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

Thanks to BeatConnect for sponsoring this video. Go try out BeatConnect! glnk.io/jlyrv/...
Today I'm breaking down Kendrick’s “good kid, m.A.A.d city” one track at a time. We’re going to get into the lyrics, Kendrick’s style, the production, recreate a few songs, and see the narrative of the album unfold. This is one of the most cohesive storytelling albums ever made. It’s full of darkness, tragedy, angst, questioning systems, faith, hope, and love. It’s also got some incredible beats and rhyming that’s unmatched. It’s like if an HBO series was a hip hop album.
View the FULL Edit of this video, withe more footage and no acapellas at / diggingthegreats
__________________________________
► Get the Full Experience on Patreon - / diggingthegreats
► Digging The Greats Podcast - podcasts.apple...
► Complimentary Interview Channel - @DiggingTheTalks
► JOIN THE DISCORD - / discord
► Follow me on Instagram: bit.ly/3KJmbG0
__________________________________
SOURCES
www.complex.co...
• Kendrick Lamar - Messa...
www.highsnobie...
#kendricklamar #hiphop #musichistory #beatconnect

[@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 🔥🔥

[@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

[@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 💯

[@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

[@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

[@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]

💯💯

[@Kodybadgley]

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

[@finnlaygrant-mackay3029]

Compton really feels like the passing of the torch from Dre to Kendrick

[@VarianNash]

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

[@ibzuck100]

Man, killin' it with these videos lately.

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏

[@thestarlitwilds]

killing it with that pfp

[@salvador_951]

Salvador Gonzalez - Light

[@fatstogie]

dope pfp

[@arielleiman]

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

[@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

[@skythundersky1544]

Love your videos dude. Keep up the great work

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏🙏🙏

[@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

[@Becauseimme]

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

[@fernkenobi]

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

[@shadowfukkinblowed]

God I still love this album, favorite one of my generation forreal….this getting snubbed is still crazy to this day

[@diggingthegreats]

That’s embarrassing honestly

[@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 🙏🏿

[@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.?

[@Itsalltahid]

With all respect this is the Illmatic of the West. True HipHop greatness #KingKendrick

[@Itsalltahid]

Damn just watched entire video didn’t know he was gonna compare it to Illmatic. Much respect!.

[@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!

[@TaiAkinz]

Classic album. Brilliant breakdown DTGs

[@charismatickidd]

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

[@mannyvelizofficial]

Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst is the best hip hop song of all time and nobody can change my mind.

[@holizmoyombo4686]

Hard to argue with you. Heavy on repeat in its lifetime.

[@holizmoyombo4686]

Listening to it was my next video after this

[@yannkyony3742]

Agree with you dog 💯

[@ChromeCowboy_]

It's Gucci Gang by Lil Pump u mean?

[@nikfiendluvr666]

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

[@MetalSonic420]

To Pimp a Butterfly is Kendrick Lamar's best, but this is second for me.

[@mjsburneraccount5591]

To be honest I’ve always felt like Good Kid M.a.a.D City is Kendrick’s apex in terms of an overall album. Sure To Pimp A Butterfly is far more ambitious in terms of content, production and song concepts, but GKMC is better structured as a whole. From Kendrick being an immature and naive kid in the beginning following him to a more mature and socially aware man, with each track fitting perfectly together. I feel that the album bridged the gap between deep introspective music and accessible music with replay value better than TPAB did, as the songs are equally as enjoyable listened from either start to front or miscellaneously. A lot of the songs on TPAB feel like they are only most enjoyable when they are all played together at once and aren’t as enjoyable when played randomly

[@isntabavl]

​@@mjsburneraccount5591 well put man

[@Kevy808]

​@@mjsburneraccount5591 DAMN is better

[@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

[@dudettevlogs4257]

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

[@jaywaup]

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

[@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

[@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!

[@kingkunta8124]

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

[@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!!!

[@The.ARCHIT3CT]

The second half of the maad city song is the epitome of compton.

[@bradybroussard]

Masterclass of an album!!

[@livertiny]

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

[@braadsaad]

At this point you’re just making videos of my favourite albums

[@Crs313]

Man the changes are making me feel I wish I could go to patreon. Great job I can tell what u put into it. Need the un edited version

[@bridgea44]

Man you gotta do this for the rest of his albums too. This was too good man

[@franckateba2970]

This album needs to be educated in music schools. This album is a movie.🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉thank you Digging the greats

[@e.d.i.t.hghost1081]

I love this video ❤ the fact that you broke it down and it was compelling and I was completely invested I'm here after the drake and kendrick diss tracks so I love that you mention 2TEEZ

[@jesjusie]

my fav album

[@anelisadotco]

I hope he turns this album into an actual movie soon 🥺

[@Jakeakatheone]

Sing about me, has to be a top 5 hip-hop song all time

[@86Sentra]

Fr

[@kidsonicofficial]

AH man! I wish you'd have put this out when I was writing my master's thesis on Narrative Concept Albums in Music. I never actually realised that the cover art emphasised that the story was told through Kendrick's eyes - I just thought that it was an anonymity thing haha. Would've definitely quoted you in that! It's kind of mad hearing you mirroring what I put in the analysis for it haha.

