Kendrick Lamar, the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper from Compton, has surprise-released his sixth studio album, GNX, on his social media platforms. The 12-track album dropped on Friday and features collaborations with R&B star SZA and jazz musician Kamasi Washington.
This is Lamar’s first album since 2022’s Mr Morale & The Big Steppers, and it comes ahead of his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance in February. Rumors about a new project had been circulating for months, and early reviews have been predominantly positive.
AP News praised Lamar as “an ambitious and searingly talented poet” working through personal and global contradictions. Rating Game Music noted that the album “reminds us why he’s one of the greats,” though they suggested it might be more of a creative exercise than a major release.
The album features several notable tracks, including collaborations with SZA on “luther” and “gloria”. Other tracks include “tv off”, “dodger blue”, “peekaboo”, and the title track “gnx”. On the opening track, “wacced out murals”, Lamar references his upcoming Super Bowl performance, acknowledging the controversy surrounding his selection, with a line about Lil Wayne fans’ disappointment.
The album also continues Lamar’s long-running feud with Drake, which escalated earlier this year through a series of diss tracks. His previous track “Not Like Us” broke Spotify records, becoming the most-played hip-hop song in a single day and reaching number six in the UK charts.
Contrary to some speculation, Taylor Swift does not appear on the album, though the two have previously collaborated on her track “Bad Blood” from the 1989 album. Lamar and SZA recently conducted an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, discussing topics ranging from spirituality to mental health.
In the album, Lamar reflects on his Super Bowl opportunity with lyrics like “I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down” and “Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me,” showcasing his characteristic introspective and provocative style.
The surprise release continues Lamar’s reputation for innovative and thought-provoking music. As a multiple Grammy winner and Pulitzer Prize recipient, he remains one of the most significant voices in contemporary hip-hop, consistently pushing the boundaries of the genre with his complex lyrical narratives and musical experimentation.
Fans and critics alike are analyzing the album, with many seeing it as another compelling chapter in Lamar’s ongoing musical journey. Some reviewers suggest this might be a precursor to an even more significant project in the future.
