Kendrick Lamar returned with another surprise release when GNX arrived on November 22, 2024. Released through pgLang and Interscope Records, the album marked Kendrick’s sixth studio project and his first full-length release following the success of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. Rather than continuing the deeply introspective style of its predecessor, GNX embraces a raw West Coast sound while celebrating Los Angeles culture and Kendrick’s lyrical dominance.

Named after the legendary Buick GNX, the album blends hard-hitting rap records with soulful production, live instrumentation and modern West Coast influences. Throughout its concise 12-track runtime, Kendrick delivers sharp lyricism, confident performances and memorable collaborations that reinforce his position as one of hip-hop’s most influential artists.

Unlike many mainstream rap albums that rely heavily on commercial formulas, GNX focuses on lyrical precision, regional identity and cohesive production. Frequent collaborators including Sounwave and Jack Antonoff helped shape the album’s sonic direction, while guest appearances from SZA, Roddy Ricch, Lefty Gunplay, Dody6, AzChike, Hitta J3, YoungThreat and others contribute to its distinctly Californian atmosphere.

This complete Aswehiphop review explores everything you need to know about GNX, including the official tracklist, featured artists, production, standout songs, commercial performance, critical reception, our editorial rating and official streaming options.

Pitchfork’s review of GNX praised Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical performance while examining the album’s West Coast influences and artistic direction.

GNX Tracklist

GNX contains 12 tracks, making it Kendrick Lamar’s shortest studio album to date. Despite its concise runtime, the project delivers a focused listening experience, balancing aggressive West Coast rap, introspective storytelling and polished production from some of hip-hop’s most respected producers.

Below is the official tracklist for GNX:

1. wacced out murals
2. squabble up
3. luther (feat. SZA)
4. man at the garden
5. hey now (feat. Dody6)
6. reincarnated
7. tv off (feat. Lefty Gunplay)
8. dodger blue (feat. Wallie the Sensei, Siete7x & Roddy Ricch)
9. peekaboo (feat. AzChike)
10. heart pt. 6
11. gnx (feat. Hitta J3, YoungThreat & Peysoh)
12. gloria (feat. SZA)

Although the album runs for just under 45 minutes, Kendrick Lamar makes every record count. The sequencing allows the project to flow naturally, moving between hard-hitting rap performances, reflective storytelling and melodic collaborations without losing momentum.

About GNX

GNX serves as Kendrick Lamar’s sixth studio album and arrived as one of the biggest surprise releases of 2024. Rather than following a lengthy promotional campaign, Kendrick released the project with little warning, immediately generating worldwide discussion across streaming platforms and social media.

The album takes its name from the legendary 1987 Buick GNX, an iconic American muscle car that symbolises power, performance and West Coast culture. That same energy is reflected throughout the album as Kendrick celebrates his Compton roots while delivering some of his sharpest lyrical performances in recent years.

Unlike Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, which centred heavily on therapy, vulnerability and personal healing, GNX adopts a more confident and confrontational tone. Kendrick focuses on competitive lyricism, hometown pride, artistic legacy and the responsibilities that come with being one of hip-hop’s most influential voices.

Guest appearances are carefully selected and never overshadow the main artist. Collaborations with SZA, Roddy Ricch, Lefty Gunplay, Dody6, AzChike, Hitta J3 and several rising West Coast artists reinforce the album’s regional identity while introducing listeners to new voices from California’s rap scene.

Standout Songs From GNX

Although GNX contains only 12 tracks, Kendrick Lamar packs the album with memorable records that highlight his lyrical ability, storytelling and versatility. Several songs quickly became fan favourites while also performing strongly on streaming platforms.

luther (feat. SZA)

luther stands as one of the album’s biggest highlights. Reuniting Kendrick Lamar with SZA, the song blends soulful melodies with introspective lyricism, creating one of the smoothest collaborations in both artists’ catalogues. It also became one of the project’s most commercially successful records and received widespread praise from critics and fans alike.

squabble up

Following its preview during Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” music video, squabble up immediately generated excitement among listeners. Built around energetic West Coast production and confident bars, the track captures Kendrick’s competitive spirit while delivering one of the album’s most replayable moments.

tv off (feat. Lefty Gunplay)

tv off showcases Kendrick’s ability to combine powerful lyricism with infectious production. Featuring Lefty Gunplay, the record became an instant talking point thanks to its memorable beat switch and Kendrick’s commanding vocal performance.

reincarnated

One of the album’s deepest records, reincarnated finds Kendrick reflecting on destiny, morality and the consequences of personal choices. The song demonstrates his exceptional storytelling ability while reinforcing why he remains one of hip-hop’s most respected lyricists.

heart pt. 6

Continuing his legendary Heart series, heart pt. 6 serves as one of the album’s emotional centrepieces. Kendrick reflects on his journey, artistic growth and responsibilities while delivering thoughtful bars over soulful production.

