Kendrick Lamar, GNX | Bangerz N Bopz

In the 26th edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2025), we highlight “GNX” performed by Grammy and Pulitzer Award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar.  

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 26^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2025), we break down “GNX” performed by Kendrick Lamar.

“Tell ‘em Kendrick did it.” Woo! Indeed, Kendrick Lamar ‘did it’ on “GNX”, the 11^th track from GNX, released in November 2024. Interestingly, the song was recorded just days before the album dropped.  GNX is a reference to a short-lived (1987) turbocharged coupe, the Buick GNX (Grand National Experimental). Lamar owns the rare car, which was released the same year he was born. Even though the song is the title track of the album, it is underrated compared to other songs like “Squabble Up”, “Luther”, or “TV Off” (“Mustard!”). Notably, Anthony Fantano of The Needle Drop listed “GNX” as his least favorite track when reviewing the album. To each his or her own. I find this song, assisted by Hitta J3, YoungThreat, and Peysoh to be an entertaining, kick-ass, minimalist banger. “GNX” debuted at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Despite a minimal sound led by piano and 808s, there are five credited producers: Sounwave, Jack Antonoff (an executive producer), Rascal, Kenny & Billy, and Tim Maxey.

“GNX” bangs from the onset.  It begins with the memorable chorus by K-Dot which is Compton through and though.

“Tell ‘em Kendrick did it, ayy, who showed you how to run a blitz?

Tell ‘em Kendrick did it, who put the West back in front of shit?

Tell ‘em Kendrick did it, ayy, I’m trippin’ and I’m lovin’ it

Tell ‘em Kendrick did it, like wha—

Hi, have you ever been a joint and you know it?

Have you ever had to flip your unemployment?

On the dead guys, nigga, I aint goin’.”

He sets the tone for the rappers who follow. Peysoh raps the first verse, referencing murder several times (“All of my killers on go, like, who said somethin’? / Redrum, all I think about when I see heads come”). Hitta J3 takes the reins in the second verse, recollecting four different ages: 13, 14, 21, and 25.  “Ayy, like it’s Iraq, shooter name Hussein / Ridin’ with the dirty blicky, switchy, make a new flame,” he spits, concluding, “She said I been a dog all my life, bae, can you change? / True to my religion, Cuban links, more than two chains.” YoungThreat is the final voice heard, dropping some mean pop cultural references including “Get on my Bob the Builder shit, get down with the pliers,” and “I’m with some rockstar bitches, they want Lizzie McGuire.” Woo! All silliness aside, he concludes by asserting, “I kept my mouth closed, and I ain’t never leave no witness / D.O.A. up on the scene, tell ‘em YoungThreat did it, nigga.” Word ! Kendrick Lamar and company bring fire to “GNX”, soundtracking the rare sports car and most of all, Compton.

Kendrick Lamar // GNX // pgLang / Interscope // 2024

Kendrick Lamar, GNX: Bangerz N Bopz No. 26 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; pgLang / Interscope; Bigshow Lamar Campton, Daniel Duarte, Eduardo López from Pexels; AcatXIo, djexpectations, OpenClipart-Vectors, Thai Zeo from Pixabay]