Kendrick Lamar surprised fans with the release of his new album GNX on November 22, 2024.
Available globally on Spotify, the album quickly became a streaming sensation, with tracks like “wacced out murals” and “squabble up” amassing over 5 million streams each. Lamar’s dominance in the hip-hop world is undeniable, with GNX quickly climbing the charts.
Chart Performance
GNX debuted at #1 on the US Apple Music charts, marking the fastest rap album of 2024 to reach this milestone. Key tracks and their current streaming numbers on Spotify include:
- #6: “wacced out murals” — 5.42M streams
- #7: “squabble up” — 5.38M streams
- #8: “luther” — 4.82M streams
- #17: “man at the garden” — 4.00M streams
- #20: “hey now” — 3.77M streams
Album Highlights
The album features 12 tracks and is Lamar’s first since Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022). Collaborations include SZA, who appears on two tracks, and saxophonist Kamasi Washington. Producers like Jack Antonoff add a unique touch to Lamar’s signature style.
The opening track, “wacced out murals,” even references Lamar’s upcoming Super Bowl Halftime performance, which has sparked debates about his selection over artists like Lil Wayne.
Reception and Context
Critics have praised GNX for showcasing Lamar’s lyrical brilliance, with themes of rivalry, particularly with Drake. As Lamar gears up for the Super Bowl in February 2025, GNX has set high expectations for his next moves, solidifying his place at the forefront of contemporary music.
