Kendrick Lamar has surprised fans with a brand-new album titled GNX, released in the early hours of Friday morning. This comes on the heels of being named Apple’s “Rapper of the Year,” which sparked controversy, as Kendrick hadn’t dropped an album in 2024. True to his unpredictable nature, Lamar decided to address the chatter directly through this surprise release.
On the album’s opening track, “wacced out murals,” Kendrick takes shots at a few figures in the industry. He addresses Lil Wayne’s apparent frustration with Lamar being chosen for Rapper of the Year over him. He also alludes to the drama surrounding Snoop Dogg sharing an AI-generated track, “Taylor Made,” which features verses from Drake and 2Pac. Kendrick reflects on the irony of his relationship with Wayne and Snoop, sharing his feelings of betrayal, but ultimately keeping his cool.
The album also touches on the issue of racial respect in the entertainment industry. Kendrick calls out Shxtsngigs podcast for letting Andrew Schulz disrespect Black women, rapping, “Don’t let no white comedian talk about no Black women that’s law.”
Another notable feature of GNX is the heavy involvement of Taylor Swift’s producer, Jack Antonoff, who worked on nearly every song. Kendrick also brings Los Angeles-based talent along for the ride, with DJ Mustard’s signature production returning, notably on the album’s standout track, “tv off.”
Lamar also quietly answers the question of how he’ll follow up on the Heart series after Drake’s The Heart Part 6. Instead of directly addressing it, Kendrick moves forward with his own vision, staying true to his style and continuing the series without skipping a beat.
Clocking in at just over 44 minutes, GNX feels like a mixtape or a preview of something larger to come. It’s filled with personal reflections, addressing industry beefs, and representing his hometown in full force. For fans expecting a grand follow-up, this might be more of a teaser for what’s next, leaving them eagerly anticipating the full project.
In a playful nod to his success, Kendrick even jokingly comments on the rising value of GNX cars (likely referring to his own brand and metaphorically referencing his impact), saying fans will have to keep saving if they want one!
Kendrick Lamar continues to push boundaries, offering a mix of introspection, industry commentary, and bold artistic choices in GNX. It’s another moment of cultural significance in Lamar’s already illustrious career.
