On Friday, Kendrick Lamar delighted fans with the surprise release of his new album, GNX. The release caps off a legendary year for the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper, who not only emerged victorious in a high-profile feud with Drake after delivering a string of chart-topping singles, but was also confirmed in September as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
With a runtime of 44 minutes, the album is short, but packed with the same dynamic flow patterns and lyrical excellence that define Lamar’s catalogue.
GNX opens with ‘wacced out murals’, where Lamar sets the tone for the rest of the album as he raps “F*** everybody” over a haunting composition. The sparse yet spooky instrumentals that underlie his vocal punches create an eerie soundscape that seemingly serves as a warning to the flurry of name-dropped rappers on the record.
While similar themes recur throughout the album on tracks such as ‘squabble up’ and ‘tv off’, this is not to say GNX does not have its tender moments, particularly where collaborator SZA is involved. The R&B singer graces ‘luther’ and ‘gloria’ with her angelic vocals, where the pair harmonise about love with lines like: “If this world was mine, I’d take your dreams and make ’em multiply”. The blend of their lush voices set against the track’s dreamy instrumental backdrop transports listeners to another dimension.
Lamar’s unparalleled artistry reaches its peak in ‘reincarnation’, where he seamlessly weaves intricate storytelling with immaculate production, all while paying homage to 2Pac as he incorporates a sample of his work. The song in itself is an exploration of spiritual growth. Lamar, as the narrator, recounts his past lives, where he lived similarly as a talented artist, but his indulgence in sin – whether that be addiction or gluttony – caused his downfall. In the final verse, he switches to the present tense, embodying his current self as he engages in a profound dialogue with God. Here, he vows to “live one in harmony now”, committing to a life free of vices and driven by spiritual purpose, bringing the song to a deeply introspective and redemptive conclusion. All in all, ‘reincarnation’ is a complete showcase of Lamar’s creative genius, where his masterful poetry intertwines with his exceptional breath control, allowing him to deliver his tale with unrivalled impact.
While GNX serves as a powerful conclusion to an exceptional year for Lamar, fans can be certain that his best is yet to come. If anything, the album is a preview into the greatness we can expect from Lamar come 2025, as he has once again proven his status not only as a rap legend but a visionary pushing the boundaries of modern music.
Words by Zahra Hanif
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