" Luther " has turned out to be one of the break hit ofKendrick Lamar’sGNXalbum . Despite the album being hyped largely on the back ofKendrick ’s gripe with Drake , one of its most popular songs is a loving lay feature SZA . On top of beingranked among the album ’s best songs , " Luther " top out at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts .

Everyone do it " Luther " by Kendrick Lamar boast SZA , but those not familiar with its deed name ’s history in music may wonder why the name is never mentioned in the Sung dynasty ’s language . Upon run across the name " Luther , " those attune to music story will immediately think ofLuther Vandross , an R&B soul singerwhose eight - time Grammy - get ahead life history span 35 years before decease off in 2005 .

Although he lark a prolific legacy in euphony , the song " Luther " is n’t really about Luther Vandross . alternatively , the song carries his spirit , as modern medicine proceed to be the tint and root of Luther ’s music through sample .

Artist Warren Zevon plays his guitar and sings into a microphone during a live performance.

Who “Luther” Is In Kendrick Lamar’s Song

“Luther” Samples a Classic Luther Vandross record feat. Cheryl Lynn, “If This World Were Mine”

Kendrick Lamar ’s " Luther " -which he execute at Super Bowl LIX - samples " If This World Were Mine"as do by Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn . " If This World Were Mine " was in the beginning released on September 4th , 1982 , function as the second bingle from Cheryl Lynn ’s 4th record album , Instant Love . The strain top out at # 4 on the R&B charts in its era , and # 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 , making it the full-grown hitting on Lynn ’s record album . This book itself is a cover of " If This World Were Mine " originally blab by Marvin Gaye ( who wrote the song ) and Tammi Terrell .

Cheryl Lynn ’s Instant Love album was produced alone by Luther Vandross . He also contributed writing credits for the Sung dynasty ’s title rail .

The original vocal from the soul span of Gaye and Terrell was produced as a atomic number 5 - side exclusive to the A - side ’s " If I Could ramp up My Whole World Around You , " both issue on November 14 , 1967 . This interpretation , which was more contemplative of the papa musical genre of its era than R&B , appeared on their collab record album , United , and peaked at # 27 on Billboard ’s R&B chart , as well as # 68 on the chart ’s Hot 100 . Gaye and Terrell ’s record was a strike in itself , but an argument can be made thatLuther and Lynne have eclipsed its success .

The background is black. This is white triangle in the middle. A white line comes off the left side of the triangle and a rainbow comes off the right side with the color’s red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple.

Why “Luther” Isn’t Really About Luther Vandross

The Song is About a Man Willing to Do Any and Everything for His Woman

The success of Lynne and Vandross ' version has persist stick to its resurgence afterKendrick Lamar ’s record album releaseand , of course of action , his beloved single , " Luther . " The song ’s implemental and the crooning of Luther ’s vox for the words , " If this world were mine … " across the hook shot dominate Kendrick Lamar ’s hit track record . Rather than gist around Luther or even Lynne , Kendrick ’s lyrics centre around two peopleexpressing veritable making love for each other . The song tells a story from a male perspective and a woman ’s view of their undeniable beloved .

Kendrick Lamar ’s homage does n’t require to mention Luther by name when the lyric echo his spirit by modernizing Vandross ' glide slope to writing beloved songs .

Kendrick ’s words express a willingness to do anything for the woman he have a go at it , be it something as wholesome as assume her " dreams and make ‘em multiply " or as violent as " take your enemies in front of God , insert ‘em to that brightness , hit ‘em strictly with that fye . " Meanwhile , SZA pontificates on a trusting woman who remains encouraging and nourishing to her humanity with love , conquest , and strain relief . Anyone familiar with Luther ’s medicine sleep together this isthe kind of love he talks aboutin his strain . Kendrick Lamar’shomage does n’t need to mention Luther by name when the words echo his disembodied spirit by modernizing Vandross ' approach to save love songs .

Brandi Carlile playing the guitar

Kendrick Lamar from the Not Like Us music video in the foreground, SZA in the Kill Bill music video in the background feature

Headshot Of Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar