LogFAQs > #955486031

good kid, m.A.A.d. city track ranking

12. Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter's Daughter (Track #1)
Score: 42 (Average Rank: 9.77/12)
Biggest Fan(s): HBJDubs (#4)
Biggest Detractor(s): CasanovaZelos, KommunistKoala, Xeybozn, Seanchan (#12)

CasanovaZelos: It's weird that this album kicks off with its weakest track, but it also sets up so much for the rest of the album. This production is tense, while Kendrick kicks off with a frenetic, singular verse as densely detailed as music comes.

Bane_Of_Despair: The opening track, and obviously starts on a great note. Also just generally starts the stellar production and beat selection for the album, the background additions really add to the vibe. Kendrick just be too young and horny for his own good! The meeting of Sherane, the woman of his eye and what sets up the narrative of how hard it can be in the streets with getting jumped at the end. And then finally ending with a call from his mom and dad, asking where Kendrick is since he borrowed their car. Really a continuation of something Kendrick has been stellar at for all of his albums, setting up a continuing story that weaves its way into each forthcoming song. Honestly most of the reason this is down lower is that I just plain like the other songs more and not because this song is particularly weak, a reason that'll keep popping up.

11. Compton (Track #12)
Score: 51 (Average Rank: 9.23/12)
Biggest Fan(s): Johnbobb, HBJDubs (#3)
Biggest Detractor(s): Bane_Of_Despair, VeryInsane, Giggsalot, Blur (#12)

CasanovaZelos: I kind of forget this track is on the album Real feels like a perfect closer. But Compton still works as an epilogue; like Bitch, Dont Kill My Vibe, this is from Kendricks current perspective while the rest of the album reflects his past experiences. And can you blame him for wanting to work with Dr. Dre?

Bane_Of_Despair: Just because it's at the bottom for me (and funny enough coincides with it being the last track anyway) doesn't mean I dislike the song! It's cool to see such a celebration of a city and with a classic like Dr. Dre holds his own on the track, despite having done nothing but guest features here and there for Eminem and such since 1999 until he finally came back with a 2015 album, also named Compton! Most of the reason for why this ranks last for me is that I'm more a fan of the story being told throughout the album, and this is technically outside that.

10. Real (Track #11)
Score: 59 (Average Rank: 8.62/12)
Biggest Fan(s): Blur (#2)
Biggest Detractor(s): TheArkOfTurus (#12)

CasanovaZelos: Where the previous three tracks fill me with despair, Real fills me with hope. Kendrick reflects on everything he has been through and starts seeing himself capable of something more. I think the production is a bit weaker here than on other tracks, but the emotions come through strong.

Bane_Of_Despair: What I most enjoy about Real is the dialogue going on towards the end of the track with Kendrick's dad and mom, sending him support and advice. It's really wholesome and gives a hopeful feeling to a narrative that had been understandably dark throughout. In general the track talks about finding what's "real" and what that means to you, and just general self love which is always nice to have. I will say the chorus is a bit one-note but it still works, there's enough background flourishes and such going on.

9. Poetic Justice (Track #6)
Score: 59 (Average Rank: 8.46/12)
Biggest Fan(s): Seanchan (#5)
Biggest Detractor(s): ChainLTTP, HBJDubs (#12)

CasanovaZelos: I feel like I always forget Drake makes an appearance on this album. Great production, though the lyrics dont do too much for me.

Bane_Of_Despair: This one sort of takes a swerve, because while it's part of the narrative of Kendrick talking about Sherane it doesn't necessarily advance it. And then Drake is off talking about his own struggles lol. Let's talk about Drake's part, because honestly that's what first comes to mind when I think of the song. I haven't really fucked with Drake since 2015, If You're Reading This... was for me his last project that I truly cared about. So this was still prime Drake, right in that sweet spot of Take Care-Nothing Was the Same, and his bars are just really infectious here. His signature flow and attitude work really well, this is Drake in his element talking about being played by a woman and I think it holds the line of not being overly woo is me and being fun and playful. Kendrick stands his own ground with some great lines like "If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?" And the backing production with the tuned vocals add to the fun feel of the track.

8. Good Kid (Track #7)
Score: 89 (Average Rank: 6.31/12)
Biggest Fan(s): HBJDubs (#2)
Biggest Detractor(s): CasanovaZelos (#11)

CasanovaZelos: An interesting bit of trivia from the Genius page, this song is the only track on the album with no profanity. This is where the desperation turns to a drive for actual, physical escape. The two title tracks make a clear message Kendrick is one of many good kids forced into awful acts to survive in an uncaring society.

Bane_Of_Despair: Here Kendrick is coming to terms with being caught in the middle of everything. He doesn't want to be part of any gangs but outside institutions, namely the police, just see him as another gangbanger destined to fail. And if that's how you're being pigeonholed and viewed, it's incredibly hard to break out of that. Kendrick is the good kid, doing what he can to get out of that life. Pharrell taking the duties of the chorus is nice, and I like the added sinister tones that play during the chorus.

7. Backseat Freestyle (Track #3)
Score: 90 (Average Rank: 6.69/12)
Biggest Fan(s): Seanchan (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): Raetsel_Lapin, Johnbobb (#12)

CasanovaZelos: Kendrick wants hip hop with substance but Backseat Freestyle shows he can pull off a vulgar banger better than anyone else as well. In the context of the album, this is a brief moment of escapism; the dream of a young man who has been given no direction in life, who can imagine nothing more meaningful than sex. Decontextualized, the phenomenal production is enough to make it a nonsensical yet unforgettable highlight. I feel like this will end up being the most love-hate track in our rankings, but I hope those who hate it at least recognize its satirical nature.

Bane_Of_Despair: Come on, how could I place this song low? It's an absolute blast of a song, and I have fond memories of it when the album came out when I was in college and my friends screaming out " I pray my dick get big as the Eiffel Tower, SO I CAN FUCK THE WORLD FOR 72 HOURS!!!!!" How can you hate a line like that?! Even the start, "Martin had a dream, Martin had a dream, KENDRICK HAVE A DREAM", it's an instant classic. Kendrick just being a young kid, reveling in life's pleasures. I will absolutely feel a type of way if this places low in other people's rankings lol

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