Kendrick Lamar certainly knows how to keep fans and fellow artists on their toes. On November 22, 2024, he surprised everyone by dropping his new album, GNX, throwing the music scene for quite the loop. The album features standout tracks, including "Wacced Out Murals," which instantly garnered attention not just for its beats but for its bold and pointed lyrics. Lamar directly name-checks prominent rappers like Lil Wayne, Nas, and Snoop Dogg, setting the stage for some intriguing responses from these hip-hop icons.
Among the first to react was Lil Wayne, whose feelings about being mentioned didn’t seem too pleased. Kendrick raps, “Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud / Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down.” This lyric seemed to hit Lil Wayne hard. He took to social media early on Saturday, posting, “Man wtf I do?! I just be chillin & dey still kome 4 my head.” His message continued with, “Let’s not take kindness for weakness. Let this giant sleep. I beg u all. No one really wants destruction, not even me but I will destroy if disturbed. On me. Love.” Clearly, Wayne's contemplation stems from not only Lamar’s lines but also previous feelings concerning being overlooked during pivotal moments, like the Super Bowl halftime show.
Lamar was selected to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime show, which stirred up emotions, particularly for Wayne, who was left feeling sidelined. Wayne expressed his discontent back then, reflecting on how missing out on such opportunities hit him hard. He felt it “hurt” not to be chosen, admitting, “It broke me.” It’s clear these lyrics and the highlighted circumstances make for heightened emotions within the rap community.
Turning to Snoop Dogg, he didn’t seem to take Kendrick’s words too seriously. Lamar's track mentions Snoop in the same breath as Drake’s recent track "Taylor Made Freestyle," which features AI-generated verses from both Snoop and Tupac Shakur. Kendrick 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.” Snoop made light of the mention with his playful response, declaring on social media, “K dot new album GNX 💥🔥🔥🔥🔥. It was the edibles. 🤦🏾😆👊🏿 west west king.” It seems Snoop is willing to take the jab with humor rather than defensively.
Nas, the final name mentioned by Kendrick, also had some warmth to share. Kendrick raps, “Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me.” Drawing on their long-standing brotherhood, Nas responded, “Always inspired by my brother KL. Keeping the essence of this shit alive and at the forefront. Salute King!” This kind of camaraderie reflects the respect woven through the hip-hop community, with Nas remaining supportive and encouraging, no matter how competitive or tense the air might feel.
But the responses didn’t stop at the big-name rappers. Father John Misty, the self-proclaimed indie rock provocateur, weighed in too, even though he wasn't mentioned directly. His engaging social media posts hinted at the hidden rivalry, and he even released what he claimed to be a "diss track". Titled "God’s Trash," it was included on his recent live album and showcased his playful approach to the situation, which he framed as part of his artistic response to Kendrick’s surprise release.
All this makes GNX one of the more intriguing records of the year, not just for its contents but for the dialogue it's creating. The nature of Kendrick Lamar’s name-scalling intertwines with the competitive spirit of hip-hop, where artists are not just colleagues but also rivals who keep each other sharp with clever jabs and engaging retorts.
What’s particularly fascinating about this interaction is how Kendrick's seemingly casual lyrics ignite such significant reactions and reflections among his peers. It spotlights the fine line between admiration and rivalry, reverence and competition, creating a dynamic atmosphere within the hip-hop culture.
With Kendrick Lamar leading the charge, these exchanges highlight the complex relationships prevalent among top-tier artists. An album drop, particularly one as unexpected as GNX, can prompt thoughtful dialogue, humor, and competitive spirit, reminding listeners of the collaborative yet contentious nature of music artistry.
