Kendrick Lamar has unequivocally cemented his status as hip-hop’s MVP, and 2024 is his year. Following the seismic feud with Drake, whispers of a new Kendrick album turned into reality with the surprise release of GNX. This album arrives hot on the heels of sold-out shows, Grammy nominations, streaming records, and a Super Bowl headlining gig, marking GNX as the perfect culmination of Lamar’s monumental year. Drawing its name from his cherished Buick GNX, this sixth album sees Kendrick maintaining the intense energy from his summer beef, showing he’s far from done making powerful statements.
On tracks like “wacced out murals,” Kendrick cruises while listening to Anita Baker, his lyrics laced with potent threats. Lines like, “It used to be fuck that n***a, but now it’s plural/Fuck everybody, that’s on my body,” echo his unwavering stance and even hint at the Super Bowl controversy involving Lil Wayne. For those anticipating a collaboration between Jack Antonoff and Mustard, GNX delivers. This unexpected duo shares production credits on several tracks, including the explosive “tv off,” showcasing the album’s dynamic soundscape.
However, GNX isn’t solely an album of diss tracks and aggressive beats. Kendrick keeps listeners engaged by showcasing his versatility. SZA lends her vocals to “luther,” a track sampling Luther Vandross, providing a moment of soulful respite. In “heart pt. 6,” Lamar reclaims a familiar title to reflect on the early days of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), rapping about the collective struggle: “Grinding with my brothers, it was us against them, no one above us/Bless our hearts.”
“reincarnated” sees Kendrick cycling through past personas over a sample of 2Pac’s “Made N****z,” while “man at the garden” features a raw conversation with his father, touching on themes of war, peace, addiction, and ego death. In this track, Kendrick confidently lays out his qualifications for the title of GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).
GNX solidifies Kendrick Lamar’s position not just as a rapper, but as a cultural force. With GNX, Kendrick Lamar continues to surprise and innovate, delivering exactly what his fans crave while reinforcing his place at the pinnacle of hip-hop. This surprise album is a powerful statement, proving that even after reaching the heights of success, Kendrick Lamar remains hungry, creative, and at the top of his game.
