Kendrick Lamar has made history as GNX becomes the longest-running No. 1 album to top Billboard’s Top Rap Albums chart.
The award-winning LP has topped the chart for 22 weeks, taking the crown from Pop Smoke’s posthumous album, Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon which held the spot for 21 weeks.
GNX was named Album of the Year at the 2025 BET Awards and is a strong contender for the 2026 Grammys.
When he accepted his win back in June, Lamar expressed, “I ain’t been here in a long time, but I always kept it in my heart. BET always make sure that they representing the culture right and always put me in the midst of the cycle of what we represent and that’s real, true, down-to-earth music that people can feel. So, I always give my heart to BET.”
The rapper and SZA also have the highest grossing co-headlining tour in history. Their Grand National Tour has grossed over $256 million, averaging $11.1 million per show and they’ve sold a whopping total 1.1 million tickets across their domestic trek.
During their Maryland stop in mid-June, SZA praised her longtime collaborator onstage.
“I thought it was just a jam session. [but] he put me onto the biggest moment of my life. This is also the biggest moment of my life,” said the SOS singer while getting emotional. “I’m so thankful, and I’m so thankful to y’all.” The two shared a loving hug before continuing the show.
Lamar’s GNX came two years after Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.
In a February interview with Apple Music, he explained how GNX came about. “[With] GNX, I felt it was just a perfect time ‘cause not only the energy was lost, but it was an energy that was bubbling inside of me as well. I wanted to go back to the forefront of the bite and the grit of rap […] It was a great transition from ‘Mr. Morale,’ because that was my most intimate. I wanted to go inside my psyche and my withdrawals and see how it connects with the public and who can relate. So, during this time around I think it was necessary to come out of that cocoon and feel like, ‘Okay, I’ve arrived now. I can spread my wings and show every state of who I am as far as Kendrick Lamar.’”
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