Kendrick Lamar’s surprise album “GNX”, released on Nov. 22, arrived as a deeply introspective work, showcasing the rapper’s growth and transformation. The album’s release was unexpected, taking fans and the rap community by surprise after Lamar had gone silent following the release of his 2023 single Not Like Us amidst his feud with Drake.
With “GNX,” Lamar reaffirmed his mastery of both lyricism and self-exploration, offering a personal journey that spans themes of fame, faith, confrontation, and his ever-evolving identity.
The album’s title, “GNX,” references the 1987 Buick GNX—an ode to the year Lamar was born. This connection ties the album’s themes of personal growth to a broader cultural and historical context, blending Lamar’s own story with a symbol of classic American legacy. After a silence following his feud with Drake, many fans wondered when Kendrick would release new music. With “GNX,” Lamar not only answered that question, but delivered one of the most complex, introspective albums of his career.
The album opens with “wacced out murals,” a track that features a Spanish poem recitation and delves into Lamar’s personal evolution and the weight of media pressure. Lamar starts by referencing a mural of himself that was vandalized in Compton, CA, his hometown, saying, “But it’s regular for me, yeah, that’s for sure / The love and hate is definite without a cure.” This line sets the tone for the album, acknowledging that fame comes with both admiration and disdain, and that Lamar has come to terms with both. Lamar also touches on his relationships with industry peers like Snoop Dogg and Nas, giving the track a sense of both history and present-day relevance.
In “wacced out murals,” Lamar briefly revisits his rap feud with Drake, declaring, “I never peaced it up, that don’t sit well with me / Before I take a truce, I’ll take ’em to Hell with me.” This line reflects Lamar’s refusal to apologize to Drake or back down after their feud, showing that he stands firm in his convictions, no matter the consequences.
The album takes a shift in energy with “squabble up,” a funk-infused track that brings listeners into Lamar’s world of confrontation and transformation. The track’s playful beat contrasts with Lamar’s lyrical themes of self-reinvention, exemplified in lines like “God knows / I am reincarnated.” Lamar seems to be declaring his rebirth, referencing both his personal evolution and the unresolved tension with Drake. Lamar throws in a playful jab at Drake, mentioning the rapper’s “For All the Dogs” album and its accompanying tour, suggesting that Lamar sees their rivalry as ongoing with no resolution in sight.
One of the album’s most poignant moments comes with “luther,” a collaboration with long-time friend and fellow artist SZA. The lush instrumentals and soulful beats create a perfect backdrop for Lamar’s reflections on love, faith, and his sense of grounding. In the track, Lamar compares his lover to the perfection of biblical creation, singing, “Hey, Roman numeral seven, bae, drop it like it’s hot.” This reference to the creation story and Roman numeral seven represents Lamar’s complex relationship with spirituality, as he explores how love and faith shape his sense of self.
SZA’s chorus in “luther” cleverly references her own songs “Weekend” and “Low,” creating a subtle interplay between the two artists’ previous work. SZA’s line, “Weekends, get it poppin’ on the low,” connects the personal and the public, drawing on themes of love and intimacy that are also explored throughout Lamar’s album.
The album’s centerpiece, “reincarnated,” takes listeners deeper into Lamar’s internal struggle with fame and identity. Sampling an instrumental from Tupac, the track speaks to Lamar’s West Coast roots and his relationship with the spotlight. In the first verse, Lamar grapples with the isolating effects of fame, singing, “Juggling the pros and cons of fame / I don’t know how to make friends, I’m a lonely soul.” By the third verse, Lamar delves into a dialogue with God, seeking redemption while reflecting on his pride and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
“dodger blue” is a love letter to Lamar’s hometown of Los Angeles, with references to iconic neighborhoods, interstates, and even the Dodgers, the baseball team Lamar has long supported. Lamar sings, “Don’t say you hate L.A. when you don’t travel past the 10,” a direct nod to the city’s geography, suggesting that many critics fail to understand the real L.A. unless they’ve lived and breathed it themselves.
The heart series makes a return with “heart pt. 6,” as Lamar reflects on his early career and his departure from Top Dawg Entertainment and Black Hippy. The track’s nostalgic lyrics, such as “sleepin’ next to 02R consoles to be our refuge,” reference the humble beginnings of Lamar’s career, recalling the time when he and his team used the Yamaha 02R mixing console to craft their sound. It’s a touching acknowledgment of how far Lamar has come since the early days of his career.
The album closes with “gloria,” marking Lamar’s sixth collaboration with SZA. This track explores the complexities of his relationship with his wife, Whitney Alford, while also reflecting on Lamar’s complicated relationship with music itself. Lamar sings, “Some wanted you, but they weren’t committed / Preoccupied playin’ John Madden,” referencing Alford’s previous partners who lacked the maturity and focus to commit. Lamar’s lyrics in “gloria” also touch on his own relationship with fame and the sacrifices he’s made to maintain his integrity as both an artist and individual.
Each of the 12 tracks on GNX highlights Lamar’s ability to reflect, evolve, and confront his past with honesty and vulnerability. From his complex relationship with fame to his ongoing self-reinvention, Lamar continues to dominate the rap game, using his art to express identity, faith, love, and redemption. Compared to the aggressive energy of his earlier singles, particularly during his feud with Drake, GNX demonstrates a more mature, introspective Lamar who is unafraid to embrace both his flaws and his growth. With its soulful beats, poetic lyrics, and introspective themes, the release of GNX stands as a defining moment in Lamar’s already legendary career.
