Kendrick Lamar surprises the world with “GNX.”

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. luther (Ft. SZA)

Martin Louie The King or Idris Elba?

And the award for the most “LOVE” sounding track on this album goes to “Luther!” Much like in “LOVE,” Kendrick Lamar thrives over smooth, R&B-infused hip-hop production that practically begs for candles, peaches, creams, and maybe a bubble bath. Standing out with his signature robotic-yet-melodic delivery, Kendrick crafts infectious melodies while delivering heartfelt verses about his love and unwavering support for his partner. Adding to the vibe are SZA’s mesmerizing vocals, unexpected Luther Vandross ad-libs, and a sprinkle of subliminal messages that subtly suggest flinging your clothes across the room.

This is really a duet (Duets are so washed up now).

4. tv off

Kendrick Lamar is going to open up the Super Bowl with “tv now,” isn’t he?

And the award for the most “Not Like Us” track on this project goes to “tv off.” The two tracks share a striking resemblance, starting with similar openings (Some circus-sounding s**t) and a version of Kendrick Lamar who uses his “outside voice” and is down to call out those who deserve to be put on blast. Kendrick even employs similar flows, particularly when referencing the revolution being televised.

Beyond that, the Compton native takes shots at people who think they’re bigger than him and those who are undeniably fake. Then, in true Kendrick fashion, the song takes a wild turn into some operatic chaos, with him screaming “MUSTTTTTTARD” like a man possessed, before completely blacking out rapping-wise. It’s intense, theatrical, and undeniably Kendrick.

I have a feeling this is one of the tracks Kendrick Lamar had in his stock, ready to aim at Drake.

3. gloria (Ft. SZA)

SZA ate extremely well on this project.

80% of the reason I rock with “gloria” is because of SZA’s contributions. She delivers a truly captivating and highly intoxicating chorus that perfectly complements the song’s dramatic production, which blooms into something special towards the end. As for Kendrick Lamar, he delivers three verses: two that feel deeply melancholic, reflecting on the journey he and his woman have gone through—from enduring tragedies to uplifting one another—and a third that is punchy and celebratory, where he proudly flaunts his woman to the world. Overall, I think this is the most complete track on the album, even if it’s not my personal favorite.

2. heart pt. 6

Kendrick Lamar couldn’t bulls**t “heart pt. 6.”

Do you know how people say LeBron wouldn’t work in yesteryear’s NBA? Well, anyone who thinks Kendrick Lamar wouldn’t fit in ‘90s hip-hop needs to shut the hell up and listen to “Heart Pt. 6.” In this track, Kendrick absolutely shines over a ‘90s-inspired hip-hop beat with a smooth tempo and laidback vibe, delivering bars that feel like body blows and flows that glide effortlessly.

Lyrically, Kendrick pays homage to his day-one homies—ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Dave Free, Punch, Ab-Soul, and more—acknowledging how they all influenced one another during their come-up. I love how vivid Kendrick’s storytelling is.

1. reincarnated

I would’ve loved it if he reincarnated into The Terminator.

Before diving into Kendrick Lamar’s ability to channel Tupac on this track (his flow in the first verse is undeniably Pac-like), let’s take a moment to credit The Game. In “Never Can Say Goodbye,” he masterfully embodied Tupac, Biggie, and Eazy-E, which was incredible. Now, in “Reincarnated,” Kendrick reflects on the multiple past lives he’s lived, delving into his relationships and the legacy he aims to leave behind, even as he questions whether fame is truly for him. The intensity in his delivery makes this track stand out, and when you pair that with the powerful lyrics and the dramatic, old-school beat that feels tailor-made for Tupac, you get an unforgettable listen.

Trying to paraphrase what Kendrick talked about in this song was harder than rocket science.

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SONG-BY-SONG RATING 

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RGM RATING 

(C+) (79%)

Holy s**t, did we get a throwaway Kendrick Lamar project (Can 2024 get any weirder)?

Kendrick Lamar can now confidently stake his claim as Rapper of the Year. With the diss track of the year under his belt, several Grammy nominations to his name, and a highly anticipated Super Bowl performance on the way, his dominance is undeniable. While GNX might not be the project of the year, that’s perfectly fine—he’s already accomplished more than enough to solidify his reign.

GNX feels like a casual experiment, almost like Kendrick Lamar decided to compile a collection of sounds and styles he’s only dabbled with before. On this project, he raps alongside relatively unknown artists, indulges in duets that feel mismatched, crafts what seems like a sequel to “Not Like Us,” and channels his inner Pac. Honestly, if I hadn’t seen it officially uploaded under his name on Spotify, I might’ve assumed it was some AI-generated mixtape.

That said, Kendrick still reminds us why he’s one of the greats. On tracks like “tv off” and “wacced out murals,” he flexes his unparalleled command and confidence on the mic. He also takes moments to provoke deep reflection, particularly on songs like “reincarnation,” and pays tribute to his day-one circle, which was a nice touch.

Overall, this album doesn’t feel like a monumental release—it’s more like a creative purge, a way for Kendrick to get a few ideas out of his system. My guess? The real project is on the horizon, and it’s going to hit hard as hell.

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