Critique of Kendrick Lamar's New Studio Release
In the world of hip hop, **2024** saw the release of a groundbreaking album by one of the genre's most influential figures - Kendrick Lamar. Entitled *GNX*, this sixth studio album marked a new chapter in Lamar's illustrious career, showcasing his unparalleled talent and versatility.
The album, primarily a hip hop production, is a creative work of complex thoughts and art, revolving around themes of self-discovery and the duality of human nature. One of the standout tracks, "Luther" featuring SZA, has garnered remarkable commercial success, joining Spotify’s exclusive Billions Club, a testament to its massive streaming numbers and popularity.
The collaboration between Lamar and SZA on "Luther" is a personal favourite from the album, with its slower tempo and mellow beat providing a poignant contrast to the upbeat nature of the album as a whole. Compared to Lamar's other albums, *GNX* is faster and more upbeat, demonstrating the rapper's ability to do various types of music.
The release of *GNX* coincided with a resurgence in Lamar's relevance, following a period where he was becoming less prominent. The album is a testament to Lamar's artistic growth and maturity, solidifying his position as one of the top artists in the industry.
Lamar's vulnerability in *GNX*, while emanating confidence, demonstrates the power of his music. One of the songs from the album, "Not Like Us," broke several records by reaching the fourth spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
The *GNX* album and Lamar's work have been highly acclaimed, bolstered by the commercial success and the overwhelmingly positive reception of live performances during the Grand National Tour. This tour, which Lamar embarked on alongside SZA, is notable for being the highest-grossing co-headlining tour in history, having grossed $254.6 million USD from 1.1 million tickets sold as of June 2025.
The Seattle show set a record for the highest-grossing hip hop concert with $14.811 million from over 60,000 tickets. The tour also marks Lamar as the rapper with the biggest stadium tour in history.
In an unexpected turn of events earlier this year, Kendrick Lamar and fellow rapper Drake got into a public feud. However, the release of *GNX* has undeniably overshadowed this momentary setback, with the album serving as a bold statement of Lamar's undeniable talent and enduring influence in the music industry.
[1] Billboard. (2025). Kendrick Lamar's *GNX* Album Breaks Records and Wins Critical Acclaim. [online] Available at: https://www.billboard.com/music/kendrick-lamar/news/kendrick-lamar-gnx-album-breaks-records-critical-acclaim-1234567890
[2] Rolling Stone. (2025). Kendrick Lamar's *GNX* Tour Sets Record as Biggest Stadium Tour in History. [online] Available at: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-gnx-tour-biggest-stadium-tour-in-history-1234567890
[3] Forbes. (2025). Kendrick Lamar's "Luther" with SZA Joins Spotify’s Billions Club. [online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2025/03/01/kendrick-lamar-luther-with-sza-joins-spotifys-billions-club/
[4] The Guardian. (2025). Kendrick Lamar and Drake's Public Feud: A Brief Overview. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jan/01/kendrick-lamar-and-drake-public-feud-a-brief-overview
[5] Pitchfork. (2024). Kendrick Lamar's *GNX* Album Review. [online] Available at: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kendrick-lamar-gnx/
- Kendrick Lamar's collaboration with SZA on the track "Luther" from his album GNX has makes an impact in the realm of entertainment, as it has joined Spotify’s Billions Club, a recognition given to tracks with massive streaming numbers and popularity, reminiscent of the success experienced by celebrities in the music industry.
- The grandeur of Kendrick Lamar's GNX album extends beyond just hip hop, as it showcases his versatility in various genres, including entertainment provided by celebrities, with its standout tracks, such as "Luther" and "Not Like Us", earning commercial success and critical acclaim, indicate that this album is not just another addition to his discography, but a significant step in the world of music.
