Kendrick Lamar releases surprise album, "GNX"

Kendrick Lamar's sixth studio album, "GNX," was released on Friday with little prior announcement. The album became available on streaming platforms shortly after Lamar teased it with a preview earlier that afternoon.

In 2022, Lamar dropped his previous album, "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers."

The 17-time Grammy Award winner unveiled his latest 12-track album just months before his scheduled headlining performance at Super Bowl LIX in February. The event, hosted at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, marks a major milestone as Lamar returns to the spotlight. This year, he made waves with his hit single "Not Like Us," born from a highly publicized musical feud with fellow rapper Drake. The track is now a nominee for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the Grammys.

The album's opening track, "Wacced Out Murals," delves into Lamar's earlier critiques of the state of modern rap. The song also touches on the backlash he faced from fellow rappers after being named the Super Bowl halftime headliner and references an untitled track he shared on Instagram in September.

In addition to "Not Like Us," Lamar collaborated with Future and Metro Boomin on the hit song "Like That" earlier this year. Following the Super Bowl announcement, Lamar issued a statement celebrating the hip-hop genre.

Lamar last headlined a major event at Lollapalooza in Chicago in 2023.