/10)

A song reflecting the life of Kendrick's relationships and sexual encounters with one specific female, the song is classic Kendrick, and I love classic Kendrick, so it was a pleasant opener.

2. B*tch, Don't Kill My Vibe (8.5/10)

An on-point rap song that serves because it not only nails the vocal effects on the hook but also has surreal strings at the end that add to the art factor of the music that makes people like Kendrick.

3. Backseat Freestyle (2.2/10)

OOF. I was not expecting something this bad... the lyricism is terrible, and I get it's a freestyle, but it's as simple as not posting it because what even is "I pray my d*ck gets as big as the Eiffel Tower, so I can f*ck the world for 72 hours," and the lyricism is repetitive too, with the song feeling dragged on. Kendrick also sounds out of it with a lazy vocal performance that only adds highlights to the song that feels as thought out as a Cardi B throwaway.

4. The Art of Peer Pressure (9.2/10)

This song navigates the peer pressure of Kendrick trying to complete a bank robbery; the song's production really fits the conscious early. St2010s hip-hop does it in a way that doesn't feel overly trying but instead truthful and real.

5. Money Trees (Ft. Jay Rock) (7/10)

It's a shocker, but I honestly don't think this is near as good as people say. It's groovy, it's conscious, and it navigates the topic of wealth in an interesting light of production.

6. Poetic Justice (Ft. Drake) (8.4/10)

The female vocal inputs here and there add to the amazing feel this song gives, and even despite Kendrick easily giving better verses, Drake still gave a solid delivery that will remain under his best rapping performances to date.

7. Good Kid (8.3/10)

A composition that follows the rest of the album's form; if you like the rest, then you'll surely like this.

8. m.A.A.d city (Ft. MC Eiht) (9/10)

MC Brings this older and more traditional Black rap feel to the song, and Kendrick brings the emotion into a better setting as the song talks about growing up near fear and trying to stay alive. Also the production value is my favourite part of this; the switches are heavenly.

9. Swimming Pools (Drank)—Extended Version (8.4/10)

The song discusses the topic of drinking to fit in or "drowning the sorrow," and it does that incredibly well and emotionally. I think the tone for the hook could be altered to not sound the way it did, as that sways away from the emotional value, but I still see heavy appeal for this. Lamar is passionate on the topic, and if you listen closely to the lyrics, you get that; lyrical value is what's the strongest here.

10. Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst (9/10)

This song explores the journey of Kendrick with his religion and gang life in a 12-minute-long track. The song has every value of artistic with the deep meaning, core conscious rap production choices, and a song that doesn't feel rushed and instead moves slowly through a feeling that moves you.

11. Real (Ft. Anna Wise) (8.9/10)

This song is artistic and valuable in so many ways; the tone feels more steady, and the meaning symbolises some of the things that feel real to him. The song is 7 minutes plus of rap luxury, with the composure and production not being overproduced yet still managing to make something that has become the signature style of Kendrick. The songs are real and important, and I'm quite shocked it's considered the worst on the album.

12. Compton (Ft. Dr. Dre) (8.9/10)

Beautiful conscious jazz-rap with a synthesiser on the vocal ending that sounds heavenly.

OVERVIEW:

Lyrically this album is a masterpiece, and production-wise it's the definition of simplicity at its finest. Kendrick has possibly the best storytelling in the industry, and this album shows his strongest form! Crazy that he followed this up with TPAB (which is one of the best rap album

Score - 8.6/10

Not the Backseat Freestyle slander

18 minutes ago, lewistgreen said:

Not the Backseat Freestyle slander

I hate writing long reviews like this, and the only replies I get are from people who dislike one detail from it.

Also it's not "slander"; we are all welcome to our opinion. And if you do disagree, then it would be better to contribute a reason why rather than to say "slander."

Music is subjective.

Swimming Pools is outrageously good, the song that made me at least sit up and notice him (even if still think on the whole he's pretty overrated).

Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe was the other one I was jamming too a bit back then, a dark moody number that nails that *Vibe* perfectly.

4 hours ago, Dobbo said:

Swimming Pools is outrageously good, the song that made me at least sit up and notice him (even if still think on the whole he's pretty overrated).

Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe was the other one I was jamming too a bit back then, a dark moody number that nails that *Vibe* perfectly.

How would you compare this to TPAB?

I prefer this one personally.