Mustard Reacts to Kendrick Lamar’s Surprise Album ‘GNX’
Kendrick Lamar Mustard has shared his thoughts on Kendrick Lamar’s unexpected album release, GNX, revealing intriguing insights about the track “TV Off,” which serves as a direct continuation of their Grammy-nominated hit “Not Like Us.”
Kendrick Lamar Surprise for Everyone
In a shocking turn of events, Kendrick Lamar dropped his sixth studio album, GNX, on Friday, November 22, without prior warning. The album features collaborations with SZA and showcases production talents from Mustard—who also co-produced “Not Like Us”—alongside notable producers like Sounwave and Jack Antonoff. With its 12 tracks spanning just under 45 minutes, GNX has captured the attention of both fans and critics alike.
Reflecting on the surprise release, Mustard stated, “You know what’s crazy? It was a surprise for me, just like it was for everyone else. I was half-expecting it to drop at the beginning of next year or around the Super Bowl. I was actually in the gym when I saw Kendrick post a snippet and thought, ‘Oh man, this is probably coming next week.’ Then, just like that, the whole album was out within ten minutes.”
The Standout Track: “TV Off”
Among the standout tracks is “TV Off,” a collaboration co-produced by Mustard with Sean Momberger, Sounwave, Antonoff, and Kamasi Washington. Mustard emphasized that the song’s connection to “Not Like Us” was intentional. Interestingly, he hadn’t heard the completed version of “TV Off” until its release, leading to an exhilarating reaction. “What did I think? I was losing it. I already know I’m doing my thing with the beats, but Kendrick? He’s the best rapper, bro. No doubt.”
Mustard explained that he created “TV Off” around the same time as “Not Like Us,” but the two parts of the song were crafted at different times, featuring distinct beats. “The first half was very much in the same vein as ‘Not Like Us,’ while the second half came from a different project I was working on. I thought, ‘Let me send this to Kendrick and see if he vibes with it.’ He loved it.”
An Unforgettable Moment for Kendrick Lamar
Perhaps one of the most electrifying moments in “TV Off” is the seamless transition where Kendrick shouts “Mustaaaaaaaaard.” Mustard couldn’t contain his excitement—“That s— was elite. It’s so fire. Is that my new tag? I can’t wait to perform it and hear the crowd join in!”
The Creation of “Hey Now”
Another track, “Hey Now,” also sees Mustard’s touch. He crafted this beat 3-4 years ago on his own, before Sounwave and Antonoff contributed to its development. “I knew that if I got the right artist on this, it would shine. When I sent it to Kendrick, he immediately recognized its potential and told me he knew exactly what to do with it.”
Ongoing Collaboration
“I have this habit of wanting to send Kendrick something every day,” Mustard added. “I’m always curious about what’s next. Just this morning, I was texting him, asking, ‘What do you need from me?’ Whatever it is, I’m fully committed to keep creating and collaborating.”
Kendrick’s Diverse Collaborations
In related news, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX features prominent collaborations, including a Mariachi singer Deyra Barrera, who recounts her chance encounter with Lamar at a Dodgers game, leading to her inclusion on three songs from the album: “All this happened so quickly for me.”
As the music world absorbs the brilliance of Kendrick Lamar’s GNX, fans eagerly anticipate what’s next from both the iconic rapper and the superproducer Mustard. Their collaboration promises to remain a notable chapter in contemporary music.
