TV off — Kendrick Lamar Lyrics

The Buick Grand National GNX is a high-performance variant of the Grand National, a mid-size car produced from 1982 to 1987. It was introduced in 1987 as a limited-production model, with only 547 units produced. In March 2024, eight months before his surprise dropped his album GNX, Kendrick Lamar posted about purchasing the car and giving an insight into what the car meant to him.

Kendrick's refusal to hold back and his commitment to delivering raw truth is evident in his music. He expresses his frustration with societal norms and his refusal to hold back, even when it's uncomfortable. He acknowledges that people often want bold content, and he's willing to deliver it, regardless of the consequences. In his 2017 track "DNA," Kendrick expresses his frustration with racism and societal prejudice, using the sample of Geraldo Rivera's controversial comments about hip-hop to highlight how the media often distorts the experiences of Black people. More recently, in his 2022 song "Auntie Diaries," Kendrick addresses gender identity and trans acceptance, topics that aren't often discussed in mainstream rap. Kendrick could also be responding to the demand for hit songs by saying, "Forget the conscious themes for now, you want a bop, I'll give you a bop." He acknowledges that people want something they can vibe to, and he's willing to deliver that, stepping away from his usual deeper, more reflective content to cater to the audience's desire for a banger. The recent beef with Drake has caused Kendrick to come out of his shell, presenting a far more aggressive and hard hitting rapper, one that isn't afraid to take shots and is unapologetic in his actions. This was evident in his "Like That" verse, which saw him send subtle, yet direct shots towards Drake. Following the feature, Kendrick openly fired back at Drake, releasing "Euphoria", "meet the grahams" and "Not Like Us". Kendrick's album as a whole is ruthless, with Kendrick honing into the West Coast beats to take shots on almost every song. He references his difficult and dangerous lifestyle growing up, a mixture of verbose, explicit music that he listened to while surrounded by gangs and their rivals practically encouraged him to use the word. Kendrick also playfully alludes to Revelations 22:13, signifying that God is the beginning and end of all things. The Book of Revelation prophecies an oncoming apocalypse, tying in with Kendrick's revelation of "how to get a nigga gone." In the song "meet the grahaams," Kendrick says, "I am the omega, pgLang, Rollie gang, SIE/Weird niggas' hands could be a shot ad Drake and his label OVO." The song "Turn His TV Off" by Kendrick Lamar is a powerful message that highlights the ongoing struggle of African Americans to obtain their freedom and independence from those who consume contemporary pop culture. The phrase "turn his TV off" aligns with Gil Scott-Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," which serves as a wake-up call to African Americans about the ways in which popular media has compromised and sullied hip hop's cultural impact. The song also addresses white America's larger cultural appropriation of hip hop as a means of perpetuating stereotypical norms of African Americans, maintaining their second class status, and commenting upon Black artists who intentionally portray and profit off of those same stereotypical norms. This insight gives new context to the chorus of Part 1, where the repeated phrase "it's not enough" indicates ongoing challenges to the culture of hip hop that challenges white supremacy, while the repeated use of "somebody gotta do it" indicates the necessary path forward for the culture. The song's title, "Revelation," emphasizes the importance of the larger message this song embodies regarding the path forward for both hip hop culture and Black America writ large. Lamar's choice to focus on the wants and needs of African Americans over those who would rather profit off of those needs points to a larger ongoing dynamic within American culture. The song also features an interpolation from The Notorious B.I.G.'s 1997 track, "Kick in the Door," which features Kendrick shouting out Mustard during the song's intro. This memorable passage has taken social media by storm since its release. DJ Mustard, a legendary West Coast producer known for his iconic producer tag and signature club-oriented style, was sending Kendrick five beats per day at one point, elaborating that he just needed one collaboration between the two to "win the battle" with Drake at the time. Kendrick has singled out another set of Mustard instrumentals in "Tv Off" and "hey now," co-produced with Sounwave and Jack Antonoff. In a November 2024 interview with Billboard, DJ Mustard stated that he thought this transition with Kendrick yelling "Mustard" could possibly be a new tag line for him. The outro by Lefty Gunplay can be interpreted as how Kendrick executed his beef with Drake. Many regard "Euphoria" as the crazy track with disses and bars, "6:16 in LA" as the scary warning shots to not take things further, "meet the Grahams" as spooky due to its cold delivery and scathing lyrics, and finally "Not Like Us" as hilarious making light of the entire situation despite the intense subject matter. These closing lines reinforce the chorus, creating a double entendre about Drake needing to turn the TV off during Kendrick's upcoming Super Bowl Halftime show.

