Kendrick Lamar has once again proven that history repeats itself, this time finishing the mission he started in 2013. Back then, his legendary verse on Big Sean’s “Control” declared that he was uninterested in forging friendships within the music industry. This bold stance has been reinforced in his recent work, with Lamar once again shaking up the industry by declaring there’s no “Big Three” on Metro Boomin and Future’s “Like That.” Now, with his latest album, GNX, the Compton-raised rapper has cemented his place at the top of the rap game.
Lamar has always been known for his meticulous attention to detail when crafting his songs. With his pgLang collective, he’s proven that his passion and focus extend beyond music to everything he does. GNX is a testament to his artistic vision, as Lamar blends the best elements of his past work while infusing influences from the Latin street culture of California.
The album opens with the menacing track “wacced out murals,” making it clear that Lamar won’t tolerate disrespect from anyone in the industry, including Drake, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, or any of his peers. Despite having one of the most successful years of his career, Lamar’s confidence is matched by a humility that shows he understands his success is bigger than himself. The track serves as a powerful introduction to an album that blends his competitive edge with his awareness of his place in the game.
The second track, “squabble up,” delivers an anthemic vibe and picks up the momentum from his earlier teasers. Like many songs on the album, it transitions into an upbeat sample that leads into “luther,” a smooth collaboration with SZA. The two have delivered another classic, following up their previous hit “All The Stars.” The album closes cinematically with “gloria,” another joint effort with SZA that rounds out the project in true Lamar fashion.
Much like his critically acclaimed To Pimp A Butterfly, GNX touches on complex, dramatic themes, especially on tracks like “man at the garden” and the Tupac-sampled standout “reincarnated.” Songs like “hey now,” “dodger blue,” “gnx,” “peekaboo,” and the viral hit “tv off” respond to critics who claimed Lamar wasn’t contributing to the West Coast scene. These upbeat, danceable tracks feature rising talents such as AzChike, Wallie The Sensei, Dody6, and Hitta J3.
For long-time fans of Lamar, GNX reaches its pinnacle with “heart pt. 6,” a reflective track that revisits his rise to fame alongside fellow TDE members like ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock. This song feels fitting after Lamar’s landmark year. With his performance at Roc Nation’s Apple Music Super Bowl LIX halftime show in 2025, GNX serves as a powerful reminder of his dominance in the rap world.
While Kendrick Lamar is often celebrated for his introspection and deep lyricism, GNX reveals a freer, more expressive side of the artist. The album, with its concise yet rich content, feels like both an EP and a full-length project. Lamar’s carefree, fun approach on this album proves that he’s not only reigning over the rap game but is also fully embracing the ride. With GNX, Lamar has delivered a warning to anyone eyeing his crown.
