BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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Kendrick Lamar stunned fans on Friday, November 22, with the surprise release of his sixth studio album, GNX. Named after the iconic Buick GNX muscle car, the album embodies the same qualities of power, exclusivity, and precision that the car represents.
The unannounced release of the album sparked excitement across social media, with fans and celebrities alike praising Kendrick’s latest masterpiece.
R&B star Ella Mai made her surprise about the project known in a social media post, while NBA star player DeMar DeRozan posted the album cover on his Instagram story, amongst a host of other celebrities including Tyler, the Creator and Whitney Alford, Kendrick’s fiancee.
Within hours of its release, GNX soared to the top of streaming charts on Apple Music and Spotify in several countries, and considering how rapidly it is climbing, it is projected to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.
The album comes at the heels of Not Like Us, his extremely successful hit song and Drake diss track, which topped so many charts and earned him 5 Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
The album features 14 tracks, each showcasing Kendrick’s lyrical genius and diverse musical styles.
The song that currently stands out most of all is the album’s opening track, Wacced Out Murals, not just because of the song’s distinct, sonorous intro or its badass build-up and beat pattern, but because of its gritty vibe and piercing lyrics that express exactly what he thinks about the reaction of his fellow renown Rapper, Lil Wayne’s reaction to Kendrick being selected to headline the NFL’s Super Bowl taking place in February 2025.
On Reincarnated, he pays homage to late Hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur with a sample of his song, Made Niggaz, and on Luther, he also samples the late R&B artist Luther Vandross‘s song, If This World Were Mine.
Below is the full tracklist for the project;
wacced out murals
squabble up
Luther (ft. SZA)
man at the garden
hey now (Ft. Dody6)
reincarnated
tv off
dodger blue (Ft. Ink, Roddy Ricch & Sam Dew)
peekaboo (Ft. AzChike)
heart pt. 6
gnx (Ft. Hitta J3, Peysoh & YoungThreat)
gloria (ft. SZA)
The production on GNX is as ambitious as its themes, blending classic hip-hop, with jazz influences. With contributions from producers like Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Mustard, Juju, Deats and so many others, the album offers a sonic experience that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
Fans are already dissecting Kendrick’s lyrics, praising his ability to weave personal experiences into his verses in such a gritty manner.
Critics have hailed GNX as “a return to form” and “an album that will stand the test of time,” with some fans ranking it alongside Kendrick’s previous stellar projects like To Pimp a Butterfly and DAMN.
The album has resonated deeply with listeners, who are calling it one of his most cohesive and elite projects.
As GNX continues to climb the charts and ignite conversations, it solidifies Kendrick Lamar’s position as a trailblazer in modern hip-hop and further buttresses public regard of him being one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation.
Indeed, the album is not just a collection of songs; it’s a standout musical catalogue that reaffirms Kendrick’s unparalleled artistry and ability to captivate the world with his music.
