Album Overview: “GNX” – A Global Hit Across Streaming Platforms
Happy Saturday! While you were asleep, Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX” hit No. 1 in 81 countries on Apple Music. He also became the first artist to score five #1 singles on US Apple Music in 2024, with tracks like “Like That,” “Euphoria,” “Not Like Us,” “Wacced Out Murals,” and “Squabble Up.”
In under 24 hours, “Squabble Up” dethroned his own “Wacced Out Murals” to claim the top spot on US Apple Music.
Fans across major music markets, including Canada, the US, the UK, and South Africa, have strongly supported Lamar’s surprise project, released on Friday, November 22, 2024. Even in Jamaica, the heartland of reggae and dancehall, the project claimed the top spot.
Across African in countries such as Algeria, Angola, Mozambique, Kenya and Malawi, the hiphop project surges to No. 1 on Apple Music.
On iTunes “GNX” also secures multiple #1 positions, in Australia, Canada, and South Africa. These countries are key music markets, and the album’s ability to top the charts in these territories signals its widespread commercial appeal.
Additionally, the album has reached #2 in markets like Mexico, Philippines, and France, which speaks to its increasing visibility and the global nature of its fanbase.
On Deezer, the album continues to shine, with strong positions in countries like Jamaica (#9), South Africa (#77), and Kenya (#60). These countries reflect the album’s deep roots in reggae and its continued success in markets where Caribbean and African music have a significant impact.
The album’s performance in Algeria and Senegal, at #31 and #49 respectively, highlights its rising popularity in North and West Africa, regions with a growing interest in international genres, especially those with African diaspora roots.
Lamar used the project respond to Drake’s attempt to mock Kendrick’s “The Heart” series countering with “Heart Pt. 6.” On the album, producers Sounwave and Jack Antonoff create an ethereal soundscape, featuring a Neptune-produced SWV sample, as Kendrick reflects on his early days with TDE, alongside fellow artists like Jay Rock and Ab-Soul.
Despite moments of ego, including a line about being a top-five contender, Lamar humbly acknowledges the failure of his Black Hippy supergroup, taking personal responsibility for its lack of success. This introspection, along with his fresh creative direction, cements GNX as another important addition to his discography.
