Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City [LP] [Bonus Tracks] (Vinyl/LP)

Kendrick Lamar's debut effort Good Kid: M.A.A.D City [Deluxe Edition ] materializes just at the right time to give West Coast rap some renewed notability. Kendrick Lamar is one today's most unique rappers. Left of center, he joins the likes of Drake and KiD CuDi, paving his own pathway. Good Kid m.A.A.d City is not only one of 2012's best rap albums but also one of the year's `crowning achievements.' Conceptually structured around its title - Kendrick is ultimately a good kid trapped in Compton, which is chucked full of vices within the sins/demons of a bad, rough city - Lamar details his early life experience. "Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter's Daughter" opens with a prayer that ultimately alludes to the title of the album. Featuring soulful, old-school production by Tha Bizness, "Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter's Daughter" finds Kendrick narratively lusting for a 'no-good' girl. Lamar's rhymes are agile and well conceived, eliminating need for a hook (there is none). As customary throughout the effort, an interlude (skit) foreshadows successive tracks, much like a novel. On "B*tch, Don't Kill My Vibe," producer Sounwave's production incorporates a Boom Clap Bachelors sample ("Tiden Flyver"). Over a lush, west coast characteristic sound, Lamar is on autopilot, admitting his improprieties while also admonishing anyone to attempt to block his individuality as a person and artist. Lamar's vocal inflections and athletic flow help to make this cut another brilliant contribution. "Backseat Freestyle" sports some of Hit-Boy's best production work. The Intro/outro is particularly notable by Lamar: "Martin had a dream, Martin had a dream, Kendrick have a dream..." Lamar's hook is equally confident, where he desires 'money,' 'power' and 'respect,' with more colorful terminology of course. Lamar remains relevant and uncompromising, managing themes of childish fodder (desiring material things like money) yet also lofty self-esteem and aspiration ('I can be the greatest'). "The Art of Peer Pressure" begins with production yielding a 'stoner' vibe. It changes upon the first verse, accelerating the tempo and opting for a less lush/lazy sound. Playing like the `tone poem' it is, unpredictability here parallels `unpredictability' of peer pressure. The outgoing interlude, confirms this notion, referencing drug-use. "Money Trees," produced by DJ Dahi, samples indie-pop band Beach House ("Silver Soul"). The cut continues to possess a characteristic west coast vibe. Jay Rock guests on verse three ("Dreams of me getting shaded under a money tree...") while Kendrick holds it down with numerous clever lines ("I f___ Sherane then went to tell my bros/then Usher Raymond "Let it Burn" came on...") "Poetic Justice" eclipses the former two cuts, featuring Drake in top-notch form. Lushly shaped by Janet Jackson's "Any Time Any Place," Scoop's production is terrific. Anchored by a simple, though effective hook ("You can get it...and I know just, know just...what you want/poetic justice, put it in a song"), "Poetic Justice" is one of the album's strongest moments. "good Kid" is produced by Pharrell Williams and features Chad Hugo (The Neptunes) on the hook. Soulful yet mysterious, as always, Kendrick continues to compel and lure in the audience. Companion track "m.A.A.d City" contrasts "good kid's" soulfulness in favor of harder production. Kendrick's rhymes are incredibly emotional while fellow Compton rapper MC Eiht delivers a compelling verse. Both "good Kid" and "m.A.A.d City" are `A' cuts, like the majority of good Kid m.A.A.d. City. Breakthrough single "Swimming Pools (Drank)" finally appears, featuring exceptional production work from standout T-Minus. Kendrick Lamar manages to tie swimming pools and alcohol together incredibly, most notably on one of 2012's most memorable rap hooks: "...why you babysittin' only two or three shots? I'mma show you how to turn it up a notch/first you get a swimming pool full of liquor, then you dive in it/pool full of liquor, then you dive in it..." Despite its reprised greatness on the album, "Swimming Pools" may not even be the album's best song! "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" clocks in at an incredible twelve-plus minutes. The first portion ("Sing About Me") samples jazz guitarist Grant Green. "When the lights shut off/and it's my turn to settle down/my main concern, promise that you will sing about me..." Lamar sings on the hook, matching the mysterious, somber vibe of the cut. The next portion, "I'm Dying of Thirst," contrasts the production and opts for quicker tempo. Quite mysterious though captivating, "I'm Dying of Thirst" loses no momentum A notable skit closes the cut, in which Kendrick's grandmother urges Kendrick and friends they are `dying of thirst' in relation to their `faith.' Cleverly, the opening prayer from "Sherane" is placed in context. "Real" proceeds, featuring lush and soulful production. Not the cream of the crop, "Real" is above average. Closing cut (standard edition) is third single "Compton," featuring Dr. Dre. Produced by Just Blaze, "Compton" samples Formula IV ("What's This World Coming To"). Kendrick and Dre cleverly split verses, ultimately summing up the sentiment of "Compton" via its hook: "Compton, Compton, ain't no city quite like mine..." The Deluxe Version includes additional cuts, most notably single "The Recipe," also featuring Dr. Dre. As previously stated, Good Kid: M.A.A.D City [Deluxe Edition ] as it is one of the year's very best albums, easily. Lamar ultimately conceives the next great concept album, which is no easy task. With no misses of note, good Kid m.A.A.d City is even better than advertised.

