Calling all Kendrick Lamar fans! Surprise! Kendrick has unexpectedly dropped an album. That’s right, with no promotion and no announcements. And here we expected Kendrick’s next surprise to come during his upcoming Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show performance.
Kendrick’s latest 12-song studio album, released on November 22nd, is titled GNX. What does it stand for? Glad you asked! GNX stands for Grand National Experimental… Stay with me…On the album’s cover, Kendrick is seen leaning against a Buick GNX, a limited-edition model produced in 1987 which just so happens to be his birth year. According to the rapper his father brought him home from the hospital in the parent-model of the Buick GNX. So, there is clearly a connection between the rapper and the car itself.
Now let’s get into the music. Kendrick collaborated with a handful of Los Angeles based rappers including Pehsoh, Azchike, Wallie the Sensei, Lefty Gunplay, Dody 6, Siete7x, Young Threat, and Hitta J3. He even sampled Tupac Shakur in “reincarnated,” who although was not an L.A. native, will forever be associated with and woven into the fabric of west coast rap history and what it has become today. In true Kendrick fashion he made sure to keep the album close to his L.A. hip-hop roots in an authentic way.
But as of late, you can’t discuss Kendrick Lamar without reminiscing about his clever lines and diss tracks. Because of this, listeners are wondering if GNX is a diss album or if his song “wacced out murals” is a diss song considering he addresses various individuals. Some mentions are more obvious while some refences, not so much. A perfect example of this is his mentioning of Lil’ Wayne in “wacced out murals” stating, “Used to bump ‘Tha Carter 3’ … Irony, I think my hard work let Lil’ Wayne down.’” And in “tv off” where he raps, “I cut my granny off if she don’t see it how I see it.” Assuming he’s not speaking literally, who is he referencing in this line?
But the thing about Mr. Lamar is that you will not be able to catch every single message all in one listen. Much like “Not Like Us,” “Euphoria,” and countless songs throughout his career you will have to play the tracks quite a few times before fully grasping and understanding what he’s saying or seeing the picture he’s trying to paint. So, here’s a bit of advice before listening. Don’t get wrapped up in the drama of it all. Truly take the time to listen and learn. Kendrick Lamar has been and always will be a storyteller. GNX is not about quick puns and publicity. It’s about much more than that. It’s available now on all streaming platforms. So go listen for yourself.