Kendrick Lamar’s debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, has achieved remarkable longevity, remaining on the Billboard 200 for over a decade. However, one key piece of this album’s history—the music video for “The Recipe”—has remained locked away, never to see the light of day.
During the inaugural episode of The 3rd Verse Podcast featuring Stat Quo, DJ Mormile, and Justin Hunte, the trio delved into the backstory of the long-lost music video for “The Recipe,” which was filmed prior to the album’s release. Despite the video being shot, it ultimately was not chosen to be the lead single; instead, the focus shifted to the hit “Swimming Pools (Drank).”
At the time, DJ Mormile was working at Interscope and recalled that both Kendrick and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, along with the rest of Top Dawg Entertainment, were gravitating towards “Swimming Pools,” recognizing its potential. The decision to pivot was influenced by the extensive budget and rollout already planned for “The Recipe,” which left the latter in the shadows.
ScHoolboy Q was on set during the shoot and shared some behind-the-scenes photos featuring numerous bikini-clad women and Dr. Dre, humorously adding to the narrative with the presence of a swimming pool—ironically linking back to the eventual hit.
The gamble to shift focus to “Swimming Pools” paid off, catapulting Kendrick Lamar to become one of the most decorated artists in hip-hop history. good kid, m.A.A.d city continues to impress, currently holding a spot at number 73 on the Billboard 200 even after 13 years.
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