good kid, m.A.A.d city

food kid h.A.A.d ziti

Rap in general is not my cup of tea but I can hear the talent in something like this. To me, ok at best.

This was my first album in this project. Definitely something I would never have thought of for myself. Was nice to read the glowing, detailed and poignant reasons that others are so taken with the work and the artist. Was too raw for me.

Started off strong but fell off in my opinion

Hip hop. Soul. No está mal.

Confusing experience here. On my first listen, it took a few songs to warm up to. The second half of the album was fantastic. The beats, production, delivery, artistry, musical composition were really fresh (to me...I'm a decade behind on this one). I took a second listen and was really looking forward to it growing on me more. First few songs...same. Then as I got into the later songs I really liked previously, they didn't hit the same the second time through. I'm not sure why. A quick novelty that wore off just as quickly? We'll see. After this project ends (only a quick 880 to go), I really want to dive deeply into hip hop. I'll come back to this one, I'm sure. 1 - bad 2 - average 3 - good 4 - great 5 - outstanding

Кендрика надо будет ещё изучать, пока не поняла хайп и нашла только гудбай Америку

Schöne, trockene Beats, die man aber schon öfters gehört hat. Von daher auch nichts besonderes. Thematisch gehts nur um typischen dicke Hosen Kram, was auch irgendwann nervt. Für Hiphop-Fans ist das aber bestimmt was. Für mich 2-3

Standard version is ridiculously vulgar, clean version is mid

Fine album just not my thing

Highlights: "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" Even though it would be easy to lampoon him, what makes Kendrick is his range. He has an impulse for changing voice and perspective; this album even carries a musical motif for the principle in the ramping of his voice through peaks and valleys ("mAAd City," "Backseat Freestyle"). Calling this album a "film" is key; unlike any other rapper at the time, Kendrick tries to be a cast of characters, and the director looming over them, and his own harshest critic. Although this is definitely a retro album, it deftly bridges the wild playfulness of E-40 with Tupac's arch seriousness from moment to moment. The opener "Sherane" flips the tired trope of the rap skit inside out by having it yank the listener out of an eerie, foreboding story at the height of its suspense. Kendrick gets principles like 'meanwhile, back at the ranch...' He has theater kid chops, but this is also his story to tell. His introspection gives the album's morality tale weight and complexity. Kendrick has never made a perfect album, with some ponderous, annoying jamming and corny self-indulgence, but the peaks are among any of his heroes. His characters divide his sympathies. His inner conflicts always pull him back in, and the listener along with him.

Second half of the album hit my sweet spot

I would say I knew about half of the songs, and those were the ones I enjoyed. I think overall the album was unpredictable but not necessarily in a good way. I don’t think there was good rhythm so if I didn’t know some songs I wouldn’t have liked- but since I did that caused me to sing along and enjoy.

Hip-hop. Ni fu ni fa.

Heard it before?: Yes Enjoy it?: Yes, it’s very solid throughout and uses interludes to perfection which to my mind no one does well apart from Kendrick and Kanye. Only thing I don’t like about Kendrick and this is me alone but sometimes his vocals sound god awful and it makes the song almost sound cringeworthy, I know I’m on my own there but that’s just something I can’t unhear Favourite song: Track 8 - m.A.A.d city

Bitch don’t kill my vibe

Given Kendrick Lamar a good few chances and still don't understand the status he's given. Clearly a talented rapper, lots of impressive lines here and there, but the constant posturing gets tiring and those parts tend to be the weakest lyrics. Good kid and mAAd city were the standouts in terms of production and flow.

3.75

The voicemails at the end of each track ruined this album. At least have them as separate tracks. The beats were good, flow was good.

- Considered a modern classic for a reason

I kind of missed the Kendrick Lamar glory days, wasn't really a golden era of hip hop for me. But yeh I can hear the polished graft but it's not for me.

Well produced but not my vibe

Best ok

Fighting talk, Swimming Pool (Drank) is Kendrick's second best song, ever.

This is the first time I have heard this album. It is a good album. The beats are good. The lyrics are pretty good. I wouldn't say that the songs are memorable to the degree that I want to listen to it again.

Enjoyed it, but it's not for me

AN ALBUM I'VE HEARD BEFORE GOTTA BE THE FIRST ONE TO GENERATE YET

I didn't dislike this.

Not amazing but ok

I was expecting better for how much this album is hyped up

I understand the cultural impact, but I personally just can’t get into it, probably because I can’t relate at all. I didn’t know if it was ironic, didn’t get the references.

Another solid outing from Kendrick

Even reading the lyrics I didn't get what was going on. Smoking spliff, hos, the usual. Don't get the hype but enjoy the beat.

Interesting and kind of unique, sound design is really cool on some songs and boring on others, really liked the style of Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst

Mezcla de hip-hop suave y mezclas con rap. Suave y tranquilo de escuchar. Para los muy amantes del género

I understand that this is a "concept" record, but i honestly had a hard time following the story he's telling. I guess I have to read the lyrics thoroughly a couple of times. What is clear is that he grew up in a violent environment with no easy way out. Although the song "Black Boy Fly" is a bonus track (and I guess not on the original release), I think he's showing his admiration to an NBA player, not because of his basketball prowess, but because he was able to escape to a better life. I did like the telephone call skits; especially the first one with his parents leaving a long voicemail about bringing the car home.

It has a few great cuts

Not really the kind of song that I resonate with. The album itself is far from it. Though I don't hate it for what it is.

