Kendrick Lamar
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Kendrick Lamar surprised the rap world when he delivered his GNX album last week (Nov. 22). Dot’s sixth LP is a shimmering 12 tracks filled with commercial appeal alongside egotistical, haterade-filled raps over glossy production from a collective that includes Mustard, Sounwave and Jack Antonoff to name a few.
The project also feels very connected to Los Angeles — like Kendrick had a point to prove he hasn’t forgotten about his Compton roots in the midst of his 2024 rap MVP campaign.
When Dot and Drake were entrenched in battle earlier this year, it was a popular knock used by the OVO faithful to ding Lamar about his alleged lack of allegiance to putting on younger artists from the West Coast.
Kendrick appeared to keep that in mind when crafting his latest offering, which enlists a versatile crew of underground rap talents that call California home ranging from AzChike to Dody 6 and Lefty Gunplay.
Tracks like “Dodger Blue” find Lamar shouting out local L.A. high schools and repping his Cali ties. “What school you went to? Gardena, Compton/ Westchester, King/Drew, then we function,” he raps. “Don’t say you hate L.A. when you don’t travel past the 10.”
He even sampled 2Pac’s “Made N—az” for “Reincarnated” where he delivers a brash flow and husky vocals seemingly following in the footsteps of Makaveli.
GNX is another blockbuster for Lamar, who is expected to notch another No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 next week.
Learn more about each burgeoning West Coast rapper to make a cameo on GNX below.
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Dody 6
Appears On: “Hey Now”
Dody 6 is back in full force outside after having his rap dreams interrupted by a seven-year prison bid. The Rollin 40s member joined K. Dot for the ominous “Hey Now” feeling like the Joker. “Who the f–k I feel like? I feel like Joker/ Harley Quinn, I’m in the cut with a blower,” the Southcentral native hauntingly raps. Tyler, the Creator lent his stamp of approval on IG for his assist. Dody teamed up with T.0wee for their Make Vernon Great Again project earlier in 2024.
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AzChike
Appears On: “Peekaboo”
AzChike has long been a TDE affiliate, but is perhaps more recognizable for his “Burn Rubber Again” track or 2022’s Chike Different project. Az impressed with his assist on ScHoolboy Q’s “Movie” from his underrated Blue Lips album earlier this year and the South Central rhymer caps off his year teaming up with K. Dot for “Peekaboo.”
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Lefty Gunplay
Appears On: “TV Off”
“Crazy, scary, spooky, hilarious,” Lefty Gunplay repeats as if the Baldwin Park resident is casting a hypnotic spell on listeners in a devilish twang. The Latino rapper brings fan-favorite “TV Off” across the finish line with his mainstream breakthrough moment, which nobody saw coming from the OTR Records signee. Gunplay’s unleashed four projects to streaming services already in 2024 including Friday’s (Nov. 22) Most Valuable Gangbanger.
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Hitta J3
Appears On: “GNX”
Hitta J3 has been around more than the other L.A. rappers on this list. He even worked with Kendrick before when Dot joined him for the “Do Yo Gudda” remix in 2014 alongside YG and Problem (JasonMartin). A decade later, they spin the block for a West Coast posse cut featuring YoungThreat and Peysoh on GNX‘s title track. Look for a joint project from Hitta with Sacramento’s Mozzy in the future.
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Wallie the Sensei
Appears On: “Dodger Blue”
Even without releasing a project, Wallie the Sensei made sure to squeeze everything he could out of 2024. The Compton rhymer hopped on stage at Kendrick Lamar’s Pop Out concert in June and delivered a brimming chorus on GNX‘s ode to L.A. “Dodger Blue.” 2025 could set Wallie up for another leap as he was recently spotted in the studio with Travis Scott.
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Siete7x
Appears On: “Dodger Blue”
Siete7x lends his AutoTune-drenched vocals to “Dodger Blue” alongside Dot and Wallie the Sensei, giving the West Coast track a brighter texture. His melodic raps mixed with softer warbling bring a new flavor to the Compton scene. Big 7 put his versatile reportoire on display with the poignant “Real True Story” earlier in November via Empire.
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YoungThreat
Appears On: “GNX”
YoungThreat’s ghastly flow could narrate an L.A. haunted house. He turns the lights out and heartrates up with an ominous verse to close out the GNX title track. Threat’s welcoming droves of new fans at the perfect time as the Shady 80s affiliate supplied a pair of independent projects earlier in 2024 with South Central Baby and 83 Ways Out.
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Peysoh
Appears On: “GNX”
“Tell em Peysoh did it”: The Mexican rhymer delivered one of the more memorable bars on a Kendrick Lamar album. Chicano rap gets on the board before 2024 expires as Peysoh appeared on GNX‘s title track narrating his gritty come-up with a smooth guest verse. Hear more of Peysoh’s Maywood street tales on another major collab when the 20-year-old teamed up with Memphis’ NLE Choppa for the menacing “2+2” earlier in November.