The Necessity of Wrath

An indirect review of GNX and brief reflection on Kendrick Lamar's legacy

This album came out of nowhere.

However, I'm somewhere between not understanding why it was made and why it arrived at the perfect time. When you look at Kendrick Lamar's discography, he really has been pushing himself in a creative, topic-wise, lyrical, historical, and familial fashion. I think a lot about what he means to the West Coast. I think a lot about what he means to the culture. I think a lot about what he means to music. I also think about what he means to literature as the only rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize. That speaks to a level of mastery in the art that surpasses what we traditionally expect in Hip-Hop–  especially in today's eras of Lil’s and whatever else we find in the mess of the copycat era we are in. Kendrick, being the bold writer he is, dare I say, a lyrical activist, continues to force us to look at ourselves. He continues to force us to reflect on how we're being influenced. Most importantly, he forces us to reflect on what certain things mean to us as well as what we mean to others.

In his recent interview with SZA, he replied to a question regarding the root of the surge of energy he gets from his records, “I don’t believe I’m an angry person. But I do believe in love and war, and I believe they both need to exist.” This couldn't be more truer, especially in today's time where Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives are being erased from or rewritten in company policies. I'm intrigued with how Kendrick continues to make us look at the programmed truth as well as the bare truth that we cannot look away from. To look at the mirror so deeply that you not only assess how flawed you are but also learn to appreciate the flaws that you have. GNX is an ode to the younger Kendrick who created persona songs– embodying all the people he lost while envisioning the man he’d become.

I'm intrigued that though some folks may not listen to Kendrick in the club, some people may not listen to him at home. I dare say that, despite these things, people will still listen. They will turn on Loyalty, ADHD, and Sing About Me and listen until they can't anymore. Kendrick doesn’t sway to one side (unless it’s the west side) in each track of GNX. He analyzes the idea of having a legacy and how to continue to reach for higher levels from start to finish.  I'm inspired. I'm motivated. I'm curious as to what will be the next version of Kendrick Lamar that we’ll experience if this iteration is his way of paying homage, paying it forward, and addressing how far he has come in his journey. 

I am also slightly concerned because  if this is the first half of the deluxe he’s teasing–

What in the world is on the second half?