LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar delivered an early holiday gift to fans on Friday with the surprise release of his latest album, GNX.
The Grammy-winning rapper’s 12-track project marks his first album since 2022's Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers and serves as his sixth studio release. GNX follows Lamar's much-publicized rap feud with Drake earlier this year.
Lamar sparked excitement for the album with teaser cover art and a brief video of GNX. The album features notable collaborators, including multi-instrumentalist Jack Antonoff, who co-produced all tracks except “Peekaboo.
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| Kendrick Lamar release new album |
” Production contributions from Sounwave and DJ Mustard helped shape “Not Like Us,” a diss track stemming from Lamar’s ongoing rivalry with Drake.
Collaborations extend to his former Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate SZA, who lends her voice to “Gloria” and “Luther.” The latter track also incorporates samples of Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn's classic duet “If This World Were Mine.”
On the opening track, “Wacced Out Murals,” Lamar reflects on cruising in his Buick GNX (Grand National Experimental) while vibing to Anita Baker.
He references social media moments like Snoop Dogg sharing Drake’s AI-driven diss track and Nas celebrating Lamar’s upcoming Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show headlining gig in New Orleans. Lamar also gives a nod to Lil Wayne, expressing sympathy after the New Orleans rapper was passed over for the halftime slot.
Lamar, now 37, has achieved unparalleled success since his groundbreaking 2012 debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city. With 17 Grammy wins and a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album DAMN., Lamar continues to redefine the industry.
The release of GNX caps off an eventful year, including his collaboration on “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin, a chart-topping hit that reigned at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks.
The album’s lead single, “Not Like Us,” has earned Lamar seven Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Rap Performance.
For the first time in his career, Lamar has two songs in the same category, with “Like That” also earning nods for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.
Tracklist for GNX:
1. Wacced Out Murals
2. Squabble Up
3. Luther (feat. SZA)
4. Man at the Garden
5. Hey Now
6. Reincarnated
7. TV Off
8. Dodger Blue
9. Peekaboo
10. Heart Pt. 6
11. GNX
12. Gloria (feat. SZA)
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