Kendrick Lamar has reached a shining moment for a debut artists. The critically acclaimed rapper’s first disc, good kid m.A.A.d. city has hit 500,000 in sales.

The album, which was released on October 22 sold more than 230,000 units in its first week and kept up a steady flow since.

“It’s crazy to know that it started in my own backyard in Compton,” Lamar told Hot 93.7′s DJ Buck before the first-week numbers hit. “I wrote these songs in my momma’s kitchen. These people [are] singing them like they were right there in that same kitchen, making noodles with me. It’s crazy.”

The album has been praised by critics and other artists alike. Six-time GRAMMY nominee Frank Ocean called the album one of his favorites this year. “I thought Kendrick made a really cool record,” he said. 

On December 13, the album has officially been declared gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

–E. Parker, CBS Local