In the modern hip-hop industry, pretty much any rapper who wants to make it has to start at the bottom with a few mixtapes and move up to independently released pseudo albums. Kendrick Lamar has done both. The problem with this is the inherent risk of building hype the artist can't live up to with their first full studio album. J. Cole had this problem and I would argue Curren$y did as well. While their first major label studio albums were certainly "good", that's all they were, neither great nor exceptional like their mixtapes/independent albums were. Kendrick Lamar was in a similar position for me. I loved his mixtapes and his independently released Section.80 and Overly Dedicated albums as well as the Kendrick Lamar EP and they all come highly recommended for anyone looking to add a bit of new West Coast flavor to their rotation. But the problem was, at least for me, they were too good. I was left to wonder whether or not his first studio effort, good kid, m.A.A.d city could measure up. Fortunately, Kendrick has proven that he can not only measure up to the bar set by his previous efforts but propel the bar into orbit. One of the lead singles, Swimming Pools (Drank) is an excellent example of the depths of Kendrick Lamar's artistry. On the surface, this sounds like a typical club or radio joint that'll chart purely off of its catchy hook and deep, thumping bass line. But beneath the cunning disguise lies a story of peer pressure and alcoholism. Kendrick walks the tightrope between mass appeal and artistry with ease that evidences his genius in that he is able to appeal to both worlds without compromise. There are a few notable features that serve to amplify the messages relayed, such as MC Eiht's appearance on the track m.A.A.d city, a song about the perils of life in Compton featuring an appearance by one of Compton's gangster rap legends. But Kendrick is at his best when he's on his own. This is his album and his story and no one tells it better than him. The album's magnum opus of sorts is Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst, a 12 minute track split into two parts, the first featuring perspectives from two people from Kendrick's past, offering differing perspectives on the concept of having their story live on after death while the third verse the inner turmoil Kendrick deals with as an artist as he wrestles with remaining true to his art amidst the negative influences he has seen throughout adolescence. The second half deals with his fatigue of running and hunting, his tiredness from the endless cycle of violence so often seen in gang culture. Throughout the album, Lamar delves deep into his past, showing us where his inspiration comes from and what fuels his artistry. Short skits interspersed throughout the album, usually appearing at the end of songs serve to relay the album's "storyline", which is apparently based on true stories from Kendrick's past. Through the songs and the accompanying skits Kendrick weaves an interesting tale playing out as if on a tape deck, the album goes all round and back again, a cycle reflective of the cyclical nature of life. To say I merely like this album would be a tremendous disservice to it and the man behind it. This is an absolutely astounding album that deserves to be heralded as a modern classic. Kendrick Lamar has demonstrated that he has tremendous depth as an artist through intricately layered and meaningful lyrics that flow as smooth as velvet on top of some excellent production. This album is an absolutely brilliant total package that, at the risk of sounding hyperbolic (as if I haven't done enough of that already), constitutes a new paradigm for conscious hip-hop. Don't pirate good kid, m.A.A.d city. Don't stream it for free online. Buy it, like I did. This is the kind of hip-hop the industry needs more of and it needs our support.

