(Image courtesy of Apple Music. “GNX streams on all platforms.”

Collin Gallagher
Connector Staff

Kendrick Lamar’s new album, GNX, isn’t just an album—it’s a manifesto. With punchy beats, deep lyrics, and strategic collaborations, Kendrick shows why he’s the best in hip-hop. His ongoing beef with Drake adds tension, but Kendrick uses it to fuel his creativity, turning the drama into art.
The production on GNX is a dream team effort. Jack Antonoff brings a big, movie-like sound with live instruments, DJ Mustard adds LA’s fun, bouncy energy, and Sounwave ties it all together with a polished, modern style. Together, they create a mix of old-school LA vibes and fresh, new sounds.
Kendrick has always been great at experimenting with music. While good kid, m.A.A.d city reflected LA’s 90s hip-hop era, and To Pimp a Butterfly pulled from jazz and funk, GNX pushes boundaries even further. Tracks like “Wacced Out Murals” and “Dodger Blue” mix new ideas with classic LA energy, making the album feel both familiar and cutting-edge.
One of the most creative songs is “Reincarnated,” a fresh take on Tupac’s “Made N*****.” It keeps the haunting feel of the original but adds Jack Antonoff’s orchestral flair and Sounwave’s clean beats. Kendrick uses the track to talk about legacy, rebirth, and his connection to hip-hop’s past and future.
Another thing that makes GNX special is Kendrick’s support for underground artists. He gives rising stars like Dody6 a chance to shine on songs like “Hey Now.” On the title track, “GNX,” he teams up with Peysoh, Hitta J3, and YoungThreat, whose raw energy gives the album a gritty, authentic feel. By featuring these lesser-known talents, Kendrick builds a bridge between the underground scene and the mainstream.
Lyrically, Kendrick dives deep into themes like loyalty, betrayal, and self-reflection. In “Reincarnated,” he imagines himself in past lives, asking God about his purpose and the weight of his legacy. “Man at the Garden” talks about the struggles of ambition and staying real, while “Heart Pt. 6” revisits his early days with Top Dawg Entertainment and reflects on the breakup of Black Hippy. These songs show Kendrick’s ability to mix personal stories with big-picture ideas, making GNX feel like a meaningful journey.
While his rivalry with Drake is in the background, Kendrick doesn’t focus on it too much. Instead, songs like “Dodger Blue” and “Heart Pt. 6” critique shallow egos and fake personas without directly calling anyone out. This subtle approach proves Kendrick’s ability to turn conflict into timeless music.
Earlier this year, Kendrick released “The Day The Party Died,” a surprise track that many saw as his declaration of victory over Drake and the end of Drake’s dominance in hip-hop. The track critiques the commercialism and trend-chasing that Kendrick believes had overtaken the genre, with Drake often positioned as its figurehead. Kendrick symbolically announced the shift in hip-hop’s power dynamic, claiming a new era driven by deeper artistry and authenticity. This theme carries directly into GNX, an album that expands on Kendrick’s vision for the genre’s future. The reflective tone and sharp critiques in “The Day The Party Died” are echoed throughout GNX, as Kendrick uses the project to solidify his claim to the throne. With GNX, Kendrick doesn’t just declare a new chapter in hip-hop, he writes it.
GNX is more than an album—it’s Kendrick Lamar’s way of showing he’s still on top. Following the buzz from his earlier track, “Not Like Us,” Kendrick uses GNX to take his message even further. While “Not Like Us” directly called out Drake, GNX uses creativity and storytelling to make a bigger impact. With a Super Bowl performance coming up, Kendrick cements his place as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
In GNX, Kendrick Lamar once again shows why he’s untouchable. It’s more than music—it’s proof of his genius.
Rating: A