Kendrick Lamar stuns fans with surprise album “GNX,” featuring collaborations with SZA, DJ Mustard, and Jack Antonoff. The album’s lead single “TV Off” sparks a viral meme with Lamar’s energetic shoutout to producer Mustard. “GNX” is a powerful testament to Lamar’s innovation and ability to connect with his audience
BeatCurry Team
Kendrick Lamar dropped a surprise album titled “GNX” on Friday, sending shockwaves through the music industry. The 12-track project serves as his sixth studio album and follows up his critically acclaimed 2022 effort, “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.” This surprise release comes just months after his highly publicized feud with fellow rapper Drake.
GNX boasts an impressive list of collaborators, including longtime producer Sounwave, chart-topping hitmaker DJ Mustard, and multi-instrumentalist Jack Antonoff, who co-produced every track except for “Peekaboo.” Fans of Lamar’s TDE labelmate SZA will be happy to hear her featured vocals on “Gloria” and “Luther,” the latter of which also features a sample of Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s “If This World Were Mine.”
The album’s opening track, “Wacced Out Murals,” finds Lamar cruising in his Buick GNX, referencing his recent acquisition of the classic car model. He also throws shade at Snoop Dogg for posting Drake’s AI-assisted diss track “Taylor Made Freestyle” on social media, while expressing his appreciation for Nas congratulating him on headlining the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show. Lamar even acknowledges the disappointment of Lil Wayne, who was hoping to be chosen for the prestigious gig in his hometown of New Orleans
GNX is a culmination of a significant year for Lamar. He guested on the chart-topping Future and Metro Boomin track “Like That” which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. He’s also a contender for seven Grammy Awards, including nominations for “Not Like Us” in major categories like Record and Song of the Year. This year marks a first for Lamar, with “Like That” competing in both Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song categories
One Track Sparks a Viral Meme
One particular song on “GNX” has already ignited a viral meme. “TV Off,” featuring a collaboration with Los Angeles producer Mustard, includes a standout moment where Lamar emphatically shouts “Mustard!” This playful yet impactful moment has captured the attention of fans and meme creators alike, with hilarious edits and tributes flooding social media. Even Mustard himself joined in on the fun, retweeting posts and adding to the excitement. The meme’s reach extended beyond fans, with major brands and organizations like DreamWorks Animation, NFL, and the Las Vegas Raiders posting their own takes on the “Mustard!” shout
Beyond the Memes: A Look at the Album’s Content
While the “Mustard!” meme has undoubtedly garnered significant attention, “GNX” is much more than just a collection of viral moments. The album showcases Lamar’s continued ability to innovate and connect with his audience. “TV Off” exemplifies this perfectly, blending infectious production with Lamar’s signature energy. It’s a testament to his knack for creating not just music, but cultural moments that transcend genres
A Look Back, A Look Ahead
The “Mustard!” meme serves as a reminder of Lamar’s ability to bridge the gap between music and internet culture. His infectious shoutout pays homage to his collaborator while solidifying his position as a cultural innovator who knows how to grab attention and leave a lasting impression
While some critics suggest “GNX” feels less conceptually focused than Lamar’s previous albums, hints throughout the project suggest it might be more of a “Part 1” or prelude to a larger offering. The brief music video announcing the album features a snippet of a song that isn’t even included on “GNX,” fueling speculation of a follow-up project. Regardless of what comes next, “GNX” serves as another thrilling chapter in the story of Kendrick Lamar, a true wordsmith and a dominant force in the world of hip-hop
All information sourced from various sources purely for factual reporting purpose only
Image Courtesy: Wall.alphacoders. Image usage purely for factual reporting purposes only.
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