Jack Antonoff, Mustard, and Sounwave Discuss the Extended Production Journey for Kendrick Lamar's 'GNX': 'We Created Something Unique'

In November 2024, Kendrick Lamar unexpectedly released his sixth studio album, GNX, with only a brief teaser dropping less than an hour beforehand. For fans and collaborators who had been in Lamars creative orbit over the past three years, the album represented the result of intense collaboration and careful crafting.

Fresh from a highly publicized feud with Drake, Lamar delivered a project that highlighted West Coast hip-hop while reaffirming his roots in Compton. The reception was overwhelmingly positive, earning Lamar nine Grammy nominations for 2026, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year. He also performed at the Super Bowl earlier this year, showcasing his dominance on the world stage.

Lamars vision was realized with the help of producers Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, and Mustard, who were recently recognized as Variety Hitmakers Producers of the Year. Each brought distinct expertise: Sounwave has been Lamars longtime collaborator since 2009 and has worked with artists such as Taylor Swift and Beyonc; Antonoff, a newer addition, is known for his work with Sabrina Carpenter and Lana Del Rey; and Mustard shaped contemporary L.A. hip-hop sounds with artists like YG and Ty Dolla $ign.

Work on GNX began shortly after Lamars 2022 album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. Antonoff and Sounwave, who first connected in 2015, collaborated closely with Lamar. We developed our own thing, the three of us. When you have it, its magical, says Antonoff. The team created between 80 and 100 songs, eventually narrowing them down to the dozen that appeared on the album. Their studio sessions became what Antonoff calls a weird little secret society, exploring ideas without a fixed destination.

Sounwave recalls the process: It started by throwing paint on the wall and grew into this massive funky West Coast groove we love. This experimentation led them to bring in Mustard and Antonoff to elevate the project further. Songs like Not Like Us, Luther featuring SZA, and TV Off featuring Lefty Gunplay became major hits, with Not Like Us debuting during Lamars feud with Drake.

Mustard contributed unconventional beats that diverged from his usual style. He notes, I was sending Kendrick things Id never made before. Thats what he demands something different. The track TV Off combined two of Mustards instrumentals, creating a viral moment when Lamar shouted Mustards name during the beat switch.

The making of Luther exemplified the albums collaborative spirit. Built around a 1982 sample of Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynns If This World Were Mine, the song came together through input from multiple producers and artists, including Sounwave, M-Tech, Roselilah, Ink, and Antonoff. Sounwave describes it as spiritual because every addition felt like a perfect puzzle piece.

Antonoff added layers of guitar and Mellotron, carefully crafting spaces between Kendrick and SZAs vocals. He worked late into the night, ensuring every detail contributed to the tracks immersive world. This meticulous approach extended to the albums final mixes, completed mere hours before the release.

The impact of GNX was immediate. Luther topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 13 weeks, while Not Like Us won Grammys for Song and Record of the Year. For the producers, the album demonstrated that pushing boundaries and experimenting creatively was the key to success. Sounwave reflects, Theres no boundaries. We thrive on reinventing ourselves. Seeing a 60-year-old fan rapping the lyrics word for word is proof of the albums lasting impact.

Author: Connor Blake