Kendrick Lamar’s surprise album GNX, released on November 22, 2024, has people talking all across the world. After his undoubtedly successful summer with his record-breaking rap battle with Drake, he seems to be further capitalizing on this new era of his hip-hop career. The artist’s global hit single, “Not Like Us,” from his past album Not Like Us, earned Lamar five Grammy nominations, securing the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 22 consecutive weeks. This song had everyone singing the lyrics all summer, including the USA Olympic Men’s Basketball Team. Now, with a 12-track record adding up to 44 minutes total, the rapper delivered a concise yet thought-provoking project to his discography.
The record consists of powerful and unique features from artists like SZA and Roddy Ricch and smaller, yet talented artists like Dody6 and Wallie the Sensei. The features from SZA on two tracks left many fans more than pleased, as everyone had seemingly been waiting for another collaboration from the two since their release on the Black Panther soundtrack, “All the Stars.” Moreover, his consistent lines allude to his rap battle victory over the summer just top off his success, as he disses Drake on track “Hey Now,” confidently saying, “I just strangled me a GOAT.” However, a victory seems to be more of a personal opinion, as SHS junior Will Larson claimed he thought the album “is digging a deeper grave for him in the Drake beef.”
Regarding the production and lyrical aspects of the project, Larson said he noticed “Kendrick started to explore more of a Memphis crunk sound” with GNX while continuing to pay his respects to West Coast style. The album had a funky or “gangsta funk” sound to it, which originates from the West Coast scene, though with his lyrical delivery, fans picked up more of that crunk sound. Moreover, with major producers working on the project, like Mustard, Soundwave, and M-Tech, many were also quick to notice the mega-producer Jack Antonoff credited in the production of many songs. Antonoff has little to no experience with the hip-hop industry, as he is known for working with artists such as Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey–working with Lamar is certainly his form of branching out.
When asking fellow peers about their feedback on the new project, opinions are very mixed. SHS senior Alayna Medugno personally thinks “he has better albums” but does “like the different direction he is going in.” In contrast, Larson didn’t find himself enjoying the album as much as others, stating “All the songs sounded exactly like ‘Not Like Us,’ and it felt like he was riding that wave.” Regardless, the album had 74 million streams globally on its first full day, launching 2024’s biggest streaming week for a hip-hop or R&B album–an impressive feat for anyone.
Moving forward, Kendrick Lamar has much more in store. According to SHS junior Shea Stone, Lamar could be expecting more praise for the project, as she thinks the album is “definitely worthy of multiple Grammy nominations and awards.” Additionally, the artist is set to perform at this year’s National Football League Super Bowl Halftime Show, which will be hosted on February 9th, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA.
GNX is seemingly just the beginning of Lamar’s new era. Then, to immediately follow, along with SZA and potential openers, he will take the country by storm with his sold-out double-headlining stadium tour. If interested, Lamar and SZA will be performing at Gillette Stadium on Monday, May 12th.