Kendrick Lamar’s Storytelling MASTERCLASS | good kid, m.A.A.d city

[@diggingthegreats]

Thanks to BeatConnect for sponsoring this video. Go try out BeatConnect! glnk.io/jlyrv/diggingthegreats

[@beatconnectofficial]

Quality of these videos are insane🔥

[@mrcarter7314]

One of the greatest albums ever hands down. While listening, I literally felt like I was in the van on the adventures with Kendrick and his boys

[@salvador_951]

Salvador Gonzalez - Light

[@demetrimuzik]

Facts 🔥🔥

[@RaahilAbhay]

"If an HBO series was a Hip-Hop album" - that's an incredible way to sum up GKMC!

[@crytstalcrust]

lol i looked at this comment just as he said that

[@RaahilAbhay]

@@crytstalcrust I wrote it just after he said it 😂

[@gen06d]

@@crytstalcrustSame 🤣

[@RASTAGOOB]

Kendrick should consider making an a wire type of show or mini part doc type of film of this album. Just revolved around his journey based on the album.. that was genius dude! HBO make that happen ASAP!

[@RaahilAbhay]

@@RASTAGOOB straight up 💯

[@misan5523]

If pirus and crips all got along, they’d probably gun me down by the end of this song

[@vinopacino2423]

Seem like the whole city go against me

[@jasondrouin3255]

Every time I’m in the streets I hear..

[@lincbradham]

GA GA GA GA

[@chinortega3]

YAH YAH YAH YAH

[@DaviBragagnol0]

Where you from

[@kyleroberts3096]

I'm from Baltimore. I remember hearing backseat freestyle for the first time with my friends while we were all partying one night. This was right when the album came out .. I remember listening to the whole thing and really connecting with his message and loving the art aspect. Fast forward two years, I went to rehab for the first time. I didn't think I was a drug addict, but I was... This album got me through that whole first stint in rehab and helped me look at my situation as a blessing and opportunity to change my life. I didn't get recovery right the first time, but I'm now almost 3 years clean. I have the most beautiful daughter and girlfriend and my life is beautiful, even in the hardest moments. I still listen to this album every couple of months. Thank you for helping me in my journey, Kendrick. My heart goes out to you.

[@thadionysius]

ay, thats a beautiful story man. im happy for you. God bless :)

[@yuhhbaby3179]

Keep on going bro

[@scareddog6163]

This is nothing but amazing and heart warming, best of luck to you for the rest of your life 🙂

[@SyoDraws]

Thats great. Im wish the best for you :)

[@irishboy1616]

This is why Kendrick Lamar is not only one of the greatest rappers of all time, but one of the greatest artists period. Even so young in his career he was able to make an instantly classic album with an incredible meaning behind it pouring his soul and the anger from his past into his music

[@ibzuck100]

Man, killin' it with these videos lately.

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏

[@thestarlitwilds]

killing it with that pfp

[@salvador_951]

Salvador Gonzalez - Light

[@fatstogie]

dope pfp

[@JisMortal]

To me, The “mom imma use the van real quick, be back in 15 min” ending line, was like I’m gonna take my “15 min of fame” but I’m coming back home. But as a kid do we really take 15 minutes? Great fucking video bro.

[@diggingthegreats]

Oh man that’s good 🔥🔥 I love that interpretation

[@eyedolleyezllc4722]

I can dig it!

[@86Sentra]

Momma!

[@husainalsaadi3100]

i think the interpretation is, the album is out of order. you have to piece together the tracks. which makes this song the first sonng on the album

[@StillOnTrack]

I love the inetentional and conceptual way Kendrick puts albums together. Never just a collection of tracks, but a cohesive and complex story. A true artist.

[@gnarwhal7562]

This album has always felt like the musical equivalent of Reality Bites or Clerks to me. Watching a homemade documentary about someone's life. It gives the whole listening experience a very unique gravitas (and it's aged beautifully)

[@CantTellYou]

I can't believe it's been well over a decade since first hearing it 🤯 time, or whatever

[@frankjennings4489]

Most people say TPAB or DAMN is his best album, but for me it’s always gonna be this one.

