So, for those who have been living under a rock for the past year and a bit, I’ll give you a bit of background info on Kendrick Lamar. Born in Compton, California, home to hip-hop legends such as Dr Dre and Eazy E, Kendrick has been working hard to get established on the scene for almost a decade. He released his first mixtape, ‘Youngest Head Nigga In Charge‘ back in 2003 when he was just 16 (under his old persona K-Dot), which led to him getting a record deal with LA-based label Top Dawg Entertainment. He’s since gone on to release 3 mixtapes (Training Day 2004, C4 2009 and Overly Dedicated 2010), 1 EP (Kendrick Lamar EP, 2009) and 1 independent album (Section 80, 2011). And he’s still only 25 years old.

The work he’s put into his career so far, and the style in which he has delivered it, has had people claiming he is the saviour of hip-hop, and quite rightly too. In an industry of over-saturated music, and a lot of established rappers putting out weak material, this Compton native, was a breath of fresh air. His album ‘Section 80’ was widely acclaimed for being so well put together and presented, and Pharrell even said in a youtube video that Section 80 was one of his favourite albums of 2011. The album was full of smooth jazz samples, well composed lyrics and a flow that just seems to be the right fit for the beats that they’re laid upon. In that time, throw in an appearance in the XXL Freshmen Class of 2011 (alongside Mac Miller, Meek Mill and Yelawolf), and an XXL Cover with his mentor Dr Dre, it’s quite easy to see why Kendrick has become a poster boy for the new generation of hip hop music.

All of this has led up to the release of Kendrick’s major label debut ‘Good Kid m.A.A.d City‘. One of the most anticipated album’s in recent years, GKMC had a lot of pressure riding on it to be the album that everyone hoped for, so, would it live up to the high expectations set for it?

Right from the start, you can tell that this album is going to be special. The first track ‘Sherane A.K.A Master Splinters Daughter‘ sets the tone for the rest of the album. The voicemails that continue throughout the album (think of them as interludes), are actually acted out by Kendrick’s real parents. The voicemails join the songs, and thus the story, together and set the scene of a teenage Lamar, cruising round Compton in his mothers car, with his gang-affiliated friends and getting into trouble. The way Kendrick raps over each track is one of the greatest I’ve ever heard. He literally tells the story yet still manages to keep the flow interesting and unique. As each track passes you become enthralled in Kendrick’s world and the events that take place. I found myself intensely listening to every word being rhymed and following the story that was unfolding.

On this album, I never once skipped or fast forwarded a track, which is a rarity for me. Everything about this album catches your attention; the features, the beats, the production. All perfect. Lets start with the features, most notably Dr Dre and Drake, who both seamlessly fit onto the tracks they’ve been put on. Dre actually sounds like he borrows Kendrick’s flow on ‘The Recipe’ and ‘Compton’. On the beats side of GKMC, he has a hand from legendary producers such as Just Blaze (Jay Z’s Public Service Announcement), Pharrell (The Neptunes) and Hit-Boy (Niggas in Paris) as well as keeping with some in-house producers like Sounwave, the beats produced for this album are disjointed yet suited to the way Kendrick flows. Different versions of GKMC include different songs. For example, the Target-only edition, you are treated to the Black Hippy remix of Swimming Pools whereas the Spotify edition has the Black Hippy remix of The Recipe.

In conclusion, Good Kid m.A.A.d City, is my favourite album of 2012 so far. Everything about this record screams ‘classic’. It’s almost Hollywood-esque the way it’s been put together, and the way that the script unfolds. GKMC keeps you interested through-out, and wanting more once the album has finished. From the opening track to the triumphant, climactic end on ‘Compton’, you will be utterly engrossed in every single track on this record. If ever there was an album that makes you have faith in the way hip hop is heading, then this is the one. I’m going to put this out there and say that people will still talk about this album in 20 years time.

Go and buy this album, right now. Stop what you’re doing, go down to HMV, go to the iTunes store or whichever online store you use, and buy this album. It will seriously be the BEST purchase you’ll make this year.

10/10

Favourite Tracks: The Art Of Peer Pressure, Swimming Pools, Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe, The Recipe, Compton, Poetic Justice

Least Favourite Tracks: Real (if I HAVE to choose one)