'' Good Kid , M.A.A.D City '' 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 , contributing to the album . 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 . The album received widespread acclaim from critics , who praised its thematic scope and Lamar 's lyrics . It earned Lamar four Grammy Award nominations at the 2014 Grammy Awards , including Album of the Year
2014 Grammy Awards
56th Annual Grammy Awards
Good Kid, M.A.A.D City