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Luther (song)

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"Luther"
SinglebyKendrick LamarandSZA
from the albumGNX
ReleasedNovember 29, 2024(2024-11-29)
Recorded2024
GenreR&B
Length2:57
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Sounwave
  • Jack Antonoff
  • Scott Bridgeway
  • Kamasi Washington
  • M-Tech
  • Rose Lilah
Kendrick Lamarsingles chronology
"Squabble Up"and"TV Off"
(2024) 		"Luther"
(2024) 		"30 for 30"
(2025)
SZAsingles chronology
"Saturn"
(2024) 		"Luther"
(2024) 		"BMF"and"30 for 30"
(2024)
Audio video
"Luther"onYouTube

"Luther"is a song by the American rapperKendrick Lamarand the American singer-songwriterSZA.Titled after the AmericanR&BandsoulsingerLuther Vandross,the track contains asampleof Vandross andCheryl Lynn's 1982 rendition of "If This World Were Mine",originally performed byMarvin GayeandTammi Terrell.[1]"Luther" was released as the third single from Lamar's sixth studio album,GNX,on November 29, 2024, throughPGLangandInterscope Records.

The song was written by both Lamar and SZA, along withInkandSam Dew,while production was handled bySounwave,Jack Antonoff,Ruchaun "Scott Bridgeway" Akers,Kamasi Washington,Matthew "M-Tech" Bernard and Roshwita "Rose Lilah" Bacha.

Composition

[edit]

"Luther" is a"love ballad"accentuated by various string sections against808 beatsandhi-hatswhich was called a blend ofcontemporary R&Bandhip-hopbyScreen Rant.[2][3]It features a sample of "If This World Were Mine",written byMarvin Gayeand performed byLuther VandrossandCheryl Lynn,and builds on the song title from the very beginning.[4]Lamar in a "monotone" delivery kicks off the "love story" by confessing his love for the protagonist, presumably asex workeror a misunderstood"promiscuous woman".SZA steps in during the choruses to reflect from the standpoint of the woman Lamar had introduced the listener to beforehand. The chorus consists of harmonizations between Lamar and SZA, while the latter's vocals are more highlighted and layered on top of Lamar's.[5]

Critical reception

[edit]

Writing forNME,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 atThe New York Timescalled "Luther" a notably "tender moment" and "three-minute pause" from an otherwise boastful album.[6]Tomás Mier ofRolling Stonenoted Lamar for "stretching his singing chops" before being joined by SZA.[7]

Commercial performance

[edit]

InNew Zealand,"Luther" debuted at number one on theOfficial Aotearoa Music Charts,marking Lamar's fourth overall number-one single in the country, and his second for 2024. Lamar made history on the December 21, 2024, issue ofBillboardby replacing himself at number one on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart with "Luther", becoming the first artist to achieve three consecutive number ones without interruption in the magazine's history.[8]On the chart dated March 1, 2025, "Luther" reached the number-one spot on theBillboardHot 100,becoming Lamar's sixth number-one hit and SZA's third.[9]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Luther"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Portugal (AFP)[68] Gold 5,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[69] Silver 200,000‡
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[70] 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 [71]
United States December 10, 2024 Contemporary hit radio
[72]
Rhythmic contemporaryradio

References

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  2. ^abWilliams, Kyann-Sian (November 25, 2024)."Kendrick Lamar's surprise new albumGNXis here ".NME.RetrievedNovember 29,2024.
  3. ^Nelson, Brighton (November 23, 2024)."GNX: Every Song On Kendrick Lamar's Surprise New Album Ranked".ScreenRant.Archivedfrom the original on November 25, 2024.RetrievedDecember 4,2024.
  4. ^Landrum Jr., Jonathan (November 23, 2024)."Kendrick Lamar surprises with new albumGNX".Associated Press.RetrievedNovember 29,2024.
  5. ^Horvath, Zachary (November 23, 2024)."Kendrick Lamar Wants To Change A Woman's Life For The Better On SZA-Assisted" Luther "".HotNewHipHop.RetrievedNovember 29,2024.
  6. ^Zoladz, Lindsay (November 26, 2024)."Kendrick Lamar's surprise new albumGNXis here ".The New York Times.RetrievedNovember 29,2024.
  7. ^Mier, Tomás (November 22, 2024)."Kendrick Lamar's surprise new albumGNXis here ".Rolling Stone.RetrievedNovember 29,2024.
  8. ^ab"Official Top 40 Singles".Recorded Music NZ.November 29, 2024.RetrievedNovember 29,2024.
  9. ^Trust, Gary (February 24, 2025)."Kendrick Lamar & SZA's 'Luther' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100".Billboard.RetrievedFebruary 24,2025.
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