Kendrick Lamar "good kid, m.A.A.d city" Reaction & Review (First time listener) 

What if I told you Macklemore’s The Heist beat Kendrick’s m.A.A.d City for Best Rap Album in 2014? Arguably one of THE biggest robbery’s at the grammys

"Sing about me" it's one of the best rap songs of all time.

2:06 Sherane 3:44 Bitch dont kill my vibe 6:00 Backseat freestyle 7:56 The art of peer pressure 9:48 Money trees 12:10 Poetic justice 14:14 Goood kid 15:46 Maad city 18:23 Swimming pools 20:31 Sing about me im dying of thirst 25:05 Real 27:52 Compton 30:04 The recipe 32:37 Black boy fly 34:09 Now or never bout to relisten and being ready again on SAM/IDOT.

So if you listen to the album it's basically a movie and you can hear every song is a part of the daily life of the Good Kid Kendrick and how the influence of a Maad City turned him into a home-jacking, drug smoking/alcohol drinking dude. When thing I love that was said in the "Mallory Bros" video on this album was about "Poetic Justice" which is a slow song and more romantic song because it symbolize Kendrick finally getting to "Sherane" and both of them getting intimate.

I love that the album is like The Autobiography of a young Kendrick. Even if you haven't had the exact same experiences you can still relate to him on a certain level. Peer pressure, heartbreak, relationships etc.

The Art of Peer Pressure is by far one of Kendrick's best tracks ever

Edit: I’ve seen some comments saying I wasn’t paying attention to the lyrics, but if you watch my initial first listen review at the end, that’s where I talk more about the lyrics. I usually don’t comment on lyrics while listening, because I want to absorb and truly listen. Also, with Kendrick’s music, I gotta listen more than once to REALLY get the ins and outs of the context completely, because that’s how well done it is. Just wanted to make that known! 🤝 Buckle up, it's a long video! This follow up video to Kendrick Lamar was far overdue, and the recent Super Bowl announcement reminded me that this needed to be done!! Timestamps are in the description.

Those gunshots in Sing About Me never fail to break my heart.

A true modern classic. This album is iconic

This is my favorite album of all time. Tysm shelby!

The art of peer pressure is so well done. Vibey. He’s with the homies having a good time drinking and chilling, cruising around Compton. Then Shit goes down, obviously feeling like a fish out of water. Feeling sick, wanting to escape even though he’s with the homies. So he has to carry on that same imagine because that’s the art of peer pressure. We’ve all been through it.

Wow. You actually did this album - much respect to you!! Here's a brief summary, The album takes place in around a day. He takes his parents' van to go see his girlfriend (sheranes song) but he gets jumped by her gangbanging cousins. This shakes him, so he just wants to relax (b dont kill my vibe). His friends pick him up to relax (backstreet freestyle) but he starts to do uncharacteristically dangerous activities with them (art of peer pressure). He reflects that he, and others like him, are good kids influenced by a bad environment (good kid / maad city). Still with his friends, they want him to relax with alcohol, but he understands that it can't be used to numb his pains (swimming pools). He and his crew eventually get into a shootout where his cousin dave is killed (sing about me). He feels tired of the violence in his community, it causes too much pain (im dying of thirst). The song Real is like an overarching reflective piece - money, drugs and violence doesnt make you real, loving yourself makes you real. And the song Compton is like a victory lap, an homage to his city and a hopeful ending for the album. Hope this helps!

as a 12 year old brown kid in a predominantly white village just outside of cambridge in england…….. (it was as bad it sounds) - kendrick really convinced me that *even a small lighter could burn a bridge* . also helped me understand that some lives aren’t worth living but the only one was mine. Kendrick saved my life.

About Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst: 20:32 *Verse 1:* is a continuation of the skit at the end of “Swimming Pools (Drank)”. In the skit, Dave gets killed and his brother is looking for retaliation. This is Dave’s brother telling Kendrick that he appreciated the love that Kendrick had for Dave. The line at the end "And if I die before your album drop, I hope- [Gunshots]" This sentence is interrupted by gun shots. The character died before the album dropped, but he wants Kendrick to sing about him. Kendricks’s fulfilling his last wish. This line also speaks to the idea that if you continue down that path of violence like Dave’s brother, it’ll end up killing you. *Verse 2:* This verse comes from the perspective of Keisha’s sister. She is mad at Kendrick for putting her sister on blast (on Section.80) without even knowing her properly. She talks about how she is living the same life as her sister, as a prostitute, and is proud of her living and what she does. She claims not to be just another woman lost in the system. She says her sister died in vain. Unlike Dave’s brother she doesn’t want to be sung about on the album. She feels great and says she’ll never fade away….but then she does, her vocals slowly fade out in to obscurity…perhaps she died or just became another nameless “hoodrat”. *Verse 3:* Kendrick takes the time to address the first two speakers in this song. “Your brother was a brother to me”: Is aimed at Dave’s brother, Kendrick is validating the statement that Dave’s brother made in verse 1 and he’s making sure that Dave’s story is being told because it’s something that the world needs to hear. “Your sister’s situation…”: Keisha’s sister had it wrong, she assumed that Kendrick was putting Keisha on blast and judging her for the choices that she was forced to make in her life. *[Part 2: "I'm Dying of Thirst"]* K.Dot’s homies talking after Dave has been killed. Some of them want to go back and get revenge. Dave’s brother finally snaps and says he is tired of this shit One can hear the desperation in K.Dot’s friend’s voice. They killed his brother; an unbearable loss. Kendrick’s friends want revenge. Their desire for vengeance continues them down a path in which they will eventually die of “thirst.” “dying of thirst” is a metaphor for his neglect of God, whereas the “thirst” he feels is a play on his need for holy water or to be baptized. Source: Genius genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-sing-about-me-im-dying-of-thirst-lyrics

