Kendrick Lamar Rules ARIA Charts Again with Surprise Album ‘GNX’

Kendrick Lamar has done it again. The Grammy-winning rap visionary surprised fans with the release of GNX, which made a No. 1 debut on the ARIA Albums Chart.

This latest achievement cements Kendrick’s reputation as a chart titan in Australia, marking his third No. 1 album Down Under, following the critically acclaimed To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022).

The album’s arrival couldn’t have come with better timing—or sharper edges. Fresh off a public feud with Drake, Kendrick used GNX to double down on his artistry, showcasing a bold mix of sharp lyricism and genre-pushing production. Fans responded in droves, sending four tracks from the album—“Luther,” “Squabble Up,” “TV Off,” and “Wacced Out Murals”—straight into the top 20 of the ARIA Singles Chart, alongside six others breaking into the top 50.

GNX also delivers a nostalgic nod to Lamar’s chart-topping history. His past hits like “Humble” and “All The Stars” have left a lasting impact in Australia, and GNX proves he’s still got the magic touch, blending vulnerability with the kind of braggadocio only K. Dot can pull off. And with his highly anticipated Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance just around the corner, the rap icon is only gaining momentum.

While Kendrick commands the spotlight, Rosé isn’t letting her reign slip away quietly on the ARIA Singles Chart, with her chart-topping collaboration with Bruno Mars, “APT.”, returning to No. 1 for a fourth non-consecutive week, while Rosé’s new single, ‘Number One Girl”, debuts at No. 61 this week. With her solo debut album, rosie, set to drop next week, fans are already bracing for another record-breaking chapter in her career.

Billie Eilish’s “Birds Of A Feather” climbed to No. 31, while Sabrina Carpenter saw multiple entries, including “Taste” at No. 4 and “Espresso” at No. 11.

Elsewhere on the ARIA Chart, Australian talent is making its mark. Sydney rockers RedHook broke into the top 20 with their sophomore effort “Mutation”, debuting at No. 15, while Alex the Astronaut’s “Rage and All Its Friends” landed at No. 19, marking a triumphant return to the charts.