Not my thing, but listenable for what it is.

man, I tried to like this but it just doesn’t work for me I’m sure all the fuckin kendrick stans are gonna come after me this is like a 5/10 imo I did like TPAB quite a bit more tho, that’s probably like a 7/10 I’m not really a fan of Kendrick Lamar, sorry

Love me some Kendrick. m.A.A.d city would be an awesome album… if there weren't a bunch of more awesome albums behind it. Amazing freshman effort that change the face of Hip Hop only for the better. 3.5/5.

Un dels artistes cabdals del nou mil.leni. El disc, però, està sobrevalorat. El millor de Lamar hauria de venir just després d'ell. Aquí es congreguen petits diamants ('Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe', 'Swimming Pools', 'Compton'), i es dona la forma final del que ha de ser el 'so Lamar', però és massa llarg i irregular

Autobiographical storytelling that was certainly more literate than the average. Okay (6/10) FT: Money Trees, m.A.A.d. City

Ya know I thought it was pretty interesting, for a hip hop album anyway. Of course the lyrics are lame most the time, but it was cool enough. If I ever see gonna relisten to a hip hop album it might as well be this one

Prefer 90's hip-hop

I like the melodies and his flow, but again why oh why do rap albums have to be soooooooo long.

me gustó la narrativa y las referencias me gustó la portada

Not as pressing as pimping the butterfly

LCD Kendrick Lamar. This album gains inspiration from being stereotypical and ordinary. Go listen to Pimp instead.

This album feels very ordinary, particularly when compared to To Pimp a Butterfly.

There's some very good tracks that are SCCs here.

Hip hop is not my favourite genre but dang, this is a great album. I also like his To Pimp a Butterfly but I think this album is almost its equal. This record is nuanced, layered and complex and that's just what I've picked up while listening to it in the background while I work so I haven't even begun to really dig into his lyrics and masterful storytelling.

Very good rapping I wish the music was more interesting...more unique. 3 🌟

Good

Nothing wrong with this record, it's listenable, though it doesn't do much for me specifically. There are some good songs on it and I didn't feel the need to turn it off, but there's only so much you can take hearing voice mail messages from someone else's mother.

Ce début sur une major est à écouter pour constater l'évolution de Kendrick Lamar. On y entend déjà des éléments qu'on retrouve sur To Pimp A Butterfly et même Damn qui sont ses meilleurs albums.

A solid album, lots of stuff to get caught on in there.

I liked a few songs. I can see the cultural influence this album has on the music of today, but most of it really just wasn't for me.

vissa är riktigt bra. men vissa är rätt dåliga. Swimming Pools är dålig som fan men t.ex The Art of Peer Pressure är en banger. svårt det här.

His 2nd album but 1st major label. Rap. Interesting. Not really my thing.

I’ve struggled with this album in the past, but I’m glad I gave it another try. It paints a consistent picture of Compton and has strong lyrics. Musically I don’t enjoy it as much as some other hip hop.

Alweer een album die ik nooit uit mezelf zou opzetten (en dat waarschijnlijk niet nog eens ga doen). maar wel een oké album

Not quite Kanye or Jay Z. Pretty dull.

Pretty poor

This one was tricky. First, a thought on why this is so divisive: Not all of the albums on this list are "music" to be casually enjoyed. Some albums (especially the concept ones) are "auditory artforms" that require one's full (and often repeated) attention and engagement to fully appreciate or even understand. Ultimately, how successfully this formula lands depends on not only the effort and openness of the listener, but also the medium/genre used by the artist. Rap, honkytonk, prog, and whatever the hell it is Bjork does (I like Bjork, by the way) are all valid but very, very different mediums/genres. Each can be very effective for reaching its target audience, but not all of these are going to resonate with the same audiences. Zoom in on this album. It uses ugly and vulgar as brushstrokes to paint its story. It has to. That's the backdrop of the story. If it weren't ugly and vulgar, it wouldn't be authentic. Kendrick's not glorifying this ugly and vulgar. He's putting a spotlight on it. Examining it. And inviting the listener to consider choosing an alternative reality. For some listeners, however, there's a very real, visceral reaction to such ugly and vulgar. For these listeners, this is not an effective medium/genre for conveying the story. Perhaps they would respond to the story using a different approach. Perhaps not. The point is this can feel very right for some people and very wrong for others. Hence, the divisiveness. As for my personal preference and rating: I gave it two playthroughs, and I do appreciate the flow, the production, the story telling, the message, and the intent. However, this story isn't my story (nor even close to adjacent), so it's hard to relate. In addition, I feel it's a bit too long for the weight of its material, but that might be because, again, it wasn't the easiest album for me to digest. I was also somewhat disappointed with the lack of catchy hooks (for me, personally, that's an important ingredient for replayability). To its credit, however, this is probably the only album I've heard that properly uses skits as a narrative technique and not just as a disruptive, intermittent gimmick. All-in-all, this is only a 2 for me, but I can understand why others would grade up and/or down.

I get why people rate him - but it just doesn't float my boat.

Not quite my sort of thing, though the music is quite good now and then. Two stars...

Couple good tracks.

Eh… killed my vibe…

Listened to first three songs. Not very into rap, though I can see how this is pushing artistry within the genre.

The first few songs were really good then, the just dragged on after that.

This was so boring, and the lyrics oscillated between genuine commentary, and pure drivel.

Gave up after 1 song...not my thing

I didn’t mind it, but not my style of music.

Just not in the mood for a whole rap album

Knew a few of the songs, wouldn’t turn them off if they came on but I won’t be actively going to listen to this album

It is not my cup of tea!