Now or Never is such a bop.

This album is legit one of my favorite all time. Just perfectly sequenced front to back

This album was the first experience i had where i fell in love with an album’s full storytelling and how each song tells a piece of the whole story in very specific ways

Didn't knew I needed a gkmc reaction by shelby this bad

the whole conversations that are happening outside the music are basically what is guiding the music. the story is that Kendrick met a girl in the first song. he took his mom's van to meet her at her house outside of Compton. he was set up and was jumped by a gang. he went back to his friends and his friends decided to stand up for him even tho he didn't really ask for it. they jumped the gang and one of his friends died(death happened on both sides).his dead friend's brother told him that he's going to avenge his brother and he knows that he'll die so "sing about me". And the cycle continues.

The outtro to bitch don’t kill my vibe is iconic! This entire album is iconic as a matter of fact.

Kendrick’s best album, one of my top 3 albums of all time

When you brought up the jazz feel. That's been in his music prior to TPAB and Sing About Me.

It was nice reliving this classic with you.Guess you have to do DAMN next.Also untitled Unmastered is a good listen. It’s basically b-sides from to pimp a butterfly which is favorite though and his most complex album to date in my opinion

You need to listen to RODEO by Travis Scott if you like deep, layered production 🔥

Section.80 is Kendrick’s debut album (released on TDE) but good kid, m.A.A.d city is his major-label debut if that makes sense. It is still an amazing album - Kendrick’s talents felt clear from even Section.80 but his growth on GKMC was already leaps and bounds. The layers of storytelling (like on Sing About Me), the beats and flows…even how Kendrick was using his voice like an instrument. Could go on forever. Fave songs (if I had to pick just 3) - Good Kid, m.A.A.d city, Money Trees

I have never seen a person looked so distant from the lyrical themes of this album as when Shelby smiled and raised her eyebrows at the beginning of m.A.A.d city

One of the best albums ever imo. Classic rap album already

I feel like SAM/IDOT is a song that will be discussed for decades to come. If there were a music museum, it would be one of the crowning exhibits.

That bit in Backseat Freestyle where she's talking about his voice whilst he's talking about his voice ☠️

This album got me through some crazy times in my life. The first time I ever heard "Sing About Me, Im Dying of Thirst", I felt every word. Especially the last verse of that record. Super heavy on the soul. Kendrick Lamar is an incredible artist. He's going down in history as a legend for sure. He truly resurrected Hip-Hop/Rap.

To Pimp A Butterfly definitely has more layers than GKMC. GKMC has a more commercial friendly sound

This reminds me of the first time I listened to this album. This album is an experience. I'm happy to see you enjoy this work of art.

Kendrick Lamar is crazy. I’ve been listening to him for about 6 years and songs from GKMC still sound just as good as when I first listened to them

GKMC is his best album to me. Every album is classic tho Also can you listen to NWTS by Drake please? Also Drake's best album so think you will love it

His 2nd best album certified rap classic ‼️

Ayyy been waiting for this!

I think you would love The Suns Tirade by Isaiah Rashad! He belongs to the same record label as Kendrick and has a much more layed back vibe.

GKMC introduced me to kendrick and its still my favourite album from him. storytelling, and production on this is beyond amazing! great reaction Shelby ! looking forward for more dope content !

THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS ALBUM

Can’t wait for the DAMN reaction!

One of my favorite albums of all time hahah. Had NO idea you would react to this. Thank you so much

I'm literally amazed with you, you rlly listen, like, LISTEN to the music, unlike other Reaction Channels you actually are intersted in the albums and even read the lyrics along, continue that!!

I listened it to in 2012 and i instantly loved. Now as 21 year old its still holds a dear spot in my heart

I loved everything about your reaction. This is my favorite Kendrick album. You definitely got my subscription.

U dont even know how happy i got when i saw the title 😮. By far my favorite album from him holy sh*t im happy your listening to this 😀

LETS GOOOO. Love the reactions!

Just found your channel, I'm gonna binge most videos now, you are very entertaining!

Thanks for going back in time this album brought me through a lot

I watched the TPAB reaction last year and I’m glad you’re finally listening to GKMC

i love his vocal effects on this album. i also love how he plays with the rhythm, sometimes his words will be slightly behind the beat or in front of it. "don't kill my vibe" has a lot of that

money trees, peer pressure and sing about me are still my favourites and remind me of good times in the past

Finally🙃❤❤thank you for reacting to a masterpiece album!!!

