Sounwave played a pivotal role as the lead producer on Kendrick Lamar's album GNX, shaping its sound and direction with his signature style and innovative approach.

Cultural impact

• The album's experimental production, blending West Coast hip-hop with Latin influences, was widely praised and credited with pushing genre boundaries.

• A close-collaborator of Lamar since 2009, Sounwave has been an ingrained producer in the music industry, also having collaborated with SZA, JAY-Z, ScHoolboy Q & more.

Critical response

• Pitchfork noted that Sounwave's production on GNX "anchors the album's experimental edge while maintaining Lamar's signature intensity." Read full review

• The Guardian highlighted the album's "adventurous arrangements" and credited Sounwave for helping Lamar expand his sonic palette. Read full review

• The New York Times described GNX as "an impressive but slight collection of flag-planting thumpers, puffed-chest posse cuts, conceptual experiments and moments of introspection," with Sounwave's production providing a strong foundation. Read full review