Yeah, i don't think good kid, m.A.A.d city was that great of an album. In my eyes, there are two major things that drag this album down a lot. First, the lyrics, for the most part they are very immature and rely on the same old rap stereotypes that you commonly see among rappers like this. Another issue is the identity crises these songs have. There are so many times where the songs, at odd points no less, will randomly change to a completely different song yet still be part of the same track which makes me ask "Why don't you just make them different songs at this point?". The only reason that this album does not get a 1 is the fact that if you ignore the odd song changes, there are points where the production is very good. That is about the only good thing i can say about this album though as i still find it rather hard to recommend. Best Song: Real Worst Song: Backseat Freestyle Side note: It is pretty funny seeing Kendrick Lamar collab with Drake on this album considering the relationship those two have now

Was alright yet extremely repetitive and every song sounded exactly the same just a different phrase repeated.

2/5

Didn't click with me

Nope. Not for me. Two stars for not being a complete musical train wreck, though.

I’m not into hip hop. I guess this I good?

Not for me

I think there’s some lyrical genius in here but I can’t get into it with all the various noises and interruptions and the lack of melody

Now dropped from the list. Fine. By me. Better than some of this ilk but I dont see the genius.

Money trees was good, did not like the other ones, to me they were not my type of music and the lyrics were not relateable. i dont think they are to many people.

Ok

Not as bad as most but not great

I didn’t like it not because it’s not good but because it’s not the style of music I am used to listen.

Just another hip hop album that rolls out the same old tropes. Really, more skits? Haven't we played out the skits in hip hop over the past few decades? No matter where you come from, or what you have experienced, you don't have rely to on constant misogyny and stereotypes. I'm weary of guys who are over the top about how much they enjoy this stuff. I know so many black folk who are not like these stereotypes at all. The engineering and production staff did their jobs well, so I don't feel it is fair to go below a 2. Without the lyrics this would be a fairly easy 3.

This wasn't for me.

Today I decided that Kendrick Lamar is the Radiohead of the rap world. Both artists have some really, really devoted fans that treat them as absolute geniuses who have ascended to the pinnacle of music. I just don't get the hype for either of them. This is another album that's going to get unfairly dinged by me because the lyrics are a big part of the draw, but even if I were doing nothing but listening to this in a dark room I'd still miss most of them. I'm sure they're occasionally brilliant, and I'm glad some people love this...but sonically this album is kinda boring to me. Like Radiohead, I feel like I'm *supposed* to like Kendrick Lamar as an enlightened fan of music, but honestly I just don't. Intrinsically, subjectively, this does not work for me beyond a couple songs. I couldn't wait for it to be over. 1.8

Fine, rap doesn't interest me and this didn't really change that opinion.

Per nummer een cijfer op de schaal 0-10 (afronden op heel getal) 1) 6/10 2) 7/10 3) 2/10 4) 4/10 5) 5/10 6) 5/10 7) 6/10 8) Niet af kunnen luisteren door gebrek aan motivatie

Fine I guess

Too much misogyny and too many words that make me uncomfortable. I don't find it enjoyable to listen to.

mucho rap pesado, algunas canciones estaban muy buenas y otras no muy pesado el ritmo,muy repetitivo

not my thing

I donde like. I coudn't listen totally

like good but not really my vibe

Not my Taste in music

I know he’s talented. But I’m old. If it’s rap and it isn’t at least 30 years old…

It's hard to understand why people listen to this on purpose. For one hour and 17 of our Earth minutes. Fml. 2

Fue muy distinto a lo que suelo escuchar, no es mi estilo, pero me encantó la experiencia de escuchar algo totalmente distinto

Don’t pmo

Edelleenkään puhelaulu ei oikein oo mun musaa, en vaan ymmärrä sitä vaikka kuinka sitä kuuntelen. Vaikka biitit on yleensä hyviä, kaipaan rumpuja ja kitaroita.

Rap&HipHop are not my thing. The second part of the album was more enjoyable for me. Will not listen again probably.

Don't like rap

didn't really care for it.

OK.

It's ok

decent storytelling album

Did not enjoy.

Not sure I get the ‘brilliance’ of Kendrick’s lyrics. Kinda just sounded like another thug rap album I grew up listening to in early 2000’s. ‘m.A.A.d city’ stood out as a good track.

RYM 2.0

Do not get the hype.

Don’t get the Kendrick hype at all. 2 is generous.

Not my thing

Um

Doesn't matter how much of this type of music I listened to, they don't stir me. I don't like the style or much of the life experiences they reflect.

Overall I don't find that album very fun to listen to. For a non hip-hop person I think that's essential for enjoying rap albums;)

Loved the track m.A.A. d city, but the rest of it wasn't for me.

Good lyrics, but the music doesn't interest me much.

Nou nou, tämmönen ei toimi mulle. Tuttuja biisejä pari-kolme, mutta ei mitään bängereitä. Perus gängstä-räppiä, joka sellasenaan on vähän tylsää.

I've tried. I've really tried. I just can't find much to like about Kendrick. People say he's so smart and a great lyricist, but I hear too much trivializing women and how big his dick is. A couple of the tunes have a cool beat and a hook, then he adds some weird, annoying voice Or beats the hell out of a sentence. I just don't get the love for him. Go ahead and love him if you do, but stop trying to sell me on it.

When he starts singing about the size of his appendage and bitches, I turned off. Some interesting music but the lyrical content isnt for me. Misogynistic, hateful, disrespectful. Nah...

Art of peer pressure favourite one so far, but in feel like for a rap album I'll have to have lyric sheet with me along with the music as that's the main focus . Never ever listened to an album of this style from this era, its interesting to keep broadening your musical horizons! Money trees catchy but lyrics I can't identify with at all, I'm a world apart from all of this so it just sounds kind of parodied to me to be honest. Poetic justice liquid shite, crap beat and lyrics shallow and just about sex and asses, again, how can you not laugh at this stuff heh, pure parody. He's got some other famous rappers on this album, maybe that's why it was marked as influential? True, some of the lyrics might be about him growing up in gang culture etc but personally I don't value rap music too much unless they put effort into the song writing, e.g Beastie boys. Not just random samples on loops. I mean look at the credits on the album, so many producers - too many cooks spoil the broth? I won't rate it a 1 as there are some genuinely catchy songs on this, some people probably love it but I don't. I can tolerate one or two tracks isolated but as an album as a whole? Not a chance in hell.