Song Details and Overview

• Featuring Artist(s): Lefty Gunplay
• Producers: Mustard, Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Sean Momberger, Kamasi Washington
• Release Date: November 22, 2024
• Label: pgLang & Interscope Records
• Genre: West Coast Rap, G-Funk, Conscious Hip-Hop
• Album: GNX
• Language(s): English
• Mood: Intense, Confrontational

Exploring the meaning of "tv off"

The song "tv off" sees Kendrick Lamar's lyricism at its sharpest, blending storytelling with critique and self-reflection. Collaborating with DJ Mustard, Sounwave, and others, Kendrick delivers two parts: the first half is steeped in a steady G-Funk groove, while the second flips into a high-energy, aggressive tone. Mustard's signature West Coast influence drives the beat, balancing funk elements with hard-hitting percussive layers. The lyrics serve as a metaphorical call to “turn the TV off,” encouraging listeners to disengage from distractions, mediocrity, and toxic influences. Kendrick emphasizes themes of accountability and survival through lines like "We survived outside, all from the music," reflecting on his reliance on authenticity in an industry plagued by conformity. His verses critique shallow relationships and entitlement: "Bitch, I cut my granny off if she don't see it how I see it," reinforcing his unwillingness to compromise his values.

Part I: Call for Authenticity

In the first part, Kendrick sets the stage with a commanding tone: - "All I ever wanted was a black Grand National" symbolizes ambition and defiance. - The refrain, "It's not enough," repeats Kendrick's frustration with the lack of genuine people in his life, echoing a recurring sense of isolation in his work. - His verse warns listeners about unreliable influences: "Don't put your life in these weird niggas' hands, baby," an acknowledgment of betrayal and self-protection.

Part II: Aggression and Survival

The second part, introduced by Mustard’s beat switch, explodes with energy: - "Turn his TV off" is a metaphor for eliminating threats and distractions, furthered by lines about revolution and resilience. - Lamar's delivery reflects urgency, mixing clever imagery with aggression: "Send him to the moon, that's just how I feel." The line illustrates his readiness to act decisively against opposition. The outro features Lefty Gunplay repeating, "Shit gets crazy, scary, spooky, hilarious," creating an eerie and chaotic ending that mirrors the song’s themes of unpredictability and survival.

Songs similar to tv off

1. Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar: Another Mustard-produced track, "Not Like Us" features sharp lyrics, energetic delivery, and critiques of rivals, much like "tv off." Its aggressive tone and West Coast-inspired production highlight Kendrick's dominance in the rap game.
2. DNA. by Kendrick Lamar: "DNA." from DAMN. mirrors the intensity of "tv off," focusing on themes of identity, survival, and cultural critique. Both tracks showcase Kendrick’s ability to switch flows and deliver introspective yet combative messages.
3. M.A.A.D City by Kendrick Lamar: This iconic song shares "tv off"'s themes of survival and street life. Both tracks combine storytelling with raw lyricism and layered production to explore harsh realities.
4. HUMBLE. by Kendrick Lamar: With similar energy and a focus on accountability, "HUMBLE." delivers a minimal yet powerful beat, complementing Kendrick's call to action much like "tv off."
5. King Kunta by Kendrick Lamar: "King Kunta" shares "tv off"'s G-Funk roots and social commentary. Both songs emphasize self-empowerment and challenge mediocrity in their lyrics.
6. Alright by Kendrick Lamar: Known for its uplifting tone, "Alright" touches on resilience and survival, themes central to "tv off." Kendrick’s poetic delivery unifies the struggles he addresses in both songs.
7. Grindin’ by Clipse: Similar in aggression and rawness, "Grindin’" explores themes of hustling and survival, much like Kendrick's focus in "tv off." The minimalist production allows the verses to shine.
8. Go DJ by Lil Wayne: Sharing West Coast production influences, "Go DJ" highlights sharp lyricism and a dominant flow. Kendrick and Wayne both emphasize perseverance and self-confidence through energetic tracks.

