By Kyle Eustice for Rapstation.com
Kendrick Lamar pulled off the surprise of the year with a new album called GNX. The Compton-raised rap juggernaut dropped the 12-track project seemingly out of nowhere on Friday morning (November 22) with production by Sounwave, Mustard, Jack Antonoff and more.
It's a return to that pure West Coast rap sound that put Kendrick on the map and a staunch departure from 2022's Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers. While the full credits have yet to be released, former Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate SZA shows up on "luther" and Kendrick addresses his highly publicized beef with Drake on the opening track "wacced out murals." He also references the Lil Wayne Super Bowl controversy on the same track.
Kendrick is coming off perhaps one of his most successful years of his career—and that's saying a lot considering he's a Pulitzer Prize winner. His proverbial nail in Drake's coffin, "Not Like Us," is up for numerous Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, Record of the Year and Best Music Video.
Check out the teaser below and stream the album here.