His recent beef with Drake ended in a resounding victory, he was awarded a coveted performance slot at the Super Bowl halftime show, and, earlier this month, he was nominated for seven Grammys. Yet on his surprise-released LP GNX, Kendrick Lamar seems mad as hell.
A closer look at the lyrics offer some clues to his reasoning: People he cares about are dying and getting locked up; others he looked up to are either disappointed by him or disappointing him. Also, he’s clearly still sour about the entire feud with Drake. Even when he slips into standard rapper braggadocio (private jets, etc.), it feels like his heart isn’t in it. GNX Kendrick feels like someone trying to convince himself that all of this is still worth it.
Being lonely at the top, of course, is nothing new; Drake himself expertly — if a bit cynically — commodified the successful sadboi schtick. And while it’s possible Kendrick saw the success of “Not Like Us” and leaned into indignance for commercial purposes, it’s also unlikely. Kendrick has been called many things, but a cynic is not one of them. What follows are 11 moments on GNX that force us to consider: After all the wins, what is Kendrick Lamar still so bitter about?
… About still-simmering beef
Yesterday, somebody whacked out my mural
That energy’ll make you niggas move to Europe
But it’s regular for me, yeah, that’s for sure
The love and hate is definite without a cure” —“wacced out murals”
From the first bar on the first track, Kendrick wants us to know that, despite near universal acclaim, he’s not immune to hatred — even in his hometown. The mural in question, on the exterior of a Compton restaurant, was vandalized earlier this year with an “OVO” tag, among other verbal detritus.
Snoop posted “Taylor Made,” I prayed it was the edibles —“wacced out murals”
This bar is the facepalm emoji in lyric form. During their recent beef, Drake released a song called “Taylor Made Freestyle” that used computer-simulated voices emulating Tupac and Snoop Dogg. Snoop posted the track to Instagram, which Kendrick is clearly still sore about, but chalked it up to Uncle Snoop’s love for weed. (Snoop clearly still finds all of this hilarious.)
… About Super Bowl snubs
Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud
Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down” —“wacced out murals”
Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me —“wacced out murals”
After Kendrick was announced as the headliner of the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in New Orleans, the typical praise chorus was far quieter. In its stead came (loud) doubts, with Birdman, Master P, Nicki Minaj, and others openly questioning the snub of hometown hero Lil Wayne. So while Kendrick will still get the benefits of the largest promotional vehicle in music, the fact that it comes at the cost of disappointing an artist he looks up to has clearly tarnished the experience. For his part, Wayne appears plagued by hurt feelings and short-term memory loss, wondering “Man Wtf I Do?!” just two months after admitting the snub “broke” him.
… About the war on rappers
Okay, fuck your hip-hop, I watched the party just die
Niggas cackling about— while all of y’all is on trial
Niggas thought that I was antisocial when I stayed inside of my house —“wacced out murals”
It’s hard to tell which specific death or trial Kendrick is referring to here. What’s clear is that he’s hyperaware of the dangers that rappers face. Whether it’s prosecution by the government or violence from other gang members, Kendrick is fearful enough for his freedom and safety to simply stay inside.
… Over bills from his therapist
More money, more power, more freedom
Everything Heaven allowed us, bitch
I deserve it all —“man at the garden”
Kendrick sounds like he’s trying to convince himself that he deserves his success and accolades. The doubt is coming from inside the house…
How annoying, does it angers me to know the lames can speak
On the origins of the game I breathe? That’s insane to me—“man at the garden”
Certain levels of fame and fortune invite criticism from, well, everyone. Including “the lames.” It seems Kendrick has yet to accept this.
I got this fire burnin’ in me from within
Concentrated thoughts on who I used to be, I’m sheddin’ skin
Every day, a new version of me, a third of me demented, cemented in pain
Juggling opposing kinds of fame
I don’t know how to make friends, I’m a lonely soul —“reincarnated”
“Reincarnated” is a fascinating exercise in exploring the concept of reincarnation, imagining a spiritual connection to the ancestors. But before his trip through the past, he sets the emotional stage by reflecting on his painful growth as a remedy for his struggles with loneliness and self-doubt. He seeks not pity but salvation, searching for the fire to fuel his personal growth. It’s commendable, if a little sad.
… About BFFs
To all my young niggas, let me be the demonstration
How to conduct differences with a healthy conversation
If that’s your family, then handle it as such
Don’t let the socials gas you up or let emotions be your crutch—“heart pt. 6”
“Heart pt. 6” is a full-on nostalgia trip, with Kendrick reminiscing on a time when TDE was underground, Jay Rock was about to be the major label star, Ab-Soul was the genius lyricist, and Schoolboy Q wasn’t even rapping. But there’s a clear undertone of regret in how his relationship with TDE and Black Hippy dissolved, evidenced by this attempt at wise words directed at those who may follow in his footsteps. He’s achieved nearly everything someone in his position can achieve. But mans still misses making music with his best friends.
… About “Family Ties”
Nigga feel like he entitled ’cause he knew me since a kid
Bitch, I cut my granny off if she don’t see it how I see it, hm
Got a big mouth but he lack big ideas —“tv off”
Play that opp shit around me, I’ma tell you, “Turn it off”
Heard what happened to your mans, not sorry for your loss —“peekaboo”
True bitterness transcends even death. #RIPBOZO.
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