Kendrick Lamar Goes Full Throttle on “GNX”

There’s a corner of the culture where every word feels like gospel and every beat hits like scripture. That’s where Kendrick Lamar has always resided and “GNX” meets us at the sharp edge of the blade, carving truth into the bones of rap’s ever-evolving legacy. Come a little closer and “Use your heart, not your eyes”.

Kendrick Lamar steps back into the fray, reclaiming his place as both prophet and provocateur in the world of hip-hop with ‘GNX,’ his first album since the introspective tsunami of ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’. Simply by the vibes of it, its clear to say that we are moving away from the universe of trauma and healing as we approach the end of 2024.

While the album is shaped by the solid production of DJ Mustard and Sounwave, Kendrick’s confidence and courage is deeply felt in each track behind the crazy energy and unique rhythms of K. Dot and Lefty Gunplay. It’s a record that demands to be played loud. As we move through the album, its evident how skillfully the words are getting played with and how the melody eases into an inner journey. Lyrical genius on the one hand and melodic magic on the other. This album turns into a game that both envelops your ears and captures your soul. 

The opening track, Wacced Out Murals, creates an enveloping atmosphere in the first seconds with strange and eerie synths and vocal harmonies. At that moment, in Kendrick’s usual style, we encounter the voice of Mexican mariachi singer Deyra Barrera, who steps in to balance the tone of the narrative. At this point, Lamar deepens the layers of the music with a “Lamarian” touch. Kendrick, as we know him, likes to stick to the tracks on his albums, to cover a continuous theme and leave thought-provoking references. In this respect, Wacced Out Murals serves as a door that summarizes the spirit of the whole album.  

The references to the beef between Kendrick and Drake, which once created a serious tension in the hip-hop world, also appear on this album. Both artists write their own rules of the game, but this rivalry is not limited to music; it is a battle of ideas and culture. The album’s second track, “Squabble Up”, feels like the first step through the door. Lamar displays his anger from old enmities with such intensity that each word is like a bullet. This time, he turns his anger into a kind of holy rebellion not only against his enemies but also against the world. “I’m gonna kill them before I let them kill my joy,” Lamar declares, ready to meet every obstacle that stands in his way to create his vision with fearless arrogance – he seems to present himself in a state of limitless power. At this point, we realize that we are not just facing a rap battle. On the other hand, on GNX, SZA and Lamar’s chart-topping chemistry meets on “Luther” and “Gloria” with a little smile amidst the anger, and it’s nothing less than a love ballad.  

Lamar turns everything that is steeped in hate and darkness into an instructive lesson, ultimately leading you to the purest and deepest emotion known to man: love. After a year full of poison, Lamar offers an antidote to the darkness with ‘GNX’, like a touch that heals a wound.

This is an album to ride to, not for the backseaters. So shift your gears up, roll your windows down and turn that volume up! Here is what you’ll be playing fort he rest of the night: