Just one month after announcing his Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance, rapper Kendrick Lamar surprise-released his sixth studio album “GNX.” The West-Coast-styled album released on Nov. 22 and contains 12 songs and features popular artists such as SZA and Roddy Rich, pleasing fans. Lamar also revealed he will be going on his tour, The Grand National Tour, with SZA beginning on April 19, 2025. “GNX” blends Lamar’s familiar flow with amazing lyrical storytelling, building on his already outstanding discography.
7/10
The opening track of the album has an intimidating feel to it, with instrumentals and a beat almost reminiscent of a thriller movie. This unique vibe ties with Lamar’s lyrics reflecting on his growth in the music industry. I think this track is a great song to get you amped up, and it really sets the tone for the rest of the album.
“I never lost who I am for a rap image / It’s motivation, if you wonder how I did it”
8/10
80s and 90s singer Debbie Deb had her song ‘When I Hear Music’ sampled in this next song by Lamar. Occasionally, samples can feel forced into rap songs, but this one flowed very well in between verses rapped by Lamar. The pace of this song is much faster than the previous track, and the overall old-school beat gives off great energy.
“Fallin’ from a money tree and it grow throughout the month”
10/10
Track number three has to be my favorite on the entire album. Featuring popular R&B artist SZA, this track talks about themes of young love, making a very catchy and gentle vibe. I love how SZA’s vocals are shown off so well with this song, and work in perfect harmony with Lamar’s rap verses. This widely popular song will be one of my favorites to see when the duo performs it live in 2025.
“If it was up to me / I wouldn’t give these nobodies no sympathy”
6/10
Lamar’s work slows down at this next song, with a slow beat filled with insightful lyrics. This song continues to speak on the challenges and achievements of Lamar’s career, getting more and more passionate as the song progresses. Although the less melodious sound of the song doesn’t make it my favorite, Lamar’s storytelling continues to flow the album along and share his story.
“I see you as a human first / Even when you didn’t understand your worth”
8/10
Lamar taps into his lower register for this track creating an almost ominous vibe for the first half of the song. The beat then starts to pick up as he unpacks themes of inner peace and community. Dody6’s feature at the end of the song with him and Lamar rapping back and forth was my favorite part of this song, it was a unique touch not many rap songs have.
“Let the honorary walk for the win, for the win”
7/10
The old–school, west coast hip-hop vibe makes a return in track number six ‘reincarnated’. The piano and string instrumentals under the beat of the song create a very ambient vibe. The lyrics build on Lamar’s overarching lyrics on his personal growth, and on this particular track touch on ideals of redemption which made for very insightful lyrics.
“And so I’m off in the sunset, searchin’ for my place in the world”
9/10
I would say the energy of the album peaks at track number 7 ‘tv off’ which reminds me a lot of Lamar’s single ‘Not Like Us’ from earlier this year. The beats are heavy and the repetitive versus are super catchy. The fast tempo of this song radiates confidence and upbeat energy. This is another fan-favorite that has caught the attention of many fans.
“Say you bigger than myself, but it’s not enough”
8/10
Lamar takes the tempo down a few notches for this next song, creating a chill vibe. The lyrics speak of the city of Los Angeles, representing the state Lamar comes from. The melodic chorus of this song is definitely my favorite part, bringing out a more R&B side out of Lamar and his featured counterparts.
“Don’t take it personal / You won’t be the first to know / Just might be the first to go”
7/10
Little Beaver’s ‘Give a Helping Hand’ is sampled in this next track where Lamar’s lyrics address complexities of life, using phrases that hint towards critiquing others in pop culture. This song includes another great feature by AzChike, that blends very well with Lamar’s voice. This song is super catchy and another great use of sampled music.
“The type of skits I’m on, you wouldn’t understand”
10/10
My favorite song on the album was definitely a toss up between ‘luther’ and track 10, ‘heart pt. 6’. The background instrumentals and vocals of this song are truly unmatched, creating a reflective and powerful feeling. This song is a perfect representation of Lamar’s talents in writing, production, and rap talent.
“His words legendary, wishin’ I could rhyme like him / Studied his style to define my pen”
5/10
Unfortunately, this second to last song of ‘GNX’ has to be my least favorite. I do not feel like the rapping blends well at all with the beat, it overall feels very off. There are multiple features on this track, however as many times as I listen to it I cannot get past how poorly the rappers’ flows work with the instrumentals.
“I broke her heart and you the type to go and fix it”
9/10
R&B star, SZA, makes a return on the final track of the album exemplifying her outstanding talents and teamwork with Lamar for the second time on the album. The story this song tells is of a relationship, which can be interpreted as a true human relationship in Lamar’s life or his relationship with his music career, following the themes throughout the album. However you interpret the lyrics, the soulful vibe of the song plus SZA and Kendrick Lamar’s collaboration is incredible.
“Whenever you want me, you got me till the end of time”
I’ve been a fan of Lamar for years, and seeing him continue his common themes of social commentary and exceptional lyricism amazes me. Seeing how quickly the album began trending on social media proves how influential Lamar’s music is to pop culture, and even looking back on his previous works shows how ‘ahead of his time’ his music is. Personally, I cannot wait to see how these new releases perform live and how Lamar boosts his career in 2025.
