4. Kendrick Lamar good kid, m.A.A.d city
Comin Straight Outta Compton, and having witnessed his heroes
Tupac and
Dr Dre film the video for
California Love when he was just 8,
Kendricks future was pretty much set. After numerous years of rap battles, working the underground and releasing mixtapes since 16 in 2003, there has been a steady snowballing of
Kendricks career. So much so, that come the release of
good kid, m.A.A.d city, his major label debut,
Kendrick has already collaborated with
Lil Wayne,
Warren G,
Drake,
Busta Rhymes, oh, and his aforementioned idol
Dr Dre. Its an uncommon-in-rap concept album that tells the story of
Kendrick growing up in Compton. The story tells of
Kendrick stealing his mothers van, visiting a girl and experimenting with the gang lifestyle until hes brought back to reality by the death of a friend at a shootout.
Kendricks lyrics and flow are impeccable and his delivery dexterous, which added to exceptional and experimental production with guest spots from the likes of
Drake,
Jay Rock and
Dr Dre and you easily have the rap album of the year.
Key tracks Bitch Dont Kill My Vibe, The Art of Peer Pressure, Swimming Pools (Drank), Sing About Me, Im Dying of Thirst http://youtu.be/nLCqSMDEQsA