[@MrDecksels]

I want to thank you for your Channel. I've been losing touch with Hip Hop for the last fourteen years, right before Kendrick Lamar came up. Your earlier videos (about The Soulquarians, Blackstar, Gang Starr, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, etc.) helped me remind myself exactly why I loved Hip Hop in the first place. Who knows, this video might help me pick up the thread where I left it.

[@MATALOMUSIC]

Kendrick's music has gotten me out of some really dark places so this one hits hard. He is more than just a rapper, he is truly one of the greatest artists alive and I'm grateful to be here for it

[@diggingthegreats]

💯💯

[@idkhonesty-78]

thats how i am his music helped me when i was at my lowest

[@Kanyewestbiggestfan123]

This album was such a big part of my adolescence. I still spin this record every other week

[@zestygooberwasnottaken]

I see u everywhere bro

[@86Sentra]

This album and wolf ! Shaped my taste. Honorable mentions: nothing was the same, rocky album 12-13 , even yeezus

[@Dre47Deep]

this made me cry just like the album did so strong, so powerful, so meaningful, so truthful, and so much motivation.

[@diccy_]

Thank you for covering this album. It's truly a powerful piece of art, it impacted me so much and helped me to be a more positive person.

[@DIRTY-MERLIN]

'sing about me ' gets my stomach in knots everytime i hear it. such beautiful storytelling.

[@demetrimuzik]

The gunshots still gives me chills man 💯💯😪😪

[@joaquinserrato5729]

The first hip-hop album I ever listened. Absolutely mind-blowing experience that made me fall in love with hip-hop and music

[@nicolesherman8974]

Yesssir 🔥🔥🔥. Sing of me, I’m dying of thirst is literally one of his best songs! So introspective.

[@diggingthegreats]

So good! 🔥

[@tumultoustortellini]

If you haven't heard collect calls, do that as well, it's another of his best I see no one mentioning

[@demetrimuzik]

The gunshots still give me chills 😪

[@AP-o2]

This is why I love your channel, not just cause of your enthusiasm or your storytelling or the insight in the music, but also because we get to rediscover and relisten great music. Keep doing your thing🙌

[@Raucey]

I really like the slightly longer and song by song album break down format, would love to see you do this with other albums in the future. Donuts by Dilla, breaking down the meaning behind the samples he chose deserves this longer song by song format.

[@poeticsounds]

Kendrick Lamar is a masterful artist. He creates movies with words . A front row seat to his experience , that takes you through different emotions. All his albums are classics

[@brandonbowles8024]

Excellent breakdown of a seminal album! I knew it was a great album, and having even more context means I'm playing it on the way into work!

[@arielleiman]

This the video I been waiting on!!! Digging the Greats + Kendrick Lamar = a great start to my weekend 😎

[@williammesquit5762]

I literally just published an article on this album in my school newspaper, this album is so incredible!

[@remibereola9654]

This is a stellar take. Between this album and Duckworth alone, I don’t know why we haven’t heard Kendrick’s name come up in too many ‘best storytelling MC’ conversations.

[@tywayne3]

Great upload. I'm officially an ol hed (46) and this album was what got me back into hip-hop. My younger cousin recommended a few artists (J. Cole, Kendrick, Vic Mensa) and like you said the singles don't do it justice. His earlier albums didn't stand out but after hearing GKMC the second or third time it started to resonate. I felt like my younger 17 yo self back in the Chicago west suburbs trying to navigate life as a young man. To me this is probably my top 2-3 of legendary 'cohesive' albums.😊

[@hunter4233]

what are you others in that 2-3? i wanna listen to them

[@tywayne3]

