Kendrick Lamar revealed he felt like the manga hero Goku from Dragon Ball when he first heard DJ Mustard’s beat for the song “TV Off.”
This information came from an interview with DJ Mustard, published by Grammy on January 27, 2025. Mustard, nominated for Producer of the Year, shared the story behind the track’s creation.
The Inspiration Behind ‘TV Off’
“TV Off,” the seventh track on Lamar’s surprise album GNX (released in November 2024), features Lefty GunPlay and is produced by Mustard.
The producer revealed that Lamar was deeply inspired by the beats, which were a mix of two separate samples.
According to Mustard, Lamar added his iconic “Mustard” yell to the track after the beats made him feel like Goku, the Saiyan warrior from Dragon Ball. Mustard recalled asking Lamar about it:
“When I heard the beat, I just felt like Goku or something,” Lamar told Mustard. “When I hear certain s**t on your beats, it brings out something else in me, so I just did whatever I felt.”
Who Is Goku?
Goku is the main character of Dragon Ball, a manga series by Akira Toriyama. First published in 1984, the story follows Goku’s journey as a Saiyan searching for the seven Dragon Balls to summon a wish-granting dragon.
Raised on Earth by his adoptive grandfather Gohan, Goku is known for his incredible strength, martial arts skills, and iconic Super Saiyan transformations.
These transformations, triggered by emotion and special “S-cells,” give Goku immense power, making him one of anime’s most recognizable figures.
The Legacy of Goku and Kendrick’s Connection
Lamar’s reference to Goku highlights the cultural impact of Dragon Ball. Goku’s transformation into a Super Saiyan—first seen in Dragon Ball Z after Frieza kills his friend Krillin—symbolizes overcoming limits through determination and emotion.
Lamar’s creative energy on “TV Off” mirrors this spirit, showcasing how art from different cultures can intersect and inspire.
Awards and Recognition
Kendrick Lamar has been nominated for seven Grammy Awards this year, including five for his album Not Like Us. DJ Mustard, also nominated for Producer of the Year, previously won a Grammy in 2019 for Best R&B Song with Ella Mai’s “Boo’d Up.”
Both Lamar and Mustard continue to leave their mark on the music industry, blending unique inspirations to create powerful art.
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