 The album was recorded mostly at several studios in California with producers such as Dr. Dre , Just Blaze , Pharrell Williams , Hit @-@ Boy , Scoop DeVille , Jack Splash and T @-@ Minus , among others . Billed as a " short film by Kendrick Lamar " on the album cover , the concept album follows the story of Lamar 's teenage experiences in the drug @-@ infested streets and gang lifestyle of his native Compton , California . Good Kid , M.A.A.D City received widespread acclaim from critics , who praised its thematic scope and Lamar 's lyrics . Good Kid M.A.A.D City earned Lamar four Grammy Award nominations at the 56th Grammy Awards including Album of the Year . 
