- Red Bull Music Academy’s United States of Bass - July 19, 2016
- Red Bull Sound Select: Adrian Younge, No ID, Joey Dosik - April 14, 2016
- LA Red Bull Sound Select: Stormzy, Lizzo, and Kauf - March 28, 2016
1.Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter’s Daughter
A great intro track that starts with an interlude prayer that shows up later in the album. The bassline on this track sets the whole tone of the album to let you know, this is West Coast. Kendrick tells a story of meeting a young female at a party and the trouble in pursuing promiscuous females. It starts the voyage that Kendrick takes us on as he joy rides in his mom’s car.
2.Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe
Sweet, laid back production with a catchy hook: “I am a sinner, whose probably gonna sin again. Lord Forgive me.” Kendrick talks about the changing times he is going through and his love for his city. He asks that those who are interested simply in the money and celebrity of the rap game not kill his vibe.
3.Backseat Freestyle
A super-dope trunk-thumper joint. Kendrick spits hard, opening with “Martin had a dream, Kendrick have a dream.” Kendrick’s vocals track get real nasty as he goes in on the third verse. All his life he wanted money and pride, respect his mind or die from that y’all. And the Eiffel Tower line is extremely quotable. 72 hours is a long time…
4.The Art of Peer Pressure
The synth lead pedal tone on this track once again screams west coast low rider music. About a minute in, the track changes to a heavier piano based track. Being with the homies, Kendrick discusses some of the pitfalls of peer pressure.
5.Money Trees
Another track that will have your subwoofer sweating. An ode to the hustle and desire for money in the streets. Reminds me of a lot of “C.R.E.A.M.” in that money is the main objective, and some people are going to be victims of others quest for financial gains.
6.Poetic Justice
Seriously love the way they used the Janet Jackson sample. One of those Hip-hop tracks that straddles the line between hard and sexy. Dedicated to righting romantic wrongs, Drake was a perfect choice for this track. As a writer (I guess I’m a writer?), I love that both Kendrick’s first verse and Drake’s verse end with the line “ I could never right my wrongs unless I write it down for real.” I think every songwriter or poet wants that poetic justice.
7.good kid
Probably the most different track production wise. Reminds me a lot of N*E*R*D*’s “Life as a Fish.” And rightfully so since Pharrell produced this track. Kendrick’s flow is awesome on this track as he expresses his desire to be a good kid despite the circumstances of his city.
8.m.A.A.d city
Complete headnodd tune. Kendrick gets hype as he describes the crazy violence, guns, and drug use he sees in the mad city he comes from. Halfway through the track changes to a beat that seems like it could have been leftover from The Chronic. The original Chronic. Portamento lead and all.
9. Swimming Pools (Drank)
The single that has driven a lot of buzz for this album. T-Minus comes hard with this beat. Kendrick details growing up with people who abused alcohol and how peer pressure caused him to deal with alcohol in a negative way. Although some passive listeners may think it is a club or party joint, really it is a criticism on alcohol abuse.
10.Sing About Me/I’m Dying of Thirst
Two tracks in one. The first track totally reminds me of something Common’s dad would speak on at the end of one of Common’s albums. Told from the point of view of two different friends speaking to Kendrick, it takes me back to when I first heard “Stan,” by Eminem or “He Say, She Say,” by Lupe Fiasco. The second verse’s “never fade away, never fade away,” followed by the fade out was very, very clever. It was one of those moments that makes you respect Kendrick’s creativity. “Dying of Thirst” has hollow vocals parts that make for an eerie setting of the religious-tinged track. Also, be sure to refer back to the first track on the album.
11.Real
Syncopated drums and soft synths allow Kendrick to speak in a lower, more relaxed tone. “What love got to do with it when you don’t love yourself?” Kendrick asked as he looks in the mirror. A nice introspective track.
12.Compton
A song about Compton produced by Just Blaze and featuring Dr. Dre. Need I say more?
I don’t want to jump to conclusions and call this a classic, because I don’t believe in instant classics across the board. But I do believe that this album is the best Hip-hop album of the year, and certainly has all of the elements of a West Coast classic: cars, dope ass basslines, and vivid imagery of the Southern California lifestyle. The production is pretty cohesive unlike many albums of the past few years, and the concept is great. Kendrick takes us on a ride through his city and his struggle as a good kid in a mad city.
