Kendrick Lamar’s ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city’ Climbs Back Into Top 20 Of Billboard 200
Kendrick Lamar’s series of diss tracks aimed at Drake not only arguably helped him win their feud but also gave a boost to his entire music collection.
As per a post from Chart Data on Wednesday, Kdot’s debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city,” released in 2012, has re-entered the top 20 of the Billboard 200 chart this week, landing at No. 19. Remarkably, the album, which will turn 12 in October, holds the record as the longest-charting hip-hop studio album in history.
Reflecting on the album’s journey, Terrence “Punch” Henderson, President of Top Dawg Entertainment, shared a revelation on X (formerly Twitter) back in 2022 during the album’s 10th anniversary celebration. He disclosed that one of the album’s standout tracks almost had a different sound if it weren’t for Kendrick’s last-minute alteration.
The iconic hook on “m.A.A.d city” was added by Kendrick just hours before the album was set to be finalized. Henderson expressed profound gratitude for their collective effort, emphasizing how “good kid, m.A.A.d city” marked a significant milestone in hip-hop and music overall.
When asked about his favorite memory from making the album, Punch couldn’t pick just one, but he shared a memorable moment involving Kendrick Lamar adding the hook to “m.A.A.d city” just hours before finalizing the mastering process. Kendrick had to quickly send the hook because the mastering engineer had already left, leaving the song with only one verse initially.
Produced by Sounwave and THC, “m.A.A.d city” has become a staple at Kendrick Lamar’s concerts and festival performances, thanks to its intense energy and gritty storytelling. Kendrick’s hook, delivered with a deepened voice, enhances the song’s raw authenticity.
With lines like “Man down, where you from, n-gga? / Forget who you know — where you from, my n-gga? / Where your grandma stay, huh, my n-gga? / This m.A.A.d city I run, my n-gga,” Kendrick confronts listeners, capturing the essence of being in the wrong neighborhood.
The song’s second half, produced by Terrace Martin, pays homage to Kendrick’s West Coast hip-hop roots. It features guest vocals from Compton rap legend MC Eiht, lyrical references to Ice Cube and Warren G, and an ominous, cinematic beat reminiscent of Dr. Dre’s signature style.
