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good kid, m.A.A.d city, by Kendrick Lamar.
(album breakdown)
(album breakdown)
Kendrick Lamar is one of my favourite artists of all time. this was one of the first albums i ever heard and the first of his. my older cousin put me onto some albums years ago and GKMC stuck with me because of the story kendrick tells. today i’m gonna break it down for you.
Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter’s Daughter:
this is a great intro track because it showcases the genius storytelling that we’ll be getting later on. kendrick talks about a love interest called Sherane. he uses the topic of thirst to describe his feelings. this will reoccur.
this is a great intro track because it showcases the genius storytelling that we’ll be getting later on. kendrick talks about a love interest called Sherane. he uses the topic of thirst to describe his feelings. this will reoccur.
Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe:
forgiveness of sin is also a reoccurring theme as it was in the previous song. in this track, kendrick talks about people who want to associate with him only because of his fame and money, as opposed to his art. at the end, his friend asks him to rap.
forgiveness of sin is also a reoccurring theme as it was in the previous song. in this track, kendrick talks about people who want to associate with him only because of his fame and money, as opposed to his art. at the end, his friend asks him to rap.
Backseat Freestyle:
this track is the epitome of what everyone feels like when they go into adulthood. they feel invincible, free to restrictions, oblivious to reality. it’s even worse when this approach is coming from someone from a “mad city”, which is what kendrick is showing.
this track is the epitome of what everyone feels like when they go into adulthood. they feel invincible, free to restrictions, oblivious to reality. it’s even worse when this approach is coming from someone from a “mad city”, which is what kendrick is showing.
The Art of Peer Pressure:
kendrick uses his mastered skill of storytelling to tell a tale of when he was pressured into completing a robbery without getting in trouble. he’s peer pressured into believing that this sort of behaviour is to be expected from a teen in compton.
kendrick uses his mastered skill of storytelling to tell a tale of when he was pressured into completing a robbery without getting in trouble. he’s peer pressured into believing that this sort of behaviour is to be expected from a teen in compton.
Money Trees:
this song is basically like a summary of the whole record.
“it go Halle Berry or Hallelujah”
this line is amazing as it says so much in just 5 words. you either stick with your morals, or give in to lust. in this case, the lust for money. a genius way to say it.
this song is basically like a summary of the whole record.
“it go Halle Berry or Hallelujah”
this line is amazing as it says so much in just 5 words. you either stick with your morals, or give in to lust. in this case, the lust for money. a genius way to say it.
Poetic Justice:
Kendrick teams up with Drake for a dedicated song to Sherane. he claims the concept of this song was “dealing with a promiscuous woman”. it’s full of nice flows and a catchy hook. at the end of the track abruptly changes to kendrick getting robbed. suspenseful.
Kendrick teams up with Drake for a dedicated song to Sherane. he claims the concept of this song was “dealing with a promiscuous woman”. it’s full of nice flows and a catchy hook. at the end of the track abruptly changes to kendrick getting robbed. suspenseful.
good kid:
this track is the first of the second leg of the album. it kicks off with a theme of epiphany when kendrick realises that he has to do what he can to get out of the hood, otherwise the hood will get him. this track is one of the more sinister ones. nice production too.
this track is the first of the second leg of the album. it kicks off with a theme of epiphany when kendrick realises that he has to do what he can to get out of the hood, otherwise the hood will get him. this track is one of the more sinister ones. nice production too.
m.A.A.d city:
after he gets jumped, he has flashbacks of similar situations. his father tells him to get a job but he gets fired for the robbery. he explains why he doesn’t do drugs due to a bad experience and he advises the listener not to give in to that lifestyle like he did.
after he gets jumped, he has flashbacks of similar situations. his father tells him to get a job but he gets fired for the robbery. he explains why he doesn’t do drugs due to a bad experience and he advises the listener not to give in to that lifestyle like he did.
Swimming Pools (Drank):
this is an amazing song/concept. although this style of song was adopted in some previous tracks, this is the best example. i’m going to go into depth with this one because i think there’s so much to talk about when it comes to this song.(1)
this is an amazing song/concept. although this style of song was adopted in some previous tracks, this is the best example. i’m going to go into depth with this one because i think there’s so much to talk about when it comes to this song.(1)
this is a case of true artistry. kendrick is addressing a serious issue like peer pressure into alcoholism; for example in the scenario of a party. and you know what he does? he sugarcoats it with a nice, catchy hook and a radio-friendly sound, making it a worldwide hit.(2)
the party is a metaphor for the world.
the world was reckless enough to not check the meaning of this song before playing it everywhere. just like how people don’t think before drinking at a party, which could potentially lead them to being an alcoholic for life.(3)
the world was reckless enough to not check the meaning of this song before playing it everywhere. just like how people don’t think before drinking at a party, which could potentially lead them to being an alcoholic for life.(3)
Sing About Me, I’m Dying Of Thirst:
in the first half of this track, kendrick is rapping about the loss of Dave, which happens at the end of swimming pools. kendrick is keeping Dave’s promise that he will about sing about him if he died. it’s about remembering your loved ones.(1)
in the first half of this track, kendrick is rapping about the loss of Dave, which happens at the end of swimming pools. kendrick is keeping Dave’s promise that he will about sing about him if he died. it’s about remembering your loved ones.(1)
the second half of this song consists of kendrick’s frustration of being unable to escape the gang lifestyle. this is where the theme of thirst reappears since the second track. it’s a cycle. he uses the theme of thirst to express his desperate intentions to make it out.(2)
Real:
this is an optimistic song about self-love and overall it sends a positive message to the listener. kendrick has come to a deep realisation and it’s evident from the change of his delivery. once raw and loud, now composed and mentally in his element.
this is an optimistic song about self-love and overall it sends a positive message to the listener. kendrick has come to a deep realisation and it’s evident from the change of his delivery. once raw and loud, now composed and mentally in his element.
Compton:
this is a great closing track. because the listener is assured that kendrick has made it. this instrumental gives off a promising feeling. which could have been a way to describe kendrick’s career at the time, in 2012. Dr Dre does great on this too.
this is a great closing track. because the listener is assured that kendrick has made it. this instrumental gives off a promising feeling. which could have been a way to describe kendrick’s career at the time, in 2012. Dr Dre does great on this too.
Bonus Tracks:
there were a few bonus tracks on the 2013 deluxe version of this album. i don’t visit them that often compared to other songs on this album but they’re not bad tracks at all. it was worth being on the deluxe, my favourite out of these is The Recipe.
there were a few bonus tracks on the 2013 deluxe version of this album. i don’t visit them that often compared to other songs on this album but they’re not bad tracks at all. it was worth being on the deluxe, my favourite out of these is The Recipe.
end of thread! follow for more, i write a lot of threads which you can check out on my pinned
also...
if you like kendrick lamar, you should follow me because tomorrow i will be dissecting my favourite album of his.
see you tomorrow
also...
if you like kendrick lamar, you should follow me because tomorrow i will be dissecting my favourite album of his.
see you tomorrow
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