A surprise drop that broke records and fueled rumors of more to come
Kendrick Lamar’s latest album, GNX, has taken the music world by storm, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Released as a surprise on November 22, the album marks Kendrick’s fifth consecutive chart-topping project, joining the ranks of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022), DAMN. (2017), Untitled Unmastered (2016), and To Pimp a Butterfly (2015).
In addition to dominating the charts, GNX delivered the biggest streaming week of the year for any R&B/hip-hop album. Featuring collaborations with West Coast heavyweights like SZA, Roddy Ricch, Mustard, and rising stars such as Dody6, Young Threat, and Siete7x, the album highlights Kendrick’s knack for blending talent to create a cohesive and groundbreaking body of work.
But even as GNX cements its place as one of the year’s biggest releases, fans and industry insiders are speculating that Kendrick isn’t done yet.
Kendrick’s sudden release of GNX has sparked rumors that another album could drop before his highly anticipated 2025 Super Bowl Halftime performance. Here’s why fans think the Compton rapper might have more in store:
- The missing track from the teaser
Just minutes before GNX dropped, Kendrick shared a YouTube teaser featuring a track that didn’t make it onto the album. Fans suspect this track will appear on a subsequent project, hinting that GNX might just be the beginning of a new era. - Hints from DJ Hed and Ab-Soul
DJ Hed, who is close to Kendrick’s TDE camp, referred to GNX as an “appetizer” during a livestream. Ab-Soul, another TDE artist, nearly spilled the beans during the conversation, further fueling speculation. - The Kobe Bryant reference
Deats, a producer on GNX, posted a photo of Kobe Bryant at a press conference saying, “Job’s not finished.” Fans believe this mirrors Kendrick’s mindset and hints at more music on the way. - The inclusion of “The Heart Pt. 6”
The album’s inclusion of “The Heart Pt. 6” aligns with Kendrick’s tradition of releasing a track from The Heart series ahead of a new project. Fans are betting this is a prelude to another album.
With GNX already breaking records, all eyes are now on Kendrick Lamar as fans eagerly await his next move. Whether or not another album drops, Kendrick has solidified his place as a defining artist of his generation.
And with the Super Bowl stage calling, it seems the “Not Like Us” rapper’s work is far from done.
