Kendrick Lamar drops surprise new album, ‘GNX’

Rapper Kendrick Lamar on Friday unexpectedly dropped his sixth studio album, titled “GNX.”
The “Not Like Us” rapper released the surprise 12-track project along with a brief YouTube video. The album is light on featured artists with the exception of two tracks, “Luther” and “Gloria,” which both feature SZA.

For months, rumors circulated the hip-hop artist was possibly working on a new album in the aftermath of his infamous beef with Drake. The rappers exchanged multiple diss tracks back and forth earlier this year.
Lamar addresses the feud in the opening track, “Wacced Out Murals.”
The album also includes a track called “Heart Pt. 6″ — the same title as Drake’s diss track released in May, which took its name from Lamar’s “Heart” song series. In the reclaimed track, Lamar takes responsibility for the demise of his former supergroup Black Hippy, which consisted of himself and West Coast rappers Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock and Ab-Soul.
“Now it’s about Kendrick, I wanna evolve, place my skillset as a black exec. I jog my memory, knowing Black Hippy didn’t work ’cause of me,” he raps. “Creatively, I moved on, with new concepts in reach.”
The lyrics take a deep dive into his memories working with the rappers. In June, Black Hippy reunited onstage at Lamar’s “The Pop Out: Ken & Friends” concert.
The upcoming Super Bowl halftime performer also addresses complaints that he was chosen over Lil Wayne to headline the big game in New Orleans, Wayne’s hometown.
“I used to bump ‘Tha Carter III,’” he raps on “Wacced Out Murals,” referencing Lil Wayne’s 2008 album. “I held my Rollie chain proud. Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down.”
The decision sparked controversy, with celebrities including Nicki Minaj, Master P, Cam’ron and Cam Newton all saying NOLA native Wayne was the clear choice to headline the Super Bowl. Days after the announcement, Lil Wayne said not being chosen for the high-profile gig “broke” him.
Lamar’s new album rounds out a massive year for the “Humble” artist, who many believe won his feud with Drake after “Not Like Us,” released in May, instantly became one of the biggest hits of the year. The track hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and garnered five Grammy nominations.