Kendrick Lamar’s GNX: DJ Mustard, Jack Antonoff, & Sounwave on Crafting a Bold and Unique Sound
Released November 22, 2024, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX became one of the biggest albums of the year. Multiple streams and award nominations later, the album is still riding a wave of success. With so many hits to choose from, one can’t help but wonder how everything came to fruition. Although that question has many answers, one thing is certain: Fans still can’t get enough of the delight that is GNX.
The Origin and Creative Process of GNX
The album’s title references the 1987 special edition Buick Regal GNX. Also featured with Lamar on the album’s cover, the car is from Buick’s golden era in the 1980s. An abbreviation of Grand National Experimental, the featured GNX’s year of 1987 is also Lamar’s birth year. The album was developed after the completion of Lamar’s album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022). During this time, Lamar was reportedly recording between 80 and 100 songs.
The final result was narrowed down to 12 tracks for the final release. These particular tracks became the classic lineup. The album transpired from a lengthy period of evolving artistic vision and experimentation. The album also features collaborations with notable artists such as Roddy Ricch and SZA. GNX was the result of an intense creative process driven by three talented producers: DJ Mustard, Jack Antonoff and Sounwave.
The Dream Team: DJ Mustard, Jack Antonoff and Sounwave
In 2011, DJ Mustard rose to prominence with his production on Tyga’s song “Rack City”. The hit single peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified 2× platinum. During the process, he developed his signature production style. In 2024, Mustard’s hit list became even stronger when he produced Lamar’s stellar diss track “Not Like Us”. The Grammy-winning song became his first production to peak atop the Billboard Hot 100. On the album, the Los Angeles native also co-produced Hey Now” and the insanely popular “TV Off”.
Hailing from Bergenfield, New Jersey, Jack Antonoff is a key producer on the album. He is known for his work with many artists such as Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift. Showcasing his skills on 11 of the album’s 12 tracks, Antonoff’s eclectic abilities shined tremendously. This was all with the exception of “Peekaboo”. Known Antonoff’s production on GNX remains noted for synth-heavy elements and lush timbres.
Sounwave played a central role in the creation of GNX. He has proven his skills co-producing all 12 tracks on the album. His unique blend of West Coast funk gave the album a nostalgic feel. The Los Angeles born, Compton bred producer has been collaborating with Lamar since 2009.
The Prolific Outcome of GNX
At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Lamar’s “Not Like Us” won all five awards for which it was nominated. A historical moment in hip-hop, the song took home Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video. To date, GNX has earned Lamar nine Grammy nominations for the 2026 ceremony including, Album of the Year. Although the album has not yet won any Grammys, things could change next year. The album’s nominations also include Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
