Ben Shelton gives shoutout to Kendrick Lamar's song "wacced out murals" as rapper drops new album "GNX"

Ben Shelton this week shared a picture of his car's stereo playing Kendrick Lamar's "wacced out murals" from his new album, "GNX." The album was released online on Friday (Nov. 22). Shelton recently lost to Thanasi Kokkinakis in the opening game of the USA's quarterfinal tie against Australia.

Shelton, who has a career-high singles ranking of World No. 13, won his first title on clay at the 2024 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in April. He became the youngest player to win the title since Andy Roddick in 2002.

He also reached the quarterfinals at the Cincinnati Open. He suffered a loss to his friend Frances Tiafoe in the third round of the 2024 US Open. After recording strong performances at the Laver Cup, the 22-year-old took to the court at the Davis Cup in Malaga, losing to Thanasi Kokkinakis in a thrilling deciding set tiebreaker.

Shortly after, he shared a picture taken in a car. He was seemingly driving while listening to American rapper and songwriter Kendrick Lamar's song 'wacced out murals.' Shelton shared a picture of the moment on his Instagram stories.

Ben Shelton shouts out to Kendrick lamar; Instagram - @benshelton

At the 2024 Miami Open, he picked Jon Bon Jovi as his greatest all-time artist. He also met the singer and received a shoutout from him.

Among his other exploits this year, Shelton battled it out with World No. 31 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the final of the Swiss Indoors, where the latter beat him 6-4, 7-6(4) to lift his first ATP 500 title. The 2023 US Open semi-finalist then competed at the Paris Masters, where he advanced to the second round before losing in straight sets to French player Arthur Cazaux.

---

Ben Shelton once opened up about his love for Afro-beats

Ben Shelton at the Rolex Paris Masters 2024 - Day 2 - (Source: Getty)

When an interviewer asked Ben Shelton to recognize songs from several artists in 2023, he revealed that A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie introduced him to rap.

"The guy, who like, originally got me into rap," he said (via Public Opinion YouTube).

He also mentioned that Central Cee was his favorite artist. However, amid the 2024 Wimbledon, he credited his fellow US player Frances Tiafoe, who he lovingly referred to as 'Big Foe', for introducing him to Afro beats, which then became his go-to.

He said (via Tennis Channel):

"A lot of Afro-beats, actually, you know. ‘Big Foe’ kind of helped put me on and yeah I’ve gone away from rap but still listening to a little British rap as well." (3:56).

Shelton reached a Grand Slam semifinal at the 2023 US Open. Among other achievements, he also made it to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Australian Open and third round of the 2024 French Open.