@hunter4233 lol...now that you ask I feel like I'm caught with my pants down. A few off the top of my head are... Dogg Pound - Dogg Food Pharcyde - Bizzare Ride II The Pharcyde Digital Underground - Sex Packets Outkast - Aquemini De La Soul - De La Soul is Dead Ice Cube - Lethal Injection Tribe - Beats, Rhymes, & Life Kanye - College Dropout Vic Mensa - Innanetape Chance - Acid Rap South Circle - Anotha Day, Another Balla Makaveli Don Killuminati The 7 Day Theory * David Banner - Mississippi (3000 Watts Screwed Version) * Jay-Z - Unplugged Jodeci - The Show, The After Party, The Hotel Carl Thomas - Emotional Mary J. Blige - My Life

[@hunter4233]

@@tywayne3 Definitely familiar with some of these, but I'll fs check out the others, thanks

[@tywayne3]

@hunter4233 no problem. Let me know if any surprise you. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. 🤛🏿

[@_CPerk]

Agreed. I liked Sec. 80, but I heard Swimming Pools maybe on the radio and didn’t love It. But once I gave the album a chance for a full listen and didn’t skim thru It looking for bangers, I realized at about track 2 that he had something special

[@BreadAccountant]

So glad this channel has seen growth. It has to be one of the highest quality channels when it comes to breaking down music on the entire platform. I remember seeing the Illmatic video and assuming I was watching somebody with hundreds of thousands of subs and views. It only had a few thousand and 10k subs. Everything you make is gold. Thanks for making this stuff for us

[@NeutralMjolkHotel]

Good Kid has to be a contender for most underrated Kendrick track. The dichotomy on red and blue is so well articulated. It also calls to mind his third mention of red and blue on Hood Politics off of TPAB describing the gang-like oppression from the government. “Ain’t nothing new but a flu of new Demo-Crips and Re-Blood-Icans. Red state vs. the blue state, which one you governin’” The topical through-line in Kendrick’s work is integral to its impact and longevity.

[@matchesmalone79]

Yeah, best song on the album, imo. Surprised it wasn't a single. Same with Maad City.

[@tsembasakalangwenya]

Bruh, I don't know if anybody's ever told you, "You're just good!"...like I'm 1 minute into the video and I think to myself, "How do these things just come to you?'' and a voice just said, "He's just good!"' Thank you for sharing your love of music with us. You are a great man! Keep serving us from that plate of love & greatness 👏👏 We appreciate you! I appreciate you!

[@richobeast]

"HBO series as a hip hop album" 💯

[@skythundersky1544]

Love your videos dude. Keep up the great work

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏🙏🙏

[@fernkenobi]

LOVED IT! def one of the greatest records in hip hop / music history 🎶 please make more videos like this one 🎉

[@Yoso_Elements]

this is A. R. T. Well captured, literally got goosebumps listening to your explanation - and it’s definitely ranking higher on my Top Hip Hop Albums. Illmatic still takes top spot

[@KTKLW]

YES gkmd is one of my favorite albums of all time. Been waiting for this one 🙏🙏

[@diggingthegreats]

🔥🔥🔥

[@jairo.504]

writing a paper on this in school rn, came here because you explain the story so beautifully

[@vinopacino2423]

Like from Pac Div produced Sing about Me IIRC. One of my favourite crews at the time. I remember hearing about Kendrick as part of the new west hype and checking him when his tracks had a couple thousand views. Crazy what he achieved since then. This LP was an instant classic when it dropped and it still sounds just as good today. Interesting now you point out that Backstreet Freestyle and Swimming Pools both on the surface ticked mainstream boxes but in classic Kendrick style had that extra subtext - love your channel bro 👊

[@dimmadeluxe6278]

I used to really not like the hit singles off this album, but I recently listened to the album and once I heard Real it opened my eyes. I immediately realized this album and those songs were an indictment of the lifestyle he used to love

[@TheHotBoxPro]

This is insanely well put together, sir. Thank you for this

[@edwardo2303]

Hip Hop nut here from the UK. I don't usually comment but I'm really glad this album was broken down. One of my favourite albums ever. I listen to this album cover to cover and feel every word on this album. Modern classic and brilliant price of art. Ty again for another great video 🔥

[@jazzbase412]

Great breakdown! I love this album and listen to it all of the time. It's a great running soundtrack. Classic!

[@wheredhego47]

Sing about me... is such a touching art piece. Gets me everytime.

