Kendrick Lamar has taken things way back — as in, to the 1980s and ’90s — in his new video for GNX standout “squabble up.”
The clip, released on Monday (November 25), was directed by Calmatic. It features several nods to Los Angeles Hip Hop history.
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There is a woman facing away from the camera, wearing a white swimsuit and holding a rifle, just as Darlene Ortiz was on the back cover of Ice-T‘s 1988 classic Power.
In addition, an oversized copy of Nate Dogg‘s 1997 G Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2 CD swings from a chandelier during a different sequence.
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Check out the video below.
The track, an early fan favorite from Kendrick’ surprise drop GNX, is expected to debut at number one on the next Billboard Hot 100 single chart, per Chart Data.
“squabble up” is far from the only GNX track to get attention. Album opener “wacced out murals” got a response from none other than Snoop Dogg.
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On the track, the title of which nods to a Compton mural of Kendrick being defaced by a Drake fan earlier this year, the Pulitzer Prize winner shares his thoughts on Snoop Dogg’s support of the 6 God.
“Snoop posted ‘Taylor Made,’ I prayed it was the edibles/ I couldn’t believe it, it was only right for me to let it go,” he raps, indicating that he has since gotten over the perceived slight.
“Taylor Made” is, of course, a reference to Drake’s controversial diss song “Taylor Made Freestyle,” which featured AI-generated vocals from Snoop Dogg and 2Pac, two of Kendrick’s favorite artists.
After the song’s release, Tha Doggfather posted a video of his somewhat bemused reaction in which he said: “They did what? When? How? Are you sure? [Sigh] Y’all have a good night. [Laughs] Why everybody calling my phone, blowing me up?”
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He later appeared to co-sign the track, which has since been taken down to a legal threat from 2Pac’s estate, by posting it on his Instagram Stories and writing: “90s Hip Hop Forever.”
On Friday (November 22), Uncle Snoop responded to Kendrick, praising the album and admitting (or perhaps joking) that yes, it really was the edibles that were responsible for his Drizzy praise.
K dot new album GNX 💥🔥🔥🔥🔥🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤 It was the edibles 🤦🏾 😆👊🏿 west west king 🔥🎶💫
— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) November 22, 2024
Elsewhere on the track, Kendrick finally responds to the backlash surrounding his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, specifically the notion that he denied Lil Wayne the opportunity to headline the big game in his hometown of New Orleans.
