Kendrick Lamar has been on the podium of all rap artists this year. From the release of his single ‘euphoria’ in response to Drake’s diss ‘Push Ups’; to his 2nd response ‘meet the grahams and a top hit of the year ‘Not Like Us’, which had the number one spot on the Billboard 100 for 21 weeks. Lamar finishes the 2024 year with his newest album “GNX.” The album cover is a photograph of him leaning on the side of a Black 1987 Buick GNX. 1987, being the year Kendrick was born.
To stir up the storm again after Drakes “Get more love than the city that you from…” lyric, Kendrick decided to bring on SIX underground LA-Based rap artists and a LA-Based Mariachi singer Deyra Barrera onto ‘GNX’.
Barrera appeared in tracks, ‘wacced out murals,’ ‘reincarnated,’ and ‘gloria.’
Lamar sampled 11 songs on seven tracks in this album. All which blended in very smoothly with the flow and beat of his tracks.
‘GNX’ was a great tribute to Los Angeles culture. The great connection between African Americans and Hispanics in LA who appreciate the mix of the hip hop and soul genre.
The top hit, ‘tv off’ featuring Lefty Gunplay’ started by Lamar saying “All I ever wanted was a black Grand National” connecting to the 1987 black Grand National X in the album cover.
Lamar decided to scoop up some more drama by calling out other artists’ feelings about him. Snoop Dogg heard an earful on ‘wacced out murals’ since he decided to post his piece on Drake’s song toward Lamar.
New Orleans native, Lil Wayne, also heard it from Kendrick as Wayne felt like he was being disrespected by not being chosen to perform in the New Orleans Super Bowl. Kendrick was chosen to perform for the event.
Lamar also sent some more shots at Drake saying, “the black Noah, I just strangled me a goat.” since Drake’s fan base considers him the ‘goat.’
It is no doubt that Lamar’s patience and detail to perfection is what makes him an ‘artist.’ Kendrick used his childhood experience from how he grew up to tell his stories while giving responses to those who made him feel threatened. These details give expression and unique style to the things that made him and his success.