[@krispendleton4662]

I've listened to this album vountless yimes, but this video opened it up SO much more. You slay this content my man!

[@VibesAndNotes]

Oh when you said after that one Friday with no video, that you're coming back with some bangers... You MEANT you were coming back with bangers 🫡

[@diggingthegreats]

Man just wait 🔥🔥

[@maneater3795]

I've been watching you since your Through the Wire video and let me just say, you've inspired me to start doing rap music. I know this is wishful thinking maybe, but just know that if my career works out, I'm definitely gonna try and convince you to do a live band with me. You're just that awesome. Keep up the good videos because I just finished this one and this was once again a Digging the Greats classic.

[@eSleepyt]

Thanks!

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you for the support 🙏

[@dlavictoire]

Good job breaking this down. I love a good concept album, but going the lengths to even cast some of the featurings to fit the story (and real life) is amazing. Any plans on addressing the « reverse » concept of DAMN.?

[@VarianNash]

This, To Pimp A Butterfly. And DAMN. felt like it could've been a trilogy.

[@reginaldgalloway]

Amazing breakdown! Would love to see you do some more breakdowns of Kendrick’s work!

[@eyedolleyezllc4722]

I think I relate to Kendrick because he is such a forward thinker and a realist and humanitarian I feel his concern for the growth of the hood I feel his lessons in every line... how do you know so sure in your heart that you are going to reach so many people with your art that you saved the voicemails that you wanted to use for your album... how?! I love Kendrick ❤️

[@nikfiendluvr666]

Perfect timing, this album has been heavy in my rotation lately!

[@BMXJergen]

one of my all time favorite albums and i got it on vinyl. once in a while i sit down and listen to this short film by Kendrick Lamar on my record player.

[@MADMOGtheFrugal]

Still my fav over any of the other albums

[@coolpandas8375]

Has there ever been a more complete album? Don’t think so, especially after listening to the way you broke it down. It’s deepened my comprehension and appreciation for the genius and artistry of Kendrick Lamar, and the contiguous storytelling. Simply amazing 💯🔥🔥🥰🥰. My humble gratitude for this breakdown, masterfully done and well researched. Thank you 🙏🏿

[@SonDialer]

It blurs the lines between reality and fiction, documentary and scripted. Those voice messages in particular add this authentic dimension and it’s difficult to imagine that they are not from his actual life. Either way, it’s masterful. And btw, Compton is home of Pirus and Crips to be technical.

[@DHawkBeats]

I love the breakdown of the story along with the production of it too 🔥🔥

[@TaiAkinz]

Classic album. Brilliant breakdown DTGs

[@AllTheArtsy]

the fact that this is his major label debut, and then he followed it up with TPAB?? already cemented him as one of the greats fr fr

[@_CPerk]

Excellent breakdown of this album. Kendrick really delivered on this album and It goes against what was popular in the game when this dropped. He’s truly a one of one.

[@namath3030]

Thank you for the great content!

[@Meelsen]

I really wish all the best for you and this channel. You're doing an amazing job and this video is no exception. Makes me appriciate this album even more. The way you present musical knowlegde is so fluent and easy to follow - and that is not an easy task.

[@Becauseimme]

Classic West Coast Album up there with Doggystyle. Shout out to Scoop DeVille who had the best beats on this masterpiece.

[@neleal1997]

Man , bro been dropping Dimes with all these recent videos. Love from the Chi

[@tgonnabfamous13]

My favorite album of all time. Followed by 2014 FHD. I love a story album. This was like a movie in my head. I never forget when I first heard it. I was a senior in high school. It changed my musical life!

[@Moose_Hawkins]

Ive listened to every album Kendrick's put out since GKMC and loved all of em, but for some reason this is the one that left the biggest impression on me.

