Kendrick Lamar’s decision to exclude ‘Not Like Us’ from ‘GNX’ surprised fans and sparked curiosity.
- The unexpected release of ‘GNX’ added to its buzz and became a significant cultural moment in hip-hop.
- TDE Punch offered an explanation, attributing the decision to Kendrick’s artistic integrity.
- The song ‘Not Like Us’ was meant for a battle, not the album, hence its exclusion.
- The omission kept the album’s strength intact, echoing lessons learned by other artists.
Kendrick Lamar’s move to leave ‘Not Like Us’ off his album ‘GNX’ left many fans scratching their heads. The song was huge, and everyone thought it would be perfect as a lead single. But there was a method to this madness.
The sudden drop of ‘GNX’ caught everyone off guard, especially as it followed his epic Super Bowl announcement by just two months. Fans and critics buzzed about it, and it’s easy to see why this album might go down as one of hip-hop’s defining works.
But back to ‘Not Like Us’—why wasn’t it there? TDE Punch, Kendrick’s former boss, gave a straightforward answer: integrity. During a Q&A on X, Punch mentioned the song was crafted for a specific battle, not for the album.
In his words, “Integrity. That record was for the battle. The album was a separate thing. Could have put it on there to boost overall sales but choose to leave it for what it was. Integrity.” The decision reflects Kendrick’s commitment to keeping the project focused.
The choice to leave the track out preserved the album’s essence, reinforcing its artistic value. Punch further hinted that adding ‘Not Like Us’ might have overshadowed the album’s brilliance, a lesson learned the hard way by others like J. Cole.
While TDE Punch didn’t spill all the beans about Kendrick’s process, he left the door open for Kendrick to share more details. His cryptic reply, “Lol. That’s all I got champ. He can speak on that if he ever choose to,” leaves us all hanging.
In essence, Kendrick’s decision not only maintained the integrity of ‘GNX’ but also ensured that it stays a masterpiece without the need for added commercial flair.
Kendrick Lamar’s artistic integrity in leaving ‘Not Like Us’ off ‘GNX’ only adds to the album’s greatness.