While I faintly remember that Bitch don’t kill my vibe or Swimming Pools (Drank) were quite famous, I… don’t feel the vibe. I guess DAMN. was more suited for me.

Ever since the super bowl last year, I've started to appreciate Kendrick more, and I'm not really a rap listener. Being honest, I usually don't listen for lyrics, just vibes, especially on first listen. This was fine, nothing jumped out to me, 2*

“what if hiphop wasn't about fucking hoes and drugs? it would be very boring ig. every songs has 1 flow and it never changes” - Tyler

Good kid mid city. I heard this guy Kendrick was good but that was kinda mid. This is coming from a non rap person so take that however you like, not my thing

The storytelling...

Honestly gave it a chance, just not for me, Im open to new music but not even paying close attention to the lyrics makes it enjoyable for me.

Niet echt mijn smaak

No es mi tipo de música para nada.

I'm sure the lyrics and storytelling are great but can't get into this

It’s ok. Not really my cup of tea

Not for me

Fave track is m.A.A.d. city cause of the synths and drum beat. I quite liked the experience of learning about and discovering this album. I have heard it mentioned many times. As for the actual content, I didn’t enjoy it *that* much

Not a major fan of first song. I like the repetitive lyrics in the second song but not a major fan of the actual lyrics themselves. I like the third song but probably not enough to repeatedly listen to it, I like the growling. I like the calming start and the background vocals are really nice. Ive def heard the of the 4th song, not a major fan bc it makes me think of 2020 tiktok. Immediately don’t like the intro of poetic justice, I like the background vocals and lyrics it’s actually pretty good. Good kid is good at some minor points but not great at others. I really like m.A.A.d city’s intro and I like the storytelling and rhyming pattern. I don’t really like Mc Eiht’s part it’s just okay. Ive heard swimming pool before, not a fan. 12 minute song is crazy. I like Anna Wise’s voice on Real, I really like the lyrics and the messaging I think this is my favorite song on the album. The ending vocals are super good. Compton is okay. Overall rating 2/5 Thoughts: Too long, has some good songs but nothing I would really listen to on repeat Best: Real Worst: Sing about me

I am old - but I claim to be still have an open mind (I discovered Frank Ocean off this list and find him exceptional). But I don't find any interesting in this - it's just doodling around and super offensive lyrics all the time. Maybe good kid and m.A.A.d city were good but I can't stand it one more minute. Giving up at "Sing about me".

- 70 minutes is a hell of a long time to endure his annoying whiny baby voice. - Some of the production is good but it feels a bit limp compared to most of the hip-hop I like. - I don't get the hype. Sorry.

not my thing... im not a fan of kendrick for me his songs are just boring and too long

not my vibe

It was fine.

It was fine. I honestly never really heard of Kendrick Lamar until the whole superbowl thing so I was surprised I knew the 'drink' song (I already forgot the name)

I know people love Kendrick Lamar and there were some songs on here that I did like but I don't think this one is for me.

Não é nada do meu estilo, mas vamos ver. Achei interessante que tem historinha no meio, pra ouvir como álbum todo tipo agora deve ser massa, mas no dia a dia não. A vibe parece ser bem legal pra quem curte, e mesmo não prestando atenção na letra, dá pra sentir algo tenso, críticas sociais fodas.

Ya puede ser la niña bonita del rap contemporáneo que no lo compro. El cansancio y desinterés monumental que me ha producido este disco es comparable a tantos otros álbumes de rap que han pasado por esta lista. Y si leo que en el se cuentas las experiencias de Kendrick creciendo en un barrio lleno de droga y mala gente ya me desconecto sin solución. En fin, lo mismo de siempre.

Guess I’m missing something compared to the global averages.. Like many other rap albums on the project I admit my ignorance, but unlike many other rap albums here I didn’t find a single track that I would seek out after listening. Not terrible but quite boring. 2.25/5

I’m afraid this wasn’t for me, I’m sure everyone involved will be crushed

I know everyone loves Kendrick Lamar. Honestly, it’s so much talking. I just don’t care.

Not my jam.

No soy fan de los discos donde la mitad del track es bla bla bla y la otra mitad es la palabra “bitch”. Soy abuela.

I really don't understand this one. How the fuck is this album so highly rated? I rarely skip songs but there is no way I can listen to something like "Bitch, don't kill my vibe" - that gotta be some of the worst vocals I've listened in this whole 1001 album thing... "Backseat Freestyle" has some nice elements but holy shit are the lyrics BAD and this seems to be a common theme. I guess the narrative elements in some other songs are ok but nothing that impresses me much...

To listen to the 1,001 is to study the history of the hip-hop skit, from the artform's origin in De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising through its modern decline as a victim of playlist-based listening. Here we have a later example from 2012 that uses skits not as comic relief but to build narrative (except the guy yelling about his Domino's - I'm unclear on whether this is about pizza or if it's something else I'm too sheltered to know). I didn't enjoy the skits but I respect the artistry. Ditto for the overall album.

Not my cup of tea

I really tried with this album and listened to some of it more than once. Have to open with not my thing and I do get frustrated with the genre and the excessive need to do the usual gangster bingo of key buzz words. That said it was interesting as the "art" wrestled with the realities of their life and the grounding nature of his mum (I think) coming in and out of the music which seemed quite prominent to me. Its also very stark contrast to other rap where I have been highly disengaged where as this had a better flow musically and I enjoyed the "ether" for which the content was wrapped. I think worthy of some more time to invest and if nothing else its now my top pick should any of my G friends come round for tea!