Production & Overall Sound

Production across GNX strikes a balance between classic West Coast influences and modern hip-hop. Frequent collaborators including Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Mustard, DJ Dahi and several additional producers create a cohesive sound built around soulful samples, live instrumentation and hard-hitting drum patterns.

Unlike many contemporary rap albums that rely heavily on repetitive trap production, GNX experiments with layered arrangements, jazz-inspired textures and cinematic transitions. The result is an album that feels polished while still maintaining the raw energy associated with Kendrick Lamar’s West Coast roots.

Throughout the project, Kendrick constantly changes his vocal delivery, switching effortlessly between aggressive rap performances, melodic flows and reflective storytelling. These shifts keep the listening experience engaging and allow every track to maintain its own identity without disrupting the album’s overall cohesion.

The production never overshadows Kendrick’s lyrics. Instead, each instrumental creates space for his storytelling and technical ability, reinforcing why GNX is regarded as one of the strongest hip-hop releases of its era.

Commercial Performance & Critical Reception

Upon its surprise release, GNX received widespread acclaim from music critics and hip-hop fans alike. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, giving Kendrick Lamar another chart-topping project and reinforcing his position as one of the most influential artists of his generation.

The album also achieved impressive commercial success globally, reaching the top of album charts in multiple countries while generating hundreds of millions of streams within its first few weeks. Several tracks, including luther, squabble up and tv off, quickly became streaming favourites and dominated playlists across major digital platforms.

Critics praised Kendrick Lamar for delivering another cohesive body of work that balanced lyrical excellence with strong production. Many reviewers highlighted the album’s concise structure, noting that its 12-track runtime allowed every song to make an impact without unnecessary filler.

The chemistry between Kendrick Lamar and SZA on luther and gloria also received significant praise, while tracks such as reincarnated and heart pt. 6 were recognised for their emotional depth and lyrical complexity.

Although GNX differs stylistically from To Pimp a Butterfly, DAMN. and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, the project was widely viewed as another successful evolution in Kendrick Lamar’s catalogue. Its combination of modern West Coast production, confident lyricism and focused storytelling helped establish it as one of the defining hip-hop albums of 2024.

Aswehiphop Review

At Aswehiphop, we believe GNX proves that Kendrick Lamar continues to operate at a level few rappers can match. Rather than chasing commercial trends, he delivers an album built on lyrical precision, authentic storytelling and a genuine celebration of West Coast hip-hop culture.

What stands out most is the album’s discipline. Every track has a purpose, every collaboration feels earned and the production remains consistent from beginning to end. Unlike many modern rap albums that rely on lengthy tracklists, GNX keeps listeners engaged by focusing on quality over quantity.

Records like luther, squabble up, tv off, reincarnated and heart pt. 6 demonstrate Kendrick Lamar’s remarkable ability to balance technical lyricism with mainstream appeal. Meanwhile, the guest appearances enhance the listening experience without distracting from the album’s central vision.

Whether you’re a long-time Kendrick Lamar fan or discovering his music for the first time, GNX is an essential listen that showcases why he remains one of the defining artists of modern hip-hop.

Aswehiphop Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9/5)

For fans of lyrical rap, cohesive albums and innovative production, GNX stands among Kendrick Lamar’s strongest releases and is likely to remain an important chapter in his legendary discography.

Related Kendrick Lamar Albums

If you enjoyed GNX, you may also want to revisit other landmark projects from Kendrick Lamar. Each album represents a different stage of his artistic evolution while showcasing why he is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of his generation.

• Section.80 (2011) — Kendrick Lamar’s breakthrough independent studio album that introduced his socially conscious storytelling and lyrical depth.
• good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012) — A modern hip-hop classic that chronicles Kendrick’s upbringing in Compton through cinematic storytelling.
• To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) — Widely considered one of the greatest rap albums ever made, blending jazz, funk and political commentary.
• DAMN. (2017) — The Pulitzer Prize-winning album featuring chart-topping hits like HUMBLE., DNA. and LOVE.
• Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022) — Kendrick’s deeply personal double album exploring mental health, family and self-discovery.

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Every album review published on Aswehiphop is researched using official release information, verified streaming services, recognised music publications and trusted chart data. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate historical information alongside balanced editorial analysis rather than promotional content.

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