2012 was a standout year for the music industry, albums such as Channel Orange, Death Grip’s highly overlooked The Money Store, and much more. However, there is a single album that defines the evolution of hip hop in recent years, and that album is Kendrick Lamar’s second studio album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City. Lamar was a bright prospect after his first album Section.80, released a year prior, and fast forward one year and Lamar would transcend rookie status and become one of the biggest names in music.

Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City receives the subtitle “A Short Film by Kendrick Lamar”and it is not without reason, as the album is presented as a story that pieces together. The theme of the hit album revolves around Lamar’s family and how they are his motivation to avoid the gang violence before it corrupts his soul into living his life for materialistic values solely. Aside from rich storytelling, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City also contains A-list features from Drake and Dr. Dre that compliment this already stellar album. Tracks such as “Poetic Justice”, “m.A.A.d. City”, and “Compton” all contain very insightful lyrics and some of the most well produced beats hip hop has ever seen. However, the most universally popular track on the album, “Swimming Pools”, is one of the most iconic songs of the 21st century and one of my favorite songs of all time. The album was not just popular with fans, but the music industry as well, as Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City won a BET award for Album of the Year, a Soul Train Music Awards Album of the Year, and was Grammy-nominated for Album of the Year.

To conclude, Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City was the stepping stone for his career and elevated him to being known as one of the best rappers in the industry. Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City also appealed to all fans of rap, as it  provided in-depth lyrics for old school hip hop fans and catchy beats for the newer generation fans. While 2012 was a very noteworthy era for music, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City stood over the rest of the competition.