GNX
Kendrick really had a year, huh? He was everywhere, dominating the mainstream with his beef against Drake. Every move he made blew up, and we all watched as he dismantled Drake track by track. “Like That” was crazy, “Euphoria” had me losing my mind, and “Meet The Grahams” felt like the final nail in the coffin. Everything peaked with “Not Like Us,” which became the most-streamed rap song of the year—almost a billion streams on Spotify. It was proof: if you mess with Kendrick, you’re gonna find out real quick. And somehow, he wasn’t done. This new record? He’s still throwing punches, but now there’s more soul-searching, too.
This album doesn’t feel like a victory lap; it’s more of a “I’ve got unfinished business” vibe. Kendrick takes aim at the industry as a whole—Drake was just the tip of the iceberg. And if you remember, Drake represented everything Kendrick can’t stand about what rap’s turned into. But it’s not all disses; there’s still plenty of that classic Kendrick storytelling and introspection.
The opener, “wacced out murals,” kicks things off with bars about the backlash he’s faced since the beef. The title is literal—his mural got vandalized, and Kendrick uses that as fuel to remind us he’s still out for blood. “It used to be fuck that ni**a, but now it's plural. Fuck everybody, that’s on my body,” he spits, fully in his bag. He even calls out Lil Wayne’s shade about the Super Bowl halftime show, which—let’s be real—was wildly entertaining. The beat is dark and industrial, almost like something off “Yeezus,” with eerie strings and booming bass that hits like a gut punch.
Then there’s “Squabble Up,” a certified West Coast club banger and the continuation of the snippet from the “Not Like Us” video. Kendrick’s confidence is through the roof here—it’s pure celebration. The beat? Bouncy, weird, and chaotic in the best way possible. If any song feels like a “victory lap” over Drake, it’s this one.
Fast forward to “Dodger Blue,” and man, this one hit. As an L.A. native, this track felt personal. It’s got this dreamy, nostalgic vibe that sounds like the city at sunset—vibrant and alive but tinged with a bit of melancholy. Kendrick taps into what it means to call L.A. home, weaving a tribute to the city’s culture and his own roots. The track might be slower and prettier than the rest, but it’s a subtle highlight for anyone who’s got love for the 213.
On the flip side, “Hey Now” goes full dark mode. This one’s a cynical Westside banger that feels like Kendrick’s staring down the entire industry with a smirk. The beat is heavy and menacing, with bass that rattles your chest, and Kendrick’s delivery matches that energy perfectly. It’s confrontational, grimy, and unapologetic—a flex that feels more calculated than cocky.
From there, the album continues to experiment. “luther” is a euphoric R&B/trap hybrid with SZA’s angelic vocals stealing the show, while “man at the garden” slows things down with a soulful instrumental that builds to an incredible crescendo. “reincarnated” stands out as one of Kendrick’s most powerful storytelling tracks, tying his identity to Black musical legends. And then there’s “tv off,” a wild, chaotic ride with a beat switch so crazy it’ll have you yelling “MUSTAAAAARD” along with Kendrick.
The back half gets a bit shakier—“Peekaboo” is fun but overly strange, and “gnx” doesn’t quite land—but the closer, “gloria,” makes up for it. With SZA back for another feature, it’s a gorgeous, heartfelt track that personifies everything Kendrick loves: his family, his art, his legacy. It’s vulnerable and stunning—the kind of closer only Kendrick could deliver.
Overall, this album is weird, intense, and deeply personal. It feels less polished than his last few projects, but maybe that’s the point. It’s Kendrick in the moment, no filters, just raw energy and emotion. Only time will tell where it stands in his discography, but for now, it’s a fascinating, fiery piece of work that keeps us hooked.
KENDRICK LAMAR - GNX
RATING - 9.8/10
FAVORITE TRACKS - hey now, luther, dodger blue
GENRE - Hip-Hop, Rap, West-Coast, Rnb, Soul