Kendrick Lamar’s Surprise Album ‘GNX’: Fan Reactions

Kendrick Lamar ends 2024 with a bang.

The hip-hop heavyweight surprised fans when he unveiled his sixth studio album, GNXwithout any warning on Friday (Nov. 22). The 12-track project features contributions from SZA — who appears on “Luther” and “Gloria” — Jack Antonoff, Kamasi Washington, Roddy Ricch and more.

GNX serves as Lamar’s official follow-up to Mr. Morale and the great steppes in 2022, which topped the Billboard 200 with 295,000 total units earned in its first week. This spring he contributed a guest verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s Hot 100 no. 1 single “Like That,” which launched a high-profile rap beef with Drake. The back and forth between the two ultimately culminated in Lamar’s anthem “Not Like Us,” which not only served to end the feud, but also became a long-running hit that topped the Hot 100 for two straight weeks.

It’s set to be an even more groundbreaking New Year for Kenny, who will take the stage at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, set to take place on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date,” he said at the time of the announcement. “And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They’ve got the right one.”

The 17-time Grammy winner is also up for seven awards at the 2025 ceremony. “Not Like Us” is up for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. Meanwhile, “Like That” is nominated for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance.

With the release of GNXfans quickly flooded social media with overwhelmingly positive reactions to the project. “Look me dead in the eye and tell me Kendrick Lamar isn’t the greatest ever,” wrote one user on X, for example, while another added, “Kendrick just opened his mouth, someone should give him a Grammy right now. “

See below for more fans’ reactions to Kendrick Lamar’s GNX.