TRACK BY TRACK: Kendrick Lamar's 'GNX'

On November 22, Kendrick Lamar dropped GNX, a surprise album fresh off his rap battle against Toronto-based rap veteran Drake. The album, which marks Lamar’s 6th release, is riddled with West Coast-inspired odes and subtle nods to the industry, cementing Lamar in a lane of his own. The album is surprising for Kendrick, one who has been focused on more of a narrative spin with his albums since To Pimp A Butterfly. It feels like Kendrick, though already a legend in his own right, has something to prove with his current body of work. There’s already a confidence in releasing an album with no prior announcement, popularized by one Beyoncé, but there’s a sincerity in this release we haven’t seen before. Let's break it down track-by-track!

1. "wacced out murals"

Lamar starts the album with "wacced out murals", accompanied by mariachi singer Deyra Barrera, who appears throughout the album. The song is an homage to the rage Lamar feels toward the industry, burdened with the pressure to stay on top of his craft and maintain his legacy.

Favorite Lyrics: "Don’t acknowledge me, then maybe we can say it’s fair / Take it to the internet, and I’ma take it there..."

2. "squabble up"

"Squabble up" directly follows this motif, introducing the sound that made West Coast famous. The groovy single is filled with gangsta funk influences, popularized by artists like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. The bass used helps reinforce the feelings of rage Lamar battles with through the album, acting as a hidden euphemism through the groove.

Favorite Lyrics: "God knows / I am reincarnated / I was stargazin’ / Life goes on, I need all my babies..."

3. "luther"

"Luther" is our first inclusion of R&B singer SZA. The song samples "If This World Were Mine" by the late, great Luther Vandross, offering the namesake of the song. The song is surprisingly vulnerable for the album, showcasing Lamar’s versatility in the music scene. It’s dedicated to his love, speaking to how she’s a solace to him and his wish to find peace through turmoil. It’s a reflection of his inner world, implying that Lamar may not want to be surrounded by rage and grief, but it’s his only mode of operation.

Favorite Lyrics: "In this world, concrete flowers grow / Heartache, she only doin’ what she know...."

4. "man at the garden"

"Man at the garden" is quieter than the previous tracks, offering a moment of calm even "luther" didn’t supply. Lamar takes this peace to let his voice ring, hitting us with a fact he has known all along: he deserves it all. Vastly different than his last album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Lamar takes this newfound confidence to show us just why he should be considered the best among his peers. The song is inspired by the biblical story of Adam entering the Garden of Eden, not uncommon for Lamar to include Christianity in his work.

Favorite Lyrics: "It’s innate to mind my business / Writin’ words, tryna elevate these children / That’s why I deserve it all...."

5. "hey now"

"Hey now" follows, featuring Dody6, a song that echoes with a bass-heavy beat, almost ominously enclosed with the hush of Lamar’s rap. A drastic turn from "man at the garden", the song feels like it should be interpreted as Adam falling from grace after his disobedience to God. The inclusion of L.A.-based rapper Dody6 continues Lamar’s homage to Californian culture and talent in his work. Dody6 is a welcome newcomer to the scene, adding a refreshing wave to the track.

Favorite Lyrics: "Send the kites to all my dirties in the pen / Let the honorary walk for the win, for the win..."

6. "reincarnated"

Next up is the return of the vocal stylings of Deyra Barrera in "reincarnated". The song immediately makes you think of Tupac, naturally due to its sample of his track "Made N****z". The song is a public diary of Lamar’s influences in his music, stating before he was reincarnated as Kendrick Lamar, he can be seen living through the lives as John Lee Hooker and Billie Holiday.

Favorite Lyrics: "My present life is Kendrick Lamar / A rapper looking at the lyrics to keep you in awe / The only factor I respected was raising the bar..."

7. "tv off"

Finally, we get to "tv off" featuring Lefty Gunplay. The track is one of the standouts for the album, with an infectious beat and catchy wordplay. Lamar uses the title literally, encouraging us all to turn the TV off and remain focused on our passion and projects. This song also features the infamous meme that spawned almost immediately from Kendrick yelling out for DJ Mustard.

Favorite Lyrics: "MUUSTAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRDD!!"

8. "dodger blue"

"Dodger blue" follows featuring Wallie the Sensei, Siete7x, and Roddy Rich. Lamar returns to a slower single, continuing his love for California by name-dropping several neighborhoods in the area. The track also feels like a nod to '90s R&B singles released from the West Coast at the time.
 

Favorite Lyrics: "Westside, get the money, yeah, that’s fo’ sho’ / Streets don’t love you, better respect the code..."

9. "peekaboo"

"Peekaboo" is right after, with AzChike accompanying the track, and an intro sampling "Give a Helping Hand" by Little Beaver. The song is meant to be a wakeup call to the industry, showing Lamar and AzChike popping in to shake things up.

Favorite Lyrics: "Big dawg business, I would not hold your hand / Broke b*tch business, I could not be your man..."

10. "heart pt. 6"

"Heart pt. 6" is a continuation of Lamar’s "The Heart" series which he has been incorporating into his music since 2010. The series is meant to be a reflection of Lamar’s inner world, a look back of his life at the moment and thoughts on the momentum of rap in general. This album as a whole, but maybe more noticeably this track, is his first release after his departure from previous record label Top Dawg Entertainment. "The Heart" series was initially started while he was still under that label, and with a new typographical styling for the track, it shows a beginning and end to an era for Lamar.

Favorite Lyrics: "I guess my motivation was the yearnin’ for independence / Pour everything I had left in the family business..."

11. "gnx"

"Gnx", the title track of his album, features Hitta J3, YoungThreat, and Peysoh. The song continues the main motif of the album, where Lamar reinforces his place in the industry. This track starts to make clear that it’s inspired by the Grand National Experimental cars that released in 1987, the same year Lamar was born. It’s meant to be a parallel of the two, that Lamar’s place in this business is just as monumental and important as the car was when initially released.

Favorite Lyrics: "She said I been a dawg all my life, bae, can you change?"

12. "gloria"

The album concludes with our last stylings of Deyra Barrera and a comeback of SZA. "Gloria" is a love song that isn’t dedicated to another person but rather the glory Kendrick holds as an artist and performer. It becomes a full circle moment, marking the end of Lamar’s previous skepticism of his place in the rap world and remembering he belongs in this domain. Lamar and SZA blend together beautifully, making Lamar’s 6th album one for the books.

Favorite Lyrics: "You were spontaneous, firecracker, plus our live is dangerous / Life of passion, laughin’ at you lose your tempter, slightly crashin’..."