Kendrick Lamar has released a new album. It’s called GNX, and it’s an absolute surprise that arrived just minutes after Lamar posted a “GNX” video. Listen to the new album below; scroll down for the “GNX” video and the album’s credits. Read the new review of GNX’s “Squabble Up.”
On the first GNX song, “Wacced Out Murals,” Lamar addresses his feud with Drake, mentioning the AI-assisted diss track “Taylor Made Freestyle.” Elsewhere, on the track, he acknowledges his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance and the disappointment that Lil Wayne expressed in not being chosen to rep his hometown, New Orleans, in February. “Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud,” he raps, “Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down.”
The second song, “Squabble Up,” was previewed in the music video for “Not Like Us.” And, track three, “Luther,” features Lamar’s former Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate SZA.
SZA appears again on “Gloria,” a track that also features regional Mexican musician Deyra Barrera and Ink. She’s also on “Luther,” with Ink and Red Hearse’s Sam Dew.
Red Hearse figures prominently on GNX, as Sounwave worked on every song, and Jack Antonoff is credited as a producer on every track but “Peekaboo.”
Additional guests on GNX include Dody6 (on “Hey Now”), AzChike (on “Peekaboo”), Wallie the Sensei, Siete7x, and Roddy Ricch (on “Dodger Blue”), and Hitta J3, YoungThreat, and Peysoh (on “GNX”). Some prominent co-producers on GNX are: Mustard, Kamasi Washington, Dahi, Terrace Martin, and Not the Twos’ Tim Maxey.
Notably, GNX features a song called “Heart Pt. 6,” the sixth entry in Lamar’s “The Heart” series. Drake, at the height of the beef, taunted Lamar with a song of his own called “The Heart Part 6.” On his new song, Lamar reflects on his career, mentioning Top Dawg Entertainment figures like Sounwave, Dave Free, and co-presidents Anthony “Moosa” Tiffith Jr. and Terrence “Punch” Henderson. He also raps about Black Hippy, his lapsed supergroup with Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and Ab-Soul that reunited at a concert earlier this year. “I guess my motivation was the yearnin’ for independence,” he raps, “I jog my memory, knowing Black Hippy didn’t work ’cause of me/Creatively, I moved on, with new concepts in reach.”
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Consequence noted that Kendrick Lamar and Josh Tillman have similar album release schedules—culminating in today’s dual release of GNX and Mahashmashana.
Tillman made his Father John Misty debut, with Fear Fun, in April 2012, only to see Lamar release Good Kid, M.A.A.D City in October. Next, there was barely a month between 2015’s I Love You, Honeybear and To Pimp a Butterfly. In 2017, just a week separated April’s Pure Comedy and Damn. The next year, Lamar actually released his music first, sharing Black Panther: The Album in February, before Tillman’s God’s Favorite Customer landed in May. But Lamar was back at it in 2022, releasing Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers a month after the Father John Misty album Chloë and the Next 20th Century.
Father John Misty had fun with the career-long coincidence, posting on X, “not now I’m furiously scribbling my seeming response to.” He added, “it’s okay only other times it’s happened was 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2022.” He playfully lamented the effect GNX will have on his own commercial performance, too, by sharing, “there goes my #1,” and, “hm how do I tell em my albums don’t chart.” He continued the bit by mimicking the shoe-featuring artwork from Lamar’s recent untitled Instagram song and writing, “dropping a new track on Kendrick’s ass.”
Kendrick Lamar’s new album is his first since officially leaving Top Dawg Entertainment. It follows a flurry of activity from the rapper, who became embroiled in a war of words with Drake when the Toronto rapper released “Push Ups,” in April, in response to Lamar’s “Like That.” Drake followed that with “Taylor Made Freestyle,” and Lamar opened the floodgates: “Euphoria” came next, then “6:16 in LA.” After Drake’s “Family Matters,” Lamar fired back twice, with “Meet the Grahams” and the quickly anointed summer anthem “Not Like Us,” which appears to have closed proceedings. Lamar celebrated the song’s success in July with a video starring Tommy the Clown, Compton native and former Toronto Raptors All-Star DeMar DeRozan, producer Mustard, and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith.
Elsewhere, Lamar has soundtracked a Chanel short film, played a Pop Out concert in Inglewood, California, and kept his and Dave Free’s pgLang enterprise ticking along, dropping a bespoke phone last year. He also reunited with Baby Keem for “The Hillbillies,” in late 2023, and adopted the title to headline Camp Flog Gnaw.