It all just sounds the same to me. Boring, repetitive.

I found this very weird. It's a mix of rap, hip hop, and preaching. I find it surprising that this artist was as popular as he was.

Not my style, but I understand it’s significance and value

I sort of knew going into this I wouldn’t like it whether that swayed my opinion or not i’m unsure, but I know I don’t really like Kendrick’s style and flow, that’s where it just didn’t hit for me

Well made, but totally not something I enjoy.

It was OK. Nothing groundbreaking. But nothing bad. Very generic. The constant dialogue inserts did tie it togehter a little, but they detracted heavily from the melodies. I wouldn't recommend it and have no intention of listening to any of this again.

Meh. I think it was a good thing he went to study, coz these rhymes are not it

weniger mein stil von rap/hip-hop

I guess it was fine. Seems more of a time capsule of the era rather than a timeless album. Kendrick is the black panther of rappers, everyone loved it in 2018 but wont hold up

Not my thing - and a little confusing. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not “my world” any more than NWA is - but NWA sounds good to me and this doesn’t.

Better than the last album I heard from him, still not good. 2/5

I'm sorry Jonny, I just don't get it. It's like listening to someone read out a list of words. It's so far away, I can't hear what's good about it.

Decent enough. Maya and I played it in the background while she made me breakfast (veggie frittata:). I wouldn't buy this album or listen to it again although I can see why its popular.

Eh

Not for me

Not my thing this but I can appreciate the (mostly) laid back beats and I love an album that has a theme running throughout rather than being a collection of songs. Lyrics are off putting to me though. Won’t listen again.

I think not for me

Maybe it's because this is the third consecutive day the generator has given me an album over an hour long, but it's just too damn boring. It avoids the basement because the lyrics describe harsh inner city life, so at least it's a concept album(fuck the misogyny though). However, musically, there are no fun dance tunes; no catchy beats; no heavy production. Favorite Track: "Money Trees".

I hated listening to this, but I don't think it's actually bad, thus a 2

Not my usual thing but enjoyed some of it. I can see why it’s on the list.

Don’t think I’m the target audience for this

I think I'll check out more - not Deb's thing at all though!

Removed Album #14 (List: https://pastebin.com/cSThNiK9) Yes, seriously. For whatever reason, Good Kid, m.A.A.d City has been scrubbed from future editions of the book. I dislike the music of Kendrick Lamar and consider TPAB to be the worst album I’ve ever heard. But, even so, it’s shocking to me that this album was decommissioned. Kendrick Lamar’s second and third albums are the biggest things to have come from the music industry in a long, long time. I’d argue that nothing from the 2000s through to current year has measured up to the indelible mark that this album and its successor have had on popular music. Good Kid, m.A.A.d City is an album I’ve heard before, so I don’t have to give this one the two-listen treatment. While I have nothing but scathing criticisms for TPAB, I recall having a much kinder opinion of m.A.A.d City. I came away with the impression that I could one day like this album if I ever came to appreciate hip-hop. That day still hasn’t come, though nevertheless I’m still curious about giving this album another go. I don’t remember my exact opinion on the songs of m.A.A.d City, though I imagine I’m a little more favourable to this than I was previously. While I will always have my reservations about Kendrick’s vocal talent, the lyrics on m.A.A.d City are much better than I remember them being. It’s been a good while since I last sat down and read along to the lyrics of an album. As a non-Ebonics-user, there was also some novelty in trying to understand all of the hood lingo. Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe is a good start. I enjoy the instrumental. The lyrics kinda taper off early without really going anywhere, though in all fairness this song is one of the less narrative-focused ones. The Art of Peer Pressure tells an effective story with some good lyrics. I enjoy the tension of the song - something that is generally very difficult to capture within music. That’s kind of where my positive comments end. The album falls into a slump somewhere down the middle and never recovers. Many of songs are extremely repetitive and are stretched out for way longer than they ever needed to be. I think this is largely owed to the lyrics. With each track having a million verses, I felt that the sheer number of words on this album sabotaged whatever emotional impact could come from being concise and to-the-point. Some of the songwriting is astoundingly shitty, especially around the choruses. Backseat Freestyle is the king of this. I get it’s meant to be a vapid song, though that doesn’t salvage the track when it’s already so aggressively unlistenable. Swimming Pools and Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst are other exemplars. I remember this album having more of a narrative arc than it wound up having. Most of the album rides on a slow downward tilt until the death of Dave, after which it suddenly bounces back without much rumination or reflection. There isn’t any real cohesion between the songs, either. Maybe I’m expecting too much from this album, but I’ve had it hammered into my skull that this is a concept album and, as such, should meaningfully explore a concept. Kind of disappointed that I didn’t have an epiphany with this album though, again, I think this is a worthwhile addition to the list. While only having a cursory knowledge of hip-hop, I can hear how Kendrick has single-handedly revolutionised political hip-hop. It’s much more emotionally resonant and personal than the acts to come before, which is perhaps what the genre really needed. Why was this album removed? Beats me, though if I’m to guess it would be due to TPAB being the bigger album and both albums scratching the same concept album itch, even if they are very thematically different from one another.

Not my style

wasn’t really my style but i guess it had some good beats

Probably one of the better Hiphop artists, probably good lyrics. But I am not into that style really.

