Kendrick Lamar Stuns Fans with Surprise Album GNX, Addressing Drake Feud and Lil Wayne Super Bowl Controversy

Kendrick Lamar surprised the music world Friday afternoon with the unannounced release of his 12-track album GNX. The release caps off a blockbuster year for the rapper, featuring a headline-grabbing feud with Drake and a controversial Super Bowl headlining gig.

Key Details

  • GNX dropped without prior notice, with Lamar sharing the album cover on Instagram shortly after noon EST.
  • The opening track, “wacced out murals,” addresses Lamar's feud with Drake. He raps, “Snoop posted 'Taylor Made,' I prayed it was the edibles / I couldn't believe it, it was only right for me to let it go.” This lyric references Snoop Dogg sharing Drake’s diss track Taylor Made Freestyle earlier this year. Despite Snoop’s neutrality in the feud, the tension between Lamar and Drake became one of the year's most talked-about rivalries.
  • The album features heart pt. 6, the latest in Lamar’s “heart” series, mirroring the title of a diss track Drake released in May.
  • On “wacced out murals,” Lamar also addresses backlash to his Super Bowl halftime show booking over Lil Wayne, a New Orleans native. He reflects: “I used to bump Tha Carter 3, I held my Rollie chain proud / Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down,” and later, “Got the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me.”

Context

This year, Lamar's feud with Drake became a cultural phenomenon. Highlights included Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us, which soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned five Grammy nominations. The feud saw both rappers trading incendiary allegations, including claims of secret children and personal scandals, all of which were denied by both sides.

The Super Bowl halftime booking added further drama. Critics argued Lil Wayne should have headlined in his hometown, with artists like Nicki Minaj and Master P voicing their support for Wayne. In response, Wayne admitted the decision “broke” him but expressed gratitude for Lamar’s acknowledgment.

Final Notes

Ahead of GNX’s release, Lamar teased fans with a video featuring a Buick GNX and announced collaborations with Jack Antonoff and SZA. The album cements Lamar’s position at the center of the hip-hop world, blending artistic brilliance with a flair for controversy.

For further details on the feud and more reactions: