In a masterful blend of romance and rivalry, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s latest visual offering for “Luther” arrives at a fascinating moment in hip-hop’s ever-shifting landscape. The video dropped just weeks after Lamar’s controversial Grammy appearance — you know, the one where he showed up in that perfectly calculated Canadian tuxedo that had Twitter buzzing for days.
Set against the stark elegance of an empty office building, the Karena Evans-directed piece feels both intimate and expansive. There’s something almost poetic about how the downtown skyline serves as a silent witness to the artists’ performance, while that Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn sample (“If This World Were Mine”) weaves through the track like a golden thread.
The choice of Evans as director? Well, that’s where things get interesting. The Canadian visionary, best known for her groundbreaking work with Drake — particularly “In My Feelings” — brings her signature style to the project. Given the simmering tension between Lamar and Drake (which, let’s be honest, has dominated hip-hop discourse since New Year’s), the selection feels less like coincidence and more like calculated chess.
“Luther” has been absolutely crushing it on the charts. After a No. 3 debut on the Billboard Hot 100, the track climbed to the top spot and hasn’t budged for seven straight weeks. Not too shabby for a song that’s part of Lamar’s surprise drop “GNX” — an album that casually landed all twelve of its tracks on the Hot 100, with five breaking into the top spots.
An industry veteran (speaking off the record, naturally) put it perfectly: “The video captures something timeless while feeling completely current.” It’s the kind of visual that reminds everyone why these two artists consistently push the boundaries of modern music. They’ve taken what could’ve been a straightforward concept and transformed it into something magnetic.
Meanwhile, as Drake pursues legal action against Universal Music Group over streaming practices, both artists seem content letting their work do the talking. The “Luther” video manages to thread the needle — it’s both a statement piece and a genuine artistic expression, never letting industry drama overshadow its emotional core.
Looking ahead to spring 2025, fans won’t have to wait long to see this dynamic duo bring “Luther” to life on stage. The Grand National Tour kicks off April 19 in Minneapolis, with 18 North American cities lined up before they jet across the pond for 13 European shows. Something tells me those performances will be anything but ordinary.
What’s particularly striking about “Luther” is how it transcends the typical hip-hop narrative. Sure, there’s the underlying industry chess match — but at its heart, this is artistry that resonates across genres and generations. As Lamar and SZA prepare to take this show on the road, they’re proving that sometimes the best response to industry drama is simply creating something undeniable.
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