User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 2382 Ratings

User score distribution:
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. Kmi
    Sep 10, 2020
    9
    Kendrick Lamar's 2012 record "good kid, m.A.A.d city" is really a staple on hip hop in the 2010's. The storytelling is strong on this album, and Kendrick somehow manages to turn very bitter experiences into an enjoyable record, which hides how dark and dangerous Lamar's youth was with catchy flows and very notable production. A compelling sophomore album that improves upon 2011's "Section.80."
  2. Mar 28, 2022
    9
    This album is absolutely amazing. I think it shows hood culture in a negative light. Demonstrating the hardships and showing how teenagers often get pulled into committing crimes and doing drugs. It feels almost immersive listening to the album, the story telling makes the album's world come to life. The production is amazing, and the rapping and features are great. Incredible lyricism,This album is absolutely amazing. I think it shows hood culture in a negative light. Demonstrating the hardships and showing how teenagers often get pulled into committing crimes and doing drugs. It feels almost immersive listening to the album, the story telling makes the album's world come to life. The production is amazing, and the rapping and features are great. Incredible lyricism, and overall just a great album. Expand
  3. Nov 22, 2022
    6
    .............................................................................................................overrated but still good
  4. Oct 24, 2012
    10
    Album of the year....anyone else agree?
  5. Jan 4, 2013
    10
    Fantastic album. Really. Most of mainstream rap has become incredibly monotonous but good kid, m.A.A.d. city revitalized by hope. A compelling album that guides your from beginning to the end with an interesting story. Each song taken in context is simply superb. The beats are brilliant and Kendrick's flow and voice carry. The only lesser moment on the album is the closer Compton whichFantastic album. Really. Most of mainstream rap has become incredibly monotonous but good kid, m.A.A.d. city revitalized by hope. A compelling album that guides your from beginning to the end with an interesting story. Each song taken in context is simply superb. The beats are brilliant and Kendrick's flow and voice carry. The only lesser moment on the album is the closer Compton which seems out of place. Dr Dre's rap is the only guest appearance seeming to drag the album down. Real the track preceding Compton tells of a real man. caring for family and responsibility. Great listen. Expand
  6. Jul 9, 2015
    10
    The Great hip-hop album. That one the revitalised the genre and gave it a new life with impeccable wordplay and storytelling. The spacious and layered beats, the songwriting, the skits, the perfect way that the track-list is lade out. Almost 3 years later, no album came close to matching the conceptualized beauty of "good kid, m.A.A.d. city".
  7. Jul 8, 2015
    9
    Great album all around deserves a 9.5/10 almost perfect IMO it worked perfectly with every beat and also all of the verses had deep meanings the chorus' had great work done on them **** don't Kill my vibe lol anyways it was amazing you should enjoy it if you like Rap.
  8. May 9, 2020
    9
    Top 5 Tracks: Sing About Me I’m Dying Of Thirst, The Recipe, mAAd City, 13itch Dont Kill My Vibe, The Art Of Peer Pressure
    96/100
  9. Feb 3, 2021
    10
    This album is a hip-hop classic. Kendrick provides a story of his youth in Compton over great production. The album is very thematic and almost plays out like a movie when I listen to it. My favorite tracks are m.A.A.d city, Backseat Freestyle, Money Trees, Poetic Justice, and Swimming Pools (Drank).
  10. Aug 28, 2023
    10
    A perfect letter to Compton. That's all I can say to sum this up, not only does it have songs that are still listenable and fresh today, but really it has no bad moment. Even 'Real' which people say is bad, still has an absolutely massive amount of appeal to me. The sophomore slump was truly avoided here in one of, if not the greatest albums from the 2010s.
  11. Oct 25, 2012
    5
    I really don't understand the hype, I've listened to it all the way through twice, and nothing really jumped out at me. The lead single "Swimming Pools (Drank)" was actually quite bad with the lyrics being nothing but what we've heard in nearly every other rap song ever, and some parts (including the hook) was really annoying. Luckily this isn't the case with all the songs, such asI really don't understand the hype, I've listened to it all the way through twice, and nothing really jumped out at me. The lead single "Swimming Pools (Drank)" was actually quite bad with the lyrics being nothing but what we've heard in nearly every other rap song ever, and some parts (including the hook) was really annoying. Luckily this isn't the case with all the songs, such as "m.A.A.d city" and "Compton". But the album comes off as mostly boring with lyrics that are clever but mostly unoriginal. If you like it, more power to you, but it really isn't as good of an album as everyone is raging about. Section.80 was better. Expand
  12. Jul 11, 2013
    10
    Don't have really anything negative to say about this album. It is perfect. His story telling and lyricism is amazing. Every track on this is amazing. The producers made amazing beats for the tracks and the artists featured in the songs have Great verses too. I love this album, this is a CLASSIC. He talks about his child hood, struggle living in compton. You have to listen to this albumDon't have really anything negative to say about this album. It is perfect. His story telling and lyricism is amazing. Every track on this is amazing. The producers made amazing beats for the tracks and the artists featured in the songs have Great verses too. I love this album, this is a CLASSIC. He talks about his child hood, struggle living in compton. You have to listen to this album because this is one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.

