On June 1, 2025, media personalities DJ Akademiks and Wack 100 shared opposing views on whether Kendrick Lamar’s album GNX deserves to be called a classic.
During their discussion, DJ Akademiks, who supports rival rapper Drake, admitted GNX was a success but didn’t consider it a classic. “GNX has done pretty well,” he said. “I don’t necessarily think it was a ‘classic,’ but I thought it was a good album.”
Wack 100 disagreed, pointing to the album’s strong performance and choice of featured artists. “He did 12 songs with the features being pretty much all up-and-comers, and it did numbers,” said Wack. “That’s what made it a classic.”
Akademiks responded by praising Kendrick’s strategic timing. “Kendrick has mastered the art of timing,” he said. “There’s only a few artists that know how to do this. I think Drake is horrible at this. He don’t let fans miss him.”
Despite the difference in opinion, GNX has had major success. The album brought attention back to West Coast rap and focused on strong lyrics and social messages. Its lead single “Luther” held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 for over 13 weeks. GNX also played a key role in reviving interest in lyrical rap and regional identity, helping reignite East vs. West Coast competition in hip-hop.
The debate over GNX shows its lasting impact on the genre—whether or not it’s officially a “classic.”
