Every Kendrick Lamar album release now feels like a cultural event, but in October 2012, the hip-hop megastar was prepping his major label debut (and sophomore full-length), good kid, m.A.A.d city. Coming off the high of his debut full-length Section.80, though, his ascent to meteoric success was not a sure thing. These were, of course, the days before #1 records and Super Bowl halftime shows were a thing for King Kendrick. Of course, we all know what happened next. The sophomore album released, Dr. Dre and Jay Rock featured on the record, and it debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200. It was his star turn – and since then, the album has never left the Billboard 200.
In fact, the album now holds the distinction of being the first hip-hop album in history to do that. Pretty incredible, right? Considering all the musical trends that have come and gone since then, it’s impressive that the album has so much staying power. Or perhaps, maybe it doesn’t, considering how much quality is found within.
.@kendricklamar's 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' has now spent 10 full years on the Billboard 200. It’s the first hip-hop studio album in history to reach this milestone.
— chart data (@chartdata) October 17, 2022
