Dissect Podcast Episode Summary Episode Title: What's the Best Song on GNX? | LAST SONG STANDING
Release Date: April 15, 2025
Host/Authors: Cole Kushna & Charles Holmes, The Ringer

1. Introduction and Special Announcements

At the outset of the episode, Cole Kushna informs listeners about a short break from their ongoing analysis of Kendrick Lamar's albums Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers. During this hiatus, Cole promises special weekly episodes leading up to the release of an in-depth analysis of Kendrick's highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime show.

Cole Kushna [00:00]: "I'll finally be releasing the long awaited analysis of Kendrick's Super Bowl halftime show... I believe it's the most comprehensive analysis of the show to date."

He also introduces today’s special episode of Last Song Standing, a segment where he and Charles Holmes deliberate to crown the best song from an artist's catalog—this time focusing on Kendrick Lamar's latest album, GNX.

2. Last Song Standing: GNX Edition

Charles Holmes joins Cole in Los Angeles to discuss whether any tracks from GNX deserve a spot among Kendrick Lamar's all-time best songs, serving as an addendum to their previous season on Kendrick.

Charles Holmes [01:08]: "I felt this. The day it dropped, I felt it months later. I feel it today. I think GNX is Kendrick's best album. It's my favorite album of his."

3. Initial Impressions of GNX

Charles advocates strongly for GNX, praising its consistency and replay value, contrasting it with Kendrick’s earlier, more narrative-driven albums like Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and To Pimp a Butterfly. Cole, while enjoying the album's accessibility, expresses ambivalence, noting its lack of intricate storytelling as both a strength and a potential weakness in a "best album" debate.

Cole Kushna [04:33]: "But we're talking about an all-time discography... I just want to hear it all the time. So it definitely has, at least for me right now, the most replay value of a Kendrick album."

4. Thematic Exploration of GNX

The duo delves into the thematic elements of GNX, highlighting its departure from Kendrick's introspective themes towards a more assertive and confident tone, possibly influenced by his ongoing beef with Drake.

Charles Holmes [08:19]: "This is actually the record where I feel like Kendrick is being his most day-to-day self... GNX is not maybe his most artistically impactful album, but it’s a great album for its replayability."

5. Album Trivia Segment

Cole and Charles engage in a trivia segment to test their knowledge about GNX. They touch upon interesting facts such as the album's release year, limited production run, and the background of specific tracks like "Whacked Out Murals" and "Squabble Up."

Cole Kushna [26:00]: "According to producer Rascal, he sent Kendrick a beat for a song that made the album just two days before the album's release. What song is it?"

Charles Holmes [26:21]: "GnX title track."

6. Song Nominations and Analysis

Each host nominates two standout tracks from GNX:

• Charles Holmes: Whacked Out Murals and TV Off
• Cole Kushna: Squabble Up and Peekaboo

They provide detailed analyses, discussing lyrical content, production quality, and the songs' cultural impacts. Charles emphasizes the significance of Whacked Out Murals in addressing real-life incidents and feuds, while Cole highlights the infectious beats and versatility of Squabble Up.

Charles Holmes [29:36]: "Whacked Out Murals produced by Soundwave, Doggy Jack Antonoff, etc. I think that's everything that makes Kendrick special..."

Cole Kushna [43:41]: "It's a flawless song to me in terms of lyric. Everything you want Kendrick to accomplish in a hit single, it does it in spades."

7. Debating the Final Pick

After thorough discussion, Cole and Charles deliberate between their nominations to decide on the ultimate Last Song Standing from GNX. They weigh factors like replayability, lyrical depth, and cultural resonance.

Cole Kushna [89:08]: "Do you feel an affinity I could make. I could make a case for either."

Charles Holmes [90:14]: "And I think if we take the Super Bowl performance into consideration, TV Off is something that you rarely get in a rap battle."

Ultimately, they select TV Off as the top song from GNX, though they acknowledge it doesn't make it into their all-time top five Kendrick songs.

8. Final Rankings and Reflections

The hosts reveal their top five Kendrick Lamar songs from the Last Song Standing season, ensuring that GNX tracks like TV Off are considered but remain outside the elite tier.

Charles Holmes [93:34]: "So our new list would be Mad City at number one, Sing About Me, Not Like Us, Money Trees, DNA, etc."

9. Industry Commentary: Kendrick vs. Drake

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Kendrick Lamar's position in the rap industry, especially in contrast to Drake. They analyze how Kendrick's strategic releases and authentic artistry have positioned him as a premier artist, while critiquing Drake's perceived stagnation and commercial overexposure.

Cole Kushna [99:07]: "If Drake had won over Kendrick Lamar, that says something really gross about where we are today... the artist won."

Charles Holmes [101:16]: "He's in the conversation. He's not the goat. He's not the greatest. But... he is 100% without argument in that conversation."

10. Conclusion and Future Episodes

Cole and Charles wrap up the episode by expressing their admiration for Kendrick Lamar's artistry and forecasting future episodes of Last Song Standing post-Mr. Morale season. They also hint at exploring their favorite records from the ongoing Drake-Kendrick beef in upcoming segments.

Cole Kushna [108:40]: "Thanks for joining Dissect again. We're going to be back with Last Song Standing..."

Notable Quotes

• Cole Kushna [04:33]: "But we're talking about an all-time discography... I just want to hear it all the time."

• Charles Holmes [09:00]: "Kendrick doesn't really do that. Kendrick, thematically each album..."

• Cole Kushna [27:15]: "Yeah, exactly."

• Charles Holmes [35:35]: "This is everything that for years I feel like Kendrick..."

• Cole Kushna [43:28]: "I love this song. So this was on your short list?"

• Charles Holmes [71:05]: "Rappers always try to do this where they'll have, like, a big hit and then they'll try to make the sister record to the hit."

• Cole Kushna [85:10]: "It's a perfect example of... when they get to drop the songs..."

This episode of Dissect offers an in-depth exploration of Kendrick Lamar's GNX, blending musical analysis with industry insights. Through engaging debate and thoughtful commentary, Cole and Charles provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the album's impact and its standing within Kendrick's illustrious career.