Kendrick Lamar released his sixth studio album, GNX, on November 22, 2024, without any prior announcement. The 12-track project marks his first full-length release since 2022's Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers and features artists like SZA and producers including Jack Antonoff. This drop caps a banner year for Lamar, highlighted by his rap beef victory, chart-topping hits, and upcoming Super Bowl performance.
Album Details
GNX arrived at noon Eastern Time on Friday, November 22, 2024, as a complete surprise with no advance singles, videos, or social media hints. The album includes 12 tracks and collaborations with mariachi singer Deyra Barrera, SZA, and Dody6. Production credits go to Jack Antonoff, Sounwave, and Kamasi Washington. It is Lamar's first release under his pgLang label via Interscope Records, following his departure from Top Dawg Entertainment.
Context and Background
Lamar's 2024 has been dominant without a new album. In May, he ended his high-profile feud with Drake via the diss track 'Not Like Us,' which topped the Billboard Hot 100 twice—once on release and again in July with its video. The song earned multiple Grammy nominations, including for song and record of the year. On June 19, Lamar hosted 'The Pop Up - Ken & Friends' concert at the Forum in Los Angeles, live-streamed by Amazon Music, featuring West Coast rappers like Roddy Ricch and Tyler, The Creator.
In September, he was announced as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. 'Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I'll be there to remind the world why,' Lamar said in a statement. 'They got the right one.' This follows his 2022 Super Bowl performance of 'm.A.A.d city' and 'Alright' during Dr. Dre's halftime show. Lamar's previous album, 2017's DAMN., won the Pulitzer Prize for Music, breaking a five-year hiatus before 2022's release.