An Album of a good kid in a mad city
What makes an album great? Is it simply whether the number of good songs outweighs the number of bad songs? Is it whether the album fits coherently together? Is it how the album tells a story and communicates with the listener exactly what the artist intended? Kendrick Lamar's, “good kid, m.A.A.d city", not only meets the above criteria — it surpasses them.
This album is simply a work of art. The album allows the artist, Kendrick Lamar, to reflect on the adverse effects of gang culture, police brutality, gangs and drug abuse. All of these were problems the young Kendrick faced living in a low-income neighborhood growing up in the notorious neighborhoods of Compton, California.
On their own, some of the songs appear to be nothing more than the usual rap songs, with lyrics featuring gang violence, substances and beats that would usually be played at clubs. However, in the view of the entire album, the songs paint a larger picture — a story of growth from an immature teenager to an adult who understands how the world works
This album gives us a front row seat about Kendrick's life growing up. He tells us about his first love in the first track of the album - 'Sherane'. Lamar tells us about how friendship made him do things he didn't want to do in the song, "The art of Peer Pressure".
Songs like 'Swimming Pools' and 'Sing about me, I'm dying of thirst' tell us about substance abuse and loss of our loved ones. 'Real' is a song which describes the transition and maturation from childhood to adulthood.
This album is an autobiography about Kendrick's life. He narrates his traumatic experiences while living in Compton. He talks about how he witnessed murders and saw his friends lose their lives in front of him. At the same time, Kendrick doesn't hate Compton. He is thankful to the city for all it has given him. He wishes to be a role-model to all the young children in Compton.
The album ends with Kendrick not seeking revenge, but instead seeking forgiveness for all his sins. It tells us that Kendrick has finally matured.
That by itself is a good ending, that by itself is a good kid, in a mad city
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