"Hey Now" is a song recorded by Kendrick Lamar with a feature verse from Zarius "Dody6" Cunningham, a Los Angeles rapper who recently left prison. It is the fifth track on Lamar's sixth studio album, GNX, which was surprise released under PGLang and Interscope Records on November 22, 2024. The song was produced by Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, and Mustard and interpolates D4L's song, "Scotty".
Critical reception
Passion of the Weiss wrote that the song was "Kendrick at his best. He snarls throughout the hook and his verses, the delivery is scathing, and he realizes the ultra-dark whispers of Bris and Young Slo-Be while maintaining their bite and love for blue strips."
Hits Daily Double stated that the song was riddled with "subliminal Drake digs" and "haymakers about strangling goats". Forte similarly speculated the song to be a subtle reflection on the Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud.
Remix
On Christmas 2024, Tyler, the Creator released a freestyle remix and music video of "Hey Now" titled "That Guy". Lyrically, the freestyle remix discusses Tyler's riches and possessions, as well as his guest appearance at Lamar's event, The Pop Out: Ken & Friends; he also hints at the possibility of a deluxe version of Chromakopia. The music video features Tyler in Los Angeles with several Odd Future alumni including Jasper Dolphin, Travis Bennett, and Lionel Boyce.
Charts
References