Released in mid-2022, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers followed Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize–winning 2017 LP, Damn, and featured notable collaborators such as Portishead’s Beth Gibbons, Summer Walker, and Ghostface Killah. Per tradition, it was preceded by an installment of his “The Heart” singles series, “The Heart Part 5,” which came with a deepfake-heavy video in which Lamar morphed into Will Smith, Jussie Smollett, Kanye West, and others. He followed the LP with a concert film and went on to win Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album and, for “The Heart Part 5,” Best Rap Song.
Read about Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers in “The 50 Best Albums of 2022.”
01 Wacced Out Murals
Producer: Craig Balmoris, Dahi, Jack Antonoff, M-Tech, Sounwave, Tyler Mehlenbacher, Frano
Composer: Deyra Barrera, Kendrick Lamar
Lyricist: Deyra Barrera, Kendrick Lamar
Additional Producer: M-Tech
Additional Vocals: Deyra Barrera
Associated Performer: Deyra Barrera
Mastering Engineer: Ruairi O’Flaherty
Mixer: Oli Jacobs
Recording Engineer: Jack Antonoff, Johnathon Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Jack Antonoff, Johnathon Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Ruairi O’Flaherty
02 Squabble Up
Producer: Bridgeway, Jack Antonoff, Kendrick Lamar, M-Tech, Sounwave
Composer: Kendrick Lamar
Lyricist: Kendrick Lamar
Additional Producer: M-Tech
Associated Performer: Ink, Sam Drew
Mastering Engineer: Ruairi O’Flaherty
Mixer: Oli Jacobs
Recording Engineer: Jack Antonoff, Johnathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Jack Antonoff, Johnathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Ruairi O’Flaherty
03 Luther (with SZA)
Producer: Bridgeway, Jack Antonoff, Kamasi Washington, M-Tech, Rose Lilah, Sounwave
Composer: Ink, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Dew, SZA
Lyricist: Ink, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Dew, SZA
Additional Vocals: Sam Dew
Associated Performer: Caleb Vaughn Smith, Drew Forde, Geoff Gallegos, Giovanna Moraga, Kerenza Peacock, Luanne Homzy, Luke Maurer, Paul Cartwright, Same Dew, Stephanie Payne, Stephanie Yu
Mastering Engineer: Ruairi O’Flaherty
Mixer: Oli Jacobs
Recording Engineer: Jack Antonoff, Johnathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Tony Shepperd
Strings: Caleb Vaughn Smith, Drew Forde, Geoff Gallegos, Giovanna Moraga, Kerenza Peacock, Luanne Homzy, Luke Maurer, Paul Cartwright, Same Dew, Stephanie Payne, Stephanie Yu
Studio Personnel: Jack Antonoff, Johnathon Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Ruairi O’Flaherty, Tony Shepperd
04 Man at the Garden
Producer: Craig Balmoris, Jack Antonoff, M-Tech, Sounwave, Tyler Mehlenbacher
Composer: Kendrick Lamar
Lyricist: Kendrick Lamar
Associated Producer: M-Tech
Associated Performer: Sam Dew
Background Vocalist: Sam Dew
Mastering Engineer: Ruairi O’Flaherty
Mixer: Oli Jacobs
Recording Engineer: Jack Antonoff, Johnathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Jack Antonoff, Johnathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Ruairi O’Flaherty
05 Hey Now [ft. Dody6]
Producer: Jack Antonoff, Mustard, Sounwave
Composer: Dody6, Kendrick Lamar
Lyricist: Dody6, Kendrick Lamar
Associated Performer: Sam Dew
Background Vocalist: Sam Dew
Featured Artist: Dody6
Mastering Engineer: Ruairi O’Flaherty
Mixer: Oli Jacobs
Recording Engineer: Jack Antonoff, Jonathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Jack Antonoff, Jonathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Ruairi O’Flaherty
06 Reincarnated
Producer: Jack Antonoff, Kendrick Lamar, M-Tech, Noah Ehler, Sounwave
Composer: Deyra Barrera, Kendrick Lamar
Lyricist: Deyra Barrera, Kendrick Lamar
Associated Performer: Sam Dew
Background Vocalist: Sam Dew
Mastering Engineer: Ruairi O’Flaherty
Mixer: Oli Jacobs
