Kendrick Lamar’s GNX: A Gemini’s Confession

Kendrick Lamar dominated the music scene in 2024. The Compton native made headlines by exchanging disses with Drake, with two songs (“Like That” and “Not Like Us”) reaching number one on Billboard’s Hot 100. On Juneteenth, Lamar organized and delivered the “The Pop Out – Ken & Friends” show, bringing fellow Compton celebrities on stage and uniting the city of Los Angeles. 

In September, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Kendrick would headline the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. To cap off his legendary run, Dot surprise-dropped his sixth studio album, GNX, on November 22. GNX comes off as a victory lap over the music industry for Kendrick, reflected in the cocky lyrics and fun, upbeat West Coast sounds. While not a usual Kendrick concept album with an underlying theme or story spanning the entire album, Lamar is open about his struggle with his Gemini two-sided nature. Kendrick’s duality is on full display, constantly contradicting himself on the album, going from overly confident to vulnerable and humble. 

Historically, Lamar has boasted about his pen and rhyming abilities, crowning himself as the best in the rap game for years. A multitude of songs on GNX underscore Kendrick’s confidence. On the fourth track, “Man at the Garden,” Kendrick arrogantly repeats the line “I deserve it all” after breaking down his career achievements. “Squabble Up” (teased at the beginning of the “Not Like Us” music video months ago) is a bouncy West Coast anthem where Kendrick just celebrates and dances to his success. “TV Off” follows a similar carefree vibe where Lamar blatantly expresses his disappointment in the lack of talent in the industry. 

Kendrick not only brags about his accomplishments but also recounts his growth and vulnerability throughout the years from his humble beginnings. “Luther,” a beautiful soul track featuring SZA, speaks on Lamar’s fear of failing his loved ones in a cruel world. “Heart Pt. 6” examines the emotional toll Kendrick’s journey into the limelight has taken on him, from his days in Black Hippy with Jay Rock, ScHoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul.

The album’s sixth track, “Reincarnated,” is where this theme of duality is most present. Sampling Tupac’s “Made N****z,” Lamar illustrates himself as a reincarnation of multiple talented yet flawed musicians, including himself, John Lee Hooker, and Dinah Washington. The song climaxes in a conversation with Lamar and G-d himself, where Lamar is consistently challenged by the almighty, exemplified in this exchange:

“Tell me every deed that you done and what you do it for

I kept one hundred institutions paid

Okay, tell me more

I put one hundred hoods on one stage

Okay, tell me more

I’m tryna push peace in L.A. 

But you love war

No, I don’t

Oh, yes, you do”

This dialogue emphasizes Lamar’s internal struggle between being a martyr of peace and unity and a competitive, cocky rapper fueled by others in the industry. His push and pull between these essences is reflective of the Gemini identity he consistently refers to throughout his music. The exploration of this represents Kendrick’s constant growth as a student of the rap game, trying to balance his humble roots and dominant, conquering nature.