I gave a previous Kendrick Lamar album 3 stars, which is a lot for me for a rap album. It's really not my style, but this guy is good at what he does. This one also has his moments, but it also has more nonsense. I somewhat enjoyed the more straightforward tracks like both of the title tracks. But the more fluff, the less I enjoyed it. Miss me with skits, conversations, auto-tune, cartoon voices, etc. Tracks like Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe, Swimming Pools, or Real just really don't feel like they're worth finishing and I skipped forward half-way through.

Not really my style, but I could appreciate the quality of production. I actually enjoyed reading about the story behind the album more than the album itself

no me ha dado tiempo a escucharlo jaja

Zuhause, Heidenheim, Deutschland. joa, overrated…

Not for me.

There were some OK songs.

The backing tunes aren't at all bad except some annoying bloke keeps talking over the top of them.

Not my thing, I get there's talent but I think even this more nuanced or intelligent gangster rap still fundamentally is situated in a hyper masculine point of view that I'm never going to connect with. 2

Thought about not voting. I get it he's not a gangster, but brought up in that environment. Still not comfortable with the vibe and language.

Hated the first few tunes Find kendricks rapping to be nauseating Art of peer pressure is decent Hated it at first listen, enjoyed it more second listen. I just find kendricks rapping annoying

I liked it but I'm not a big rap guy

2.0 - Weak

This just isn’t for me. I feel super old know I’m even less cool.

Zo nu en dan gigantisch slechte teksten. Onnodig lang album. Gewoon domme muziek.

Not my kind of hip hop

Me like old rap. Me not like new rap. Three or four decent songs in over an hour is a poor return on investment. Compton is the best song by far. Real, m.A.A.d city, and, surprisingly (because Drake), Poetic Justice were the other good songs. Most of the time, I enjoyed the phone conversations about dominoes more enjoyable than the songs. Almost every chorus is terrible and annoying. The list of producers is longer than the phone book. 3/10

123/1089 - I never got the appeal of Kendrick. My favorite hip-hop is "A Tribe Called Quest" and East Coast rap. I mainly like the jazzy beats and swung vocal delivery. With that out of the way, I'm willing to give this album another shot. After listening, I dislike the skits and don't understand why hip-hop artists put them in (De La Soul being an exception because they at least add music to it). Kendrick doesn't look like OJ, that's as delusional as Soulja Boy's "bitch I look like Gohan" lyric. Some songs seem fine but he ruins it with his best Squidward impression on the choruses. Overall I didn't like it but I'm glad I listened to this.

Just not my vibe

Seemed pretty big standard stuff and didn’t really stand out. One listen only - just seemed a bit boring really

I understand what this is, and it's not for me.

I don't think I was built for this type of music. I'm just a simpleton, I eat bread and life is good.

Way too long although it don't sucks like other hip-hop albums.

i tried to like it since so many people do. I do like rap. The lyrics are quite good, but i just feel he cannot sing very well which distracts too much.

Not my thing.

Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter's Daughter 2.7 Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe 2.3 Backseat Freestyle 2.2 The Art of Peer Pressure 2.4 Money Trees 2.3 Poetic Justice 2.2 Good Kid 3 M.A.A.D City 2.6 Swimming Pools (Drank) 2.4 Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst 2.3 Real 2.3 Compton 2.4 Score: 2.425

Normally I wouldn't listen to it. For once it's actually quite nice

2.5/5

I can honestly say I've tried to get into Kendrick because of friends who swear he's the greatest. I never heard of him in 2012. Is it the lyrics or storytelling? I don't judge a song on lyrics alone and can I really relate to a hip hop guy? The music backing him up is just above average. The listener counts are staggering. "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" which sounds like an alien singing is so basic and weak but it has nearly a billion listens, wtf? No song has fewer than 91M listens and there are tracks with 519M ("Backstreet Freestyle"), 743M ("Poetic Justice"), 930M ("MAAD City") and 2.3B ("Money Trees"). I got nothing from any of these songs, no urge to hear it a second time, no slipping into the groove, no clever lyric I thought was memorable... I'm convinced there's voodoo going on, an imbedded subliminal message that slow minds hook on to and make them want to hear this drivel over and over. 2 stars, it's better than some rap/hip hop but it's either too new for me or I just don't get what he's selling.

Not my jam

yt

It grew on me as the album progressed and it was just the second half I'd rate it a lot higher but I found some of the early songs genuinely difficult to listen to and that brings down the whole album for me. Really interesting storytelling happening but enough misogyny that I just couldn't enjoy it. A man saying bitch that much will always bring me out of the listening experience. Favourite: Real Least: Backseat Freestyle

Nah

No issue with the rapper/lyrics/content. But the too heavy boom bap bass and the few and far between samples didn't do anything for me. At some point (I think probably 1995 or 96) rap passed me by and moved into it's next phase. Everything has to change and evolve, that's the way it should be. But it doesn't strike me the same even with a super talented rapper like KL.

Okay.

Ew.

🤷‍♀️

bit wish wash

I don't know if I've mellowed to Kendrick, or if it's actually a better album, but I didn't dislike this nearly as much as To Pimp a Butterfly - still very much in the "not for me" camp though. Apparently he had a good Superbowl show though, so that's good for him I guess?

I liked to Pimp a Butterfly, but this was hard work. Falling into rap stereotypes, the misogyny in particular put me off. Musically, it didn't do much for me either. It didn't make me actively angry, more disappointed as Kendrick is supposed to be the gold standard of rap - a bit like when I tried to listen to Kanye West's The College Dropout, I just don't get why this is popular.

Way too long, pretty dull in general. Lamar's voice varies between whiny and muppetesque. It's certainly unique but not in a way that sounds pleasant to me. Most songs had very little variation within the song so they get stale very quickly

It has its moments. In particular some cool beats here and there. But in general I'm not a fan of his style, especially his smooth low-energy vocal style he uses a lot of the time.

can he just shut up and play the fucking songs ?

