The album debuted at number two on the US, selling 242,000 copies in its first week – earning the highest first-week hip hop album sales of 2012 from a male artist, along with the best-selling debut from a male artist of the year. It became Lamar's first album to enter the, peaking at number 16, and entering the at number two. The album was also named to many end-of-the-year lists, often topping them.
It was later certified by the (RIAA) in June 2018. By April 2018, the album had sold 1.7 million copies domestically. The album's release was supported by five singles – ', ', ', ' and '. All five singles achieved chart success, of varying degrees. Lamar also went on a world tour between May and August 2013, featuring the other members of the,.
Lamar wanted to discuss life in his native, on the album. After the release and success of his debut studio album (2011), Lamar signed a major label with and 's. He told that he did not want to work with high-profile producers, but with those he had established himself with, mainly producers from 's in-house production team,.
In an interview for, Lamar said that the album would not sound like Section.80, but will return to his roots: 'I couldn't tell you what type of sound or where I [will] be in the next five years as far as music. Back to the neighbourhood and [going] back in that same space where we used to be, got [me] inspired. So this album won't sound like Section.80.'
Lamar also said that the album will showcase the influence of his hometown: 'The kid that's trying to escape that influence, trying his best to escape that influence, has always been pulled back in because of circumstances that be'. Before the album's title was officially revealed, fans had already been calling Lamar's major label debut Good Kid, Mad City or Good Kid in a Mad City, as it was a nickname Lamar had given himself. The album's title mainly refers to Lamar's childhood innocence, and how Compton affected his life. After keeping the album title's acronym concealed, Lamar later revealed M.A.A.D is an acronym with two meanings: ' My Angry Adolescence Divided' and ' My Angels on ', with Lamar stating: 'That was me, [and it's] the reason why I don't smoke.