I had never heard of Kendrick Lamar when I read some raving reviews on Internet about it. I decided to give it a chance. I put the songs on my IPhone along some other rap I own and let it play randomly. I quickly realized that there were some excellent songs on my Iphone and more often than not when I checked, it would be Kendrick Lamar. So I listened to the album from first to last and I got blown away. I am currently addicted to this album. It tells a story. The chapters are somehow not contiguous but you understand the idea of the album pretty quickly. The story in itself is fairly standard. It is about the contradictions of being a Good Kid in a Mad City. For those who may ask: MAAD stands for Made me an Angel on Angel Dust. Where Kendrick shines as compared to the competion is in his delivery. He will alter his voice to give more emphasis on his points of view and the production is awesome. If you like a good story, excellent rapping skills and awesome bass, give him a try. You may end up as addicted as I am. Here is the track list: 1. Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter's Daughter (Nice intro to the album, good bass, good ambiance, slow) 2. Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe (Groovy is not enough to describe it, excellent bass, excellent female voice) 3. Backseat Freestyle (Kendrick bragging about himself, as a kid would do in rap, very good rapping skills) 4. The Art of Peer Pressure (One of my least favorite) 5. Money Trees feat. Jay Rock (Another groovy title, Jay-Rock is very good on this) 6. Poetic Justice feat. Drake (A more pop type of rap, not my favorite style but still good) 7. good kid (Good Bass, not my favorite) 8. m.A.A.d city feat MC Eiht (The most violent track, also the best in my opinion, Kendrick shows his talent all through) 9. Swimming Pools (Drank) [Extended Version](One of the top tracks of this album, first one to attract my attention, Excellent production) 10. Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst (A more introversial rap, not my favorite style) 11. Real feat. Anna Wise of Sonnymoon (Another pop oriented rap but very well done) 12. Compton Feat. Dr. Dre (2nd contribution of Dr Dre on this album and about Compton indeed) 13. The Recipe feat. Dr. Dre (Very Very good anthem for LA. Excellent contribution from Dr Dre who gives one of his best rap to date) 14. Black Boy Fly (Good production) 15. Now or Never feat. Mary J. Blige (Nice cooperation) Conclusion: Do not get this album if you want to miss on the Rap revelation of 2011/2012. You have been warned! Now, if you really do not like it, nothing will convince you of the contrary. Taste and colors are hard to debate...

I purchased this album with the expectations of it not exceeding Kendrick's debut LP... I was dead wrong. The truthfulness, insight, production, lyrics, flow and delivery all contribute to a cohesive, prudent, classic album. I don't throw around classic, and the last time I considered a hip hop LP to be classic was Brother Ali's 2003 Sophomore LP "Shadows on the Sun". At first glance if you aren't paying attention, several of his tracks appear to be just party induced/braggadocio fair. The head nodding production, and the catchy hooks along with the song titles are deceptive which is clever in their own right. You can play these tracks in clubs, but the message delivered is opposite of what you'd expect to be shared with listeners. Before I forget to mention it, do yourselves a favor and purchase the deluxe edition. The bonus tracks are all dope, and share the same vibes as the majority of the tracks on the main disc. I believe that many listeners may not enjoy this album if they aren't prepared to hear him speaking from his heart on issues that range from spirituality, to being a follower of what is perceived as cool/fun. He does it in such a sobering way, that many may view his work as being preachy. I found it refreshing that an artist (especially in the mainstream hip hop industry) was so willing to display this level of honesty with the world. If anything, I'd say give this album a fair chance, but I just want people to understand what they'll be hearing when they press play. As I said before, he throws you off with catchy hooks, and the smooth production and titles of the some of the tracks. But when you listen to tracks like Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe and Swimming Pools, you'll begin to understand what I'm talking about. The depth and truthfulness in his tracks allows for several listens. I believe it should be shared with those who are hip hop skeptics, skeptics of his work, and those who need to hear the words from a young man whom addresses issues on the mistakes that many of us make, but does not glorify them. I'll leave you with my favorite tracks on the album. Make sure to show your support for him by purchasing this album. I've bought two copies for a family member and friend. My stand out tracks are: Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe The Art of Peer Pressure Good Kid Swimming Pools Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst Poetic Justice Black Boy Fly (Bonus track) The Recipe (Bonus track)

I enjoyed K-Dot and his first CD. I specifically enjoyed the song (I think it's #8) with MC Eigt because the song itself takes on a whole feel of its own. The music transitions for them separately, but brings them together too. I feel as though Dr. Dre did a great job with Kendrick in helping him develop a story-telling adventure for his listeners. Kendrick is definitely the "new" westcoast MC that focuses in more on lyrics and meaning than music and production. He'll surprise you with his ability to put words together and invite you into his world. I'm interested in what single's and videos will look like. It will be kind of hard to put visuals to most of this album, but I'm sure his vision is still futuristic.

Bravo! This is a brilliant record. It is a must listen for ALL music fans, not just hip hop. The high praise the album has received since the album release is well deserved. It has me more excited about a rap artist than I have been in years. Dude is so sick with it. Production is spot on with clever use of samples. I particularly love the use of "Silver Soul" by Beach House, played backwards, during "Money Trees." Beautifully done. Kendrick has a smooth as silk flow and vocal style. I don't understand the complaints about his voice. He has a unique sound that is easy to decifer, and he uses different styles well when the song calls for it. His sound is just as well suited for chill, laid back tracks (money trees, B**** don't kill my vibe, Sing about me, Swimming Pools) as it is for high energy, higher tempo songs (Backseat Freestyle, m.A.A.d. city, Compton). You can see Kendrick Lamar's versatility in one track in particular, "Backseat Freestyle," in which there are 3 different verses, each performed masterfully in a different vocal style. His talents are diverse and he has a blazingly bright future ahead of him. This album deserves to be heard start to finish. If you do and still aren't impressed, you are lying to yourself or you are a hater. It is so refreshing to hear a "concept" album in this genre that functions as a cohesive piece of "album art." Kendrick absolutely knocked it out of the park. I literally can't stop listening to this album, and I wouldn't even consider myself a die-hard rap/hip-hop fan. But I know good music when I hear it, and Good Kid, m.A.A.d City is one of the best albums of the year. Intelligent lyrics, incredible production, and a perfect level of swagger from Kendrick Lamar on this brilliantly crafted album. Must listen!

Kendrick Lamar made a dent in the Hip Hop world with his mixtape Overly Dedicated back in 2010. In 2011 came the release of his highly acclaimed album Section.80 featuring immaculate production, great conceptual stories and high caliber lyricism from Kendrick Lamar. What makes Kendrick so appealing to me is the fact that he is from Compton, California, a place where a typical rapper would glorify the lifestyles of the hood such as gangs, drug dealers, being tough, etc. however Kendrick is quite the opposite of your stereotypical rapper from the CPT; he covers multiple topics of the hood from different angles from male and female perspectives as well as in first and third person view. Kendrick is quite the lyrical tyrant, and at the age of 25, his subject matter is very mature for his age. In an age where Hip Hop is being saturated with rappers such as the horrible French Montana, Lil B and Lil Wayne clones, Kendrick Lamar as well as his Top Dawg Entertainment family is slowly helping resurge lyrical Hip Hop with great content that kids could benefit from hearing in the near future. As for the album, "good kid, m.A.A.d city" is the major label debut album of Kendrick under the multi-platinum juggernaut Aftermath Entertainment, a label created by Dr. Dre whom has helped spawned successful careers for artists such as Eminem, 50 Cent and another Compton Rapper The Game with "The Documentary". Aftermath Entertainment has had a history in the past of signing artists, but never generating any solid album releases which include Raekwon, Rakim & Bishop Lamont; but luckily for Kendrick, Dr. Dre has faith in the fellow Compton MC to the point of releasing albums for him as soon as possible, which is rarely seen from the good doctor with the exception of Eminem or 50 Cent. This album is a concept album covering certain aspects of Kendrick's childhood living in Compton as well as his affiliations with his ghetto peers and family which is clearly heard throughout. This album serves as reflective journal of Lamar's experiences growing up whether it be about drugs, women, thug life or just self-insecurities and aspirations, this is a very cohesive project that will surely expose Kendrick to a broader audience as well as give his loyal fans some new material to vibe to. Track By Track Review 1) Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter's Daughter - A great introduction track that serves as the opening sequence to the story. The story follows a young Kendrick falling for a girl named Sherane and all adult acts that follow. The character of Sherane pops out throughout the entire album either a person based on a real-life girl of Kendrick's or as a metaphor for the hood of Compton being the temptress trying to pull Kendrick into the darkside. As the story continues Kendrick steals the van and gets ambushed by some hoodlums in black hoodies. His parents than gives him a call and ask where he is at. As a song, its not great but as an intro to the album it works. 