[@oflittleconsequence]

I think the last line is the moment before he went off to do what his mom asked him to do and record this album and get his "15 minutes of fame" for the positive influence on the kids of Compton coming up like he did.

[@oflittleconsequence]

In her voicemail in the beginning, his mom was telling him that he said he'd be back in 15, so this is ALSO the loop starting again. Take the G-Funk melody on 'Compton' as a throwback to Dre/NWA, who would have been early influence on Kendrick and showed him a different way out. It cyclical. After Kendrick's 15 minutes of fame, someone else has to keep that going. Like Tibetan prayer wheels, you have to keep them spinning to keep the teachings alive and show others the way - if not, the path fades away until someone else eventually has to discover it on their own. Kendrick is spinning the wheel, to keep the teachings alive and shine a light on the path for others to see.

[@noctivagentmusic9339]

Yo I never seen your channel before but this is super dope! Thank you. Gotta go see what else you done now

[@nonretrogradable]

Great breakdown. Just signed up on Patreon. Novice question: how are you able to isolate just one voice/element of the track?

[@mattheffernan8890]

Can you do a video on The Roots/Black Thought and maybe dive into Philly as you did with Compton here?

[@retromograph3893]

Great stuff! If you're looking for another album to do with an amazing story behind it, nothing beats Marvin Gaye's "Here, my Dear" He was convinced by his lawyer to make the album and give all proceeds to his recently divorced wife (hence the album title), who was suing him for alimony and child support. He went into it with the intention make the fastest, throwaway, most perfunctory album he could, but in the process of of writing the songs and recording, all his anger, frustration, regret & melancholy came out and took possession of him and the album. Check it out. The first song already sets the tone, a sarcastic, cheesy, cheap sounding doo-wop inspired track with fake (and free to make) synth strings instead of the usual, expensive, real string section. Pure genius. There's a long pod on YT with Josh Adam Meyers & Roy Wood Jr where they go through the whole crazy story.

[@johaneshjohanes2152]

Have you ever thought about making a podcast discecting the albuns?

[@maxxygee3874]

Do a Damn album breakdown next!🙏

[@johnw2984]

Great video as usual but I was kinda surprised you skipped the Jay Rock verse on Money Trees. It’s still incredible to this day and one of the best features on the album

[@rare1s840]

I bought this at target in 2013. We were STUCK on it

[@AK-ky3ou]

Damn good breakdown

[@OFFMike]

Great vidéo as usual, this álbum is a Classic west Side hiphop, Kendrik is one of the last MC, in the meaning, 4 the culture! Thanks and Peace from France.

[@pquintas9]

Great fucking video dawg! Legendary album as well!!👏

[@lilsuedi605]

You shold do Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor next!!!!

[@bolder2009]

I'd rather Tetsuo & Youth, Drogas Wave or DMIZ as those albums are just as brilliant but not as familiar outside of Lupe's core base.

[@AliManW]

Now I want him to drop a story telling masterpiece on Drakes ass

[@_CPerk]

I really don’t understand why no studio has made this album into a movie yet

[@narmar5308]

Brilliant. Thx for vid 🙏🏽

[@Tas2004]

Brilliant video!

[@therealblackdre]

TPAB next please!

[@bushraptor]

such a great album, it would have my vote for album of the year against pretty much every other year's nominees but it just had bad timing going up against RAM, which I do believe was the best album that year

[@prodecpc]

Broski never misses

[@dadamj]

Top 5 for me

[@salvador_951]

Salvador Gonzalez - Light

[@phallanglesia3677]

😮‍💨goosebumps🙌🏾❤️‍🔥

[@JamesSmith-ov5um]

This a top 5 hip hop album all time, idc what anyone says

[@adammarsh956]

Please one day maybe consider doing a video on the Funk legend George Duke 🙏

[@yourpoeticcousin]

@diggingthegreats please do To Pimp a Butterfly next 🙏🏾

[@Frostyloc_85]

It's best album ever

[@Jhev1000]

"Maybe two Ts" I see you

[@LutherVandals]

Sometimes I'll randomly just blurt out the Maya Angelou part lol

[@NomadKing413]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@insideroutside]

This could be longer. There so much more to be explained

[@CarmelSkinedNigga]

Sign about me I’m dying of thirst is one of Kendrick’s greatest masterpieces ever created and I wish more people appreciated the song 👏🏾

[@TariqAmazin]

YET GRAMMY DEEMED MACKLEMORE MORE DESERVING OF A GRAMMY ALBUM THAT YEAR 😂😂 MAKE THAT MAKE SENSE!

[@STARMANE908]

Let's gooooo

[@happygucci5094]

New enthusiastic sub. Kendrick hits me in the soul- like Pac does…💯🔥🫡 Outstanding work Sir

[@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.

[@Nathan-rz9dw]

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 🙂

[@JeFFBezosCEOoFAmazon]

my fav album

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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 😪

[@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.

[@richobeast]

"HBO series as a hip hop album" 💯

[@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.

[@Dre47Deep]

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

[@joaquinserrato5729]

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

[@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!

[@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 💯💯😪😪

[@frankjennings4489]

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

[@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🙌

[@williammesquit5762]

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

[@MADMOGtheFrugal]

Still my fav over any of the other albums

[@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 🔥🔥