GNX: reviewing Kendrick Lamar’s latest lyrical labyrinth

By Tony Cerqueira

The American rapper Kendrick Lamar Duckworth caught the world off guard on Nov. 22, 2024 with the unexpected release of his sixth studio album, “GNX.” As evidenced by his prior success with studio releases, it was only a matter of time before Lamar’s newest album made the record books. Within the first week of its debut, “GNX” achieved 319,000 album-equivalent units, making it the largest quantitative release of a rap album in 2024. The 12-song album’s 44 minute and 22 second duration renders it one of Lamar’s shorter collections; however, “GNX” is still able to pack a punch. Let’s review some of the album's most popular songs to examine just what kind of effect Lamar is able to bring.

Before we get started, I want to preface this review by making it clear that, yes, it will be opinionated. Although I strive to attain as unbiased a perspective as possible, avoiding 100% of bias is objectively impossible. Take this review lightly, as your critiques might not reflect mine.   

Image of Kendrick Lamar in front of car taken from Wikimedia 

“wacced out murals”

This song’s title is based upon a vandalized and decayed mural from the music video of another one of Lamar’s songs, “Not Like Us.” Starting out with a spiritual-sounding chorus, “wacced out murals” makes its introductory mark, and it isn’t playing around. The chorus quickly transitions into heavy hitting synth and bass; it is at this point where the true intent of the song is revealed. Lamar expresses his disappointment for the lack of peer support he received upon his announcement as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show. He calls out rapper Lil Wayne, who publicly expressed disappointment for not being chosen as the headliner. Lamar also criticizes rapper Snoop Dogg for sharing rival rapper Drake’s diss track targeting him, further elevating tensions amidst the ongoing feud. These elements make for a strong start in “GNX.”

“squabble up” 

The term “squabble up” is Los Angeles slang for “prepare for a fight,” which perfectly encapsulates the aggressive tone Lamar sets up for song two. To me, the song itself sounds like a generic rap sample with hints of 80s techno vibes. That being said, “squabble up’s” vocals are where the song thrives. Lamar reflects on themes of resilience, determination and dominance in the music industry, apparent with lyrics such as “I got the money and the power both gyratin.” This song has bold qualities, and although I have numerous favorites from “GNX” over this one, I can understand why it is one of the most popular from the album. 

“luther” (ft. sza) 

“luther” is named after the renowned R&B singer Luther Vandross. Fitting the theme, it would only make sense for the song to have heavy R&B elements, evident by its rhythmic and emotional expression. “luther” also contains a sample from Marvin Gaye, one of the most influential R&B artists to date. Regarding the song’s purpose, it tells the story of Lamar’s love for the protagonist, a misunderstood “promiscuous woman.” “Luther’s” vocals are layered perfectly, as Lamar’s monotone voice harmonizes well with SZA’s light and ethereal tone.

“man at the garden”

“I deserve it all” is a recurring message you will find in this song. “man at the garden” is a metaphor for the biblical Garden of Eden, which would only make sense as the garden heavily explores themes of self-worth, virtue and temptation. With low, consistent drum beats at a tempo of 92 BPM, Lamar perfectly reflects this stance towards his own value. It is almost as if the beat itself is meant to resemble a human heartbeat–this is something I thought added a lot of meaning to the song. The low-key, yet impactful presentation of “man at the garden” makes it stand out. 

“reincarnated”

Unlike other symbolic titles in “GNX,” “reincarnated’s” title is more direct—it is Lamar’s message to the world about his experience with music reinvention. The song itself paints a scene of 1990s west coast rap, with its combination of piano on bass. Lamar “reincarnates” himself through the lens of multiple musical legends, such as John Lee Hooker, Dinah Washingon and Tupac Shakur. This historical approach, combined with Lamar’s personal musical experiences, makes for one of the most impactful songs on the album. I truly am a fan. 

“tv off (ft. lefty gunplay)”

If you’ve been on Tiktok recently, it’s almost impossible to not have seen a video with Kendrick Lamar’s notorious “MUSTARRRRRD” line as the sound. Wrapping up this album review, let’s talk about this line’s origin song: “tv off.” Lamar really wants his audience to “turn their TVs off;” he wants them to eliminate all distractions. “tv off” is split into two distinct parts, with the first part emulating the style of Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” In this section, Lamar voices his concerns for the lack of genuine influence within the rap industry. As the beat transitions, we hear the all too familiar “MUSTARRRRRD” line, a reference to DJ Mustard (one of Lamar’s producers). The instrumentation shifts to a bouncy, minimalist beat as Lamar highlights the importance of genuine artistry. As iconic as the song is, I really do believe it stands for a necessary purpose–this makes it one of my favorites on the album. 

“GNX,” to me, is one of the most well-compiled albums that Kendrick Lamar has released throughout his career–this is displayed through its strong diction, symbolism and transitions. Although the album isn’t my top favorite (that title goes to “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers), it makes its influential mark on the rap genre as a whole. I would rate this album a solid 8.4/10.