By Nisha Punwani
Kendrick Lamar has made a surprise announcement by releasing a new album on Nov. 22, 2024. The album, titled GNX, after the Buick Regal model, features 12 tracks and runs for a total of 44 minutes. Some notable song titles include “wacced out murals,” “gnx,” and “luther.” The album also includes collaborations with other artists, such as SZA and Roddy Ricch. Fans are buzzing with excitement over this unexpected drop, and many are eager to explore the themes and sounds presented in the album.
GNX is Lamar’s first album after his departure from Top Dog Entertainment (TDE) and Aftermath Entertainment. It is his sixth studio album overall, continuing his legacy as one of the most influential artists in modern hip-hop. Prior to this, Lamar made history by winning the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his groundbreaking album DAMN. In addition to his acclaimed work, he released another album in 2022 titled Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, which further showcased his lyrical prowess and thematic depth, addressing personal and societal issues throughout his music.
Lamar has had an impressive year, particularly with his diss track titled “Not Like Us,” which was aimed at rapper Drake. This track achieved the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has received nominations for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards, highlighting its significant impact on the music industry.
The album GNX was released unexpectedly, without any prior advertisement, catching everyone off guard. It debuted with a one-minute teaser featuring Lamar in a vehicle against a stark white background. The teaser showcased a song by Lamar that is not included in the album, prompting fans to speculate that there may be more music coming from him in the future.
The first song on the album, “wacced out murals,” references Lil Wayne and touches on the recent controversy regarding his displeasure with Lamar being selected for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. The Super Bowl, which is set to take place in Louisiana, has stirred discussions given that Lil Wayne hails from the same state.
Fans speculate that the song may also reference the podcast duo James Duncan and Fuhad Dawodu from the ShxtsNGigs podcast, who recently faced controversy. This arose after a clip of their appearance on Andrew Schulz’s podcast gained attention due to comments about Black women. Fans suggest that the lyrics “Don’t let no white comedian talk about no Black woman, that’s law” are alluding to this controversy.
The album features a standout track titled “heart pt. 6.” This song is seen as a reclamation of the title that rapper Drake previously used in his diss track, titled “The Heart Part 6,” which targeted Lamar and was released earlier this year. Rather than addressing Drake, Lamar reflects on his history with his former group, the Black Hippy, and his previous record label, TDE. This shift in focus illustrates Lamar’s intent to reclaim the narrative and provide insight into his personal and professional journey rather than engaging in a feud with Drake.
The social platform X and TikTok are buzzing with fans who are quickly releasing think pieces. Even with a surprise drop, Lamar has taken over in no time. His performance at the Super Bowl is expected to be sensational, and who knows what he will release before then. This album is a must-listen! Despite limited prior promotion, it is anticipated to chart and achieve both critical and commercial success.
GNX can be found on various streaming platforms.