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"TV Off" (stylized in lowercase) is a song written and recorded by American rapper Kendrick Lamar for his sixth studio album, GNX (2024). It was released on November 26, 2024, alongside the A-side "Squabble Up", and features guest vocals by rapper Lefty Gunplay. It was produced by Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Mustard, Kamasi Washington, and Sean Momberger.

Background

Upon release, "TV Off" emerged as one of the standout tracks on the album, mainly due to its sonic resemblance to the Mustard-produced "Not Like Us", released earlier in 2024. According to Mustard, the similarities were "definitely intentional" and revealed that it was recorded around the same time as "Not Like Us" in May 2024 but at two different times, thus the beat switches. The song was especially noted for Lamar screaming Mustard's name as a transition between the two parts, subsequently popularized as a meme.

Composition and content

"TV Off" is a West Coast hip-hop song split into two distinct parts that are connected through a beat switch around the two-minute mark. The song contains samples from "MacArthur Park" by Monk Higgins, along with a snippet of horns from "The Black Hole - Overture" composed by John Barry for the soundtrack to the film The Black Hole (1979), and an interpolation from "Kick in the Door" by The Notorious B.I.G. As the production of the first part fades out, Mustard's signature tag emerges again as a "booming" percussion kicks in and is followed by Lamar's "animated" scream.

Critical reception

Zachary Horvath of HotNewHipHop viewed the song as a "pseudo-sequel" to "Watch the Party Die", released exclusively on Lamar's social media in September 2024, as it furthers the idea of resetting the culture in rap music. Despite the superficial similarities to "Not Like Us", distinctions mainly stand out on the lyrical front. Lamar offers his critical stance in regards to social media and the associated distortion of perception. Writing for Pitchfork, in a mixed review, Alphonse Pierre said of the song: "Mustard’s backside of 'tv off' is drowned out by these cheesy blaring horns that feel made to go dumb in Nike commercials."

Charts

Release history

References

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3. Setaro, Shawn (November 25, 2024). "Mustard reacts to Kendrick Lamar's viral 'Mustaaard!' line on "TV Off"". HipHopDX. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
4. Woodroof, Corey (November 23, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar yelling 'Mustard!' on his new album turned into an outstanding meme". For the Win. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
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9. Price, Joe (November 22, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Screaming 'Mustard' on "TV Off" Is an Instant Meme". Complex. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
10. Horvath, Zachary (November 24, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar & Mustard Have Another Hit With The Thought-Provoking "TV Off"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
11. Pierre, Alphonse (November 26, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar: GNX". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
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37. "Crossover". HITS Daily Double. Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.

• 2024 songs
• Kendrick Lamar songs
• Song recordings produced by Mustard (record producer)
• Songs written by Kendrick Lamar
• West Coast hip-hop songs