Serving as the album's closing track, the song symbolizes a turning point in the narrative, representing a new chapter in Lamar's life and marking a shift from the themes of struggle and self-discovery present throughout the record.

Produced by Just Blaze with contributions from Dr. Dre, "Compton" reflects both the geographic and musical identity of Lamar's hometown while incorporating a blend of modern and nostalgic production elements.

While receiving mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, "Compton" was noted for its thematic significance and production quality, serving as a celebratory ode to Lamar's hometown and his artistic journey.

[1] Just Blaze revealed that the beat was initially created as a "skeleton" for Dre's long-delayed Detox album and later expanded for its final version on Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.

[1] According to Punch, president of Top Dawg Entertainment, Dre's attention to detail and dedication to perfecting every aspect of the song left a lasting impression on Lamar, further reinforcing his commitment to artistic quality.

[7] Andrew Nosnitsky of Spin described the track as "sounding like a misplaced circa-2003 New York mix-show staple" due to its Just Blaze production but praised its conclusion, stating it "makes a welcome dissolve into a DJ Quik-inspired talkbox vamp".