LETTY: Kendrick Lamar’s “m.A.A.d city” is a fan favorite from his critically acclaimed
major label debut studio album, 'good kid, m.A.A.d city.'
LETTY: From the aggressive beat, to Dot’s vivid storytelling and the way the song moves
the crowd, “m.A.A.d city” has stood the test of time.
Released in 2012, the title is an acronym with a double meaning.
KENDRICK: First one is, my angry adolescence divided.
The basic standout meaning is, my angels on angel dust.
LETTY: The “mAAd city” beat was crafted by Terrance Martin along with TDE producers
Sounwave and the trio, T.H.C.
The song’s split into two sonic movements, and the first includes a now-famous adlib from ScHoolboy Q.
LETTY: The second movement features OG Compton rapper MC Eiht,
who references his 1993 hit in his opening line.
LETTY: More than just a feature, Eiht’s appearance, along with Dr. Dre’s executive production of
'good kid, m.A.A.d city' in general, was a West Coast stamp of approval for Kendrick,
a rookie at the time.
Eiht said, quote:
LETTY: True to the “my angry adolescence divided"
meaning of “m.A.A.d,” Kendrick shares his first glimpse of death,
and how it’s stayed with him.
KENDRICK: These stories are so serious and so in-depth.
It’s just about me seeing somebody get killed, just as a kid.
Being right there, and knowing how it all went down, feel me?
LETTY: Next, Dot details another story of his family ducking gunshots while eating
free lunch in a park.
The City of Los Angeles gives out food to the community as part of their summer program.
LETTY: Kendrick may be referring to the ‘92 Watts Truce.
OG Bloods and Crips signed a peace treaty the day before the Los Angeles riots.
Legend has it that 2Pac also had gang members sign a pact called the “The Code of Thug Life" that same day.
LETTY: However, the truce didn’t last, which seems to be exemplified by the death of Kendrick’s cousin.
LETTY: To clarify, although on the track, Kendrick mentions cocaine, per the title,
angel dust refers to PCP.
KENDRICK: That’s the reason why I don’t smoke.
INTERVIEWER:You knew somebody on angel dust?
KENDRICK: No that was me.
It got laced.
LETTY: On the hook, Kendrick’s toned down vocals signify another character,
a gang member banging on Dot, by interrogating him to decide if he’s a threat.
LETTY: As a rapper, Kendrick seems to have no off-switch, his first verse on "m.A.A.d city"
includes 32 bars instead of the basic 16.
LETTY: In an interview with Erykah Badu, Kendrick elaborated on that line, saying quote:
LETTY: I’m Letty for Genius News,
bringing you the meaning and the knowledge behind the music.