You and your videos are so awesome!

“even a small lighter can burn a bridge” is such a more deep message and line then it seems like. there’s just something about that where it just hits me

This is my favorite Kendrick Lamar album 💿 awesome review

I watched the whole video, liked your reaction and how you appreciated it, you reminded me about how long it’s been since I listened to this album on its entirety. I will try to make myself some time today to listen to it all too :) Idk but it feels like it fits right with the beginning of the fall? Have a nice weekend everyone

She’s back!

Kendrick meets Sherane at a party, (Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe and Swimming Pools are both songs about said party, Backseat Freestyle is post party Freestyle in the backseat of the car) they then talked all summer, one day, after barely getting away from the police with his friends, (The Art of Peer Pressure) he wants to go hangout with Sherane, he heads over, but gets jumped by her brother (ending of Sherane) he then meets back up with his friends he's drinking and they're talking about him getting jumped (end of M.a.a.d. City and Swimming Pools) they then go to find the people who jumped Kendrick, and in the crossfire, Kendrick's friend is shot and killed. They then find the woman in Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst, that turns them to god in their moment of grieving

sing about me is literally a top 5 Kendrick song

Omfg my favourite album of all time by my favourite artist!😭

2:06 Sherane 3:44 Bitch dont kill my vibe 6:00 Backseat freestyle 7:56 The art of peer pressure 9:48 Money trees 12:10 Poetic justice 14:14 Goood kid 15:46 Maad city 18:23 Swimming pools 20:31 Sing about me im dying of thirst 25:05 Real 27:52 Compton 30:04 The recipe 32:37 Black boy fly 34:09 Now or never

This is a classic album (any genre). No discussion possible.

Legit reaction. You really look good after this reaction

still hopeful you’ll listen to “Because The Internet” by Childish Gambino.

Thank you for doing this! This is still one of my favorite Hiphop albums of all time. Watching your face light up during Backseat Freestyle took me back! I feel like you have to do Damn. at some point soon.... Kenny is really in his bag on that one.

This album is a legendary masterpiece ❤❤ love your reaction ❤❤

Just liked and subscribed!! Loved the reaction

Seeing him perform Money Trees with a love band at Bonnaroo a few years ago was a spiritual experience

I’m glad you enjoy his music he’s personally my favorite! 🔥

The goat 🤲 Great react!

This album is straight fire!

This whole album is a masterpiece, please listen to it over and over.

Great! Can’t wait for “DAMN”

One of the few albums that I could listen from top to bottom without a skip, such a classic

You did an amazing reaction, it was so fun enjoying one of my favorite artist's work with you! Please do DAMN. at some point as well! Take care! :)

Lesgoooooo waiting for this

Commenting while you are doing your intro, cant wait to see your reaction Sing about me, I'm dying of thirst

This should have a billion views. Subscribed.

0 misses on this masterpiece.

Because I love Kendrick so much, your video got recommended and I think I will go ahead and subscribe to you now.

You missed the fact that it was literally a audio movie every skit at the end tied into the next tracks them and topics

He made "Sing about me I'm dying of thrist" bc someone from his hood told him about his younger brother dying and how it effected him so he made the song. Dude died not soon after he talked to Kendrick about it. Love that damn song.

good job. amazing video. congrats

Remember listening to this the first day it came out. Bitch don't kill my vibe had me ina trance. The story is so cohesive and draws parallels to Pulp Fiction as the story is not told in chronological order. Kendrick has so many layers to his music that it does drive me crazy tryna puzzle everything together.

Automatically liked it because she put the time stamps in the description

I'm jealous, wish I could listen to it for the first time again 😭

Finally 🔥

The album actually has two more songs or bonus tracks which I guess where taken off. The two songs are "Collect Calls" and "County Building Blues"

7:35 “I never heard him sound like this” that’s something I say every time he releases a new song lmfaoo

I just love your reactions!!! So cute

It’s dope you’ve done 2 Kendrick albums. Major props because it’s impossible to get it all in one listen. The story is told in a Pulp Fiction style where you start at him meeting up Sherane and we rewind and get the whole story and see the development of Young Kendrick. From chasing tail, to feeling peer pressure, finding God, discovering the real him, and seeing the rise of King Kendrick. It’s such a dope concept and album. All hail King Kendrick!

Iconic album for Hiphop!!

Macklemore beat this album for best rap album that year. Lmao

We in for a treat!

I got the impression you weren't crazy about the talking parts of the album, but they actually add a lot more depth than people realize. It provides insight into the community the music is coming from along with acting as a bridge to the next song on the album. I think in swimming pools the death in the end of the skit acts as an inspiration for the next song (thematically connects) and the death at the end of swimming pools is directly referenced in "sing about me" which enhances the vibe of that song too.

I bought this cd when I was 16 and listened to it on repeat for a good year in my car lol

i am living for your reaction to backseat freestyle o my god

My favorite Kendrick album

Easily my favorite Kendrick album!

The surprise 08:31 on the switch, had me the same way back then too . Such a CLASSIC album