Kendrick Lamar: Good Kid, m.A.A.d City Cassette

NOW THAT OUTKAST IS DONE, WE HAVE TO LOOK TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT SPEAKS THE TRUTH. Leading the pack of said younger generation is young Kendrick Lamar from Compton. Gaining loads of attention for last year's Section 80, Kendrick was surely onto something. His major label debut Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City takes cues from the Southern Rap takeover of the early 2000's but offers so much more with amazing storytelling that rivals the best. Album highlights include the Beach House-sample-based "Money Trees" that brings the soul back to ala Outkast's "Elevators". "M.A.A.D. City" will appeal to the trap fans with a bouncy trunk rattling beat. "Real" featuring Anna from Sonnymoon gives a soulful mid-tempo track that recalls Erykah Badu at her best. Kendrick bridges the gap between the "young kids listening to their Weezy" and the old heads that think Hip Hop died when Rawkus went bankrupt the first time. Recommended.

• cassette version
• grey tape shell w/ foldout J-card insert
• original release year: 2012
• music label: Top Dawg Entertainment 2022

reviewed by trap mahoney 12/2012