Kendrick Lamar is basically doing a victory lap that hasn't ended since "Not Like Us" shook the floorboards of the entire music industry. When he surprise-dropped GNX on November 22, 2024, the world stopped. But "Squabble Up" is the one sticking to the ribs of the culture right now. It's fast. It's frantic. It's layered with that West Coast "hyphy" energy that makes you want to move your feet while simultaneously squinting at the lyric sheet to figure out who he's talking to.
Honestly, the Squabble Up lyrics are a puzzle. If you’re just listening for the beat, you’re missing the actual war being waged in the verses.
Reincarnation and the "Dead" Narrative
The song kicks off with a heavy dose of spiritual imagery. Kendrick talks about being "reincarnated" and "stargazing." This isn't just him being poetic for the sake of it. Remember, he ended "Family Matters" with a metaphorical death. By starting "Squabble Up" with a rebirth, he’s telling the world that the old Kendrick—the one who played nice or stayed quiet—is gone.
He mentions waking up looking for "broccoli." Now, in some circles, that’s just slang for weed. But for Kendrick, it’s often a double entendre for growth or green (money/prosperity). He’s focused on his family and his "babies," showing a pivot from the industry's petty squabbles to a more grounded, legacy-focused mindset.
One of the wildest lines involves a "horn" on his seat.
"High key, keep a horn on me, duck on my seat, I pe ownership."
This is Kendrick at his most technical. He’s referencing the saxophone—specifically the 23 keys of a sax—while also alluding to a "horn" as a firearm. It’s that duality of the West Coast: the art and the violence sitting right next to each other on the passenger seat.
The Deep West Coast Samples in Squabble Up Lyrics
If the beat sounds familiar, it's because Kendrick and producers Sounwave and Jack Antonoff reached back into the crates for some serious California history.
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- Debbie Deb’s "When I Hear Music": This 1984 freestyle classic provides the backbone. It’s a direct nod to the dance culture of LA and the Bay Area.
- Ohio Players' "Funky Worm": The high-pitched synth whistle you hear throughout the track? That’s the "Funky Worm." It’s a staple of G-Funk.
- The 2Pac Connection: In the broader context of the album and the song's energy, Kendrick is channeling the ghost of 1994 Tupac. Specifically, the "speed off, yeah, it's us" line and the "spit a loogie at the camera" reference are direct homages to Tupac spitting at reporters during his legal battles.
He’s not just rapping; he’s archiving. He’s putting the entire history of West Coast rebellion into a two-minute and thirty-seven-second track.
Why Everyone is Obsessed with the Music Video
The video, directed by Calmatic, is a visual encyclopedia. You’ve probably seen the "How to Be More Like Kendrick for Dummies" book he’s holding. That’s a jab at his critics and the people trying to copy his blueprint.
But look closer at the backgrounds. The "105 Freeway" sign, the "Jesus Saves Gangsters" ministry sign, and the homage to Ice-T’s Power album cover. These aren't just cool aesthetics. They are "easter eggs" for people who actually live in or study the culture. He even recreates the set of The Roots’ "The Next Movement" video. Why? Likely as a response to Questlove calling the Drake beef the "death of hip-hop." Kendrick is saying, "No, this is the movement."
Squabble Up Lyrics: A Masterclass in Subtext
There’s a specific flow in the middle of the song that mimics his "Not Like Us" cadence. He mentions "quid pro quo," which is a fancy way of saying "this for that." He’s critiquing how the industry works—the transactional nature of friendships and features.
He says he used to be a "dog" but now he’s letting the "wolves" out.
It’s a warning.
A dog is domesticated. A wolf is a predator.
Breaking Down the Key Verses
- The "Money Tree" callback: He mentions falling from his money tree. This connects back to his good kid, m.A.A.d city era, showing that while the money has grown, the roots are the same.
- The "Safe" line: "I walk in, walked out with the safe." This is pure confidence. He’s not just taking a cut; he’s taking the whole thing.
- The "Mando" reference: Using "Mando" (short for mandatory) is deep LA slang. It signifies that his success and his presence are no longer optional—they are required.
What This Means for the Super Bowl and 2026
With Kendrick set for the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in February 2025, "Squabble Up" feels like the perfect high-energy transition. It bridges the gap between his "savior" persona on Mr. Morale and his "boogeyman" persona from the 2024 beefs.
It’s accessible. It’s "slap" music. But it’s still Kendrick, meaning there are five meanings behind every word.
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Actionable Insight for Fans:
If you want to truly appreciate the song, don't just read the lyrics on a screen. Listen to the Debbie Deb sample and then watch the Ice-T Power album cover breakdown. Kendrick is asking you to be a student of the game, not just a consumer. Go back and watch the 1994 footage of Tupac spitting at the cameras to see where that "spit a loogie" line really comes from. It changes the whole vibe of the song from a club banger to a political statement of defiance.