 Good Kid , M.A.A.D City ( stylized as good kid , m.A.A.d city ) is the second studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar . The album was released on October 22 , 2012 , by Top Dawg Entertainment , Aftermath Entertainment , and was distributed by Interscope Records . The album serves as Lamar 's major label debut , after his signing to Aftermath and Interscope in early 2012 . It was preceded by the release of Kendrick 's debut studio album Section.80 ( 2011 ) , released exclusively through the iTunes Store independently . 
