With the release of albums such as Ye’s “Vultures” duology and Tyler, The Creator’s “Chromakopia,” hip-Hop fans might have thought that 2024 couldn’t get any better. But they were quickly proven wrong when longtime chart-topper Kendrick Lamar dropped a surprise studio album, “GNX,” on Nov. 22. This album, the sixth in Lamar’s discography, has raised the bar for the artist—and possibly for the current hip-hop scene as a whole.
Kendrick has been on a roll as of late. Most would agree that he scored a decisive victory over collaborator-turned-nemesis Drake in their infamous 2024 feud. Now, fresh off announcing his performance at Super Bowl LIX, Kendrick is at a high point in his career.
Audibly and lyrically, this new album feels more expansive than any of his previous works. It covers new ground without compromising on production, content, or any other element we’ve come to expect from him.
As we’ve come to expect from Kendrick’s albums, “GNX” is deeply introspective. Kendrick’s personal evolution serves as the album’s backbone. He reveals a reflective, soul-searching side of himself, much like he did his previous album, “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.” Throughout the record, he acknowledges his place on the throne of West Coast Rap while touching on his legacy in the industry. In tracks like “Dodger Blue,” he discusses his experiences—some still ongoing—in Compton and Los Angeles as a whole, referencing iconic Southern California staples such as the UCLA Bruins and Rosecrans Avenue.
The tracklist of “GNX” is highly diverse; each track possesses a completely unique vibe. The opening track, “Squabble Up” (originally teased in the “Not Like Us” music video) is fun, albeit repetitive. It’s by no means one of the strongest tracks. “TV Off,” “Reincarnated” and “Hey Now” are among the album’s most popular entries–and for good reason. Each one is masterfully written and produced with a defiant energy that only Kendrick’s vocals and lyricism can embody.
The record is at its best with tracks like “Man at the Garden” and “Luther,” in which Lamar delivers his lines with a subdued yet elegant quality. “Man at the Garden” stands out for its calmness and lyrical focus, making it one of the album’s most mature tracks. It draws comparisons to tracks in previous albums, such as “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” and “U.” Possibly the best track of the record, “Luther” shines, owing to the graceful vocal talents of SZA, who delivers a strong verse that really adds to the cohesiveness and listening pleasure of the track.