[@JBolt94]

Great breakdown Markus, GOAT'd album, gotta go listen to it again, I think the production of this album is criminally overlooked 🔥

[@soph3154]

Kendrick is one of the bests, every single album is art

[@SSNorthWest]

the soundtrack to my childhood!good thing its still getting the recognition it deserves. This album just gets better as it ages🔥

[@BEASTMODE-mv3gs]

I never realized how much DAMN resembles this. Even down to which life do you choose. He’s really perfected his creativity it’s incredible

[@kingkunta8124]

Always appreciative of how you break down and put your opinion on records made by great artists

[@WasabiCookinUp]

This channel keeps getting better

[@MouseMan04]

This channel is too underated

[@jacencib]

Made me aware of Kdot initially. Such a good album. So much potential was revealed with this. And only a few years later he would live up to it with To Pimp a Butterfly

[@AveDeusMortis]

I have always said that Good Kid M.a.a.d City is a Rap Opera ... and after watching this video... I feel this now more than ever

[@smoothmedia4858]

I didn’t think you were coming west. Much Respect sir

[@mikedaboss2255]

Love this album one of my absolute favorites, you gotta breakdown tpab next!!!!

[@happygucci5094]

Then DAMN please- loved this album. GKMC- is crazy good- it was so weird listening to someone sooooo smart precocious ahead of his time- like what the f*ck?! Tupac is beaming!!!!

[@kaboomkp]

GKMC is my favorite Kendrick project. TPAB is also a work of art but to me Maad City is more like a self portrait where as To Pimp A Butterfly explores more broad themes about race in America. It’s good in a different way to me, so I’ll always love how I tells a story- also through some of the club bangers like maad city and swimming pool

[@livertiny]

Im so glad you did this video! This is one the greatest and most important records of all time! Great breakdown as always!

[@dudettevlogs4257]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽- nice reaction! Going to listen moooooore… it’s my fav. Especially money trees

[@ASANTEAMIN]

Brother, your annalysis and video quality is award worthy. Thankyou for your work

[@FarewellApollo]

Excellent analysis of a masterpiece of an album.

[@growupgreg]

I have argued it’s the best album made in the last 12 years. Such an incredible piece of art.

[@xyink3783]

I love your videos, I hope you keep it up, and achieve a lot more success

[@jalocin]

fantastic wrk on one of the best hip hop albums of all times!

[@jaywaup]

Found your channel by random. Really feeling the breakdown you did on Kendrick’s album.

[@slystone4892]

A masterpiece of an album and a masterpiece of analysis.

[@jasondrouin3255]

Haven’t even started watching- but boy this is the breakdown I needed!

[@jonoKK05]

They should turn this album, into an actual movie..🤧🔥

[@keithevans2722]

There are people who claim art should not be explained but I don't believe that, explaining an album like this helps to appreciate the album even more....thank you diggin the crate!!!

[@broceratops1337]

I've listened to rap casually my entire life, but this was the first album that i sat down and read lyric sheets while listening to the album. It is the breathtaking how crafted the narrative is.

[@Chuk.]

Please do a similar dissection of TPAB and DAMN. I’ve listened to GKMC a thousand times but I’m still learning things about this album from hearing you talk about it

[@lungi8424]

Dissect podcast, spotify...

[@DHawkBeats]

I know you usually do older albums like this but I think a video on JID’s the forever story would be awesome

[@morreddie717]

The chopping on sing about me im dying of thirst is insane, even after looking at so many breakdowns of it i still i cant get the chops exactly like it is in the song when i tried to remake it

[@jbstuff4472]

So thankful for your page and deep dives in music 🙏🏽

[@charismatickidd]

The beat on “I’m Dying of Thrist” is 🔥🔥🔥

[@Jubjub-ui8ms]

Just got the poetic justice part and I've been wanting someone to cover this, as it seems it's not being spoke about much given current events. Also please cover they not like us beat! Next to hit em up, I think it will be the most iconic bop diss.

[@KiDPIccolo-q5n]

🫰🫰🫰 thank you Digging the Greats

[@southHWD]

It was a felony crime that this album didn't win album of the year. I listen to this album front to back when I know I gotta drive an hour or more long

[@SonDialer]

Great analysis of one of the most important albums. Great job, shed a tear. 😢

[@joycewhite7673]

Legendary album. You broke it down wonderfully. I loved this video.