3/5 2) B**** Don't Kill My Vibe - this song reminded me why I didn't like Kendrick from first listen back then, his voice can be awkwardly strange at times, and the hook for this song exemplifies that. But now that I have listened to Kendrick for almost 1 year and a half now, I've learn to listen past it. The song is nice and catchy with beautiful strings in production, Any Hip Hop song that takes time to incorporate real instruments into a song is always commendable. In this song Kendrick is basically reflecting his inner thoughts about his past and new found fame. 5/5 3) Backseat Freestyle - Kendrick just going off bars for bars on the GOOD Music Producer Hit-Boy track. The only flaw I find with this song is that I find it more fitting on a mixtape rather than on an album. However, if you listen to the skits before and after, than the context of this song fits perfectly. But as a stand alone song, the production by Hit-Boy wasn't mindblowing to me but at least it wasn't complacent the whole way through. Kendrick Lamar was on his ignorant ish and even had his 2Pac moments haha. 3.5/5 4) The Art of Peer Pressure - Great track, a story of a young boy riding around with the big boys getting caught up in grown man business. The story of how innocence can easily be lost when influenced by the wrong group of people, or in this case "the homies". Although the title does indicate the act of a person being pressured, the lyrics tell otherwise. As the story goes on, you realize that the character isn't actually being pressured at all, he just acts and adapts to the lifestyle he is surrounded by, but the interesting thing is that he never resists, he deems it as normal activity just because he grew up in that environment. Kendrick is always in top form when he is telling a story and this song is no different, the dark and eerie production adds great dramatic effect to the song as well. 5/5 5) Money Trees feat. Jay Rock- If you are a Kendrick fan prior to this album than this song will feel right at home with you. This song kind of takes me back to his Overly Dedicated days with the mellow beat as well as a funny adolescent hook that Kendrick likes to do. It's nice to finally have his fellow Black Hippy partner Jay Rock on a Kendrick Lamar album because he was M.I.A on Overly Dedicated and Section.80, which was understandable but also felt incomplete (to me anyways). I love the song for what it is; it's one of my personal favorites that I love to bump in the car. Ya Bisshhhh. 5/5 6) Poetic Justice feat. Drake - Kendrick is known for his smooth and rapid flow, this song is a perfect example of that simple fact. Has a very sexy Janet Jackson sample roaming in the back ground, this song caters to the ladies in a sensual matter. It's rare these days to have a love song from a rapper that doesn't contains lyrics that refer to their male genitalia all the time, but like the title implies, this song is like a love letter to the females in a poetic manner. I prefer this Drake over braggadocios Drake any day..If there's one topic Drake can be consistent with, its women. The only complaint from me was that the hook could've been executed better, I would've actually preferred for Drake to try to come up for a hook for this song. This is an obvious next single so expect to hear this song a lot in the near future. 4/5 7) good kid - Continuing from the last songs skit, here is where the story comes back into narrative and the concept of the album really comes to fruition. Produced by the legendary Pharrell, you just can't go wrong with that featuring a very eerie clarinet. Great lyricism from Kendrick and even Pharrell even contributes on the songs hook. 4/5 8) m.A.A.d city feat. MC Eiht - The song for the Hoodlums. This song is maniacal with so many different things going on. Schoolboy Q's signature "YAWK YAWK" is hilariously incorporated within the song. Kendrick documenting the things he has seen and experienced in the mad city of Compton filled with bloods and crips running around, seeking vengeance, and even Kendrick's experience with laced marijuana which is what actually drove him to sobriety (true story). Mid-Song the song shifts into a different monster; the legendary MC Eiht makes an appearance and drops a little knowledge of the OG lifestyle. The 2nd half has also has 90's westcoast production with synthesizers and talk-box vocals. I loved the track, one of the best on the album. 5/5 9) Swimming Pools (Drank) - The single that has taken the country by storm. Great production by T-Minus, great verses from Kendrick albeit a little short and an incredibly catchy hook. The album version contains an extra verse which makes the song that much better for me personally, and the skit at the end ties in with the album concept. One of my favorites of the album despite it being a little overplayed. 