Without any prior announcement, American rapper Kendrick Lamar released his sixth studio album titled GNX early Friday evening. You can already hear it on streaming services. Foreign agencies write about him as an early Christmas present to listeners.
The record, named after the 1980s Buick GNX sports car that Kendrick Lamar recently bought and in which his father once drove him home from the hospital, has 12 tracks, according to the AP. Award-winning producer Jack Antonoff collaborated on all but one.
Pop singer SZA and Mexican mariachi star Deyra Barrera guest on several songs, while American musician Ink and interpreter Sam Dew contributed to others. There are also sampled voices of singer Cheryl Lynn and the late Luther Vandross. Among other things, Kendrick Lamar used strings and jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington on the record, with whom he had already collaborated.
As the AFP agency reminds, the thirty-seven-year-old musician ends the year with the news, during which he publicly quarreled with Drake. Their closely watched rap battle dominated the media and spawned some of the most listened to tracks of the year, most notably Lamar’s Not Like Us. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him several Grammy nominations. On the new album, Lamar returns to the controversy with the opening track Wacced Out Murals.
GNX is his first studio recording since Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers from 2022, which he later personally presented also in Prague’s O2 arena.
Kendrick Lamar first gained attention with his debut album good kid, mAAd city in 2012. Since then, he has received 17 Grammy Awards and became the first non-classical or jazz musician to receive a Pulitzer Prize in 2017 for his record Damn. This year’s album is the first that he did not release on the Los Angeles label Top Dawg Entertainment, where he started. Instead, he published it under the banner of his creative agency pgLang, which he founded the year before with longtime collaborator Dave Free, adds the New York Times.
Now Kendrick Lamar has a big year ahead of him, in addition to the chances to turn seven nominations at the Grammy Awards in February, he will perform at the finals of the American football league, the Super Bowl, which is one of the most prestigious in the USA due to its high viewership. In recent years, singers Usher and The Weeknd or Rihanna have been given the same opportunity. Lamar also glosses over the upcoming performance at the Super Bowl in the opening track of the new album.
Video: Sample from the GNX album
Kendrick Lamar released his new album GNX without prior notice. Photo: Dave Free | Video: pgLang
What themes can we expect in Kendrick Lamar’s new album GNX?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Music Expert
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today to discuss the highly anticipated release of Kendrick Lamar’s new album, GNX. It certainly seems like he’s surprised everyone by dropping it without any prior announcement. What do you think this approach says about his strategy as an artist?
Music Expert: Thanks for having me! Kendrick’s decision to release GNX without fanfare is quite significant. It underscores his confidence as an artist; he knows his audience is going to listen regardless of the build-up. It almost creates an element of spontaneity in the music landscape, reminiscent of unexpected drops in other genres, particularly in hip-hop.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! And speaking of the album itself, the name GNX is quite personal to Kendrick, as it references the 1980s Buick GNX sports car that holds sentimental value to him. How do you think this personal connection might influence the themes in the album?
Music Expert: That’s a fascinating point. The connection to his father and the journey home from the hospital adds a layer of emotional depth. This choice of title may suggest themes of nostalgia, family legacy, and a reflection on his own journey. Kendrick often weaves personal and familial stories into his music, and having that reference might mean we’re in for a more introspective album this time around.
Time.news Editor: The collaboration aspect is also noteworthy. With award-winning producer Jack Antonoff at the helm for most of the tracks, alongside contributions from artists like SZA and Deyra Barrera, what does this say about the evolution of his sound?
Music Expert: Kendrick is known for blending genres and sounds, and having someone like Antonoff on board allows him to explore new musical territories. Antonoff has a knack for creating rich, layered productions that can elevate the emotional stakes of a song. The inclusion of various artists—from pop to mariachi—also hints at Kendrick’s willingness to experiment and cross boundaries, which is exciting for listeners looking for innovative sounds.
Time.news Editor: One of the standout features of GNX is the opening track, “Wacced Out Murals,” which appears to address his recent public dispute with Drake. How important is it for artists like Kendrick to address controversies in their work?
Music Expert: Very important! Controversies can fuel an artist’s creativity, serving as major sources of inspiration. By addressing his feud with Drake, Kendrick is acknowledging the landscape of rap politics and the competitive nature of the genre. It’s a way to make a statement, not just to his peers but to fans, showing that he’s unafraid to tackle these subjects head-on.
Time.news Editor: Kendrick is coming off a monumental year, with his previous album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, receiving critical acclaim and even a performance in Prague. How do you think the impact of his earlier work sets the stage for GNX?
Music Expert: Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers was a pivotal moment in Kendrick’s career, both artistically and thematically. It explored deep psychological and social issues, setting a high bar for expectation. With GNX, he may feel the weight of that, but at the same time, it gives him a platform to evolve. Listeners are eager to see how he builds on that narrative—whether he’ll continue to delve into heavy themes or adopt a different approach.
Time.news Editor: Sounds like Kendrick Lamar is continuously shaping his legacy. With 17 Grammy Awards to his name, where do you see him fitting in the future landscape of music?
Music Expert: Kendrick is undoubtedly one of the defining figures in modern rap, and his influence will be felt for generations. He’s not just a musician; he’s a storyteller and a cultural commentator. The future holds a lot for him, whether he continues to push the envelope in hip-hop or even branches out into other genres or artistic endeavors. Whatever he chooses, audiences will be all ears.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights today! It’s always a pleasure to discuss Kendrick Lamar and his impactful journey in the music industry.
Music Expert: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how GNX resonates with fans and what comes next from Kendrick.