Gah, the first album I get on this whole list is Kendrick Lamar??? Ugh. I feel like I’m kind of broken here because man, do people ever love Kendrick Lamar, but I just can’t seem to. Also, I fully recognize that my main reasons (I don’t like his voice or his flow) are pretty dumb. I guess I sort of get why so many people love this album so much, but for me there are just too many things about it that feel like needles under my skin, sonically. I can’t even focus on the lyrics or the story because I’m so distracted by his voice and various sounds and I haaaaaate feeling like I’m listening to a movie without being able to watch it and the whole thing is just making me feel anxious. I…have issues, right? But I did like “Compton” (probably because it’s Dre heavy). My conclusion here? I don’t like it, but I definitely believe that it’s not Kendrick, it’s me. 2/5

I really tried but Kendrick Lamar just ruins any song he is in. The positives: like most rap music I like the beats and melodies. Some lyrics were pretty good! I liked some of the featured artists especially MC Eiht. m.A.A.d city was a good song. The negatives: Kendrick Lamar. Unfortunately he is in every song so... 2/5

Inte riktigt min kopp te, jag fångas inte av musiken och texten går mig antingen helt över huvudet eller så är det bara inte så bra. Tycker hans röst är rätt störig också.

One ‘biatch’ too many left me cold. Stopped listening there. 🥱

Not my cuppa tea.

The rapping is fast and skillful, but I don't like the sweary interstitial tracks. Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe is catchy.

good kid, long album. Not my vibe.

2 out of 5. This hits a little more than To Pimp a Butterfly.

Not so much. 2

Hip hop with social commentary on inner city living, the culture, gang hostility, violence, peer pressure, drugs, sex, individual fears and vulnerability. I don't mind gritty realism but I didn't get any pleasure listening to it. But I'm not exactly the target demographic anyway. Also hasn't this concept been explored enough already?

In the words of Andy Townsend - \"not for me Clive\". It sounded like someone with ADHD just saying random sentences as quickly as possible, while his mates messed about with a drum machine and a Casio keyboard. I am a big fan of rap\hip-hop, albeit I am in my 50's so I'm probably much more 'old school' than most, but this album did nothing for me. Maybe I need to give it a few listens to appreciate it, but I needed a tiny spark from the first listen to do that, and I got nothing. It's 2 stars for me.

Not sure how to rate this. I can hear the skill but I don't see listening to it again.

Didn't like it

Pour être honnête, je ne suis pas un gros amateur de rap (j'apprécie énormément certains artistes/albums, mais c'est juste pas une musique qui fait partie de mon quotidien), mais cette écoute était agréable. Quelques titres vraiment sympas, d'autres moins (trop pop?) La dernière fois que j'ai écouté un album de Kendrick j'ai eu le même plaisir global. Il faudrait sans doute que j'écoute davantage !

That was not the best.

This was satisfactory at best. "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe."

This album is not my thing. Some of the music and beats are good, but i can do without the rapping and conversational vignettes at the end of seemingly every song.

Meh

This is definitely not my style of music / rap. But it wasn’t as bad as I’ve been lead to believe. A few songs I almost liked. 2.75

Not my usual genre of music to listen to. Found it quite hard going at the start but as the album progressed found my self enjoying certain aspects of it. Out of choice would probably not listen to it again though but that’s just cause it’s not for me really.

I did not love this album but I listened to the whole thing and did not have any urges to skip songs or turn it off. There are other artists in this genre that I really enjoy. This was not one of them.

I love some hip hop, this felt a bit too try hard. Nothing special in the lyrics and nothing special in the mixing. I know a few KL tracks and they're "alright" but this whole album felt a bit "meh".

This had some good bits towards the end of the album. But I struggled a little with the lack of hook etc.

Unpopular opinion. Not a Lamar fan

Not at all my thing. The songs aren't really that interesting and the lyrics I don't like. Also too damn long.

Another hip-hop record. Is there no end to these on this list? Nasty words, OK rhythms and the usual boring vocal delivery.

There's nothing new or interesting here. The production is nice. Does anyone get anything out of those little conversational skits that appear on 90% of hip hop albums? They really break up the enjoyment of the musical experience for me, they're jarring. I'd be happy to never hear another talky skit again. I found this whole thing quite tedious.

Kendrick

I guess I just can't put myself into the target crowd. I like the slice-of-life focus but have too much trouble hearing the words so I lose the whole point.

I preferred it to the previous KL offering. More musicality but some of it still sets my teeth on edge.

Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background The album got better towards the end, but I just don't have the time to keep going with this one. Potential to move up in ranking, but can't get beyond fuckin' the world for 72 hours with my Eiffel Tower dick.

Just doesn’t compare to the OG Death Row Records gang.

The music’s ok but his whiny voice pisses me off and the lyrics are all beatch this and nigga that. Sad state of affairs that this is the new emperor.

see, the thing is...i just don't like kendrick all that much. like, i'm sure this is great and all, i just slightly loathe everything about it. a little bit. ok, completely. and then as a white dude in the 2020s i feel real self-conscious about not liking it, because maybe it's a race thing...but then i remember i genuinely love paris (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RSQqcvvmp4) and public enemy and lord knows what all else, and i realize "ah - no, it's not race, so it's gotta be an age thing," and then i just feel like grampa simpson, and...well, i guess that's just how it's gotta be. so yeah. i don't like kendrick. and i don't like ye either, really don't give a fuck about drake...so clearly, the problem is the kids these days. that's my story and i'm stickin' to it.

Not for me

The headline here is I really don’t enjoy this guy’s tone. I usually rate hiphop albums on flow, production, content and tone but the other three criteria don’t get much of a look in here coz I just can’t get past his nasal qualities. The production and flow just about drag it up to a two.