5/5 10) Sing About Me/I'm Dying of Thirst - Running for 12 minutes, this is the longest track on the album as well as one of the most complex. These are 2 songs merged into one, but if you're listening to the album in its entirety than I doubt that you would even notice. "Sing About Me" tells the stories of 2 different people. It's hard sometimes to really pinpoint the perspective of the story because each verse feels like it is about someone different, 1st verse tells about a character that got shot from the previous song's skit. The 2nd Verse was a bit of a surprise because it connects with his previous album Section.80, and apparently whoever this character is, is the sister of Keisha. The song is very bi-polar as well, once it switches up it goes from good to sad which is what I'm pretty sure what Kendrick intended. "I'm Dying of Thirst" contains a mix message that I still can't decipher, but the theme of this portion of the song is death and rebirth. I love songs that make me want to listen over and over and try to figure out what the story is. 5/5 11) Real feat. Anna Wise - First I wanna say that the person who produced this song, Terrace Martin, is probably one of my favorite producers as of now. Fans know that Terrace produced "Ab-Soul's Outro" on Section.80, which was a masterfully crafted song that was essentially a jazz instrumental, and my personal favorite song on Section.80. This song feels like a dream, the light production with light clashes with the cymbals in the production. The only complaint I have with this song is the overly simplistic hook by Anna Wise, it felt lazy and uninspiring just reiterating "I'm real, I'm really really real". It was an extremely boring hook man and I just can't seem to force myself to like it. The end of the song also features an emotional skit of Kendrick's mom, just speaking to him. There is just something emotional of the words that the mother was speaking, it's a word of encouragement for Kendrick to become a man and leave behind the world he has grown accustomed to but never forget it and just become a role model for the kids tryna make it out of the same situation. It reminds me of the little monologue from (Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins) "A man is just flesh and blood and can be ignored or destroyed. But as a symbol... as a symbol, I can be incorruptible, everlasting". 4/5 12) Compton feat. Dr. Dre - The last track of the album features the Godfather of everything Compton, the legendary Dr. Dre. As the closing track, Kendrick and Dre go back and forth to celebrate the city of Compton. I believe that this song ended the album perfectly, however I find the song to feel a bit generic at times. Not taking anything away from the song, because Just Blaze did an incredible job on the production. 3/5 After listening to the album multiple times, I have to say that Kendrick created an amazing album thats consistent, diverse and substantial. The mini interludes mixed between songs really enhance the story Kendrick is trying to tell and each and every song just flows seamlessly. For me personally, I will still rank Section.80 slightly above this album, mainly because I felt that Section.80 was more ambitious as far as production and storylines. But I still love this album, this is a great debut album for (the still growing) Kendrick Lamar, while I may not say this is a classic album just yet like I'm sure many Kendrick Lamar fans may try to imply, I will say that this is easily the best mainstream hip hop album of 2012. #HiiiPoWer

First let me say that i LOVED Section 80. Since that album i went back listened to all Kendrick's old stuff. Since then I got into Ab-Soul and just been waiting for Kendrick to drop this album. Now since then J. Cole dropped. Drake second album dropped, Lupe dropped 2 albums (both average to me), I got into Danny Brown and Gangrene and others. I liked all those albums, well I sorta liked Drake's album, but it wasn't as good as his first one. But anyway, I found music that I liked and it held me over but there was always something missing. Nothing really stood out to me and got me hyped every time i put it on. But when I went back to Section 80, it was always fresh to me. Then Women Weed & Weather dropped. I was instantly hyped. Then Swimming pools and, though i loved the song, I wasn't sure what direction Kendrick's album would go. Now that the album is here, my copy is in the mail and i just couldn't wait to hear it so i checked for it on Spotify. 3 listens later and I'm still unable to put into words how much i love this album. Good Kid: MAAD City is an album in the truest since of the word. It follows a theme and each song fits perfectly. The production... oh man.. the production on this is just so perfect that I gives me goose bumps. Then Kendrick's flow is so damn flawless. And the material he provides and all that he is talking about is so deep but not over the head or too abstract. This is what I think modern hip hop should sound like. This is original but thorough. It has focus but doesn't sacrifice quality for the sake of following a theme. I ordered the deluxe edition that has 4 extra songs that i think are well worth the extra few bucks. This is the material i would hope to get from Kendrick. But Dr. Dre executively producing this I think was the last element needed to give it that classic quality. I could go and give a breakdown of each song but i would suggest you give it a listen for yourself. One thing I will say is the song "MAAD CITY" with MC. Eiht has that old school meets new school Compton sound that I haven't heard in a LOOOOOOONNG time. This album is definitely going down as a classic for me. From the skits, to the beats, to the lyrics to the theme. Everything is perfect here. Bravo Kendrick. I can't wait to see you tear it up in a concert bro. You made it.