Studio Album · No. 2
good kid, m.A.A.d city Songwriting Credits by Kendrick Lamar
Produced by Sounwave, Hit-Boy, Pharrell Williams, Tha Bizness, Scoop DeVille, DJ Dahi, T-Minus, Just Blaze, Terrace Martin · Engineered by Derek Ali (MixedByAli)
Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath Entertainment / Interscope Records
Hip HopWest Coast Hip HopGangsta RapHardcore Hip HopConscious Hip Hop
100%
Authorship
Kendrick Lamar wrote 12 of 12 documented tracks
Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Kendrick Lamar carries a lyricist or composer credit.
12 trackswritten by Kendrick Lamar
0 tracksoutside writers
Kendrick Lamar's roles on this album
Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist100%
Composer0%
Producer0%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
12
Tracks
33
Lyricists
13
Producers
2012
Released
Data Insight
Kendrick Lamar wrote his own verses on good kid, m.A.A.d city, framing the album as a self-described short film narrating a day in his life in Compton. Dr. Dre served as executive producer, and the beats came from a wide cast including Hit-Boy, Just Blaze, Pharrell Williams, Scoop DeVille, T-Minus, DJ Dahi, Jack Splash, and TDE's own Sounwave. Guest appearances include Drake on 'Poetic Justice,' Jay Rock on 'Money Trees,' MC Eiht on 'm.A.A.d city,' and Dr. Dre on 'Compton.' Derek Ali handled mixing.
Kendrick Lamar's major-label debut, released October 22, 2012. A semi-autobiographical concept album set in Compton, presented as a 'short film by Kendrick Lamar.' The album traces a day in the life of a teenage Kendrick navigating gang culture, peer pressure, and spirituality. It was certified 7Ã, Platinum and cemented Lamar as one of hip-hop's definitive voices.
Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter's Daughter
|
Kendrick LamarChristopher WhitacreJustin Henderson | Kendrick DuckworthChristopher WhitacreJustin Henderson | Tha Bizness | Kendrick Lamar (Rap) |
| 2 |
Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe
#32
|
Kendrick LamarSounwaveRobin BraunVindahl FriisLykke Schmidt | Kendrick DuckworthMark SpearsRobin BraunVindahl FriisLykke Schmidt | Sounwave | Anna Wise (Vocals)JMSN (Vocals) |
| 3 |
Backseat Freestyle
|
Kendrick LamarChauncey Hollis Jr. | Kendrick DuckworthChauncey Hollis Jr. | Hit-Boy | Kendrick Lamar (Rap) |
| 4 |
The Art of Peer Pressure
|
Kendrick LamarJonas VestergaardRune Rask | Kendrick DuckworthJonas VestergaardRune Rask | Tabu | Kendrick Lamar (Rap) |
| 5 |
Money Trees
|
Kendrick LamarJay RockDJ DahiVictoria LegrandAlex Scally | Kendrick DuckworthJohnny McKinzie Jr.Dacoury NatcheVictoria LegrandAlex Scally | DJ Dahi | Jay Rock (Vocals)Anna Wise (Vocals) |
| 6 |
Poetic Justice
#26
|
Kendrick LamarDrakeElijah MolinaJames HarrisJanet JacksonTerry Lewis | Kendrick DuckworthAubrey GrahamElijah MolinaJames HarrisJanet JacksonTerry Lewis | Scoop DeVille | Drake (Vocals) |
| 7 |
Good Kid
|
Kendrick LamarPharrell Williams | Kendrick DuckworthPharrell Williams | Pharrell Williams | Chad Hugo (Vocals) |
| 8 |
M.A.A.D City
|
Kendrick LamarMC EihtSounwaveRicci RieraAxel Morgan | Kendrick DuckworthAaron TylerMark SpearsRicci RieraAxel Morgan | SounwaveTHCTerrace Martin | MC Eiht (Vocals)ScHoolboy Q (Vocals) |
| 9 |
Swimming Pools (Drank)
#17
|
Kendrick LamarTyler Williams | Kendrick DuckworthTyler Williams | T-Minus | Kendrick Lamar (Rap) |
| 10 |
Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst
|
Kendrick LamarGabe StevensonDerrick HutchinsQuincy JonesAlan BergmanMarilyn Bergman | Kendrick DuckworthGabe StevensonDerrick HutchinsQuincy JonesAlan BergmanMarilyn Bergman | LikeSkhye HutchSounwave | JMSN (Vocals)Anna Wise (Vocals)Camille Davis (Vocals) |
| 11 |
Real
|
Kendrick LamarTerrace Martin | Kendrick DuckworthTerrace Martin | Terrace Martin | Anna Wise (Vocals)JMSN (Vocals) |
| 12 |
Compton
|
Kendrick LamarSly JordanJustin SmithCharles Richard Cason | Kendrick DuckworthSly JordanJustin SmithCharles Richard Cason | Just Blaze | Dr. Dre (Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 54 contributors
KD
Kendrick Duckworth
Writer
KL
Kendrick Lamar
Writer · Rap
S
Sounwave
Writer · Producer
MS
Mark Spears
Writer
TM
Terrace Martin
Writer · Producer
DD
DJ Dahi
Writer · Producer
PW
Pharrell Williams
Writer · Producer
AT
Aaron Tyler
Writer
AB
Alan Bergman
Writer
AS
Alex Scally
Writer
AG
Aubrey Graham
Writer
AM
Axel Morgan
Writer
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Frequently Asked Questions good kid, m.A.A.d city
What is good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar about?
good kid, m.A.A.d city is a concept album that narrates a day in Kendrick Lamar's adolescence in Compton, California. He subtitled it 'a short film,' structuring the songs as a continuous story about temptation, violence, and faith. It served as his major-label debut, released October 22, 2012.
Did Kendrick Lamar write good kid, m.A.A.d city himself?
Yes. Kendrick Lamar wrote his own verses across good kid, m.A.A.d city. The album's storyline and characters were drawn from his own experiences growing up in Compton. He worked with outside producers for the instrumentals but authored the lyrics.
Who produced good kid, m.A.A.d city?
good kid, m.A.A.d city was executive produced by Dr. Dre. Individual tracks were produced by Hit-Boy, Just Blaze, Pharrell Williams, Scoop DeVille, T-Minus, DJ Dahi, Jack Splash, and TDE's Sounwave, among others. The varied production reflects the album's cinematic scope.
What was the highest-charting single from good kid, m.A.A.d city?
'Swimming Pools (Drank)' was the highest-charting single, peaking at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. 'Poetic Justice' featuring Drake reached number 26, and 'Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe' reached number 32. All three broadened Kendrick Lamar's audience.
Who is featured on Poetic Justice by Kendrick Lamar?
'Poetic Justice' features Drake and samples Janet Jackson's 'Any Time, Any Place.' The song reached number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is one of the more melodic moments on good kid, m.A.A.d city.
How did good kid, m.A.A.d city perform commercially?
good kid, m.A.A.d city debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 with 242,000 first-week copies sold in the United States. It was later certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA. The album became one of the longest-charting hip hop releases on the Billboard 200.
Was good kid, m.A.A.d city nominated for any Grammy Awards?
Yes. good kid, m.A.A.d city received seven Grammy nominations at the 2014 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Kendrick Lamar did not win any of those awards that night, a result widely discussed by critics. The album is still regarded as one of the decade's best.