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Luther (song)

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"Luther"
Single by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
from the album GNX
ReleasedNovember 25, 2024 (2024-11-25)
Length2:57
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Audio video
"Luther" on YouTube

"Luther" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar and singer SZA. It was released as the lead single from Lamar's sixth studio album, GNX on November 25, 2024.[1] The song was written by Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, Solána Rowe, Atia Boggs, Samuel Dew and Marvin Gaye while production was handled by Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Bridgeway, M-Tech and Rose Lilah.

Composition

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"Luther" is a "love ballad" accentuated by various string sections against 808 beats and hi-hats.[2] It features a sample of "If This World Were Mine", written by Marvin Gaye and performed by Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn, and builds on the song title from the very beginning.[3] Lamar in a "monotone" delivery kicks off the "love story" by confessing his love for the protagonist, presumably a "sex worker" or 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.[4]

Critical reception

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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.[6]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Luther"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[7] 7
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[8] 1
Lithuania (AGATA)[9] 9
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] 1

References

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  1. ^ Fusi, Eleonora (November 25, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar, SZA – luther (Radio Date: 29-11-2024)". EarOne.it. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Williams, Kyann-Sian (November 25, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar's surprise new album GNX is here". NME. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  3. ^ Landrum Jr., Jonathan (November 23, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album GNX". Associated Press. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Zoladz, Lindsay (November 26, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar's surprise new album GNX is here". The New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  6. ^ Mier, Tomás (November 22, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar's surprise new album GNX is here". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  7. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. December 2, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  8. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. December 2, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  9. ^ "2024 48-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. November 29, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  10. ^ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. November 29, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
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