Kendrick Lamar, Reincarnated

“I got this fire burnin' in me from within / Concentrated thoughts on who I used to be, I'm sheddin' skin.” These are the opening lines of Kendrick Lamar’s “reincarnated,” the sixth song from his new album “GNX.” Lamar’s sixth album, “GNX” surprise dropped Nov. 22 with nothing more than an Instagram post by Lamar. His fans went wild, and it soon became evident that this album would become Lamar’s grand comeback to rap.

“GNX” came a little over two years after Lamar’s previous album. Released May 13, 2022, “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” was Kendrick Lamar's fifth studio album. The double album consisted of two distinct parts, each containing nine tracks, and showcased Lamar's introspective and experimental approach to music. The project delved deeply into personal and societal issues, including themes of trauma, mental health, generational cycles and accountability.

Lyrically, the album presented a raw and unfiltered version of Lamar, as he reflected on his own flaws, past experiences and the struggles of navigating fame and relationships. Musically, “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” pushed boundaries by blending genres, incorporating elements of jazz, funk, R&B and avant-garde production, with contributions from notable collaborators like Baby Keem, Sampha, Tanna Leone and more. Pharrell Williams, Thundercat and others also helped shape the album's unique sound. The album is often seen as a deeply personal and therapeutic journey, with Lamar assuming the role of a narrator confronting inner conflicts while offering social critique. 

Fast forward to now — two years later — “GNX” continues Lamar’s legacy of creating concept-driven albums that challenge listeners to engage with complex ideas. But now, he’s doing it in a very different way. Instead of approaching his art from a socially reflective perspective, this time Lamar delves deeper into themes of West Coast pride, identity and artistic integrity. Track two: “squabble up,” for example, boasts “God knows / I am reincarnated / I was stargazin.” Lamar’s confident approach to this project — in comparison to his previously more pensive approach to “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers” — emphasizes the rebirth of his artistic identity that he speaks of in the track. 

The album title nods to the Buick Grand National Experimental car, symbolizing luxury, speed and cultural resonance. Tracks like "wacced out murals" and "heart pt. 6" tackle the state of the hip-hop industry and Lamar's journey, while others — such as "squabble up" and "dodger blue" — celebrate Los Angeles culture. With its intricate storytelling and musical versatility, “GNX” is one of Lamar's most dynamic works yet.

Outside of its messaging, it is to understand this album from the perspective of Lamar’s personal identity as a rapper. His work so far has been largely influenced by a core group of rap industry legends: 2Pac, Jay-Z, Nas, DMX, The Notorious B.I.G., Mos Def, Eazy-E and Eminem. While many elements in “GNX” still show these rappers’ influence  — like vivid imagery akin to that found in Nas’ music — most songs in this album possess a distinct identity that melds these influences with Lamar’s personal experiences. For example, he has used 2Pac’s incorporation of social commentary in his lyrics, which is especially apparent in his third studio album, “To Pimp a Butterfly”. Unlike that album, which emphasized the collective struggles of Black individuals living in contemporary America through impactful storytelling, “GNX” zooms in more closely on Lamar’s personal life and how it has impacted his rapper identity: an aspect one can say is just as important in understanding the meanings in his lyrics.

Just like many of his past albums, “GNX” continues to be talked about everywhere, and has even begun to be memeified. For example, Lamar’s shout for “MUSTARD!” in “tv off” has taken the internet by storm. Only a couple months past its birth, the album seems to have taken on a life of its own, and fans are more than eager to witness this new era of Kendrick Lamar firsthand.