4.5 Stars
By Milan Agarwala, Staff Reporter
Last month, longtime fans of hip-hop tuned in to see rapper Kendrick Lamar perform at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. Much of this performance consisted of his most recent project “GNX,” a compact 44-minute record that proves his mastery of both mainstream appeal and artistic integrity. Released on Nov. 22, 2024 and spanning 12 tracks, the album returns Lamar to his West Coast roots, blending punchy beats and G-funk with multi-layered, introspective lyricism.
The opener “wacced out murals” immediately grounds the album in Los Angeles’ streets. With thumping basslines and alarm-like synths reminiscent of early Dr. Dre, the track introduces the album’s love letter to Lamar’s hometown. However, the tone soon switches as Lamar checks off his naughty list of rappers, including Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg. The aptly named track “squabble up” follows with this same raw energy as a subtle reminder of Lamar’s recent rap beef victory. However, instead of dwelling on the conflict — repeating the many accusations against Drake — Lamar shifts the album’s focus onto his own career.
The production in “GNX” is a standout element throughout. Collaborators such as Sounwave and Jack Antonoff merge rough-edged West Coast beats with a modern, almost pop sound. In “tv off,” for example, the transition from clipped, tension-filled strings to theatrical horns accompanied by a shoutout to the producer Mustard is unexpected but welcome. Meanwhile, tracks such as “hey now” and “reincarnated” evoke the infectiously groovy nostalgia of old-school G-funk.
Lamar’s varied vocal delivery — from Baby Keem-esque childish frustration to his infamous Southern accent — complements the diverse ad-libs. Similarly, Lamar’s lyrics range tonally from aggressive domination to sentimental reflection, with “heart pt. 6” offering the album’s emotional climax. In this sixth entry in the “The Heart” series, Lamar recounts his journey in the rap industry with Top Dawg Entertainment and the collective Black Hippy, expressing gratitude to past collaborators such as Ab-Soul and Jay Rock. While discussing several bittersweet departures over his career, Lamar pierces through a soulful R&B sample from SWV.
Some listeners and critics suggest that “GNX” lacks the conceptual depth in Lamar’s earlier projects such as “To Pimp a Butterfly” and “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.” However, they overlook the intentionality behind this stripped-down approach. While slightly less high-concept, “GNX” pares down the excess to concisely deliver its messages. This begins with “wacced out murals,” where Lamar rejects his signature double entendres and raps, “I want y’all to feel this.”
“GNX” also challenges mainstream rap’s bias toward well-known featured artists by rooting itself firmly in West Coast culture. Tracks such as “dodger blue” feature local underground artists Wallie the Sensei and Siete7x who authentically represent LA’s streets. These collaborations underscore Lamar’s prevailing message: His success is inseparable from his community. Lamar has affirmed this message throughout his career in and outside of the studio. He has even continued to support stars such as SZA, who appears on “luther,” “gloria,” the aforementioned halftime show and the accompanying Grand National Tour.
The title track, “gnx,” named after the 1987 Buick, captures Lamar’s connection to his hometown and speaks to those with his same competitive drive. The catchy G-funk hook and hard-hitting underground verses from Hitta J3, YoungThreat and Peysoh solidify Lamar’s cultural ties. With a more introspective tone, Lamar follows “gnx” by exploring his connection to his craft in the closing track, “gloria.” Lamar personifies his pen with the complexities and turbulence of a relationship, reflecting on how writing has defined his career. Meanwhile, SZA provides an emotional and career-defining vocal performance for this finale run.
“GNX” acts as Lamar’s victory lap to reinforce his dominant presence in rap. Beyond its inspiring context, “GNX” holds an impressive track list with only one exception: the overly repetitive and lyrically underwhelming “peekaboo.” While this may not be Lamar’s most high-concept release, its clever lyrics, bold performances and genuine West Coast connections pack a punch in an era where so many play it safe.
Milan Agarwala can be reached at [email protected].
