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Luther (song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Luther"
Single by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
from the album GNX
ReleasedNovember 29, 2024 (2024-11-29)
Genre
Length2:57
Label
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)
  • Sounwave
  • Jack Antonoff
  • Scott Bridgeway
  • Kamasi Washington
  • Rose Lilah
Kendrick Lamar singles chronology
"Squabble Up" and "TV Off"
(2024) 		"Luther"
(2024) 		"30 for 30"
(2025)
SZA singles chronology
"Saturn"
(2024) 		"Luther"
(2024) 		"BMF" and "30 for 30"
(2024)
Audio video
"Luther" on YouTube

"Luther" is a song by the American rapper Kendrick Lamar and the 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, and Roshwita "Rose Lilah" Bacha; Matthew "M-Tech" Bernard was a co-writer and additional producer. A contemporary 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 generally acclaimed the vocal chemistry between Lamar and SZA; many reviews highlighted "Luther" as a tender and heartfelt track compared to other GNX's boastful songs. The single peaked at number one in New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, and the US; at number three on the Billboard Global 200 chart; and in the top five of charts in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Lithuania, Portugal, South Africa, and the UK. Lamar and SZA performed "Luther" live at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9, 2025.

Composition

[edit]

"Luther" is a love ballad that combines contemporary R&B[1] and hip-hop[2][3] with elements of 1980s R&B and freestyle music.[4] The lyrics are about imagining a better future for one's beloveds.[5] The track begins with classical guitar riffs and a vocal sample of Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn's 1982 rendition of "If This World Were Mine",[6][7] originally performed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.[8] After the sample, Lamar delivers his first verse in a monotone, pauses with repeated "fa"s, then continues his second verse, which is accentuated by double vocal tracking and an orchestral swell.[6] The chorus features Lamar and SZA harmonizing together, with SZA's vocals being layered on top of Lamar's, against accentuations of 808 drums and hi-hats.[6][9]

Critical reception

[edit]

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.[10]

Commercial performance

[edit]

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.[11]

In the United States, "Luther" debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, following the release of 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,[12] until it finally reached number one on the chart dated March 1, 2025, becoming Lamar's sixth number-one hit and SZA's third.[13] The song spent four straight weeks at the summit of the chart, becoming both Lamar and SZA's longest-running chart-topper.[14]

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.[15]

Credits and personnel

[edit]
  • Kendrick Lamar – lyricist, composer, vocals
  • SZA – lyricist, guest vocals
  • Sam Dew – lyricist, composer, additional vocals
  • Ink – lyricist, composer
  • Jack Antonoff – composer, recording, producer
  • Scott Bridgeway – 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

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Luther"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Portugal (AFP)[77] Gold 5,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[78] Silver 200,000‡
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[79] Gold 1,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Luther"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Italy November 29, 2024 Radio airplay Universal [80]
United States December 10, 2024 Contemporary hit radio
[81]
Rhythmic contemporary radio

References

[edit]
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