As you know, I'm not averse to a bit of rap if done well, and this is. It comes over as a piece of social commentary better than most, and the music is performed very well too. But even with all that it's not something I'd listen too by choice or spend money on. Definite 2

wooz beats, b.A.A.d lyrics

This album goes from a believer’s prayer to disgusting lyrics. I’ll put this in same hypocritical category as Destiny Child. There’s a special place in music hell for this album.

The original generic modern rap album.

Not My Kind of music.

I liked "Backseat Freestyle" best, and "Swimming Pools." The rest definitely lacked the things I like about Kendrick though. More gangster. Also WTF Drake featured on this?

I've heard about half these tracks before and for the most part, I liked this record. But it is really monotonous. None of these tracks really differentiate themselves in a meaningful way. It's also super relative and has a weird prayer toward the end.

This wasn't my genre and didn't convince me it should become it. I knew the name, didn't know the music. Hearing it, nothing pulled me in. Lyrics didn't grab me. Most of the music was fairly basic. Continuing my original perception on the name as famous for reasons I can't explain.

Starts off with a prayer to Jesus then immediately rapping about stripper ass and pussy. And he wishes his dick was as big as the Eiffel Tower. And drugs. And violence. And lots and lots of n-words. This music was not made for me, but it was somewhat entertaining at least. He's got sort of a unique delivery. Dr. Dre's rap sucked. He should have stayed retired.

Just can’t get into newer hip hop

decent sound, but lyrical content is not my style at all.

I really tried to see the reasons for the high praise of this album. To my dismay, I couldn't.

The beats are cool, but the lyrics are cringe and all the skits throughout even cringier. I did not enjoy this listening experience.

Very overrated

#45 - I am sure that this album has made a lot of waves in its particular genres, but I feel I am too far from the whole genre to appreciate. This does nothing for me.

Not my jam, although I can understand his poetic prowess.

Well. TPAB is better. I dunno this is one of those concept albums where I don’t really care about the concept that much. I think the biggest flaw is there’s really no FUN songs on here. There’s nothing I’d put on to feel good or to dance. The song that comes closest is, ironically, the song that’s intentionally bad and juvenile. So many songs feel too long, the whole album drags out, why the fuck is there a 10 minute long song on this, it’s exhausting considering the beat never changes and nothing interesting happens with the flow for 6 minutes. It’s just an exhausting album all around in terms of subject matter and musicality. Beyond that I really don’t love the holier than thou posturing of Kendrick?

Not bad but not something I would listen to again. I'm not a big hip hop/rap fan but I can see this album is good in that genre I enjoyed Crompton. Maybe that is the Dre Dre influence. Favourite song: Crompton Least favourite: A lot of the songs are just the same Album artwork: Not for me

2/5

Dude can certainly rap, but can’t see myself rating this any higher (on first listen at least)

Not my Jam.

I can understand that, if you are into Hip Hop and rap, this album might be pleasing to you. What I am trying to understand is why I should find it pleasing to listen to? Though, to be fare, if the choice would be between listening to this or EDM, then give me this any day...

I know he's popular among my generation and many of my friends consider him the greatest of all time — I still think he's full of shit.

I gave this a fair try to hear why Kendrick is considered one of the best rappers, I guess I don't listen to enough rap to understand the nuances of what makes him great. Interesting to listen to, but probably not something I'd revisit.

I can see why people like him, but definitely not my jam.

Bitch, killed my vibe.

Rap/hip-hop generally isn't my cuppa at all. I've listened to Kendrick before (not this album) and he's an artist from that genre I actually enjoy, and this album is no exception. That said, I won't spin it many more times going forward.

I haven't listened to this album really since it came out, I was a teenager. It doesn't hit the same now, it's not really my thing. Certainly there's some decent tunes but the whole album is too much for me, some of the songs are far too long and I am not hearing good reason for them to keep going so long. The opener has some pretty misogynistic lyrics as well so I'm put off from the get go. Favourite tracks: Good Kid, Sing About Me I'm Dying Of Thirst

Je comprends les qualités, mais ça me plait pas du tout personellement.

I really did not enjoy the first 4 or 5 tracks. The second half of the album was a lot better, enough that I kind of forgot about the start. Unfortunately once I got to the end of the album it started again and brought that bad taste right back. Not for me.

Just not my cup of tea unfortunately, the day before this I had Stankonia by Outkast and I vastly preferred that record. This one felt like such a slog to get through. But "Money Trees" and "Real" are decent enough tracks so it wasn't a complete waste of time.

Modern hip hop. Not terrible, I just don't like the modern stuff as much as the old school hip hop, and Kendrick is a big fan of putting dumb fuckin skits in the middle of songs. Also, his rhymes are juvinile as fuck. For example... "I pray my dick get as big as the Eiffel Tower so I can fuck the world for 72 hours...." Wtf... Favourite songs: m.A.A.d. city, Money Tree, Backseat Freestyle Least favourite songs: "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe", "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" 2/5

Добрались до рейперов современности. Ну поехали слушать, что он там ляпнет. А ничего, я понимаю, тут, конечно, надо лирику слушать, но мне неохота.

Hard to say why, but it just didn't click for me at any point. Shame, 'cause I was actually excited to listen to this one.

No. Bitch here, Bitch there. Killed my vibe ;)

Not my bag, really. Where my fucking dominos at?

I listened to this album a few years ago to see all the KL hype. I didn't really like it then and still not so much this go around. I give credit to the lyrics and the story telling but I just can't vibe with the style. KL sounds like a froggy alien and he runs on with his flow too much. A few songs are goos and i give it a little bump on the rating for stepping out of the norm.