Hip-hop fans have been going back to some classics like this lately.

Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city has officially crossed 1 BILLION Spotify streams in 2025, marking his third album this year to reach billionaire status on the platform. More than a decade after its release, the project continues to prove why it’s one of the most essential hip-hop albums of all time.

A Look Back at the Tracks & Features

Though Section.80 is technically Kendrick’s first album, good kid, m.A.A.d city felt like his true grand introduction to the world. Dropped in 2012, the project came loaded with a carefully curated list of guest appearances, including Drake, Jay Rock, MC Eiht, Pharrell Williams, and Dr. Dre—every feature serving a purpose within the album’s cinematic storyline.

When it comes to fan favorites, “Money Trees” leads the pack with over two billion streams, followed by “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” and “m.A.A.d city.” And as for the bottom spot? The outro track “Compton” sits as the lowest-streamed song—because hey, something had to finish last on a classic.

First-Week Sales & The Grammy Snub

Upon release, good kid, m.A.A.d city debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, selling an impressive 242,000 copies in its opening week. Despite its critical acclaim and cultural dominance, it famously lost Rap Album of the Year at the Grammys to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ The Heist—a decision still debated to this day. Kendrick, of course, hasn’t looked back since.

Is good kid, m.A.A.d city Kendrick’s best album?

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.