Recording Engineer: Jack Antonoff, Jonathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Jack Antonoff, Jonathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Ruairi O’Flaherty
07 TV Off [ft. Lefty Gunplay]
Producer: Jack Antonoff, Kamasi Washington, Mustard, Sean Momberger, Sounwave
Composer: Kendrick Lamar
Lyricist: Kendrick Lamar
Additional Vocals: Lefty Gunplay
Associated Performer: Amber Wyman, Chad Jackson, Evan Smith, Lefty Gunplay, Malik Taylor, Marta Honer, Miles Mosley, Paul Cartwright, Peter Jacobson, Reiko Nakano, Rickey Washington, Ryan Porter, Sean Sonderegger, Serafin Aguilar, Tylaa Renga, Yvette Devereaux, Zem Audu
Baritone Saxophone: Evan Smith
Bass: Miles Mosley
Cello: Peter Jacobson
Featured Artist: Lefty Gunplay
Horn: Amber Wyman, Malik Taylor, Rickey Washington, Ryan Porter, Sean Sonderegger, Serafin Aguilar
Mastering Engineer: Ruairi O’Flaherty
Mixer: Oli Jacobs
Recording Engineer: Evan Smith, Jack Antonoff, Jonathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Tony Austin, Zem Audu
Studio Personnel: Evan Smith, Jack Antonoff, Jonathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Ruairi O’Flaherty, Tony Austin, Zem Audu
Tenor Saxophone: Evan Smith, Zem Audu
Violin: Chad Jackson, Marta Honer, Paul Cartwright, Reiko Nakano, Tylana Renga, Yverre Devereaux
08 Dodger Blue [ft. Wallie the Sensei, Siete7x and Roddy Ricch]
Producer: Jack Antonoff, Sounwave, Tane Runo, Terrace Martin, Tim Maxey
Composer: Kendrick Lamar, Sam Dew, Siete7x, Wallie the Sensei
Lyricist: Kendrick Lamar, Sam Dew, Siete7x, Wallie the Sensei
Additional Producer: Terrace Martin
Additional Vocals: Ink, Roddy Ricch, Sam Dew
Associated Performer: Ink, Roddy Ricch, Sam Dew
Featured Artist: Roddy Ricch, Siete7x, Wallie the Sensei
Mastering Engineer: Ruairi O’Flaherty
Mixer: Oli Jacobs
Recording Engineer: Jack Antonoff, Jonathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Jack Antonoff, Jonathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Ruairi O’Flaherty
09 Peekaboo [ft. AzChike]
Producer: Bridgeway, Sean Momberger, Sounwave
Composer: AzChike, Kendrick Lamar
Lyricist: AzChike, Kendrick Lamar
Featured Artist: AzChike
Mastering Engineer: Ruairi O’Flaherty
Mixer: Oli Jacobs
Recording Engineer: Jack Antonoff, Jonathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Jack Antonoff, Jonathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Ruairi O’Flaherty
10 Heart Pt. 6
Producer: Jack Antonoff, JuJu, M-Tech, Sounwave
Composer: Kendrick Lamar
Lyricist: Kendrick Lamar
Additional Producer: JuJu, M-Tech
Associated Performer: Bobby Hawk, Ink, Sam Dew
Background Vocalist: Ink, Sam Dew
Mastering Engineer: Ruairi O’Flaherty Mixer: Oli Jacobs
Recording Engineer: Jack Antonoff, Johnathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Jack Antonoff, Johnathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Ruairi O’Flaherty
Violin: Bobby Hawk
11 GNX [ft. Hitta J3, YoungThreat and Peysoh]
Producer: Jack Antonoff, Kenny & Billy, Rascal, Sounwave, Tim Maxey
Composer: Hitta J3, Kendrick Lamar, Peysoh, Young Threat
Lyricist: Hitta J3, Kendrick Lamar, Peysoh, Young Threat
Additional Producer: Tim Maxey
Featured Artist: Hitta J3, Peysoh, YoungThreat
Mastering Engineer Ruairi O’Flaherty
Mixer: Oli Jacobs Recording Engineer
Recording Engineer: Jack Antonoff, Jacob Spitzer, Johnathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Jack Antonoff, Jacob Spitzer, Johnathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Ruairi O’Flaherty
12 Gloria (with SZA)
Producer: Deats, Jack Antonoff, Sounwave
Composer: Deyra Barrera, Ink, Kendrick Lamar, SZA
Lyricist: Deyra Barrera, Ink, Kendrick Lamar, SZA
Associated Performer: Bobby Hawk, Sam Dew
Background Vocalist: Sam Dew
Mastering Engineer: Ruairi O’Flaherty
Mixer: Oli Jacobs
Recording Engineer: Jack Antonoff, Johnathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr.
Studio Personnel: Jack Antonoff, Johnathan Turner, Laura Sisk, Oli Jacobs, Ray Charles Brown Jr., Ruairi O’Flaherty
Violin: Bobby Hawk
Source : Pitchfork
