On Sunday night, Feb. 9, Super Bowl LIX will be played to decide this year’s NFL champion. However, it may not be a football team that is the greatest champion to play on the field that night. The most anticipated part of the night may in fact be halftime headline performer Kendrick Lamar.
On Nov. 22, Lamar released his sixth studio album, “GNX,” unannounced, following a heavily publicized and vicious public criticism against Drake. Drake and Lamar’s feud lasted about nine months, consisting of back-and-forth releases of songs that were increasingly hostile toward the other and, in some scenarios, each other’s families.
Releasing “GNX” after such a viral confrontation with another artist — along with dropping it abruptly with no announcement and with collaborations with artists such as SZA — definitely added to its intrigue and attraction. Even with these collaborators, who aren’t known for taking on larger issues in their music, Lamar is not an artist to drop an album without something to say, and “GNX” is no exception. The album covers topics such as self-discovery and society’s values.
The album opens with Mexican singer Deyra Barrera, singing in Spanish on “Wacced Out Murals,” “Siento aquí tu presencia la noche de anoche y nos ponemos a llorar” — which translates to “I felt your presence here last night and we started to cry.” It’s a beautiful introduction and maybe the most beautiful beginning to one of Lamar’s albums I have ever heard. I was hooked into the album from the beginning. This song starts Lamar’s theme of intertwining critiques of the music industry and personal betrayal from idols.
As in this opening track, Lamar uses the entire album as a way to emphasize and critique the harmful nature of the music industry, specifically stating that it amplifies harmful figures and dilutes the art form’s essence.
Although “GNX” does cover serious topics seemingly seeking to educate us, that does not mean there aren’t songs and lyrics that entertain. Lamar, as he always does, incorporates his serious topics with dense lyrics, making it difficult to discern the underlying meanings but catches the listener’s attention with the upbeat background. While trying to discern the meanings myself, I found myself wishing there was a class I could enroll in just to take apart Lamar’s lyrics and tunes to find the hidden meanings behind them.
After additional tracks, Ms. Barrera’s voice returns in “Reincarnated” — my favorite song due to Lamar’s hidden rap culture references. He allows his anger out in the song while putting himself in the shoes of other Black music legends in each verse.
Lamar gives a list of all the “good” he has done, while then using a different voice, which I assume is to represent a higher power, speaking back to him, correcting him and stating all wrong he has done. Eventually, both characters come to a conclusion that he will evolve into a better artist and human being.
Following the highly publicized dispute with Drake and preceding Lamar’s headlining performance at the Super Bowl, this album was absolutely fantastic. In fact, it is one I will be replaying over and over again to prepare to watch the once and future undisputed champion himself on the night of the Super Bowl.