    Overall: 10/10 PERFECT
    Expand
  13. Dec 12, 2013
    10
    The production oozes Dre, and Kendrick's flow and vocal variance (e.g. m.A.A.d city vs. Art of Peer Pressure) contribute a more complex, multi-faceted approach to gangsta rap. GKMC is like no other album out there, and how it revived and evolved 90s hip-hop makes this an instant classic.
  14. Jan 29, 2014
    10
    I can't imagine anyone with a half-way decent taste in music writing this album off as something less than extraordinary. Kendrick Lamar is standing up straight and ready to change the game, and it's only his first big album debut. His platinum album Good Kid, m.A.A.d. city is a game changer. His flow is versatile, his lyrics are real without succumbing to the boring, tastelessI can't imagine anyone with a half-way decent taste in music writing this album off as something less than extraordinary. Kendrick Lamar is standing up straight and ready to change the game, and it's only his first big album debut. His platinum album Good Kid, m.A.A.d. city is a game changer. His flow is versatile, his lyrics are real without succumbing to the boring, tasteless story-telling flow that many rappers easily fall in to. His content is refreshing, and a little (or alotta) executive production from Dr. Dre never hurt anyone, right?
    The album progresses like a short film. It is incredibly artistic and very real life, with an almost uncomfortable look into his personal life thanks to skits and phone calls from his mom. His struggle with faith, Sherane, and life on the streets of Compton are unfiltered and excellently told. There is no "throw-away" song.
    Stand out tracks on this album include: every song on the album.
    Expand
  15. Aug 18, 2017
    9
    This album is really a book. A story with characters and progression with music to back it up.

    Kendrick Lamar is a storyteller in Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. From Master Splinter's Daughter to Compton, the story he tells through the visceral moments of conversations between songs create a vivid image of the world the main character inhabits. If you are a fan of rap, you need to listen
    This album is really a book. A story with characters and progression with music to back it up.

    Kendrick Lamar is a storyteller in Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. From Master Splinter's Daughter to Compton, the story he tells through the visceral moments of conversations between songs create a vivid image of the world the main character inhabits.

    If you are a fan of rap, you need to listen to this album.

