Kendrick Lamar Reveals He Felt Like Goku from Dragon Ball Z in “Hello Now” by GNX

Kendrick Lamar’s Anime Inspiration

Kendrick Lamar revealed that while working on his song “Hey Now,” he felt like an anime character, specifically Goku from Dragon Ball Z.

• Read more: Kendrick Lamar – Overview “GNX”: Transformation of Hatred into a Training Moment

Insights from Producer Mustard

In a recent interview with Recording Academy, American producer and DJ Mustard, who is nominated for Producer of the Year at the Grammys, discussed the creation of the song and how he compared the West Coast rapper to the beloved anime character while working on “Hey Now.”

NME previously described the track as “a fun song where computerized percussion transports you to the hottest party to showcase your best C-walk.”

“I heard ‘Hey Now’ while shooting the video for ‘Not Us’; he played me a snippet,” Mustard recalled. “I asked him, ‘Man, what made you do it?’ and he replied, ‘When I heard the beat, I just felt like Goku or something.’ I was perplexed, and he elaborated, ‘Yes, when I hear certain beats, it ignites something within me, so I just let my feelings flow.’ I thought, ‘Wow, that’s incredible.’”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pumlowjxmm

Mustard also shared how the rhythm for “Hey Now” was conceived and how it was passed among various artists before reaching Kendrick Lamar.

“Once I was talking with Kendrick, I mentioned, ‘Dude, I have this really odd beat that I really like. It’s different, but I know I love it,’” he told People. “I sent it to him, and he immediately responded, ‘Oh yeah, I get it.’ I said, ‘Good,’ but I didn’t hear it fully until I was on the set for the video of ‘Not Us.’”

In a glowing five-star review of “GNX,” NME remarked, “Lamar channels what can be perceived as hatred and negativity into a transformative moment, compelling you to embrace the purest emotions known to humanity: love. In a year filled with so much toxicity, Kendrick Lamar offers an antidote through GNX.”

In other news, Lamar recently confirmed that SZA will join him for his highly anticipated Super Bowl show next week (February 9). The duo announced a joint “Great National” tour across North America.