Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is the second studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, released on October 22, 2012, through Interscope Records, Top Dawg Entertainment, and Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. It marks Lamar’s major-label debut following his independent release Section.80 in 2011. Described on the cover as "a short film by Kendrick Lamar," the album is a concept project that tells a coming-of-age story based on Lamar's teenage years growing up in the gang- and drug-infested streets of Compton, California. It was recorded primarily in California studios and features production by Dr. Dre, Pharrell Williams, Just Blaze, Hit-Boy, and others. Guest appearances include Drake, Jay Rock, MC Eiht, Anna Wise, and Dr. Dre. The album received widespread critical acclaim for its lyrical depth and cohesive narrative. It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, selling 242,000 copies in its first week — the highest first-week sales for a male hip-hop artist in 2012. It also charted in the UK, reaching number 16 on the Albums Chart and number two on the R\&B Albums Chart. The project was supported by five successful singles: "The Recipe", "Swimming Pools (Drank)", "Backseat Freestyle", "Poetic Justice", and "Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe". Lamar promoted the album with a world tour in 2013, alongside members of his hip-hop collective, Black Hippy. At the 2014 Grammy Awards, the album earned seven nominations, including Album of the Year. It has since been certified triple platinum by the RIAA. Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is frequently cited in end-of-year and all-time best album lists, Rolling Stone ranked it 115th on its 2020 and 2023 updates of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and in 2022, declared it the greatest concept album ever made.