The wild west coast rides once again in November.
Music artist, producer, and songwriter Kendrick Lamar has again taken the internet by storm. Earlier this year, his popular rap squabble with Drake caused many fans to anticipate a brand new album from Kendrick soon after. “Not Like Us” is the hip-hop anthem of the year, serving as a diss track to Drake following their battle in the summer. While “Not Like Us” was a fun victory lap for Kendrick, its music video also teased a new song. Fans did not know at all what this snippet was going to be used for.
Before the album’s announcement, Kendrick told the world he would be headlining the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show.
GNX marks a monumental shift in Kendrick’s career thus far. It is his first studio album release outside of his former label, Top Dawg Entertainment, a division of Interscope Records. Kendrick’s last album ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’ was released in April 2022. GNX is released through Lamar’s music label pgLang.
GNX originates from the 1980s, referencing the car maker Buick Regal T-Type. Grand National Experimental (GNX) is a special edition of the Regal. So why name the album over a car? Kendrick was born in 1987, the same year his family owned a Buick Regal, the vehicle used to take him home after his birth. This vehicle has sentimental value for Kendrick. In an Instagram post from March this year he states,
Standout Tracks
Kendrick is ready for war on a solid intro to the album, “wacced out murals,” using Los Angeles mariachi singer, Deyra Barrera, who appears throughout the album. Kendrick addresses how he wants his legacy to be carried on. He gives a bold insight into his pressures with making music. He acknowledges the impact his words can have, which pressures him the most. A line that really stood out to me was, “Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me,” showing that his peers in the hip-hop world may not be his friends after all, sending lines to popular artists Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg, questioning their loyalty. However, later that day Snoop did back down and co-signed on the album.
The ‘Not Like Us’ music video snippet finally sees the light of day. “Squabble Up” samples a dance track from the 80s, “When I Hear Music” by Debbie Deb. This track serves as another anthem for the city. The heavy bass hits hard, and the West Coast influence is recognizable.
SZA arrives to the ears as a guest appearance on the third track, “Luther.” Taking a small break from the West Coast stylized music, Kendrick takes the time to deliver a melodic rap about his lover. “If This World Were Mine” by singer Luther Vandross is also smoothly sampled in this track. He puts his mind on display with more vulnerability with slower rhymes that SZA heavenly compliments. Together, they imagine a world where pain no longer exists, and their lovers are the only ones who can keep them in place.
“Reincarnated” puts Kendrick’s storytelling skills on display. The song itself features a 2-Pac sample, which perfectly suits its content. Kendrick rhymes with anger and confidence throughout this track; you can definitely see the 2-Pac influence put into this one. This track could also be looked at as a slight jab towards Drake. Months before this album was released, Drake used artificial intelligence to mimic 2-Pac’s vocals in a track directed towards Kendrick himself.
The last track that stood out to me was “TV Off.” Once again, producer and DJ Mustard is on the beat, delivering more West Coast production. Kendrick speaks about authenticity, accountability, survival, loyalty, and the people around him within this track. However, all of these topics can be looked over when listening. But by looking into detail, you may reflect on your own life and the people around you.
Thoughts
Overall, GNX provides something different for Kendrick fans. It does not give you a particular story to follow like ‘Good Kid, m.A.A.d City’ or every other work of Kendrick’s. Without a concept for the album, it makes me feel like this was not the actual album we were looking for. It is rare for Lamar to release new music these days. Perhaps this album was just an appetizer, and the actual album Lamar has been cooking up will soon be revealed – or not, trust the creative process. Production slaps, and the lyrics only add to each song, making them even more enjoyable with every listen.
GNX is definitely worth a fun listen. It’s not your usual album by Kendrick, but he does deliver, even unexpectedly. The album deserves an 8.5 rating out of 10.
