Hip-hop is weird right now. One minute you're listening to a high-concept Pulitzer winner, and the next, a random four-word phrase is stuck in your head for three days straight. That’s exactly what happened when Kendrick Lamar dropped GNX in late 2024. People kept asking the same thing: who is the guy at the end of "tv off" talking about things getting "crazy, scary, spooky, hilarious"?
That voice belongs to Lefty Gunplay.
He isn't a household name yet, but he’s the definition of a West Coast sleeper hit. Born Franklin Scott Holladay, the Baldwin Park native didn’t just stumble into the studio. He’s a guy who spent nine years in Pelican Bay—one of the toughest prisons in California—before coming home in 2023 to actually take music seriously. Honestly, the Kendrick Lamar Lefty Gunplay connection is one of those "if you know, you know" moments that defines the new L.A. sound.
How Lefty Gunplay Ended Up on GNX
It wasn’t some corporate A&R play. Kendrick is known for being a "rapper's rapper," someone who watches the streets even when he's at the top of the mountain. Lefty has been open about how it went down. He got the call, showed up to the studio, and basically had to prove himself on the spot.
Kendrick is notorious for his work ethic. He reportedly kicked everyone out of the room except for Lefty to record. No entourage. No distractions. Just two guys from different walks of life in a booth.
The kicker? Lefty Gunplay didn't even know he made the final cut of the album until it actually dropped. Imagine waking up to find out you're a featured guest on the most anticipated rap project of the year. He told Power 106 that he was just as surprised as the fans were. He had recorded a full verse, but Kendrick, being a master of curation, decided to use Lefty’s energy as a haunting, repetitive outro instead.
The "Crazy, Scary, Spooky, Hilarious" Meme
"Sh*t gets crazy, scary, spooky, hilarious."
It’s a simple line. It shouldn't have worked as well as it did. But the way Lefty says it—this sort of rhythmic, street-wise chant—captured a specific vibe. It became a TikTok sound almost instantly. It was the perfect bridge between the intense, Mustard-produced beat of "tv off" and the chaotic energy of the GNX era.
Some fans were annoyed. They wanted a full verse. They felt like Kendrick "wasted" a feature. But if you look at how Kendrick uses voices, he treats them like instruments. He didn't need a 16-bar verse about Baldwin Park; he needed the feeling of a guy who has actually lived the "scary" and "spooky" parts of L.A. life.
Who is Lefty Gunplay?
If you're just finding him through Kendrick, here's the quick rundown on the man himself:
- Heritage: He’s Guatemalan, Mexican, and White. He represents the San Gabriel Valley (SGV) heavily.
- Legal History: He went in at 18 and didn't get out until his late 20s. That perspective is all over his music.
- Discography: Since 2023, he’s been on a tear. He dropped Rookie of the Year and Famous Gangbanger in 2024.
- Style: Very raw. Very West Coast. He cites The Game and 50 Cent as major influences, which you can hear in his delivery.
The Royalty Controversy and the Super Bowl Snub
Success usually brings drama. Shortly after "tv off" blew up, rumors started swirling that Lefty wasn't getting paid. Brian Zisook from Audiomack pointed out on X (formerly Twitter) that Lefty wasn't registered with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO).
Basically, the song was doing millions of streams, and the money was just sitting there because the paperwork wasn't right.
Lefty eventually cleared it up. He confirmed he signed with BMI and that his team was handling the backend. It was a classic "new artist" hurdle—getting the business to catch up with the fame.
Then came the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in early 2025. Fans were convinced Kendrick would bring out the "Latino feats" from the album, including Lefty. When the show ended and Lefty hadn't appeared, social media went into a bit of a meltdown. He didn't seem bitter about it, though. He’s been busy selling merch with the "Crazy, Scary, Spooky" slogan and booking festivals like Rolling Loud.
What Most People Get Wrong
People keep confusing him with the other Gunplay. You know, the one from Rick Ross's MMG era who did "Cartoon & Cereal" with Kendrick back in 2012?
That’s Richard Morales Jr. from Miami.
This is Franklin Holladay from Baldwin Park.
It’s a confusing coincidence that Kendrick has collaborated with two different rappers named Gunplay over a decade apart, but the styles couldn't be more different. Miami Gunplay is high-octane and aggressive. Lefty Gunplay is more calculated, rhythmic, and rooted in the modern L.A. street scene.
Why This Matters for the West Coast
The Kendrick Lamar Lefty Gunplay collaboration isn't just a fun fact. It’s a bridge. For a long time, the "Latino Rap" scene in L.A. felt like it was in its own silo, separate from the "Compton" or "South Central" sound.
By putting Lefty on GNX, Kendrick did more for SGV representation than a thousand press releases could. He’s showing that the "New West" is diverse and interconnected. Lefty’s streaming numbers jumped by over 80% after the album dropped. That’s the "Kendrick Effect" in real-time.
What to Do Next
If you're digging the vibe Lefty brought to GNX, don't just stop at the "tv off" outro.
- Listen to "What It Iz": This track with OHGEESY is probably the best entry point into his actual rapping style.
- Check his PRO status: If you're an emerging artist, take a page from the royalty drama—register with BMI or ASCAP before your song goes viral.
- Watch the interviews: His sit-down with Bootleg Kev or VladTV gives a lot of context to those "spooky" lyrics.
- Follow the Deluxe rumors: Lefty has teased that there are more songs in the vault with Kendrick. Keep an eye on pGLang socials for any surprise drops.
The reality is that Lefty Gunplay represents a second chance. He’s a guy who could have been a statistic but ended up on one of the biggest albums of the decade. Whether he becomes a superstar or stays a cult hero, he's already left a permanent mark on rap history.