Album Rating: 3.0

the problem with this being some profound concept album is he never does anything to make up for the

immature tracks on the beginning. Everyone is acting like this album teaches some big life lesson,

when all he actually does to make up for the first half of the album being immature is make a track

about some people he knew that died, says hes 'real', and ironically brags about being from Compton

again on the last track as if he forgot this entire album was supposed to be about how fucked up the

place is.

Album Rating: 4.0

It's pretty sincere in my mind but I agree about the Compton thing. Didn't seem like a fitting closer

lol

Album Rating: 3.0

Sing about me is really good but its just one track

Album Rating: 4.0

how can you not like Sherane?

Album Rating: 4.0

would I dig this i usually only dig ignorant rap

Album Rating: 4.0

lol

Album Rating: 5.0

this is really hard not to like

i mean i could never break up with ignorant rap and i unabashedly love this

Album Rating: 5.0

Let is sit for 2 years and have come to the conclusion that this is indeed a 5. Modern classic.

Album Rating: 4.0

k swee

no idea how i would rank this but m.A.A.d city, Sherane, and good kid are my top 3 i guess

"the problem with this being some profound concept album is he never does anything to make up for the immature tracks on the beginning."

i'm always trying to piece together a way to talk about this album that doesn't sound like me bending over backwards to save its apparent hiccups from the critics (my contributors' top 2012 [was that the year? 2011? good lord what year is it now] writeup for this evinces that process) but to me the "concept" of this album insofar as it has one is that, like, maybe you don't need to "make up" for immaturity, so to speak?

it's like when people say they have no regrets because even the most awful shit that has happened to them or the dumbest shit they did shaped them into who they are today--it sounds wonky as a standalone concept but bears out beautifully in the sound and direction this album takes as it goes along. i don't think "backseat freestyle," for me, is quite as simple as signposting something like "this is what i sounded like when i was 17 and stupid but now i'm no longer that!". or, like, it is, but i don't even think kendrick is disowning his younger self so much as realizing that those experiences, that stupid-ness, is integral to where he is today.

his mom, on "real": "If I don't hear from you by tomorrow, I hope you come back and learn from your mistakes. Come back a man, tell your story to these black and brown kids in Compton. Let 'em know you was just like them, but you still rose from that dark place of violence, becoming a positive person. But when you do make it, give back with your words of encouragement, and that's the best way to give back. To your city... And I love you Kendrick, if I don't hear you knocking on the door you know where I usually leave the key. Alright? Talk to you later, bye."

gets me every time.

which I guess means it comes down to whether or not you find the "mistakes" aesthetically gratifying but backseat freestyle is exciting and silly and great so THERE

Album Rating: 4.4

"but to me the "concept" of this album insofar as it has one is that, like, maybe you don't need to "make up" for immaturity, so to speak? "



Nail on the fucking head



How do people still not "get" this album by now?

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

trebs I didn't even know you knew hip-hop was a genre

dude he has like 3 Lil b reviews n' shit, what makes you think he doesn't know what hip-hop is?

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

Implying lil b is hip-hop

Album Rating: 4.0

#shotsfired

ellen degeneres
youre so generous