    Personal favorites: **** Don't Kill My Vibe; Backseat Freestyle; Poetic Justice; Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst; and Compton.
    Expand
  16. Oct 4, 2019
    9
    It deserves about a 9.2+ because it is literally Kendrick and he has TPAB bruh. This should be the album you have to listen to get into Kenny so yeah. Ahead of it's time as well.
  17. Jul 26, 2020
    10
    Every single track is fire, cant say anything bad about this album. .......
  18. Apr 21, 2021
    10
    A cultural masterpiece, Good kid, M.A.A.D city has explosive beats, perfect story telling, double entendre and creative rhymes. It's best song has to be M.A.A.D city with MC Eiht is an incredible song and very popular amongst Lamar fans. From top to bottom all song are great and chilling. Would recommend.
  19. Sep 10, 2021
    10
    Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is an intricate self portrait and wonderfully told story of a good kid in a mad city. The project explores interesting themes of growing up in the ghetto, that is Compton and what it's like dealing with such a difficult childhood. Every track explores something new and delivers every time. This album is a true work of art in my mind.
  20. May 18, 2022
    10
    Just one another classic for Kendrick Lamar the goat, the greatest discography of al time
  21. May 13, 2022
    9
    ‘Good Kid Maad City’ - Kendrick mastering the art of story telling, hit making and showing he’s ready to be the next up.
  22. Aug 23, 2022
    10
    definitely his BEST album. a magnificent experience. kanye and him being the two best rappers of all time.
  23. Oct 2, 2022
    10
    Holy Hell, the storytelling on this album is just absolutely fantastic. The way he put this cohesive story together of him growing up in Compton is fantastic. The songwriting and lyricism on this are so absolutely fantastic as well. The production on this album as well is fantastic and the way the songs work with each other is also absolutely great. The songs by themselves are amazing asHoly Hell, the storytelling on this album is just absolutely fantastic. The way he put this cohesive story together of him growing up in Compton is fantastic. The songwriting and lyricism on this are so absolutely fantastic as well. The production on this album as well is fantastic and the way the songs work with each other is also absolutely great. The songs by themselves are amazing as well and it has Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst which holy, worst thing about this album is that drake's on it Expand
  24. Oct 2, 2022
    9
    Kendrick feels invincible on this album. The story, production and bars are all top-tier.
  25. Jan 9, 2023
    10
    Easily one of the best albums of 2012 and given this was only kendricks 2nd studio album and its alr a classic is shjeesh
  26. Jun 26, 2023
    9
    Amazing album, for me one of the best 4 songs run of all time with good kid, M.A.A.D. city, swimming pools and sing about me i'm dying of thirst, this last 2 tracks being top 5 kendrick songs with one music to party and other to cry in the shower, the skits are amazing too, but this is not a 10 because it has some bad songs like real and Sherane, the deluxe also is really good with now orAmazing album, for me one of the best 4 songs run of all time with good kid, M.A.A.D. city, swimming pools and sing about me i'm dying of thirst, this last 2 tracks being top 5 kendrick songs with one music to party and other to cry in the shower, the skits are amazing too, but this is not a 10 because it has some bad songs like real and Sherane, the deluxe also is really good with now or never beeing one of my favourite Kendrick songs Expand
  27. Oct 31, 2012
    10
    An album to change a whole music genre. Much like Nas' Illmatic, it transcends all the influences from his favorite artists and simply creatively outdoes all of their releases in the last 10 years. By the way these rappers include, Jay-Z, Tupac, Eminem, Biggie and Nas.
  28. Oct 26, 2012
    10
    This is the work of a true artist. This album is pieced together from one main theme: A day in the life of what seems to be 17 year old Kendrick. Kendrick does a great job of setting the tone of each songs with his unique voice. Backseat Freestyle is probably the best example of Kendrick putting himself into the mindset he once had as a kid who just graduated high school. The skits areThis is the work of a true artist. This album is pieced together from one main theme: A day in the life of what seems to be 17 year old Kendrick. Kendrick does a great job of setting the tone of each songs with his unique voice. Backseat Freestyle is probably the best example of Kendrick putting himself into the mindset he once had as a kid who just graduated high school. The skits are incredibly interesting even after countless times of hearing them. The skits bring the album to the level where it could almost be considered a concept album. This is a great rap album, my favorite of the year, and probably one of my favorites of the year in general. Expand
  29. Oct 29, 2012
    10
    Kendrick Lamar is a lyrical genius. He's already on a higher level than 99% of the "rappers" out there and he's just getting started, he's only getting better and better, from Overly Dedicted to the unique and genius work he did in Section.80 and now his first studio album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is flat out fire. Kendrick Lamar is the future of hip hop. Go buy this album, this man deservesKendrick Lamar is a lyrical genius. He's already on a higher level than 99% of the "rappers" out there and he's just getting started, he's only getting better and better, from Overly Dedicted to the unique and genius work he did in Section.80 and now his first studio album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is flat out fire. Kendrick Lamar is the future of hip hop. Go buy this album, this man deserves the riches that are surely coming to him. 10/10 hands down. Expand
  30. Jan 26, 2014
    10
    A Hip Hop story that needed to be told, if only to keep other people from making the same mistakes that Kendrick did. It doesn't hurt that the album is masterfully crafted with great lyrics from Kendrick throughout its entirety, and high quality from the few guest verses as well. Every songs is great, but standouts include Money Trees, **** don't Kill my vibe, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City,A Hip Hop story that needed to be told, if only to keep other people from making the same mistakes that Kendrick did. It doesn't hurt that the album is masterfully crafted with great lyrics from Kendrick throughout its entirety, and high quality from the few guest verses as well. Every songs is great, but standouts include Money Trees, **** don't Kill my vibe, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, Real, and the 12 minute long Think about me, I'm Dying of Thirst, the most powerful song on the album. Whether or not Kendrick spits the best verses on the reg is irrelevant when he made a much needed period piece that takes itself seriously enough to mean something, while still being a **** banger through and through. Expand
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 36
  2. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Jan 24, 2013
    89
    The quotidian problems and longings of the title track making up the real heart of the album, a rough and tumble struggle to the top.
  2. Jan 10, 2013
    90
    In another rapper's hands the concepts might have been overcooked or the messages too self-righteous, but Kendrick manages to achieve scale while remaining firmly grounded on two feet.
  3. Dec 21, 2012
    90
    This is the best rap album of 2012--not just because of champion verses and immaculate drops, but because they recognize that the most brilliant foreground only shines against a well-defined backdrop.