Lamar’s GNX Is An Exploration Of Ambition And Identity

By Staff Writer Navya Chitlur

American rapper-songwriter Kendrick Lamar dropped his sixth studio album, GNX, comprising themes of self-actualization, acceptance, anger, and love, combined with captivatingly dark beats, stunning lyrics, and striking authenticity. The surprise album released on November 22, following Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022) and other singles from the past year, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200.
The album opens with “wacced out murals,” in which Lamar sets a chilling tone for the rest of the album through ominous background beats and harsh lyrics sung with a low voice, about how he’s deserving of fame and how he worked to earn it. He sings, “I paid homage, and I always mind my business… / I never lost who I am for a rap image,” warning people from defaming attempts. Since his career could have been jeopardized by the diss tracks he released earlier in the year, including “Not Like Us” and “meet the grahams” from his feud with Canadian rapper Drake, the album centered greatly around the validity and worth of his career and character. This caused the first track to encompass a feeling of anticipation or warning, a feeling replicated in songs like “squabble up,” which has a noticeably similar tune and beat as “Not Like Us.” The tones of anger and desperation also shine in “man at the garden,” a song composed of a bloodcurdling buildup of lyrics as Lamar sings, “I never ask for too much credit / Seeking validation just for the aesthetics / I deserve it all.” Lamar’s anger dominates this track, as he repeats “I deserve it all,” over and over and sings of all the reasons why he deserves to enter the “garden,” in other words, to attain fame in the music industry. Throughout GNX, Lamar captures the listener’s attention with his raw, powerful lyrics, and doomy, yet prominent production.
Additionally, GNX takes a close inspection into Lamar’s personal life and background, especially in tracks such as “reincarnated,” in which he sings a conversational song where he speaks directly to his father, saying, “Father I’m not perfect I got urges, but I hold them down / ‘But your pride has to die,’ okay father show me how.” Throughout the song, Lamar asks his father for advice, revealing a deeper connection and Lamar’s admiration for his father. Lamar often speaks of his father as his hero, mentioning his impact on Lamar’s career and life, and named the album GNX after the car his father used to pick him up in. As Lamar sings of what he thinks are defining moments or relationships of his character, this album shows a more human side of the rapper.
Furthermore, in Lamar’s collaborative songs with SZA, “luther (with sza),” and “gloria (with sza).” Her melodious vocals offer a soft backing track to Lamar’s harsher rapping, and coupled with Lamar’s hopeful lyrics, the two create beautiful and heartfelt songs. When he closes GNX with “gloria (with sza),” Lamar sings the only pure love song on the tracklist, with gentle lyrics like “I just gotta let you know / Whenever you want me, you got me ’til the end of time.” These lyrics, paired with musically powerful and impressive vocals, allows for the song to contrast against the rest of the songs in the album, creating a distinct, memorable, and heartwarming closing track.
From beginning to end, Lamar ties together a powerful album with heavy-hearted lyrics of ambition, anger, pride, and love, backed with incredible collaborations and production. With unforgettable and catchy melodies and beats throughout GNX, he creates a unique, worthwhile, and compelling listening experience.

Grade: A-