Luther (song) Last updated August 12, 2025 2024 single by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
"Luther " is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar and American singer-songwriter SZA . Titled after the American R&B and soul singer Luther Vandross ,the track contains a sample of Vandross and Cheryl Lynn 's 1982 rendition of "If This World Were Mine ",originally performed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell . "Luther" was released as the third single from Lamar's sixth studio album, GNX ,on November 29,2024,through PGLang and Interscope Records .
"Luther" was written by Lamar,SZA,Ink ,and Sam Dew ;it was produced by Sounwave ,Jack Antonoff ,Ruchaun "Scott Bridgeway" Akers,Kamasi Washington ,Matthew "M-Tech" Bernard and Roshwita "roselilah" Bacha. An R&B and hip-hop love ballad with influences of 1980s R&B and freestyle music ,"Luther" features Lamar and SZA's vocal harmonies against 808 drums ,hi-hats ,and an orchestral arrangement. Its lyrics are about imagining a better future for one's loved ones.
Music critics lauded "Luther" for the vocal chemistry between Lamar and SZA;many reviews highlighted it as a tender and heartfelt track compared to GNX ' Billboard Hot 100Lil Nas X 's "Old Town Road ". It also peaked at number one in New Zealand,the Philippines,Singapore and South Africa;at number three on the Billboard Global 200Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9,2025.
Music video A concept art music video for the song was released on April 11,2025,directed by Canadian director and actress Karena Evans . [ 10] [ 11] It stars both Lamar and SZA,along with Nigerian -American musician,visual artist and model Annahstasia Enuke playing Lamar's love interest,while model Geron McKinley plays SZA's respective love interest. [ 12] [ 13] [ 14] Most of the scenes were shot on location of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles ,as well as the Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University and its House of the Book ,in the Simi Hills of the Simi Valley ,in California , [ 15] [ 16] [ 17] the same shooting location where the one-minute teaser for GNX was shot at. [ 18] [ 19] The song pauses throughout the video to play the original sample of "If This World Were Mine",and the video's final minute consists Vandross' first verse playing uninterrupted.
Critical reception The song received widespread critical acclaim. Writing for NME ,Kyann-Sian Williams thought the song was yet another demonstration of the duo's "chart-topping chemistry" and praised their "debonair" take on a "traditional love ballad". [ 2] Lindsay Zoladz at The New York Times called "Luther" a notably "tender moment" and "three-minute pause" from an otherwise boastful album. [ 5] Tomás Mier of Rolling Stone noted Lamar for "stretching his singing chops" before being joined by SZA. [ 20]
In New Zealand ,"Luther" debuted at number one on the Official Aotearoa Music Charts ,marking Lamar's fourth overall number-one single in the country,and his second for 2024. Following the Super Bowl LIX halftime show performance,"Luther" returned to the top spot and spent five consecutive weeks,totaling six weeks atop. [ 25]
In the United States ,"Luther" debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 GNX . It re-entered the top ten on the chart dated January 11,2025,at number seven. Starting at the issue date of January 25,2025,"Luther" gradually climbed up each spot, [ 26] until it finally reached number one on the chart dated March 1,2025,becoming Lamar's sixth number-one hit and SZA's third. [ 27] The song spent thirteen straight weeks at the summit of the chart,becoming both Lamar and SZA's longest-running chart-topper. [ 28]
Lamar made history on the December 21,2024,issue of Billboard by replacing himself at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with "Luther",becoming the first artist to achieve three consecutive number ones without interruption in the magazine's history. [ 29]
The duo performed "Luther" as part of Lamar's Super Bowl LIX halftime show performance in February 2025. [ 30] Later in April,they began embarking on the co-headlining Grand National Tour ,where they performed "Luther" as one of the concerts' final songs. [ 31]
Credits and personnel Kendrick Lamar –songwriter,composer,vocals SZA –songwriter,composer,guest vocals Sam Dew –songwriter,composer,additional vocals Ink –songwriter,composer Jack Antonoff –composer,recording,producer Scott Bridgeway –composer,producer roselilah –composer,producer M-Tech –composer,additional producer Ray Charles Brown,Jr –recording Oli Jacobs –recording,mixing Tony Shepperd –recording Laura Sisk –recording Jonathan Turner –recording Sounwave –composer,producer Kamasi Washington –composer,producer References ↑ Saenz, Rome (December 18, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar, SZA's 'luther' Is No. 1 On The Philippines Hot 100" . Billboard Philippines . Retrieved March 17, 2025 . 1 2 Williams, Kyann-Sian (November 25, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar's surprise new album GNX is here" . NME . Retrieved November 29, 2024 . ↑ Nelson, Brighton (November 23, 2024). "GNX : Every Song On Kendrick Lamar's Surprise New Album Ranked" . ScreenRant . Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024 . ↑ Jenkins, Craig (November 26, 2024). "You Wanted the Beast, You Got the Beast" . Vulture . Retrieved March 17, 2025 . 1 2 Zoladz, Lindsay (November 26, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar's surprise new album GNX is here" . The New York Times . Retrieved November 29, 2024 . 1 2 3 Mettler, Mike (January 10, 2025). "Kendrick Lamar: 'Luther' and 'TV Off' in Dolby Atmos" . Sound & Vision . Retrieved March 17, 2025 . ↑ Landrum Jr., Jonathan (November 23, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album GNX " . Associated Press . Retrieved November 29, 2024 . ↑ Trust, Gary (December 3, 2024). "ROSÉ & Bruno Mars' 'APT.' Cozies Up to Sixth Week at No. 1 on Billboard Global Charts" (PDF) . Billboard . p. 14. Retrieved February 11, 2025 . ↑ Horvath, Zachary (November 23, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Wants To Change A Woman's Life For The Better On SZA-Assisted 'Luther' . HotNewHipHop . Retrieved November 29, 2024 . ↑ Jones, Okla (April 11, 2025). "Kendrick Lamar And SZA Explore Romance In "Luther" Video" . Essence . Retrieved April 12, 2025 . ↑ KendrickLamarVEVO (April 11, 2025). Kendrick Lamar & SZA - luther . Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via YouTube. ↑ "Music Video Kendrick Lamar & SZA - luther" . Models.com . April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025 . ↑ "Karena Evans Directs Kendrick Lamar's and SZA's Music Video for "Luther" . ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Reminds the Masses of His "Softer Side" with "Luther" Video Featuring SZA" . April 14, 2025. ↑ Gaskins, Nettrice (April 11, 2025). "Postmodern Geographies & Emotional Space in Kendrick Lamar's "Luther" Video" . Medium . Retrieved April 13, 2025 . ↑ "The Visual Poetry of Kendrick Lamar & SZA's "Luther" Music Video" . Medium . April 12, 2025. ↑ "From Luther Vandross to 'GNX': A complete list of Easter Eggs from Kendrick Lamar and SZA's new 'Luther' music video" . April 15, 2025. ↑ Sisario, Ben (November 22, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Surprise Releases a New Album, GNX " . The New York Times . Archived from the original on November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024 . ↑ Bernstein, Elaina (November 22, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Drops Off Surprise New Album 'GNX' . Hypebeast . Retrieved November 26, 2024 . ↑ Mier, Tomás (November 22, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar's surprise new album GNX is here" . Rolling Stone . Retrieved November 29, 2024 . ↑ Grein, Paul (April 23, 2025). "Kendrick Lamar Leads 2025 American Music Awards Nominations: Full List" . Billboard . Archived from the original on May 13, 2025. Retrieved April 23, 2025 . ↑ Minton, Matt (May 9, 2025). "Kendrick Lamar, Doechii and Drake Lead 2025 BET Award Nominations" . Variety . Archived from the original on May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025 . ↑ Grein, Paul (May 15, 2025). "Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga & Kendrick Lamar Lead 2025 Kids' Choice Awards Nominations, With Tyla as Host" . Billboard . Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025 . ↑ "MTV Video Music Awards 2025" . MTV . Retrieved August 6, 2025 . ↑ "Kendrick Lamar & SZA - Luther" . Official Aotearoa Music Charts . ↑ Citations for the performance of "Luther" on the Hot 100 : ↑ Trust, Gary (February 24, 2025). "Kendrick Lamar & SZA's 'Luther' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100" . Billboard . Retrieved February 24, 2025 . ↑ Trust, Gary (April 28, 2025). "Kendrick Lamar & SZA's 'Luther' Leads Hot 100 for Landmark 10th Week" . Billboard . Retrieved April 28, 2025 . 1 2 "Official Top 40 Singles" . Recorded Music NZ . November 29, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024 . ↑ Segarra, Edward (February 10, 2025). "Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl Halftime Setlist: All the Songs in His Stunning Show" . USA Today . Retrieved April 21, 2025 . ↑ Singh, Surej (April 21, 2025). "Here's Everything Kendrick Lamar and SZA Played to Kick Off Their North American 'Grand National' Tour" . NME . Retrieved April 21, 2025 . ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart" . Australian Recording Industry Association . February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 21, 2025 . ↑ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart" . Australian Recording Industry Association . December 2, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024 . ↑ "Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40 . Retrieved February 26, 2025. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Belarus Weekly Chart: Jan 16, 2025" . TopHit . Retrieved January 17, 2025 . ↑ "Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50 . Retrieved February 23, 2025. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther" (in French). Ultratop 50 . Retrieved February 23, 2025. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)" . Billboard ↑ "Canada CHR Airplay − Week of May 10, 2025" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2025 . ↑ Kendrick Lamar & SZA — Luther . TopHit . Retrieved February 21, 2025. ↑ "Top 20 Chile Anglo – Del 25 de Junio al 1 de Julio, 2025" [ Top 20 Chile English – June 25 to July 1, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino . July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025 . 1 2 "Top 20 Colombia Anglo – Del 25 de Junio al 1 de Julio, 2025" [ Top 20 Colombia English – June 25 to July 1, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino . July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025 . ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 8. týden 2025 in the date selector . Retrieved February 25, 2025. ↑ "Track Top-40 Uge 7, 2025" . Hitlisten . Retrieved February 26, 2025 . 1 2 "Top 20 República Dominicana Anglo – Del 25 de Junio al 1 de Julio, 2025" [ Top 20 Dominican Republic English – June 25 to July 1, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino . July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025 . ↑ "Top Singles (Week 48, 2024)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved December 2, 2024 . ↑ "Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts . Retrieved February 21, 2025. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Global 200)" . Billboard ↑ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 48/2024" (in Greek). IFPI Greece . Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2025 . ↑ "Top 20 Honduras Anglo – Del 25 de Junio al 1 de Julio, 2025" [ Top 20 Honduras English – June 25 to July 1, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino . July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025 . ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)" . Billboard . Retrieved February 25, 2025 . ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög: Streymi, spilun og sala viku 13. Birt 29. mars 2025 – Næst uppfært 5. apríl 2025" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on March 30, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025 . ↑ "IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 2nd December 2024 | Week 48 of 52" . IMIcharts . Archived from the original on December 8, 2024. ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Indonesia Chart Top 20 from 02/14/2025 to 02/20/2025" . International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved February 25, 2025 . ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50" . Official Charts Company . Retrieved November 29, 2024. ↑ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 48" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved November 30, 2024 . ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of February 26, 2025" . Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved February 26, 2025 . ↑ "Top Radio Hits Kazakhstan Weekly Chart: Jan 9, 2025" . TopHit . Retrieved January 12, 2025 . ↑ "Straumēšanas Top 2024 – 48. nedēļa" [ Streaming TOP 2024 – Week 48] (in Latvian). LaIPA . December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024 . ↑ "OLT20 – Combined Chart – Week of Sunday January 19th, 2025" . The Official Lebanese Top 20 . Retrieved January 27, 2025 . ↑ "2025 8-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA . February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025 . ↑ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Jan 2, 2025" . TopHit . Retrieved January 12, 2025 . ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)" . Billboard . Retrieved February 25, 2025 . ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Malaysia Chart Top 20 from 02/14/2025 to 02/20/2025" . International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved February 25, 2025 . ↑ "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 8 (14/2/2025-20/2/2025)" . RIM . March 1, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025 – via Facebook . ↑ "Top 20 México Anglo – Del 25 de Junio al 1 de Julio, 2025" [ Top 20 Mexico English – June 25 to July 1, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino . July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025 . ↑ "Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther" (in Dutch). Single Top 100 . Retrieved February 22, 2025. ↑ "Top 20 Nicaragua Anglo – Del 25 de Junio al 1 de Julio, 2025" [ Top 20 Nicaragua English – June 25 to July 1, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino . July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2025 . ↑ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: February 28th, 2025 – March 6th, 2025" . TurnTable . Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025 . ↑ "Singel 2025 uke 8" . VG-lista . Retrieved February 22, 2025 . ↑ "Top 20 Perú Anglo – Del 25 de Junio al 1 de Julio, 2025" [ Top 20 Peru English – June 25 to July 1, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino . July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2025 . ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Philippines Chart Top 20 from 02/07/2025 to 02/13/2025" . International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved February 25, 2025 . ↑ "Philippines Hot 100: Week of December 21, 2024" . Billboard Philippines . Retrieved December 7, 2024 . ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 14.02.2025–20.02.2025.) (in Polish). OLiS . Retrieved February 27, 2025 . ↑ "Top 200 Singles: Semana 08 de 2025" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Audiogest.pt. Retrieved March 1, 2025 . ↑ "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Feb 20, 2025" . TopHit . Retrieved February 21, 2025 . ↑ "Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 15/01/2025" (in Italian). San Marino RTV . January 15, 2025. Archived from the original on January 15, 2025. Retrieved January 15, 2025 . ↑ "The Official Singapore Charts Week 8 (14 - 20 Feb 2025)" . RIAS . Archived from the original on February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025 . ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 8. týden 2025 in the date selector . Retrieved February 25, 2025. ↑ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 10 Week 09-2025" . The Official South African Charts . Retrieved May 23, 2025. ↑ "Circle Digital Chart – Week 9 of 2025" . Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 27, 2025 . ↑ "Top 100 Canciones Semana 8 2025" . PROMUSICAE . Retrieved March 2, 2025 . ↑ "Top 40 – 8 tot en met 15 mei 2025" [ Top 40 – 8 to 15 May 2025] . Nationale Top 40 Suriname . May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2025 . ↑ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 8" . Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved February 22, 2025 . ↑ "Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther" . Swiss Singles Chart . Retrieved February 23, 2025. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Taiwan Songs)" . Billboard . Retrieved February 25, 2025 . ↑ @RadiomonitorTR (March 21, 2025). "Radiomonitor Türkiye Uluslararası Listesi 12. Hafta Top10" [ Radiomonitor Turkey International Chart Week 12 Top10] (Tweet ) (in Turkish). Retrieved March 28, 2025 – via Twitter . ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100" . Official Charts Company . Retrieved February 21, 2025. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40" . Official Charts Company . Retrieved December 7, 2024. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot 100)" . Billboard ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)" . Billboard ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)" . Billboard ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)" . Billboard ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Pop Songs)" . Billboard ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)" . Billboard ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Rhythmic)" . Billboard ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Vietnam Chart Top 20 from 02/14/2025 to 02/20/2025" . International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved February 25, 2025 . ↑ "Top Radio Hits Global Monthly Chart: March 2025" . TopHit . Retrieved April 5, 2025 . ↑ "Top Radio Hits Kazakhstan Monthly Chart: January 2025" . TopHit . Retrieved February 7, 2025 . ↑ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Monthly Chart: December 2024" . TopHit . Retrieved January 15, 2025 . ↑ "Top Radio Hits Russia Monthly Chart: February 2025" . TopHit . Retrieved March 8, 2025 . ↑ "Digital Chart – March 2025" . Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved April 10, 2025 . ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart" . Australian Recording Industry Association . July 28, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025 . ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2025" . Ultratop . Hung Medien. Retrieved June 7, 2025 . ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Luther" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . Retrieved July 2, 2025 . ↑ "French single certifications – Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved June 3, 2025 . ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart" . Recorded Music NZ . April 25, 2025. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025 . ↑ "Portuguese single certifications – Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa . Retrieved June 18, 2025 . ↑ "British single certifications – Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther" . British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved May 16, 2025 . ↑ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Certificación Fonográfica Centroamericana . Retrieved July 10, 2025 . ↑ "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 08/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece . Retrieved February 26, 2025 . ↑ Fusi, Eleonora (November 25, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar, SZA – luther (Radio Date: 29-11-2024)" . EarOne.it . Retrieved November 27, 2024 . ↑ "A Recap of Radio Add Recaps" . Hits . December 10, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2025 .
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