As a mentee of Dr Dre and part of the Aftermath Entertainment family, Kendrick Lamar worked closely with his Compton counterpart when producing music and before Lamar released his critically acclaimed album Good Kid, m.A.A.d City, the emcee previewed his track ‘Bitch, Dont Kill My Vibe’ to the producer and Andre 3000 in the studio.
Good Kid, m.A.A.d City was Lamar’s first major-label album and saw him create and curate what would become an iconic album. Released in 2012, the album featured guest verses from the likes of Drake, Dr Dre and Black Hippy members such as Jay Rock.
The body of work was supported by five singles, all of which debuted within the Top 40 and Good Kid, m.A.A.d City peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. The project has been certified as three times platinum by the RIAA and, to this day, is considered a classic.
Prior to its release, as with all of his artists, Dr Dre worked closely with Lamar in the album’s creation and oversaw its production. The lyricist had released a solo album only a year prior entitled Section.80. This 2011 body of work was executively produced by TDE’s Digi+Phonics, and only peaked at 113 on the Billboard 200.
Good Kid, m.A.A.d City was the Compton rapper’s solo smash and was the album that put him at the forefront of rap alongside the likes of J Cole and Drake. While making the album, Lamar had all his collaborators and contributors in the studio with him.
In 2012, a video of the ‘Money Trees’ rapper in the studio with Dr Dre and Andre 3000 surfaced. Many were confused why the Outkast legend was in the studio, considering he wasn’t credited for anything on the album. However, TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) president, Punch, cleared up why. In a series of tweets, the label executive explained, “I remember trying to get 3 Stacks on ‘Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe’. He couldn’t catch the vibe, lol.” He continued, “He was shooting the Jimi Hendrix movie….”
Andre 3000 was meant to appear on the track but was preoccupied. In an interview with Well Versed magazine about playing his album for 3000 in the studio, Lamar revealed, He stood on the couch, put his hand up and said, ‘This is golden.’ He was one of the first people I played the album for.”
He continued, “It meant everything just off the fact I’ve been a fan since day one, so for him to say that I’m continuing the legacy and the culture of just the art of hip-hop, making a body of work that stands out and actually means something at the end of the day is a very huge accomplishment for me and confirmation of success.”