Chart Performance and Awards

• "tv off" debuted at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending November 28, 2024.
• The song quickly gained momentum for its sharp lyricism and Mustard's dynamic production.

The track’s combination of raw lyricism and signature West Coast production is a testament to Kendrick Lamar’s continued influence in modern hip-hop.

Music critic in a November 2024 review

Reactions

Drake recently took a playful jab at Kendrick Lamar’s booming new track “TV Off” from the surprise-released album “GNX.” After Lamar’s project dropped on November 22, it quickly conquered the charts, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and sending seven of its songs into the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10. Among them, “TV Off” hit No. 2, backed by a distinctive, shout-out style “MUSTARRRRRD!” call honoring the track’s producer, Mustard. During a recent Los Pollos TV livestream, Drake chimed in with a comment that parodied the now-viral Mustard line. After writing “We need a donut emoji in the chat,” he followed up with “CUSTAAAARRRRRD.” The move came as Lamar’s chart dominance coincided with an intense public feud between the two rap titans. In the days after “GNX” debuted, Drake’s Frozen Moments LLC launched legal actions against Universal Music Group and Spotify, alleging that they used artificial means—such as bots and payola—to boost the popularity of Lamar’s Drake diss track “Not Like Us.” UMG swiftly denied these claims as “offensive and untrue.” A second filing soon followed, accusing iHeartRadio of accepting payments from UMG to promote Lamar’s music and charging UMG with defamation for allowing “Not Like Us” to refer to Drake as a “certified pedophile” and “predator.” Both filings mark a dramatic turn in the rivalry, which began months earlier as both artists exchanged rapid-fire diss records. Meanwhile, Mustard, the producer behind the viral “TV Off” shout, is relishing his achievements. On December 2, he proudly pointed out the track’s high chart positions and declared that he’s “just getting started.” Summary: In short, after Kendrick Lamar’s surprise album “GNX” seized top chart positions and featured a standout track “TV Off” with a humorous “MUSTARRRRRD!” shout, Drake responded by playfully mocking that viral phrase, replacing it with “CUSTAAAARRRRRD.” This exchange unfolds amid a larger, escalating feud between the two rappers, complete with legal battles and accusations of artificial chart manipulation. Producer Mustard is enjoying the spotlight, while both Drake and Lamar remain locked in a high-profile clash that stretches from music releases into the courtroom.

Kendrick Lamar Replaces His Own Hit Atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart

Kendrick Lamar continues to dominate the hip-hop landscape as his track “TV Off,” featuring Lefty Gunplay, has taken the No. 1 spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. This achievement is particularly noteworthy because “TV Off” replaces another Lamar hit, “Squabble Up,” which now settles at No. 3. Both songs appear on Lamar’s latest album, GNX, which itself secures a second consecutive week atop the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. “TV Off” thrives on a strong blend of streaming numbers, digital sales, and growing radio airplay. Despite a notable dip in streams compared to the previous week, the track still claims the title of most-streamed R&B/hip-hop song and rises to No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs. It also maintains a sturdy position in digital sales and makes a promising debut on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. A key factor driving “TV Off” is its now-viral moment: a spirited shout of producer Mustard’s name that has captivated fans and turned into a social media meme. Lamar’s replacement of his own single at the top places him in a rare club of artists who have managed this chart feat. It also marks his sixth overall No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and notably, the first one to ascend rather than debut at the summit. For featured artist Lefty Gunplay, “TV Off” brings a career milestone with his first-ever chart-topping hit. Lamar’s consistent ability to reach and maintain chart supremacy underscores both his commercial appeal and his influence on the genre. Even as holiday classics rise on the Billboard Hot 100, “TV Off” remains the top non-seasonal track, solidifying Lamar’s status as a premier artist of his era. Over the past year, the rapper has demonstrated a knack for both surprise releases and sustained chart success. His consistent presence at the summit reflects not only the strength of his latest project, but the continued evolution of his sound and creative approach. Ultimately, “TV Off” exemplifies Lamar’s ability to navigate the ever-changing musical landscape and hold firm at the top, ensuring his place among the contemporary hip-hop elite.