Kendrick Lamar's major label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city receives the prestigious distinction of XXL. In the past, XXL has given the honor to notable classics including Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z's The Blueprint, 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin', Common's Be, Kanye West's Late Registration, Clipse's Hell Hath No Fury, Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and, most recently, Nas' Life Is Good.

[Click here to read the full good kid, m.A.A.d city review.]

The Compton MC's highly personal reflection of his teenage years in the same city that has birthed gangsta rap, touches on a wide array of subject matters in a distinctively unique approach. The following is an excerpt from the review:

"Overall, good kid, m.A.A.d city is an invigorating LP. Every record is both complexly arranged and sonically fitting, foregrounding Kendrick’s vivid lyricism and amazing control of cadence. There’s not a single loophole. From the prayers on “Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter’s Daughter” to the triumphant ending on “Compton,” each skit and track interweaves one another, solidifying a complete picture. While only time can determine the album’s fate, this life chronicle of Kendrick has all—if not more—of the qualities rap’s now living and deceased legends have carved in stone. It’s an undeniably stellar major label debut from Kendrick Lamar, which will certainly hurt the self-esteem of many rappers out now while also inspiring them to reach these heights."

Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d city is in stores now.