Kendrick Lamar doesn't just drop songs; he drops puzzles. When GNX hit the streets in late 2024, everyone scrambled to decode the chaos. But one track specifically turned the internet into a crime scene investigation: "tv off." If you've been obsessing over the tv off lyrics kendrick lamar uses to close out his latest masterclass, you aren't alone. It's a song that feels like a fever dream and a victory lap happening at the exact same time.
Some people hear a threat. Others hear a spiritual awakening. Honestly? It's probably both.
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The "Mustard" Scream and the Sonic Blueprint
The song is a Frankenstein's monster of production. DJ Mustard actually admitted that Kendrick took two separate beats and mashed them together. That legendary "MUSTAAAAARD!" scream in the middle isn't just a shout-out; it's a trigger for a total atmospheric shift.
One second you're nodding to a soulful, bouncy West Coast rhythm, and the next, the floor drops out. Sounwave and Jack Antonoff also have their hands all over this, creating a texture that feels gritty and expensive. Kendrick is playing with "improvisation through repetition," a technique where he hammers a phrase until it loses its original meaning and becomes a weapon.
He’s basically telling us that the old rules don't apply. He's the Alpha and the Omega.
Decoding the Violence: "Turn His TV Off"
This is where the debate gets heated. There's a massive divide online about whether the hook says "Turn this TV off" or "Turn his TV off."
If you look at official streaming lyrics, they usually say "this." But if you listen to the way Kendrick enunciates—especially in the context of the 2024-2025 rap wars—it sounds personal. In street slang, "turning someone's TV off" is a euphemism for ending their life. It’s the same as "closing a door" or "putting the lights out."
- The Psychological Warfare: Many fans believe this was a direct shot at Drake. The idea is that Drake would be sitting at home, watching Kendrick perform at the Super Bowl, and Kendrick is telling the world to just cut the feed. Game over.
- The Media Critique: On a deeper level, it’s a nod to Gil Scott-Heron. "The revolution will not be televised." Kendrick is yelling at the audience to stop consuming the garbage being fed to them by the industry and start looking at the reality on the ground.
- The "Granny" Line: One of the most shocking moments is when he says he'd "cut my granny off if she don't see it how I see it." That’s cold. It shows a level of conviction that borders on fanatical. He’s telling us that his vision for the culture is more important than even his closest blood ties.
Why the Lyrics Feel Like a "Revelation"
Kendrick calls the track a "revelation" on "how to get a n**** gone." He’s not talking about just physical removal. He’s talking about erasing someone’s influence from the culture.
The song references the Book of Revelation (22:13), but he mixes that holy imagery with "Muscle-ups for my kinfolk" and "plyometrics." He’s building a bridge between spiritual warfare and physical preparation. It’s about being ready for whatever comes next, whether that’s a rap battle or a literal shift in the industry.
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He mentions "New Orleans with the etiquette of LA." This was a clear wink at the Super Bowl controversy where many felt Lil Wayne should have headlined. Kendrick isn't apologizing. He’s leaning into the tension. He’s saying, "Yeah, I'm here, and I'm bringing the West Coast with me."
The J. Cole Connection?
While most of the world was looking at Drake, a segment of the fanbase started noticing shots aimed at North Carolina. Kendrick raps the last verse in a flow that feels remarkably like J. Cole’s "7 Minute Drill" style or even Biggie’s "Kick in the Door."
He says, "Say you bigger than myself, but it's not enough." This feels like a direct response to Cole’s claims of having the "crown" during his feature run. Kendrick is basically saying that being a good rapper isn't enough to survive in the "outside" world he’s from. You need more than bars. You need a soul that can't be bought.
How to Actually "Read" Kendrick in 2026
If you want to understand the tv off lyrics kendrick lamar provided, you have to stop looking for a single answer. Kendrick writes in layers.
- Listen for the "Mustard" transition. It marks the shift from celebration to surgical dismantling.
- Watch the Super Bowl footage again. The way he uses the "Game Over" signs and the TV static at the end of his sets provides the visual context for the "TV off" command.
- Read the "Alpha and Omega" references. He isn't just bragging about being the best; he's claiming he is the beginning and end of the current rap era.
The song is short, but it’s dense. It’s the sound of a man who has won the war but still has his boots on. He’s not relaxing. He’s making sure everyone else’s screen goes black while his light stays on.
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Go back and listen to the track with the "Granny" line in mind. Think about the people in your own life you'd have to distance yourself from to stay true to a mission. That's where the real weight of this song sits. It's about the cost of being the last one standing.
Check the official pGLang or Interscope credits for the full technical breakdown if you’re into the gear, but for the soul of the track? Just turn the screen off and let the bass hit. That’s usually where Kendrick’s real message is hiding anyway.